Revelation 6:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And I saw, &c.— St. John had seen, in the former part of his vision, a representation of the majesty, glory, power, and supreme authority of God; and also the sealed book, in which were contained the orders of the divine Providence concerning the church and world, delivered to Christ the Lamb of God, to open and reveal it, for the encouragement of the church in patience and faithfulness; together with the adoration of the church on this solemn occasion. Now this revelation of Christ begins with a prophetic representation of the future state of the church and world, so far as the wisdom and goodnessof God thought fit to make it known for the consolation of his faithful people. This chapter contains the first grand period of prophesy, (divided into seven seals or lesser periods,) and the description of the state of the church under Heathen Rome, from the time of the date of the prophesy to about the year of Christ 323. See ch. Revelation 8:1. Each of the prophetical descriptions is in part some figurative or hieroglyphical picture and motto, or some representation in the style and figurative expressions of ancient prophesy, describing some particular dispensation of Providence, proper and peculiar to the several successive states of the church and empire, during the space or time contained in this period: In which therefore we may hope to find both a wise and kind intention, in making known these dispensations of Providence to the church, and an useful and profitable meaning of this first period of prophetic revelation. As the seals are opened in order, so the events follow in order too. The first seal or period is memorable for conquest, and was proclaimed by the first of the living creatures, who was like a lion, and had his station in the East. According to Lowman, the person represented, Revelation 6:2 is the Lord Jesus Christ, who had received a kingdom from the Father, which was to rule all nations. See ch. Revelation 19:11-12.Psalms 45:3; Psalms 45:17. But, according to Bishop Newton, this first period commences with Vespasian, who, from commanding in the East, was advanced to the empire; and Vespasian, for this reason, was regarded, both by Romans and foreigners, as "that great prince, who was to come out of the East, and obtain dominion over the world." They went forth to conquer: for they made an entire conquest of Judea, destroyed Jerusalem, and carried the Jews captive into all nations. As these prophesies were written a few years before the destruction of Jerusalem, they properly begin with some allusion to that memorable event; and a short allusion was sufficient, our Saviour himself having enlarged so much on all the particulars. The bow, the white horse, and the crown, are proper emblems of victory, triumph, and royalty; and the proclamation for conquest is fully made by a creature like alion. This period continued during the reigns of the Flavian family, and the short reign of Nerva, about twenty-eight years.