Series: Are You Prepared? [#11]
EXTREME MAKEOVER:
TRIALS EDITION
Revelation 6:1-8
Introduction:
As we come to this point in our series, I had to ask the Lord to show me how to preach this sermon in a way that would be applicable to our lives and yet at the same time not take away from the text; which is about the Tribulation. Revelation 6 introduces to us a time when things are going to get really bad on this earth. Yes, this earth has come under cruel times of famine, catastrophe, dictatorship, and many other types of suffering; but the 7 years of Tribulation will be unlike anything ever seen.
These 7 years will be to get people’s attention and maybe “wake” some of them up to Who is in charge. There are 3 sets of judgments during the Tribulation- 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls. The first set, the 7 seals, (6 of which are found in Revelation 6); cover the first quarter of the Tribulation (which is the first 21 months).
I believe that the Church will be raptured out before this happens; but there is still a message found here for us today. Look with me this morning at the Extreme Makeover God is going to give to the people of the world during the Tribulation and the Extreme Makeover He wants to give to His people today.
I. Seal #1: The Rider On The White Horse
Prophecy
The 1st 4 seals reveal horses and riders. The 4 horsemen present the picture of man’s inhumanity to man.
Revelation 6:1-2
There has been question concerning the rider of this first horse.
Daniel 9:26-27
Daniel is telling us that the future world dictator would begin his career as a peacemaker! He will go from victory to victory and finally control the whole world.
Some have suggested that the rider on the white horse is actually a symbol of the “conquering Christ” who today is defeating the forces of evil in the world. They use Revelation 19:11 as proof, but the only similarity is the presence of a white horse. I believe that this rider is the Antichrist. We should expect the Antichrist to resemble Christ. This is Satan’s imitation of the real thing. This great deceiver will come as a peaceful leader, holding a bow but no arrows! (By the way, our Lord’s weapon is a sword; Revelation 19:15). The Antichrist will solve the world’s problems and be received as a great leader.
Another proof that this is the Antichrist and not Jesus Christ is in verse 2. The word for crown in Revelation 6:2 means “the victor’s crown.” The crown that Jesus Christ wears is translated as “the kingly crown” (Revelation 19:12). The Antichrist could never wear “the kingly crown” because it belongs only to Jesus Christ. As we have discussed several times, the Antichrist will “trick” everyone into believing he is the savior of the world. He will get their trust as he lures them in.
Present Application
Why does God allow Satan to try to deceive us? Why does God allow Satan to present evil things to us, especially when they don’t even look evil?
Let me ask you, “Do you really want to be obedient to God’s plan for your life or would you rather do it your way”? God does give us as His children the tools necessary to discern right from wrong. We don’t have to live our life in a “trial and error” method. Stop using “ignorance of God’s law” as an excuse. Find out what is right and do it.
1 John 4:1-6
II. Seal #2: The Rider On The Red Horse
Prophecy
Revelation 6:3-4
The red horse and the rider are a symbol of war. Notice the rider has the ability to “take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other.” Also notice that this time there is not a weapon without ammunition, there is a sword. We will study later in our series about the 10 kings which will be the 10 world leaders; but I need to mention that 3 of those will “go up against” the Antichrist. I believe that when the Antichrist eliminates those three kings that it will begin a war. Those countries will begin to war against the others and there will be a very bloody war. The color red is generally associated with terror and death.
Present Application
The devil wants to do to us the same thing the rider on this red horse will do. He wants to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. Satan wants us to destroy one another. The devil uses things like power, prestige, and wealth to cause us to war amongst each other all of the time.
The devil wants nothing more than to see God’s children destroy one another. As I said a couple of weeks ago, we let such little things hurt our relationships with one another. Imagine the impact we would have as a church, as a family, as a business, etc… when we all work together for the same cause- the cause of Christ.
Will we continue to war against one another or join together and war against the enemy?
III. Seal #3: The Rider On The Black Horse
Prophecy
Revelation 6:5-6
The color black is often used in Scripture to symbolize famine. Many times after a war there are economic problems, which result in famine. Inflation usually takes hold after a war. The balances in the hand of the rider on the black horse indicate the scarcity of food. The amount of food that will be able to be purchased for a whole day’s labor is enough to properly feed one person. What about people’s family? Now for the rich, it won’t be so bad. Notice that the rider is instructed to not damage the oil and wine, which are traditional foods of the rich. As in most wars, the common people will suffer greatly.
Present Application
There are times that we go through challenges financially. For many, the cost of living, the cost of medicine, the cost of gasoline, etc… is unbearable. Many of our seniors in our country have to choose whether to eat or buy their medicine. Many of our young families and single parent families work all the time just make enough to live from paycheck to paycheck.
The devil will use these things to try to convince you that God doesn’t care what happens to you and your family. If you’re not careful you will forget that God gave you that job and that you need to work as if God was your boss.
Stop worrying about things that God said He would take care of.
Matthew 6:31-34
IV. Seal #4: The Rider On The Pale Horse
Prophecy
Revelation 6:7-8
The pale horse is corpse-like, signifying death. The death rate of the first 21 months of the Tribulation period will be tremendously high as a result of war, famine, and inflation. In fact, ¼ of the world’s population will die. The fact that Hades follows the pale horse of death indicates that these are unsaved dead.
A believer who receives Christ during the Tribulation will not go to Hades, which is a place reserved for unbelievers as they await the Great White Throne Judgment. Christians don’t forget the fact of Who is opening the seals. It’s the Lamb, which should cause us to realize that God is in control.
Present Application
Just as for the believers during the Tribulation, when believers die, they go to Heaven. As a Christian we have nothing to fear because there is nothing or nobody that can take our salvation from us.
Conclusion:
I find it interesting that the judgments that God will unleash upon this world during the Tribulation, He protects us from when the devil tries to use them against us. Just remember, “Greater is He that is within me than He that is in the world”.
