The Four Horsemen Of Revelation 6 Part I

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