Revelation, Part 9
Revelation Chapter 6:1-8
The Four Horsemen
Introduction
Today we begin to look at a time so horrific, that the urgency we have felt to others about Jesus ought to become very real. This urgency ought to flood your inner most soul, in that there is nothing your soul will want to do but to tell others about Jesus Christ and His salvation.
I want to remind you again that after Chapter 3 the church is mentioned no more – and I believe this is proof that the church has been taken home to glory. In the last few weeks we have turned our focus on the Throne and Who sits on the Throne.
If ever I was inspired by God to do a hellfire and brimstone message, this would be the chapter I would have to use – so that we could understand the importance of Jesus’ authority, and His Reign over all creation, and what is to come upon this world.
Pray
I. White Horse (v 1-2)
The white horse brings a man of conquest. Notice who is opening the seals - Jesus alone has the authority and right to do this.
The rider on the white horse is not Jesus - but a satanic dictator who imitates Jesus. (If Jesus is opening the scroll, He is not on the horse!)
Jesus on a white horse is mentioned in Revelation 19 … not here.
The political and social scene of today is certainly set for the arrival of this kind of political leader; all that is waiting is for the Lord to allow it – of course after the church is removed from the Earth.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 says “And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.”
Notice the rider carries a bow - but no arrows.
The first seal being opened is what brings this dictator to power; we are told that the seventieth week of Daniel 9 begins when this dictator will confirm a covenant with many (he confirms a covenant with the Jewish people).
Daniel 9:27 says “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ’seven.’
The seven here is a seven year period. Remember that seven is God’s perfect number, and this great imitator is simply copying God. In the future, he will soon set himself up as God so he is laying the foundation by copying God’s characteristics.
The rider of the white horse also wears a Stephanos crown, which is a crown of victory that we have talked about before. This crown is given to him by God, because his rule is allowed by God alone. This rider’s conquest will be by his manner of speech, not by war.
Research:
Many biblical scholars believe that this ruler will come from a European nation.
The current problem, with this view is Europe is not in the position to force the nations of earth to accepting peace terms. Secondly, Israel would not trust Europe with its peace. Europe is openly hostile to Israel, with a growing Muslim population; Europe is now under constant pressure to appease anti-Jewish viewpoints.
When Daniel talks about the Antichrist, he states that he will be a descendent of the armies, which destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. This opens the possibility of the Antichrist being a descendent of Rome, but not the leader of a European nation.
Think of who, today, would be able to protect Israel and may already be doing so.
(Speculation) - He could be a European, a descendent of the Roman armies, who heads a powerful nation such as the United States following the Rapture, which can guarantee and protect Israel’s security and lull Israel into a false sense of security.
The White Horse rider is a great imitator. He is a false Christ bent on conquest and conquering those who would serve Jesus Christ. Turn away from him, and look to the God of love who is in Heaven – He will be the only protection you have from what is about to unfold!
II. Red Horse (v 3-4)
The red horse brings with him war and conflict. All this rider must do is take peace from the earth; men do the rest of the destruction among themselves. Peace between men is a gift from God; it is not the natural state of relations between men. Mankind, through the sins of the flesh, is constantly looking to be better than its neighbor and without the peace (or remnant) of God being present, we would be given over to our desire to conquer!
This authority is granted to the horseman; this is, directly or indirectly, the judgment of God. We live in the age of war and conflict; since World War II, there have been more than 150 wars of one kind or another.
The nations of the world spend more than $1 trillion on military expenditures a year.
Think about a nuclear war. Think about the after effects of a nuclear war. Could the next three horsemen not be describing the after effects of a nuclear war?
Today, nuclear war is more and more a possibility as nations continue to upgrade technology to defend themselves from potential assaults from their neighbors. India and Pakistan are great examples; these two nations by themselves have almost 1.2 billion people. Both nations are increasingly their nuclear and missile technology to outdo their neighbor. A nuclear war between these nations would not just affect those who die from missile strikes but food supplies and diseases, which would follow.
Nuclear weapons with greater fire power, held by smaller and smaller nations can turn world into chaos.
Pay attention to the things happening in the nation of Iran and North Korea. They hold the wick to lighting a powder keg that has been filled for years!
III. Black Horse (v 5-6)
The scales represent the commerce of the world.
Today, the idol of the earth is no longer God but capitalism and success without God. The nations on the earth are pushing commerce and success as their hope.
The Gospel continues to give people a choice, what really is important!!
During the tribulation period, people will be forced to choose the God of Heaven or the self-appointed “god of humanity”.
In ancient times, a quart of wheat is what one man would eat in a meal. In order to purchase this wheat, you would give one days’ worth of wages. During the tribulation (after the days of war under the red horse) – the lack of food across the globe would result in world-wide famine!
Note that the voice declaring this shortage is coming from the center of the throne! This could be Jesus Himself, and he could be declaring to humanity that man cannot live on bread (wheat) alone!
John 6:33-35 says “For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
The three quarts of barley was food for the animals and the poor, for one day. Barley costs less than wheat, but still would cost one day’s wages. Perhaps this shows that man (those who are poor) would be just scraping by enough to feed themselves?
Now think about this – if you had a family, and one day of wages bought enough food for you to eat – what would your family eat? Famine would soon ensue across the globe!
Pay attention though to the fact that the oil and wine are not damaged. These are luxury items that are attributed to the wealthy. It says that these will not be affected, which means those who are wealthy will not suffer to get enough food to eat. But, does wealth save a man?
God’s Word says (Acts 10:34) that “God is no respecter of persons” – and I believe this gives weight that even though they may be rich, they will still suffer loss. While they may not suffer hunger right now, we are only in the beginning of the Tribulation.
IV. Pale Horse (v 7-8)
As we continue to study the book of Revelation, we are constantly reminded of the location of those who died. Here we are told the dead enter Hell or Hades as it follows close behind the pale horse.
Here the dead are being swept into Hades or Hell – these are those who have died without Jesus Christ as their Savior! The Greek word for Earth here talks about the livable earth – those that are alive and well during this time is who we are talking about.
Today the earth’s population is estimated at 6.3 billion; imagine ¼ of the population of the earth dying suddenly, the number would be well over 1.5 billion people. There is no way to say how many will be on the Earth following the Rapture of the church, but consider ¼ of those who are left dying because of these 4 riders.
Horror scenes portrayed in the movies cannot begin to describe the events to take place in this period. The tribulation will be literally hell on Earth, and this is only the beginning!
The fourth horse and its rider have come to collect the results of the red and black horsemen. War causes death – famine causes death – and even the beasts of the Earth will kill and destroy as they seek to have their basic need met …. FOOD!
It is no surprise that Jesus said “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21) Daniel 12:1 and Jeremiah 30:7 also confirm that this time will be the worst ever seen!
If I could tell you anything and have you hear it, it would be this: YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE HERE TO SEE THESE HORSEMEN!
This is the worst only beginning, take charge of your destiny and secure your eternity now – for tomorrow is not promised!
I want you to see one very important note before we close: Notice that power is given to the horseman; though all hell is breaking loose on the earth, God is still very much in control, but the decision to accept Him and His Son is solely yours.
Conclusion
Invite the singers
Next week, we will continue with the seven seals and I want you to keep in mind that what we have just discussed is only the beginning of the judgment on man.
Think for a moment that if this is the beginning – how much worse could the ending be?
Do you want your friends and family to go through this? The Bible says that today is the appointed day of salvation, and without Jesus as your Lord and Savior those without Jesus Christ will see these times for certain.
I want you to know that your pride will keep you from heaven – don’t let it!
Today is the day to pray for strength from the Lord to ask Him to give you the boldness to witness to others.
* Lots of research (stats, information, and research) provided from Prophecy Update and Truth Net.org
