The Ladder of Sevens
# |
SEALS |
TRUMPETS |
BOWLS OF WRATH |
1 |
First living creature says, "Come!" White horse appears, ridden by a bowman. He is given a crown and rides off on conquest. |
The earth suffers from a hail of fire and blood. A third of it is burned up. |
Wrath is poured upon the earth, causing sores on the beast-marked. |
2 |
The second living creature calls forth a red horse. Its rider is given a sword and he rides off to make war. |
A "huge mountain" falls into the sea. A third of the sea is turned to blood, a third of the fish and ships are destroyed. |
Wrath is poured on the sea, and everything in it is killed. |
3 |
The third living creature calls forth a black horse. The rider holds scales and represents severe shortages. |
A blazing star falls into the fresh waters. A third of the waters become bitter and poisonous. |
Wrath is poured upon the rivers and springs of water and they become blood. |
4 |
The fourth living creature calls forth a pale horse. The rider is Death. He rides to kill by sword, famine, plague and wild animals. He is given power over a fourth of the world. |
A third of the heavenly bodies are stricken and their light is dimmed. "Woe! Woe! Woe!" is declared; a warning concerning the next three events. |
Wrath is poured upon the sun and it scorches people with fire, but they do not repent. |
5 |
Martyred witnesses are seen under the altar. They impatiently demand vengeance. They are given clean robes and told to wait a while longer. |
A star falls from heaven and opens the shaft to the abyss. From the depths arise an assortment of horrible creatures who are to torment, not kill, all of the people who have not the seal on their foreheads. |
Wrath is poured upon the throne of the beast. Men are in agony and curse God, but they do not repent. |
6 |
The wrath of the lamb. All creation is about to be destroyed, but four angels are directed to hold back the chaos while the 144,000 (12,000 from each of the 12 tribes)are sealed against harm. A countless multitude appears, who have white robes made clean by coming through the great tribulation. |
The four angels who have been holding back destruction are released! 200,000,000 mounted troups kill a third of humankind by means of plagues of fire and smoke. The survivors donot repent. The mighty angel of prophecy is described, who bridges land and sea. The two witnesses are slain in Jerusalem, and are brought back to life. |
Wrath is poured upon the river Euphrates, the great source of waters. It is dried up. Evil spirits gather the kings of the whole world at the place called Armageddon. |
7 |
Half an hour of silence in heaven. |
The earth is claimed as the kingdom of God and his Christ. |
The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" |