THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF REVELATION 6 – PART I
Let’s stand together and open our Bibles to Revelation 6 as we continue our series on Bible Prophecy with today’s message, “The Four Horsemen of Revelation 6.”
Revelation 6:1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. NKJV
THE LABOR PAINS OF WHAT IS TO COME
This morning we begin the first of two sermons dealing with one of the most astounding prophecies in God’s word, the famous four horsemen of Revelation 6.
For centuries, the world has wondered who are these four horsemen of the apocalypse that strike terror in the hearts of men. What is their meaning, and when will they come thundering upon the world stage?
In our lifetime, we are literally watching the prophetic words of Revelation 6 come to life. Twenty-five years ago, the world’s conditions were not yet ready for the release of these four horsemen. Fifteen years, or even ten years ago the world’s conditions were not yet ready. But now, in our lifetime, their shadows loom over the world, and if we were to put our ears to the ground, we can hear the galloping hoofbeats of these four horsemen as they prepare to sprint across the world stage.
I first want to point out that the opening of the scroll that releases these four horsemen cannot happen until after the rapture of the church, and only after Jesus Christ, the eternal King of kings takes the scroll and opens the seals. My point is, for us who love Christ, and are in Christ, we will not be on this earth for the horrific events of Revelation 6.
When the seals are opened, and the four horsemen gallop across the world stage we are in heaven because God promises to rescue us from the wrath of His judgment upon a God hating, Christ rejecting world. If that’s true, and there is no doubt that it is, why then, should we focus on the four horsemen of Revelation 6? There are three reasons.
First, the opening of the seven seals in Revelation 6 is a huge event both in heaven, and on the earth, that signal the beginning of God’s wrath in the tribulation.
Second, I preach this topic as a warning that those who reject Jesus Christ, will be left behind to face a world of immense terror and great judgment. Not only did Jesus say this would be the worst time period in human history, but He also said that the world’s conditions would be so bad, that men’s hearts would melt with great fear of the things coming upon the world. This is why you must give your life to Jesus Christ now.
Third, and very importantly, the numerous signs that are exploding on the world stage tells us that the rapture is very, very close, and that we should be watching and ready for that moment. We should be looking up for our redemption because the prophetic signs are telling us that the next stage of the most intense time in history is about to begin.
These four horsemen have already mounted their powerful steeds. They are waiting on the sidelines for that moment when Jesus Christ opens the scroll, and releases them upon the world. With that picture in mind, let’s now turn our attention to Revelation 4 & 5.
Revelation 4:1 After these things (the church age) I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven.
And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this. (the church age) 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. NKJV
Revelation 4 is a prophetic picture of the church in heaven after the rapture and before the tribulation. In the very near future, sooner than you may know, every believer in Christ will hear the great command of our Lord cry out, “Come up here!” Instantly, in a moment, faster than the speed of light, we will be forever changed into a new body of glory and… we will instantly find ourselves before the throne of God. We will see the living God who sits upon the throne of eternal glory. What a glorious moment that will be! Then in Revelation 5, the entire scene changes…
Revelation 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” NKJV
THE LAMB AND THE SCROLL
What is this scroll? Why is it so important? In the days of John, important documents were written on parchment and rolled up like a scroll. Sometimes if a scroll needed several parts, the writer would write the first part and then roll that part up and seal it with a hot wax seal. Then, he would write the next part, and roll up that part and seal it, and he would continue this same process until he was finished.
To open the document, you had to break open the first seal and read the first part of the document, before you could break open the second seal, and read the second part. You had to do the same thing with each seal until all the parts of the document was revealed. Many scholars believe this scroll was a heavenly document that only one person could open, and that one person is Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God who was slain before foundations of the world. As the Lamb of God who is risen from the grave, He is the Lord of lords who has all authority in heaven and earth, and He alone is the only one in all of creation who has the authority to open the heavenly scroll and read its contents.
Some wonder, why did John weep when no one was found who could open the scroll? John knew that the final fulfillment of all Bible prophecy could not happen until after Jesus breaks opens the seven seals that begins the final days.
That’s why when Jesus took the scroll, the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb and worshipped Him. That’s why the heavenly hosts of ten thousand times the ten thousand erupted with a new song and sang with all of their heart…
Hear me church; this is us singing. This is a prophecy of you and I watching this event take place in heaven and singing in praise with all of our might to the Lamb of God.
Worthy is the Lamb… Worthy is the Lamb… Worthy is the Lamb…
And then in awe and silence, we will watch as Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the eternal King of kings take the scroll and breaks open the first seal… and releases upon the earth, the first horseman of the apocalypse.
THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE
Revelation 6:1 describes the scene… Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. NKJV
When Jesus opens the first seal, He releases a rider on a white horse who will come thundering onto the world stage to conqueror and dominate the world. Revelation 13 calls this rider on the white horse the beast, and he is truly a beast unlike anything the world has ever seen. We know this rider as the antichrist.
There are four images associated with this rider on the white horse, that gives us insight into what he will do when he rides across the world stage.
First, he is pictured arriving on the world stage riding to victory on a white horse. A horse can move with both power and speed, which means he will come thundering onto the world scene with lighting speed. Historically, a white horse signifies victory and peace. However, this rider of the white horse will deceive the world into believing he is a man of peace, but instead of peace, he will conquer the world with war and destruction.
Second, he also has a bow, which represents authority. Notice that he already has the bow with him when he is released. I believe that means when he explodes onto the world stage, he will already be sitting in some type of position of power, and I sincerely believe he is right now, presently in a position of power, waiting for his moment in history.
Third, he is given a crown to wear. This crown means that he is given the authority to rule. The Greek word is (Stephanos) which describes the earthly crown of a conqueror.
He is given this crown based on three things.
First, he receives this worldly crown from Satan.
Revelation 13:2…The dragon (Satan) gave the beast (antichrist) his power and his throne and great authority. NKJV
Second, in Revelation 17:2, we read that he will receive a crown from a ten-kingdom empire and form a one world government.
Revelation 17:12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. NKJV
These ten kingdoms have not yet gained their great power, but they will, and when they do, they will submit their full power and authority to this one man who will use that power to rule the world.
Third, he receives a crown from the people of the world because they will choose to worship him as their god.
Revelation 13:8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb NKJV
The fourth picture that describes his rise to power is found in his image as a conqueror.
Revelation 6:2… he went out conquering and to conquer. NKJV
There’s a whole lot of meaning in that short phrase that I don’t have time for today. But when you compare it with other scripture, it is the most frightening image of all.
Revelation 13:7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And
authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. NKJV
The moment he is set loose to ride onto the world stage, he will immediately begin a worldwide conquest that will result in a world war of terror, and destruction, that will cause the death of 1/4 of the world’s population.
IS THE ANTICHRIST ALIVE TODAY?
That brings us to an intriguing question. Is the antichrist alive today?
The late Dave Hunt, a world-renowned Bible scholar and author wrote; “Somewhere, at this very moment, on planet earth, the antichrist is most certainly alive, biding his time, awaiting his cue.”
I personally believe that Dave Hunt is right, and at this very moment, this man is alive and waiting for his moment of destiny, and I say that, because the warning signs that point to his coming are exploding all over the world.
WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST?
A second big question is, who is the antichrist? For years, people have tried to identify this man. I find it interesting that this man is the ultimate man of evil, and yet nowhere in scripture are we given his name.
But that has not stopped people from making wild speculations. For example, some believed that John F. Kennedy was the antichrist, which was obviously was not true. When Hitler rose to power in Europe, there were many who thought he was the antichrist, and again, as we know, that was also not true. Hitler had the spirit of the antichrist, but he was not the antichrist. There are those who say the antichrist is the pope, or some other world leader, but as of yet, no one knows who he is. Here is a vital point to remember; according to Bible prophecy, the identity of the Antichrist will not be revealed until AFTER the church is removed in the rapture. That means the rapture must happen first, BEFORE the antichrist can be revealed. Remember… He is not revealed until Jesus opens the first seal and allows him to ride onto the world stage.
WHY NOW?
Another powerful question is; How close are we to rapture of the church and to that moment when Jesus opens the first seal and releases this rider of the white horse? This prophecy is over 2,000 years old, so why should we suddenly think that we are nearing the time of this prophecy? Why should we think it is in our lifetime?
Consider this; of all the generations of history, we are the first generation where the prophecies regarding the antichrist and his evil rule are a true possibility.
Forty years ago, when I first began to study Bible prophecy, I could not understand how one man could possibly rule the world. It seemed impossible. I knew the Bible said it would happen, but I just couldn’t understand how it could happen. I could not imagine how one man could effectively gain such power and control that it would enable him to conquer and rule the world. But in our lifetime that picture has become much clearer.
We live in the age of super computers that are far beyond our comprehension.
We live in the age of advanced global technology with Global position systems, satellite communications; the internet, social media, cell phones, all of which reaches around the globe, and is pulling the world into a global community. We now have the ability to literally ID every person on the planet.
This global technology is leading the world down a dark and dangerous path that will ultimately end with a one-world government. It is this great technology that will give the antichrist the tools he needs to control the economic and cultural dynamics of the world. Again, we are the first generation that this is a reality.
On February 15, 2023, Klaus Schwab, founder and leader of the World Economic Forum said in a statement at the World Government Summit in Dubai, “Our life in 10 years from now will be completely different. And … he who masters those technologies will be the master of the world. There is a new boss coming, a new "master" of the world.”
This is where the world is headed. In their push for a one-world government, the nations of the world are looking for someone with the strength and charisma to bring the world together under the banner of peace, and lead the world to greater heights. For the first time in history, all the mechanisms are falling into place, and it is happening right now, in this generation, in your lifetime.
The idea of a ruler leading a one-world government is no longer a conspiracy theory; it’s no longer a science fiction movie. It will happen. But here’s the thing to remember; this is happening exactly as the Bible predicted it would happen. Between today, and the opening of the scroll that calls forth the four horsemen, and begins the nightmare of the tribulation there are at least five major signs or prophecies that must first take place. These five signs are…
? Massive Convergence of Signs
• Wars, earthquakes, famines, worldwide deception, lawlessness, immorality, the evil spirit of antichrist are exploding all over the world – these signs are happening with such intensity and frequency that it is impossible to keep up with them.
• These signs are not going to stop until everything is fulfilled
? Israel and the Magog war of Ezekiel 38 / Psalm 83 war
• Israel must be a nation and as a nation they will encounter two major wars; the Magog war of Ezekiel 38 against Iran and Russia and the Psalm 83 war with the Arab nations.
? A one world government of 10 kings
• There must be a world government of 10 kingdoms that will surrender their power to the antichrist that will include a cashless economic system that will give the antichrist ultimate control over the world’s economy.
• The WEF is pushing for the creation of a new world order by 2030
? Technology for the mark of the beast
• The technology for the making the mark of the beast possible is here.
? The Rapture of the Church must have already happened
IN CLOSING
In closing, the signs are telling us that we are drawing closer to the day for the rapture of the church, and when the rider of the white horse is released. We see the increasing signs of the spirit of the antichrist all over the world. We see the signs of a one world government. We see the signs of technology.
All of these signs are screaming at us that the end is near. So, what are we to do?
First, we are to lift up our heads and look up, because we are not looking for the antichrist; we are looking for Jesus the Christ and the rapture of the church.
Second, we are to live faithful and godly lives as a witness to those who are without Christ.
Third, if you do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, then I encourage you to give your life to Him today. Don’t waste another moment. Ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord. The return of Jesus Christ for His church is very near, and it is imperative that you be ready to meet Him.
What I have given you today, and in this series, is Biblical evidence that the Bible is true, and that these events will happen very soon. The reality is this, you will either be in the rapture of the church where you will be with Jesus Christ and spend eternity in His glorious kingdom, or you will be left behind to face the antichrist and his evil reign of terror that is beyond my ability to describe.
The time is near... Even so, come Lord Jesus!
