5th Seal - Wait a Little Longer

Revelation 6:9-11

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.  They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”  

Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

After the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse had been loosed upon the earth, John’s vision continued with the Lamb opening the 5th seal.  The martyrs and saints who had been persecuted for their beliefs and following Jesus Christ asked God for revenge against their enemies.  His response is not one of wrath or anger, though; it is one of love.  Wait a little longer, for there are still those who can be saved from the tribulation, then the wrath will come.  

Has there been a time when someone wronged you, and the first thing you thought about was how to get back at them, and sometimes even asking God to step in on your behalf?  I know I sure have.  But the reality is that they are a child of God as well, and God’s plan is that none shall perish, not one.  

John 3:16 tells us that “He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe, will not perish but have eternal life.”  The requirement here is to believe in Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:9 tells us “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

God’s intent is for all to come to Christ.  He desires that all would repent and turn to His plan of grace through Jesus Christ, so they can rest in eternal peace with Him.  The martyrs and saints in John’s vision are given white robes, representing that their eternal plan is indeed set in place, but his word to “rest a little longer” is to allow others to come to that same eternal fate. 

God’s time is not the same as ours.  He wears no watch, and as the Creator of all things, is literally outside of time and space.  Other scriptures tell us “for to God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day”(Psalm 90:4).  So, when mockers and antagonists comment that God’s reference to a little longer has demonstrated the inaccuracies of the bible, we can remind them that God does not live in our dimensional constraints.

We all know someone outside of Jesus’ saving grace.  God will bring all things to justice at a point in our future.  He tarry’s to allow us to help them understand and find this relationship with Jesus, but He will not tarry forever.  Revelation tells us that His wrath will come “soon”.  We do not know when, but we know that His word is true.  Be conscientious about sharing God’s word and love with those you know are not aligned with God’s plan.  Help them to see His loving grace is for them as well as every other believer in history.  They are part of the “ALL” referenced throughout God’s word.  We are waiting a little longer, but I can’t put a clock on the end of that window of time.

Third and Fourth Horseman

Revelation 6:5-8

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand.  And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!”  And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

We see the remaining two horsemen revealed in John’s vision through Revelation 6:5-8.  The creature near God’s throne announces to John the third horseman, riding upon a black horse, with scales in his hand.  This horseman brings famine and economic collapse upon the world.

For context, a denarius was a day’s wage in those times, equivalent to approximately $200 by today’s standards.  A quart of wheat is about the size of a loaf of bread, and the estimated requirement to sustain one person for one day.  The implication here is that a person can earn only enough in one day to sustain their life.  No extras, no savings, nothing outside of the bare necessities.  

We can see their society is being split into the haves (oil and wine) and have-nots (wheat and barley) as represented by the third horseman’s instructions.  By limiting the wheat and barley supply, he creates hardships for the lower class, leading to famine and death, while the upper class is unhindered and still able to enjoy finer things like olive oil and wine, at least for this time.

The fact that our economy today is so unbelievably fragile is another example of the nearness to the end times.  Since COVID in 2020 & 2021, we have seen a continual escalation of the price of necessities – bread, milk, gas, water, meat, eggs, and other goods.  On average, the cost of living has increased by 24.3% in the last 4 years.  Unheard of in modern-day history.  At the same time, the average income has increased only 6% - 10%, while unemployment has surged as a result of company restructuring during the pandemic, and they have never been called back.  The economy is so fragile that many farmers and factories have closed permanently, forcing families into bankruptcy and foreclosures.  We are seeing the fingerprints of Revelation 6:6 in our world today if you pay attention.

The fourth horseman is then let loose upon a Pale horse.  The fourth horseman is called Death, and is followed closely by Hades (Hell).  He carries a sickle in his hand and is instructed to bring death upon the earth.  A quarter of the earth’s population will be slain by one of four means: Sword, Hunger, Death (pestilence, plagues), and Beasts.  This represents over 2 billion people (by today’s numbers).  The sword would be wars, violence, murder, and conflict.  Hunger by famine and starvation.  Death will come upon them in plagues (think Black Death, Smallpox, and Bubonic Plague) and pestilence or deadly disease.  (I do not include COVID, because frankly, more people die of influenza each year than COVID in 2020 & 2021) Finally, the beasts of the earth (wild animals) will turn on mankind as well.

Following the economic collapse brought on by the third horseman, this horseman will bring death for those impacted above.  We have seen wars over and over in the 20th and 21st centuries, taking millions of lives.  We have seen bubonic plague take 100’s of millions of lives in Europe, and smallpox take millions as well.  This only scratches the surface of what ¼ of the earth’s population would represent, though.  Think about the scale of 2.2 billion people dying at once.  One in every 4 people you know would be gone.  It’s going to happen to those who are here when God’s plan is put into action.  Will we still be here?  Who knows.  Many say believers will not be here during that time.  Others say we will go through these trials and tribulations only to be raptured afterwards.  God’s wrath, as seen in John’s vision, will come to be.  It may be soon, or it may be 100 years away.  The reality is to have faith and trust in Jesus Christ and realize that the hardships in this life will result in eternal joy in God’s presence.  Do not fear these last days, but prepare accordingly by being in the Word and in prayer every day.

First and Second Horsemen

 Revelation 6:1-4

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!”  And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.  When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”   And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.

Jesus begins to break the seals on the scroll from God’s hand.  There are seven seals, each allowing for a portion of the scroll to be revealed and paint a more complete picture of God’s plan for the end.  Jesus, with full authority and knowledge, sets upon the task of unveiling the plan for wrath that is set to come upon the earth in those days.  With sadness and anguish, these things must take place to eliminate the evil in the world, and those who have denied God will feel the fullness of God’s wrath, not to His joy, but to His pain and requirement for Holiness in His presence.  His desire is that none shall perish (2 Peter 3:9), but by their own hearts’ decision, they have refused His love and grace.

Here we begin the introduction to the four horsemen of the apocalypse.  The first horseman is upon  “the White Horse”.  He carries a bow and is given a crown.  This gives him authority over the earth in the end days as a conqueror, an overcomer.  The bow is significant because, in battle, the archers are sent out first to soften the opposing forces by shooting arrows from a long distance before the artillery advances upon a weakened force.  We cannot draw a conclusion as to this horseman’s identity, but we can see that it is not Jesus, as many might think, because of the “white horse”.  Jesus already had authority in heaven and on earth.  In John’s vision, the entrance of this horseman and white horse is in addition to “the Lamb” opening the seals, so we know that Jesus is not the rider in this context.

The second seal was broken by the Lamb, which then released the second horseman upon a “Red Horse”.  One of the four creatures near God’s throne called forth this horse and John’s vision is brought to life within God’s throne room.  The horseman is given authority to “take peace from the earth” and cause man to slay man.  This authority is given from the Lamb, who was given all authority on heaven and earth.  He is also known as “the prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and ironically puts the plan into motion to remove this peace.

God had once before released wrath upon the earth in Genesis 6, with the flood, because of the corrupt and evil ways of mankind at that time.  Here again we begin to see His plan to once again wipe out the evil in this world.  In Jesus’ own words from Luke 17:26, “As in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of Man”, He prescribed the coming wrath in the end times.  We now see the 2nd horseman on the Red Horse given the authority to carry out these plans.  

We are called to be ready at any moment.  Are you?  Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?  Have you accepted Him as your Savior and Lord?  You can look at the news on any given day and see the evil, wickedness, debauchery, and corruption from God’s righteousness and holiness.  We are nearing the end days, and I’m not just saying that.  The proof is all around you, for we are living as unrighteously and wickedly as those of Noah’s day.  My ask of you today is to repent, turn from your sin, and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.  We will discover in the coming days, much worse wrath that will be poured out upon the earth.  Trusting in Jesus is the only path through these times.

Who is Worthy?

 Revelation 5

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”  And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.  And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.  And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  And they sang a new song, saying, 

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

John is in God’s throne room once again.  This time God on His throne holds the scroll with seven seals, the will of God, the plan for the earth from that point forward.  As those present, angels, elders, the 4 creatures on each side of the throne, and other heavenly beings, see the scroll, there is the realization that no one in heaven, on earth, or even under the earth (Satan and his demons) is worthy of opening the seals and scroll to reveal God’s plan.  John, having witnessed this in a vision, is brought to tears and weeps.

In his vision, he is comforted by an elder in the throne room, with the words that there is one, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God.  For He was slain for all mankind and has the authority from the Father.  Jesus is described as the slain lamb, with seven horns and seven eyes.  We’ve discussed in the past that seven is a number of perfection and completeness.  The seven horns represent Jesus’ authority and power, while the seven eyes represent his wisdom, omniscience, and all-seeing characteristics.  Here again, we see reference to God as the Father, the Spirit, and the Son; the trinity (3 in 1) with all wisdom, knowledge, and authority in the heavens and earth.

Jesus, with this authority and triune with God, the Father, enters as the slain Lamb, representing His sacrifice and resurrection. He walks right up and takes the scroll from God’s right hand because He is worthy.  I cannot help but visualize this scene unfolding in fear, worry, and confusion until Jesus enters the room.  Then, as we are told in Revelation 5, the room falls into reverence and falls prostrate at His feet.  Elders remove their crowns, the four creatures near the throne bow low, and the heavens ring out with worship and praise for the King, for the Lamb of God has come forth.

Jesus is our King, and only He has the authority of God in this world and the next.  By His sacrificial death and resurrection, we are redeemed and made whole in our iniquity and transgression.  He alone is worthy of praise.  Not those in sports, not those in Hollywood, or politics, or business.  We place honor and glory on so many people in this world, and not one of them deserves it.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has final authority and will stand before the Lord one day on your behalf.  Who else can give you this peace, this comfort in knowing your eternal fate?

Many walk the earth today putting themselves on that throne.  Through their education, worldly views, they believe they have the answers, and they do not necessarily include God.  One day, they too will bow before the King of Kings and account for their intentional denial of Christ or God.  They have set their eternal fate; unfortunately, though, it is a choice to spend eternity outside of God’s presence.  

As the seals are broken and the scroll is opened, God’s plan for you, me, and all of mankind will be revealed.  For there is only one worthy to open the scroll, and He holds the keys to Heaven and Hades.  If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you can find comfort in knowing He is standing for you before God, the Father, and will see you through the coming judgment and tribulations.

Come Up Here

 Revelation 4:1-3..7

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”  At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.  And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.  

(John describes 4 living creatures within the Throne room ) …(7) and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, 
who was and is and is to come!”

When Jesus tells you to come here, you come.  It isn’t a question, it isn’t a maybe, it’s a command from the Sovereign Lord over all things.  

John is transformed into spirit form to enter into the Holy of Holies, the great Throne Room of God Almighty.  The human brain cannot comprehend the magnificence, the beauty, the indescribable opulence, and majesty of the King of Kings upon His throne.  John uses the best words he had to describe the beauty – “jasper stone and sardius” for the throne, a rainbow around the throne to describe the effervescent light emanating from His holiness, and later in the chapter, he describes the floor as if it were “a sea of glass, like crystal.”

We walk amongst beauty on this earth – architecture, historical monuments, lights, nature, mountains, rivers, and seas; but there is nothing in our world that will compare to the unbelievable glory of heaven, and especially God’s throne room.  From this throne room, much of the remaining verses of Revelation will be unveiled to John through Jesus Christ.  For Christ to bring John to the throne room, to see God, the Father seated upon His throne, with all authority of good and evil, right and wrong, eternal salvation or not.

Around the throne room were also 24 elders, dressed in white garments, and seated upon their thrones (v.4).  We don’t know who these elders are, but they possess some authority to be seated upon thrones alongside of God, the Father.  The white garments tell us that they are pure and holy, having met the standards to be elevated and seated with God.  Later in chapter 4, these elders are seen by John, lying their crowns at the feet of God’s throne, and crying out  - “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (v. 11). 

If these 24 elders are unworthy to be in the presence of God, the Father, who are we to believe we are “good enough”?  You see, even in your most perfect minute of life, you are still well short of God’s glory.  We strive each day to earn God’s love, His approval, His acceptance, when in reality, we can’t.  John was called up to the throne room as a guest of Jesus Christ.  He (John) was not worthy, but Jesus is.  Jesus is the intercessor for our transgressions and our iniquities.  He alone is worthy to stand before God the Father, because He is One with God.  

You and I will one day fall before God and tremble in awe of His great majesty and presence.  We will have no ability to hold onto our “crowns” of self-celebration and achievement, but be humbled to lay them down at the foot of God’s throne.  In heaven, we have no ego, no self-righteousness or grandiose celebrations; no, we will all fall before His glory and magnificence.  We pat ourselves on the back for our achievements in this world, for the good things we have done, for the kindness and sacrifice we have made.  We lift ourselves up as righteous, above others, and in doing so, we create a persona that we are worthy of God’s love.  

In reality, God provided Jesus Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, as our only means to heaven.  If we count our good works as payment for entry into heaven, we can never accomplish enough.  But, only through Jesus’ covenant and promise, we are given eternal life; and thus, good works follow in line with His desires and not ours.  Realize that you cannot work your way to heaven, and accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, and one day you too will be able to come up to God’s throne room, fall before Him, and call out “Worthy are You, our Lord and God”.  That will be a glorious day indeed.

Church of Laodicea - Lukewarm is not OK

 Revelation 3:14-21

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.  “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

The seventh church that Jesus addresses through letters, penned by John, was the Church of Laodicea.  One of the more popular church references from Jesus’ Revelation, in that most have heard of it, is the city with a “lukewarm” faith.  Laodicea was a city of wealth, from textiles exported around the Mediterranean and Far East, as well as its medical expertise.  An eye salve was created in Laodicea that was shipped around the known world at that time.  Like the other cities in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, Laodicea was known to worship Greek and Roman gods, and the Church at Laodicea was a missionary outpost to spread the news of Jesus Christ to the Jews and Greeks alike in the region.

The problem the Laodiceans faced was not from within, but was one of water supply.  They had no access to fresh local water, but had it piped into their city from hot springs through a 6-mile aqueduct.  This made the water lukewarm upon arriving in the city.  As a valuable resource for their population as well as their textile mills and medical facilities, they were in constant fear of it being cut off.  This made them very vulnerable to outside forces, and they became a culture of compromising, rather than defending right and wrong within their city.  Outside influences would often infiltrate the church, and their reaction was to accommodate rather than stand up for righteousness, so as to avoid conflict.

Again, we see Jesus address the Church of Laodicea in a manner familiar to their culture.  He references their faith as neither hot nor cold – lukewarm, just as the water they receive each day.  He references their wealth (gold), their textiles (garments), and their medical (eye salve) in a manner that reflects their comfort in worldly things and not in Him.  He is at the door, knocking, and offers eternal life to those who will repent and return to His word.

Allowing sinful action without reproach or confrontation is complacency in one's faith.  They allow others to infiltrate their church with evil ways, and rather than stand up against it, they roll over to avoid confrontation.  This is where we are in the American church body as a whole today.  Oftentimes, when evil enters the sanctuary of our church, we are non-confrontational, so as not to offend.  Being lukewarm in the 21st century is to not stand up for Biblical values, for the Word, for the originator of creation, in an attempt to make others feel comfortable and welcomed.  

We are called to love others as God loved the church (Ephesians 5:22-23), which means sacrificially, wholeheartedly, faithfully, and selflessly.  It does not mean to love their actions.  When we encounter evil, as defined by God’s word, we are to love the person away from their actions.  Through counsel, guidance, teaching, and actions, help another through their sin, to repent and turn from it.  If they are unwilling, we are not called to support their actions.  This is lukewarm.  Cold would be to turn them away, without sharing Christ at all, and Hot would be to walk with them in constant prayer and support.  

You can share God’s love with another without loving their sin, but allowing them to stay in that sin is just as bad as not loving them at all.  We are not called to judge others by our own knowledge and wisdom, but through the righteousness of the Word.  We are all guilty of sin, and step into the church sanctuary on Sunday mornings.  Getting right with God through repentance is necessary before you should be addressing another’s sinful actions.  Take heed then, to check yourself and your ways, repent, and turn from your sin. Do not remain lukewarm in your commitment to love those around as God loved the church.  We are all in need of love from the Father.

Church of Philadelphia - The Open Door

 Revelation 3:7-12

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.  

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.  Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.  I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.  The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name."

Not in Pennsylvania, but connected nonetheless.  Philadelphia, PA, is known as the city of Brotherly Love, as was the city of Philadelphia in 1st-century Asia Minor, now Turkey.  Philadelphia was built with the intent to spread the Greek culture, language, and way of life.  Theirs was a city commonly called “little Athens” because of the beautiful Greek architecture, statues, temples, and monuments to the Greek gods.  It was situated along the major trade route between the Far East and Rome.  Used as a Greek evangelistic outpost to those passing through.

Jesus addresses the church of Philadelphia as the “holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and shuts and no one opens”.  In this context, He is clearly advising the church of Philadelphia that they had the opportunity to be the evangelistic messengers for the Good news because He had opened the door for them.  With their strategic location, they had the ability to spread His message to the masses, but also to those in their own midst.  

He has given them the opportunity to share the gospel with those in the local temples and even synagogues.  There were people in Philadelphia worshipping Greek gods and claiming to be Jews.  He stressed the importance of reaching this group, and He alone opened the door for them to do so.  As a reward, He promised they would join with Him in the new Jerusalem when He returns.

Again, Jesus speaks of His pending return and His judgment at the end of days.  Those who endure with patience and spread His gospel will receive His name forevermore.  

We are faced with similar opportunities in our daily walk to spread His word.  He has opened the door for His followers to share the gospel and to advance His kingdom message.  But, are we taking up the mantle, the burden, and stepping through the door?  One day this door will shut, and He will come again, with judgment for our eternal destination.  

Jesus has stated time and time again that He will return, and for us to endure patiently, doing His work until that day comes.  How many opportunities have you passed by where you could have influenced and shared the gospel?  Your parents, spouse, children, your co-workers, your friends and peers, extended family members…. Do you know if they have accepted Christ and are living for Him?  If not, do you not see the open door before you to share the gospel with them?  Jesus has opened the door for you just as He did for the Church of Philadelphia.  You have to decide to step through it and share His message.  You are not responsible for their salvation, but you are responsible to share the word with everyone in your circle of influence.  

Love them enough to step through the Open Door.