And it doesn't matter what sinners recognize. The only thing that matters is what Jesus Christ has told us about this time.
What happens when the first seal is opened?
A man sitting on a white horse is crowned, and he goes out to conquer. This translates to war, which we've seen centuries of. The first four seals aren't unusual considering history. Wars have been common. The Black Plague alone killed over a forth of mankind. This is what makes me wonder if the 1st four seals speak of judgments from the time of Christ's resurrection to the start of the tribulation period.
My reference to the souls under the alter is this: Since the tribulation lasts 7 seven years, why would the souls under the alter ask, "how long" if the tribulation period had already started? Wouldn't they already know the answer if the tribulation period had already started?