Revelation 06 01 08
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Revelation 6:1-8
Introduction:
Ø So far John has been getting a glimpse into heaven
*Significant that John saw into heaven first
*Remember we said that true worship causes men to see themselves in a different light: in the backdrop of Gods greatness we see our true sinfulness
Ø Now he will see what is going to happen on the earth: John will now see the subjects of Gods wrath in their true light: sinners against a holy God!!
Ø He will see God’s judgment unfold: much of the remaining book will cover 7 years of Gods coming judgment
*I believe that these are to be taken literally
*I understand that they can be quite unsettling, scary
Ø Believers will not be present during this time
*Saved from wrath Romans 5:9 benefits of justification
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him
*Church is not mentioned at all in these chapters
*Represented by 24 elders which are seen in heaven
Ø Purpose of this study:
*Warn those without Christ
John 3:36
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
God is longsuffering and merciful but eventually He just judge and hold people accountable for their sin
*what would we say of a human judge who only showed mercy?
*If he did not hold people accountable we would want him thrown out!
*Motivate the rest of us to share Gospel
-Helpless one day at a house fire: couldn’t do a think (fire – deer season)
if only found sooner
-We are not helpless, we know now, what will we do about it?
I. The First Seal is Broken vv. 1-2
1. What was heard
1) Sound like thunder:
signifies a coming storm: Change from Sun (4-5) to darkness
Like in a television show when the scene suddenly changes: viewer knows that something is about to happen
2) Come and see:
Literally “Go and see”
Why do you think that John was invited to see this?
2. What was seen: White horse, rider, bow, crown
1) White horse: Horses were highly esteemed
Represents strength and victory in war
Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
Job 39:19-25
“Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with £thunder? Can you frighten him like a locust? His majestic snorting strikes terror. He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength He gallops into the clash of arms. He mocks at fear, and is not frightened; Nor does he turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him, The glittering spear and javelin. He devours the distance with fierceness and rage; Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet has sounded. At the blast of the trumpet he says, ‘Aha!’ He smells the battle from afar, The thunder of captains and shouting.
2) Rider: Who is it?
A. It is not Jesus Christ: He is in 19:11
*Out of order: note what follows
*Big differences:
19 – sword 6 – bow with no arrows
19 – Crown or diadem: kingly crown worn only by Jesus
6 – Stephanas is a victors crown which anyone could wear
B. It is the anti-christ or the false Christ
*2 Thess. 2:7-8 He would come after the Spirit was taken
*Daniel teaches that he would come with sweeping victory
no arrows = peace
*Daniel 9:26 covenant with Israel
*Whole world will follow after him
Imagine for a moment: The world is in chaos: perhaps millions have been suddenly removed from the world. There are wars and rumors of wars. In rides one who makes a covenant with the nation of Israel and perhaps the other nations of peace. With him there is the promise of world peace. People flock to follow him. There will be a semblance of peace but it will only be temporary.
Lesson: Satan always counterfeits the Lord Jesus
2 Cor. 11:14 “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
Satan is a master at causing things to appear as good or beneficial when they are really designed to destroy:
Relationships: teens/adults
How many relationships or lives are destroyed by something that appears better?
Teens: how many have bought into the lie of safe sex, etc. and have had their lived destroyed as a result?
Financial: have many have bought into the idea of easy credit, get what you want now and have been ruined as a result?
Politically: How many have bought the idea that the right political leader will take care of all of my problems or our problems as a nation/world?
II. The Second Seal is opened vv. 3-4
1. What John sees: A red horse
1) The symbol: war, terror, death
2. What is his work:
1) First he makes peace, last seal
2) Then he takes the peace
3. His weapon: a great sword
Commentators say this is a dagger
Assassins weapon: easily hidden
Not only nation against nation but man against man
How quickly things go from looking good to full blown war and conflict
Same thing is true when we buy into Satan’s lies today as well.
III. The Third Seal vv. 5-6
1. The horse and rider
1) Black: symbol of famine/suffering See Lamentations 5:10
2) Balances in hand: used to weigh food when it was scarce
2. The result: world wrenched with hunger
1) Penny (denarius) = one days wage. Here it is equal to enough for 1 meal for 1 person
2) No money left for other things like oil, wine, etc.
3) Beast will use this to gain control 13:17
He will promise to fulfill needs in return for loyalty to himself
Again: Satan today promises all of your needs, wants, and desires if you will just leave behind Gods word and follow his ways!! See clearly in Genesis 3
IV. The Fourth Seal = Death vv. 7-8
1. The horse and rider:
*Pale
*Death and hades followed with him: death is followed by the abode of the dead. These are cast into lake of fire in Revelation 20:14 – second death
2. His work: Power over ¼ of the population
Kill with sword, hunger, pestilence, wild beasts
End our Message today with three P’s
1. Praise: Praise God that we don’t need to be in these judgments
Praise God for His mercy, grace, and love to provide salvation for all who will come to Him by faith
2. Passion: We need to be set on fire to win the lost: do we really believe that God will do what He says or not?
3. PERSONAL evaluation: Heb. 2:3 “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation.”