Unveiled Hope: “The Beginning of Birth Pangs”
Notes
Transcript
Grab your Bibles please and turn with me to Revelation 6.
Some prefer to skip Revelation 6-18…the symbols, scenes & images…find too troubling & difficult
This passage…causes many reactions. Maybe you’ve been troubled about the reality of such events.
You are not alone…the world in every generation has had similar thoughts and questions.
Google search on “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” you will find reference to a group of outstanding football players…a Metallica rock ballad, movies, a book series, a 1980 WWF wrestling team…a video game…action figures, a toy company, a book store…it seems like the world have taken a certain cultural perspective of “The Four Horsemen” as entertainment.
You may have heard the phrase “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” and yet you may have wondered where does the phrase come from and what does it mean?
It comes from Revelation 6 which we will read in just a moment.
A passage that describes for us the beginning of God’s plan for the end of this world as we know it.
Just as an expectant mother awaits the arrival of a baby…there are birth pangs.
Birth pangs can happen at any time in your pregnancy…but may not be noticed them until they become stronger and more regular. On average, most begin feeling around 37 wks of pregnancy.
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We have daily rituals…day in and day out…we wake up, get a coffee, wash, dress, breakfast, if time allows…dash off to school/work/gym. We expect our routines to be the same every day.
But we all have experienced unexpected disruptions along the way…a flat tire, a sick child, a phone call out of the blue, a fender bender…situations like these interrupt our routines with unwelcome stress and even severe trials…sometimes they may even overturn our entire lives.
Bible is very clear …For most people, God’s end time judgment will be unexpected and unwelcome…it will disrupt life’s routine with more than just a minor irritation.
The tribulation we read about in Matthew 24 will affect more than just 1 or 2 families, cities or nations…it will affect the entire world. (Luke 17:26-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; Revelation 3:10)
Some deny God would ever judge anybody for anything. Saying: “Isn’t God a loving God? Does He not abound in mercy? Whatever happened to divine compassion & forgiveness?”
Let me be extremely clear on a couple things…
1. KNOW that there is a final judgement of God approaching…God promises it…sit up & know it.
2. GOD’S coming judgement strikes at the very heart of your theology…what you believe about God …your view of the nature and character of God.
God is zealous for His GLORY! God is perfect in His JUSTICE…and God KEEPS His Word.
So it is no wonder that for many people…they find much of Revelation to be very disturbing.
3. We Need To LOOK TO GOD…
I want you to see…as we study it together…that God’s mercy & God’s wrath work hand in hand…and that God will bring about redemption through judgement…and I believe we will have a much clearer and more balanced understanding of the God we love and serve.
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Let me remind you where we are in the book…and how we are reading the book…
Revelation (Apocalypse=Unveiling/Disclosure) of Jesus Christ=lifting of the veil, revealing, disclosure
Revelation 1 introduces for us a LETTER…a PROPHECY, and an APOCALYPSE (it unveils for us).
Revelation 1 introduces the Son of Man walking among the lampstands (churches)
Revelation 2-3 Jesus wrote letters to 7 churches telling them what they were good at…and not so good at. The big idea for them was to overcome (nikeo)…be victorious, conquer your temptation, your sin, your complacency… and be overcomers,
Revelation 4…we are told how to overcome…to gaze on Him who sits on the throne…holy, holy, holy
Revelation 5…John saw in the hand of the One sitting on the throne, a SCROLL…sealed with 7 seals.
“scroll” title deed of absolute ownership of universe..God’s plan for salvation & judgment on the earth
The One who opens the scroll would not just open & read it…He actually does what’s written inside.
So the question is: Who is worthy to carry out God’s plan of judgement in all the world?
John wept…no one was worthy…an elder spoke to John: Do not weep…there is One worthy…the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus, the Lamb that was slain…the only One in heaven & earth worthy to take the scroll, to open its seals and begin the process of snatching control of the world from evil and forever vanquishing sin and death.
However, the steps necessary for preparing the world for His Kingdom on earth…but to get there… involves a time of unparalleled judgment.
Which brings us to Revelation 6…where the Lamb begins to open the seals…God’s judgment begins
In Revelation…there are three sets of symbols representing 3 distinct series of future judgments.
7 seals on scroll…7 trumpets…7 bowls…describe unique events taking place in the coming Tribulation.
The SEALS…generally refer to events during the early part of the Tribulation.
The TRUMPETS…portray judgements near the middle of the Tribulation
The BOWLS…refer to the most severe judgments at the conclusion of the Tribulation.
We need to realize the prophecy in Revelation…allows for partial and complete fulfillment…we will not understand Biblical prophecy…there are multiple fulfillments and then a later complete fulfillment.
This is especially helpful for us when we come to passages like the four horsemen.
There have been many Christians through the centuries…who thought the end of the world was upon them…because they saw evidence of the four horsemen.
“Revelation 6 is happening…Conquest…War…Scarcity, Famine…Death…we must be at the end.”
Today…armageddon books, thoughts & opinions abound…end of the world fascination continues…esp. when they look at world events & situations…esp. mideast tension, Gaza, Lebanon Israel etc.
Wherever we see…conquest, war, famine, and death…see evidence of the 4 horsemen Revelation.
We must allow for partial fulfilment of this prophecy…
The four horsemen are not just a one time catastrophic occurrence at the end of human history…
Instead they also represent the execution of God’s judgement and warning from the first century till today. Almost all the prophecies of Revelation have multiple fulfillments.
Similar to OT prophecy Ex: Isaiah 40 re: return of exiles…John the Baptist proclaimed it about Jesus.
Revelation 6:1-8
Here is how I want to approach this text…I want to look at each of the four horsemen and say a few things about each one…and then finish with how we can apply to our situation today.
Note the pattern…same for all 4 horsemen…Christ (Lamb) breaks the seal…then one of the 4 living creatures cries out “Come!” and then a coloured horse and rider leap onto the scene.
This scene has long puzzled commentaries…perspectives abound…but the message is clear: “Severe judgement is coming…but God has everything under His control.”
Let’s look at the images/symbols to help us understand how God will work out His plan for the future.
Horse #1 CONQUEST….Revelation 6:1-2
1 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!” 2 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.
Observations from the text: John watched…allowed to see so much!
White Horse…white was considered to be a colour representing CONQUEST…for the ancient world.
The recipients of Revelation would think of a general riding in on a white horse…after he conquered!
Holding a bow…
Note no arrows…some believe he represents a bloodless conquest.
The crown…is not a regal (diademos) crown…the word is stephanos a victor’s crown
He comes out conquering and to conquer…his sole purpose.
Leads many to believe that the tribulation will begin with a DECEPTIVE PEACE accompanied by counterfeit spirituality and false religion.
Paul describes this same condition in 1 Thessalonians 5:3
Jesus describes that in the last days there will be a false religion… Matthew 24:4-5
So we will call this first horse & rider…CONQUEST…the one that begins it all.
Note: “a crown was given to him”
He came out conquering and bent on conquest. (purpose)
You may think this rider has the power and secures his own victory.
But John is sure of the sovereignty of God. The conqueror has only what God allows him to have.
Horse #2 WAR…Revelation 6:3-4
3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 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.
Another seal opened by Jesus…John hears “Come!” Out came a second horse.
The colour of the horse is bright fiery RED…writers note that red symbolizes fire & blood of war.
The rider was permitted to take peace from the earth…as part of God’s judgement.
He didn’t have a arrow-less bow…instead he was given a great sword.
“sword”= rhomphaia= a sword of justice that comes from the mouth of Christ…but this sword is machaira…a sword of assassination, uprising and warfare. (effective in close combat)
Jesus said “in the last days…you will hear of wars and rumours of wars” (Matthew 24:6-7)
So we call the second horse…WAR…shattering the false peace set up by the first rider.
Note the words… “It’s rider was permitted to …”
This horse, as powerful & awful…is not in control.
God holds back His restraining hand and allows evil to flourish…all under His sovereign control.
This is not a statement about the rightness or the wrongness of war…
I think we all agree war is very bad.
Every war has had a demonic influence in background.
But God has always and He still uses the evil & atrocity of war to accomplish His purposes.
God is sovereign over wars…and He often sends them as ways of holding back evil.
Make no mistake…our world could be a lot worse…except for God restraining the forces of evil.
Romans 1:24,26,28 God gives over…the worst thing God could do is let us do what our heart desires
God keeps sinful humanity in check through laws, societal pressure…cultural forces…and even war.
Horse #3 SCARCITY…Revelation 6:5-6
5 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. 6 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 Christ broke the third seal…John saw a BLACK horse gallop onto the scene.
The rider is holding a pair of scales…a voice was heard in the midst of the four living creatures…
A quart of wheat for a denarius (a days wage)…3qt of barley for a denarius…approx. 10-18x
As a result of the CONQUEST…and the resulting WAR and bloodshed…now FAMINE & SCARCITY
This image…speaking of economic inflation and starvation caused by famine, poverty and scarcity.
The situation they had to take their entire days wage for a ration of bread.
There was no money for transportation, for a home…this is just basic sustenance…bread
There is great scarcity…but the oil and wine are not touched.
Why not oil and wine? Though things are scarce…thing’s are not as bad as they could be.
This points to the fact that…God is still (sovereignly) restraining His full judgement.
We see this several times in Revelation…1/4 or 1/3…i.e. God has not yet unleashed His full fury
Horse #4 DEATH…Revelation 6:7-8
7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 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.
When Jesus opened the fourth seal…a PALE/ASHEN horse charged into John’s view.
“chloros”=pale = ashen= yellowish green…the colour of sickness “You look green sickness and death”
I’d also point out…NOTE the natural progression of the horses…
WHITE…first one bent on conquest…
Leading to the RED…which is war, revolution & rebellion…
War leads to BLACK scarcity & economic hardship…
And all of those lead to the PALE horse…people dying.
Note: the only rider given a name…his name was Death, and Hades followed him.
Death…kills the body…and Hades (OT Hebrew “abode of the dead”) swallows up the soul.
Put together with the other 3…
These 2 figures symbolize the massive number of deaths that will follow in the wake of the first three horsemen.
CONQUEST…WAR…SCARCITY and now DEATH.
Hades follows close behind…Greek…abode of the dead Hebrew Sheol…death and the place of death go riding out…
NOTE: given authority/power over a fourth of the earth.
Another example of God’s judgment…while it is severe…it is restrained..1/4 the population of the earth will be killed by War, Famine Pestilence/Plague and wild beasts of the earth…
This symbolic vision corresponds to Jesus’ literal description of the death and destruction that will characterize the end times. Matthew 24:7, 9
WHY WOULD GOD ALLOW ALLOW ALL OF THIS?
How could God even decree them?
Where in the world is our loving heavenly Father?
We must look at THE ENTIRE SCOPE OF SCRIPTURE…
Genesis… God made the world perfect…man chose to go his own way…as a result every person…sinners.
God has given them a way to know Him and to trust Him…but we have all turned to our own way. There is none righteous.
God has always warned mankind…LOOK TO ME AND BE SAVED! Or else you will face My judgment.
These 4 horsemen seem like a strange group…(Ezekiel 14:21)
The 4 horsemen of God’s judgement take us back to Leviticus 26
If you remain faithful…you will be blessed…but if you will not listen to Me and not obey Watch out! My judgement will come. (v.21-26)
So please understand here in Revelation God is judging the earth like He promised Moses, in Ezekiel and like he will pour out when this fourth horsemen ride forth
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31
But through it all…God is saying: LOOK TO ME AND BE SAVED!
How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? Hebrews 2:3
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR US?
Some concluding thoughts…
I must admit. I and maybe you do too…find it difficult to understand the severity of these judgements.
Conquering and conquest, War, and Deception, Famine, Pestilence and death and destruction..
What we read about here makes every tragedy we have seen in the world pale in comparison.
We may see evidences of the horsemen today…for 2000 years the world has seen those who are out to Conquer…those bloodthirsty for War…as a result there has been Scarcity and Death of horrific proportion.
These will all pale in comparison to God’s final time of judgement upon the world.
1. God is ALWAYS true to His Character and His Holiness…
We must never forget that God NEVER CHANGES…
He has always been…absolutely JUST and FAIR in punishing evil….and
He will always be JUST and FAIR in punishing evil.
Wickedness deserves to be judged…and it will be punished.
Yet, in His abundant grace, God continually tempers His wrath and demonstrates His mercy.
God is not slow He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance
2 Peter 3:9 “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.”
Jesus even taught…in Mark 13:20 that God will put a limit on the days of tribulation.
Imagine if God did impose a limit…everyone would perish.
2. Recognize…Most of the Judgements in Revelation come through the work of evil agents.
God allows evil in the world…and He even uses evil …but He is not the AUTHOR of evil.
“Specifically, it will not do to accuse God of evil intentions or malevolent acts. He is sovereign, but not blameworthy, for He is righteous in all His deeds (Psalm 11:7; Daniel 9:14) He oversees all things in accord with His will, but He is not the source, the cause, or the author of sin.”(J. Eldridge Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive (26-34)
So…Christians ought to refrain from making end of the world predictions…
it is amazing the people who will still make claims where we are own the
When ever someone asked Jesus…he refused to answer See: Acts 1:7
Christians from every generation who thought their’s was the last generation…wrong…look silly
The 6 day war, war in mideast, hostage crisis…We need to stop making end of the world predictions.
“But David doesn’t the Bible have anything to say about what we are experiencing today?
Sure it does. This leads me to my next concluding thought:
These 4 horsemen are riding forth, have ridden forth and will continue as they have for 2000 yrs.
There maybe partial fulfillments of these judgement in the world…
They serve to WARN us and REMIND us that one day…there will be a final intensification of these horsemen...at the end…
The reason that every generation of Christian thinks they are in the end times is because they are.
The last days…Jesus has conquered…He is on the throne and we are waiting for Him to return.
Jesus preached a sermon called the Olivet Discourse Luke 21 & Matthew 24 signs deception…wars,,…similar to Revelation…and Jesus says…in Matthew 24…such things must happen and then the end these are the beginning of birth pangs that’s what we are in.
3. Recognize & Rest in the fact…that ALL THINGS are under God’s sovereign control.
We don’t really know who the riders are…forces? angels? demons?
But we do see clearly that here…that they ride forth ONLY under God’s divine authority.
The four living creatures probably angelic beings…in God’s court…are all under His authority
The four living creatures say: “Come” …and the horse rides…
All part of the plan written in the scroll…they only come when the living creatures say “Come”.
This is mind boggling stuff…as we continue to study the judgments in Revelation it may appear that the world is spinning out of control because of the terrible judgments unleashed across the globe.
Remember…God is always in control…uncompromisingly just…never let go of His goodness!
He gave the crown …He permitted the war…He holds back He restrains…
The picture of destruction & judgement is not a picture of God being absent from the throne…instead it is a picture of God reigning from the throne…and God giving authority to conquest…bloodshed and judgements…
Believer…take comfort in God’s all controlling sovereignty.
That in a world of brokenness, destruction…nothing happens by chance…nothing happens without divine purpose.
Read the other passages I mentioned: Isaiah 34:1-4; Ezekiel 4:16-17; Zechariah Leviticus 26 Matthew 24 all stand behind Revelation 6
All of them have God as the ultimate agent who sends forth
Do not run from God’s sovereignty...run to God’s sovereignty in a messed up world!
We have to have more confidence…the Lamb is on the throne with
Let every scene of conquest, description of war and scarcity be a warning to us of a greater judgement.
We will see in the next part of Revelation 6 with the opening of the fifth seal the martyrs who have suffered…Christians do not get a free pass from the judgements in the world
for us it is not a judgement it is a trial…that is meant to sanctify and purify…
How should we respond when we read it in the news today?
I think the response is the same for all of us…Look to Jesus!!
In Luke 13 when the tower of Siloam fell…whats going on why did this happen?
Jesus didn’t want to say this is why…they are so bad and you are so good…
He warned them instead…unless you repent you will all perish
Every act of judgement…in the world is an offer of mercy from God’
Every act of judgement is God saying: “Come to Me…it’s not too late…”
Restrained judgements…are a message of clemency from God.
Overcome or you will be judged ‘worship the Lamb or you will face His wrath. This is mercy!
