The First Six Seals, Part 2

The First Six Seals, Part 2

Revelation, Part 7, Revelation 6:7-17

Introduction

- On Wednesday we began examining a horrific time in Earth’s history

-- The first three seals (from the scroll) have been opened by Jesus

- The White Horse

-- The white horse brings a man of conquest

-- The rider on the white horse is not Jesus

-- He has no ammo to make war, but he signifies war with a weapon

-- FACT: The White Horse rider is a great imitator (anti-Christ)

- The Red Horse

-- The red horse brings with him war and conflict

-- This authority (to bring war) is granted to the horseman by God

-- All this rider must do is take peace from the earth; men do the rest

-- Peace between men is a gift from God; it is not a natural state (Cain/Abel)

- The Black Horse

-- The scales represent the commerce of the world

-- Today the idol of the earth is no longer God but capitalism and success

-- In ancient times, a quart of wheat is what one man would eat in a meal

-- This rider brings with him an incredible shortage of FOOD

- Today we are going to examine the next three seals on the scroll …

-- The importance of knowing what will happen is vital to a Christian today

-- It is in the knowledge that we can warn others, and speak truthfully

Read Revelation 6:7-17

Ω Point 1 – The Pale Horse (v 7-8)

- The pale horse brings DEATH to ¼ of the Earth

- We are constantly reminded of the location of those who died w/o Jesus

-- The dead are swept into Hades or Hell (eternal torment for rebellion)

-- The Greek word for Earth (Gaia) here talks about the livable earth

-- It’s those that are alive during this time is who we are talking about

- The earth’s population is estimated at 7.2 billion

-- Imagine ¼ of the population of the earth dying suddenly

-- APP: This would be well over 1.8 billion people

-- APP: 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

-- The tribulation is literally hell on Earth, and this is only the beginning!

- The fourth horse has come to collect the results of red & black horsemen

-- IMP: War causes death; famine causes death; 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 in Matthew 24:21, “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.”

-- Bible confirms that this will be the worst time ever seen

-- Daniel 12:1, “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered.”

-- Jeremiah 30:7, “How awful that day will be! No other will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.”

- APP: 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!

- IMP: 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 His Son and avoid this time is solely yours.

Ω Point 2 – The 5th Seal (9-11)

- These under the altar are those who have been martyred for their faith

- Probably what confuses so many is the writing in Revelation has several things happening simultaneously … this is one of those times

- Why is John now seeing these under the altar?

-- The 5th seal shows us that just after the rapture and the establishment of the rule and power by the Antichrist (the rider on the white horse)

-- This world will enter a time of persecution for all who believe in Jesus

-- During this time, there will be one world religion established

-- IMP: To believe in anything but the Antichrist makes you his enemy

- Jesus died for your sins; ONLY through His shed blood can you be saved

-- Humanity will have to decide once and for all who to serve in this time