Tag: red horse
‘How Long?’
Scripture reading for December 15th: Revelation 6:1-17
Waiting is difficult for most of us here on earth. Jesus told us that His coming would be sudden and unexpected by the world, like a thief in the night. (Matthew 24: 43-44) Peter told us that the last days would bring scoffers, mocking the fact that Jesus had not returned yet. (2nd Peter 3:3-4) But John saw another group that were waiting in heaven!
As he watched the Lamb open the first of seven seals, one of the living creatures called out in a loud voice, “Come!” Immediately a white horse and it’s rider with a bow appeared. As the Lamb opened the second seal, a second fiery red horse appeared with a rider who was given power to take peace from men on earth and make them kill each other. The third seal opened brought another black horse. It’s rider was holding a pair of scales in its hand. This rider would bring famine to the land. The fourth seal and living creature summoned a pale horse! It’s rider was named ‘Death’, and ‘Hades’ was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth. Tough times were coming! (Revelation 6:1-8)
“When He (the Lamb)opened the fifth seal, I (John) saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.” (Revelation 6:9-11)
Even in heaven there was the need for patient endurance! John saw many souls there waiting for the Lord to take vengeance on those on earth who had murdered them. These were waiting under the altar and calling out to the Lamb. God’s answer was further patience and a word that even more would be killed and join them while they waited! John’s vision and this record of waiting in heaven ought to inspire us to be faithful and true while we wait for our Lord from heaven. We do not know the day or hour, but His coming is soon and sure!
The Lamb and the Seals!
Scripture reading for December 25th: Revelation 6-7
The drama in heaven continues with John watching the Lamb as He opens the scroll one seal at a time. With each seal, there is a revelation or picture that John sees and writes down for us to experience what he saw. With our imagination, we can see a picture as John saw it. These visions represent judgments that are coming on the earth in the days to come. The Lamb opens the seals and one of the living creatures speaks to John.
The vision with the first seal was a white horse and rider. The rider held a bow and rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. The second seal brought a vision of a red horse and rider. This rider held a sword and would take peace from the earth by causing men to slay each other. The third seal brought a black horse and rider. That rider held a pair of scales and spoke of famine. The fourth seal brought a pale horse and it’s rider was named “Death” and Hades was close behind. This rider was given power to kill a fourth of the earth with the sword, famine and plague and by wild beasts of the earth.
It was plain that the seals revealed judgments coming on the earth in the future. The fifth seal changed the scene from earth to heaven and the altar. Under the altar were the souls of a multitude who had been slain for their testimony and the Word of God. They asked the Lord how long before judgment would come to the earth for their blood. They were told to be patient until those of their brother who would be killed would be complete. (Revelation 6:9-11)
The sixth seal brought a great earthquake. The sun turned black and the moon turned blood red. The stars in the sky fell to earth and the sky receded like a scroll being rolled up. With this destructive turmoil, the people left on the earth hid in caves and among the rocks of mountains. They asked the rocks to fall on them to hide them from the face of the One on the Throne and the wrath of the Lamb. They knew where the judgment was coming from and who was in control, but did not want to face them! They were in fear and distress, but not in faith!
Revelation 7 is an interlude in the heavenly drama. Between the opening of the sixth and seventh seal, John describes the marking of 144,000 from the tribes of Israel. These are sealed with the seal of God on their foreheads. John then sees a multitude in white robes from every nation, tongue and tribe. They are worshiping the Lamb. John asks who these are and is told that they are those who have come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes in the Lamb’s blood. (Revelation 7:13-14)
These awesome events are scenes of things yet to come. We must have the seal of God to avoid the seals of judgment opened by the Lamb. Are you washed in His blood?