The progression of the four seals is from lust to conquest (the first seal) to civil war (the second seal) to famine (the third seal) to pestilence and death (the fourth seal). This is the natural progression of man’s inhumanity to man. In other words, God simply allows human sin to come full circle, turn in upon itself, and self-destruct.
– Grant Osborne on Revelation 6 in Revelation (BEC)
The primary theme is divine sovereignty, as the Lamb initiates the event, and in three of them the divine passive “was given” (6:2, 4, 8) controls the action. This means that the activities of the horsemen take place only as authorized by God.
– Grant Osborne on Revelation 6 in Revelation (BEC)
– Grant Osborne on Revelation 5 in Revelation (BEC)
In spite of the persecution and suffering that the saints are enduring, John wants them to know that they already inhabit a high position with Christ before God. The world is now in seeming control, but Christ has already entered the world and as a result of his “love” has “freed” them from the burdens of their sins and made them part of his kingdom, in which they are both royalty and priests.
– Grant Osborne on Revelation 1:5-6 in Revelation (BECNT)
Brian J. Mikul 