HoHum:
The Four Horsemen formed in 1985 with Ric Flair, Ole and Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard with J. J. Dillon as their manager. In his autobiography To Be The Man, Rick Flair claimed that it was during this interview that Arn Anderson commented: "The only time this much havoc had been wreaked by this few a number of people, you need to go all the way back to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse!”
WBTU:
Theodicy is a response to the problem of evil in the world that attempts logically, relevantly and consistently to defend God as omnipotent, all loving and just despite the reality of evil.
This books shows us God’s final solution against evil.
The questions surrounding evil demand a response. Apocalypse and Allegiance: The last book of the Bible is not a catalog of predictions about events that would take place 2000 years later…. Rather it serves as a primer on the battle of good and evil in every generation.
Summary of revelation 5 to set background of revelation 6- opening the seals. Revelation 4- Great throne room and worship there. Come to Revelation 5 and find this question in vs. 2-4. One of the elders said to John, vs. 5. See the lamb in vs. 6. Vs. 7 he came…. Vs. 8 When he had taken it, much worship that concludes with an Amen in vs. 14. History tumbles out a mass of data- wars, famines, murders, and tragedies. God’s people want to make meaning out of this chaos. In the Lamb’s life, death, and resurrection history comes into focus. History is His Story.
First 4 seals belong together, 5th seal is independent of first 4, 6th seal is independent of first 5, together these reveal God’s will for his people
First 4 seals are symbolic of the evil that exists in the world of the 1st century; these were brought into focus by imperial Rome. Even so, these things are still in operation today. The question every person of faith must ask is, Do God’s love and redemption work where I live, where evil reigns? Is this redemption only for the future or is it for today?
6:1- 2 White horse- war is the human condition. To be human is to be at war. Must interrupt because some say this white horse is talking about Christ. I can see that but in the context it more applies to imperial Rome than Christ. Rome loved conquest to remove any threats to their way of life. Much of the imagery that goes to Christ in the Bible could be applied to the Emperor of Rome. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess, the Emperor would love this. Rome wanted to take over the world. Other kingdoms at that time but impressive conquest. Be better off with one world government- many in Roman Empire would beg to differ.
3-4 internal corruption, violence, crime, even civil war. James 4:1-2: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.” These are the actions of power hungry persons; it is the delusion of insane pride; it is an expression of greed gone crazy.
5-6 economic discrimination- Famine is nature out of balance. The necessities are scarce while the luxuries are in abundance (do not damage the oil and wine). A quart of wheat and three quarts of barley are starvation rations for a family. Yes, with this a man could support himself, but what about his family? How can a man who is earning just one denarius a day provide for his family when prices are so high? What is necessary for daily living is unavailable while the luxuries of life, oil and wine, are abundant but not for the poor. Most of the world lives on a dollar a day. At certain places on this globe, the imbalance and greed conspire so that the famine is obvious to all- the malnutrition and starvation can be photographed.
7-8 Sounds like the situation with the black death in the Middle Ages- more than a fourth died- what people were fearing with the coronavirus. Sickness is the condition in which our bodies are weakened or impaired so that these things are life limiting. Unable to live out our God given mission or purpose. One feature of Christ earthly ministry was healing of the body. Hospitals were started by Christians. In the Roman Empire they had plagues that decimated the population. The doctors fled the cities while the Christians stayed. They took care of their brother and sisters in Christ but branched out to their pagan neighbors. The Christians were often found dead while on their rounds to take care of the sick, they also succumbed to the illness. Basic medical care can help so many- TB can be cured but not enough money or willingness. Death is the destiny of all. The final healing is resurrection.
9-11 martyrs- persecution of the faithful. Suffering the evils of persecution, the meek of the earth cry out, “How long?” Vs. 10. These are promised that in a short time God will judge and avenge their persecutors.
12-17 martyrs will be vindicated by the shaking and destruction of the heavens- see much of these 6 seals today but the problem of evil must have occupied the minds of the Christians at the time this was written. If the kingdom of God has come, why are Roman armies marching across the globe? The gospel declares God’s love for the world but Romans were putting people in prisons and on crosses because of the good news? Christ lived, suffered, died and rose again but the world is getting worse, not better?
Interlude in ch 7- answers question in 6:17- who can stand?
Peterson: the answer is a surprise. The seventh unsealing is delayed until the answer is given. Who can stand? 2 groups can stand. 1. Angels vs. 1. Good for them but they are in a different plain of existence. 2. Multitude vs. 2-8- representing Christians who are striving to endure through their faith in Jesus- God is protecting his people spiritually- Christians are sealed vs. 3
Vs. 9-14 is a continuation of the 5th seal where have the souls under the altar- reveals heavenly reward for those who persevere- washed their robes and made them white in blood of lamb
144,000 are representing church militant (present) on earth. There is a group who claims that only 144,000 will be saved. This number is symbolic not literal. Here is one interpretation: The number 3, indicating the Trinity, is multiplied by 4, indicating the entire creation, for the sealed ones shall come from the east, west, north and south. 3 x 4 = 12. This number therefore indicates: the Trinity (3) operating in the universe (4). When the Father through the Son in the Spirit performs His saving work on earth- the divine (3) operating in the universe (4)- we see in the old covenant the 12 (3 x 4) patriarchs and in the new the 12 apostles. In order to arrive at the conception of the Church of the old and of the new dispensation we shall have to multiply this 12 x 12x 1,000. This gives us 144,000. Nice but what does that mean? Let’s go on…
Vs. 15-17 is a vision of church triumphant in heaven- this group standing before God
Thesis: Unable to answer every question about evil but have some answers from this text
For instances:
1. What we learn about evil:
God allows evil 6:1-8. God allows evil for the sake of our free will. Free will is how God made us, and it is impossible for God to give us free will without allowing evil. So, God allows evil to exist. It is obviously a crucial part of this objection that it is impossible for God to both give us free will and prevent any evil from occurring..
B. God controls evil 6:1-8. Scripture says that when God finished His creation, He saw everything and declared it "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Genesis 3 tells us about the fall and how evil came from that. Many Scriptures affirm that God is not the author of evil: "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone" (James 1:13). "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). God makes good come from evil. Genesis 50:20-
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
C. Christians are not exempt from evil. Jesus said in John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world..
D. Evil will be judged; Satan will be condemned. Nowhere in the Bible is there any attempt to answer the question, “Why does a good God permit evil?” Evil is a fact. Even so, evil will be defeated. The author of evil will be thrown in the lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 20:10). Psalm 37:9 says that those who are evil will be destroyed.
E. God knows his people in the midst of evil- 144,000 God knows who his people are- Ephesians 1:13- marked with a seal- the HS- 1 John 4:4- He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world; God has not forgotten about us, never leave us nor forsake us.
F. Evil will not exist in heaven- Look again at Revelation 7:16-17
2. Church must engage in spiritual battle until those days- Ephesians 6:12- our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
3 things for spiritual battle: a. Must recognize evil- open our eyes- call it evil. Loved that President Bush at 9/11 called it evil. So many in our society call good evil and evil good. Christians are the very persons who can be counted on to have no illusions about the depth of depravity in themselves or in the world at large. Christians know more about what is wrong with the world than any other group, and are, at the same time, less cynical or despairing about it.
b. resist evil- resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7)- Ephesians 6:11- Put on the full armor of God- Samuel Rutherford says, “The devil is but God’s master fencer, to teach us to handle our weapons.” Need truth, righteousness, faith, salvation
c. Resolve to overcome evil- Romans 12:21- overcome evil with good- Titus 3:8:
I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good
Invitation:
3. How can something white be washed in blood? Is your robe washed in the blood of the Lamb? Rev. 7:13-14. BC comic about washing robes in blood. ( https://www.rayfowler.org/2014/04/14/bc-easter-cartoons-part-1/)
