Rev.6:1-8, Experience mercy in the midst of tribulation (1-4th Seals)

Rev.6:1-8, Experience mercy in the midst of tribulation (1-4th Seals)

  So far, we heard the Word of God from the Book of Revelation 1-5. In Revelation 1, God reveals to John what must soon take place. John sees the vision of Christ in Holiness. In Revelation 2-3, Jesus takes care of the seven churches and encourages them to keep their faith and receive rewards. In Revelation 4-5, John sees the throne in heaven and worship in heaven. Chapter 4 depicts the Lord’s throne and around the throne, four living creatures and the twenty-four elders worshipping. Chapter 5 shows the Lamb Jesus who rescued us from sin and provided salvation. He went and took the scroll of judgment from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, sang and worshipped. We will continue to worship in heaven just like we worship here on earth. From Chapter 6, we see the judgment of God. Is this terrifying? Frightening? Is it difficult to understand? Since we believe in Jesus who is the Judge, sovereign God, we do not need to be afraid. Wait for His return expectantly and hope in the Lord. Be prepared and live according to God’s Word. 1) We must understand the judgment as a whole. 2) The judgment shows the victory of Christ and victory of saints in the future. 3) The judgment proceeds in the following order, disasters of the seven Seals, the seven Trumpets, and the seven Bowls. All these events advance towards the end gradually. Chapter 6 displays the six seals. Today, we will listen to the words of 1-4 seals. This relates to Jesus’ teaching on the Mount of Olives about the Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times in Matthew 24.

1. When the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals, a rider on a white horse came, referring to those who deceive, they are anti-Christ (Rev 6:1-2, Matthew 24:4-5).

  Jesus said in Matthew 24:4-5, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” Verses 1-2 show that when the Lamb opened the first seal, a rider on a white horse came, he held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. He tries to conquer and conquer again. This white horse is not Christ. Christ opens the seal, wears the crown, and already had victory. Matthew 24:4-5 reflects that he is anti-Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 says, “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.” This rider fights with his bow and attack the saints. He is wearing a crown and spreads the lies of false victory. We have the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word. Ephesians 6 tells us that we can stand against the enemy when we put on the armor of God’s Word.

2. When the Lamb opened the second seal, a rider on a fiery red horse came.

  Peace disappeared and war broke out (Rev 6:3-4, Matthew 24:6-7). A fiery red horse refers to warfare, massacre. Under God’s authority, its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. Satan aggravates division and tries to conquer until the end. But we must look to the cross in the Lord and bring reconciliation and peace.

3. When the Lamb opened the third seal, a rider on a black horse came, referring to famine (Rev 6:5-6, Matthew 24:7).
A black horse symbolizes famine, poverty caused by war. Verse 6 writes, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” This is 10-12 times higher than the normal price. They face severe economic crisis. It is written, “do not damage the oil and the wine.” Because of drought, oil and wine became the staple food. But this is not the worst situation. Economy is in God’s hand.

4. When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, a rider on a pale horse came, referring to plagues; death (Rev 6:7-8, Matthew 24:9)
A pale color is a color of terror and death. Over a fourth of the earth is kill by sword (war), famine (a year of bad harvest) and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

  This message of calamity urges us to repent, return to the Lord and calls for spiritual awakening. Dear saints, there will be great tribulation and disasters in the future. But do not fear. Our lives and everything is in God’s hands. Whenever there is an opportunity, invite your neighbors to the Lord, wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.