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.