Month: December 2019

6.w. Surely there is a God who judges on earth.

Revelation 6:9   When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Deuteronomy 32:43    “Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people’s land.”

Psalms 58:11   Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

When the 5th seal is opened John sees these martyrs and hears their cry “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”  These have been martyred for witnessing and living for Jesus Christ. These are those who believed in and proclaimed the gospel after the removal (rapture) of believers prior to the opening of the seals.  Standing firm to the end is not a way to be saved but the evidence that a person is really committed to Jesus. Persistence is not a means to earn salvation; it is the by-product of a truly devoted life. Times and trials serve to sift true Christians from false or fair-weather Christians. When you are pressured to give up and turn your back on Christ, don’t do it. Remember the benefits of standing firm, and continue to live for Christ.

Remember these martyrs have been told to wait until the full number of those who will be killed for their belief in Jesus Christ is complete.  When I give just a small amount of thought to this I am ashamed for what I think is a trial in my life.  I am ashamed of the times I think the trials I face are “BIG” for the trials I have faced surely have not ended in death for believing in Jesus Christ – the ultimate test of faith.

6.v. And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him.

Revelation 6:7   When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 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.

Jeremiah 15:2-3    And when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: “‘Those who are for pestilence, to pestilence, and those who are for the sword, to the sword; those who are for famine, to famine, and those who are for captivity, to captivity.’  I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to tear, and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Ezekiel 5:15-17     You shall be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror, to the nations all around you, when I execute judgments on you in anger and fury, and with furious rebukes—I am the LORD; I have spoken—  when I send against you the deadly arrows of famine, arrows for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, and when I bring more and more famine upon you and break your supply of bread.  I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will rob you of your children. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword upon you. I am the LORD; I have spoken.”

 A pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death: This last rider shows that there will be a tremendous death toll from the dictatorship, war, famine and other calamities described by the previous three horsemen. Our modern age has seen hundreds of millions killed by dictators, war, and famine. Yet all that will pale in comparison to the death toll coming in the wake of this ultimate dictator. No wonder Jesus said of this time For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21)

 Power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill: Power was given to the horseman and given by God. Though all hell breaks loose on the earth, God is very much in control. He still holds the scroll and opens the seals.

Can you imagine 1/4th of the population killed?  That would be close to two billion people all entering eternity and most with the same view; no regard for Jesus Christ or the need for salvation.  They are receiving, in part, God’s judgment for this rejection.  During this time of seals being opened the church, those who came to Christ for forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit will have been removed from the earth.  There will be no influence of grace, mercy, and love of God, only judgment.  This is what awaits all those who flat out deny Jesus Christ, and those who think they will always have time to commit to Him, and those who think they are good enough by the works they do.  In all, they have not surrendered their lives to Him and will suffer the consequences of this rejection.  Scripture says now is the time for salvation.  Now is the time to come to Jesus Christ.  Now is the time of mercy and grace.  All these prophesies and warnings have been given for people to know and choose rather to believe or now, to live humbly serving or not, to live following and to obey or not.  Choose well, do not wait or think there is time to delay.  The judgments of God are on His time.  His anger and fury are released against those who refused to accept His way of salvation through Jesus Christ.

6.u. And I looked, and behold, a black horse!

Revelation 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. 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!”

A black horse and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand: The scales symbolized the need to carefully measure and ration food. This speaks of a time of scarcity.  A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius: These prices are about twelve times higher than normal. It means that it would cost a day’s wage to buy the ingredients for a loaf of bread. This describes “a time of famine when life will be reduced to the barest necessities.” Yet there seems to be oil and wine for those who can afford it.  This time is following the one who conquers and the one who takes peace away and where people give little thought to human life.  Those who seem to have survived this time will now face the uncertainty of basic daily necessities.  Think about all that is to come, shouldn’t it drive us to be more thankful, grateful, and want to give praise, honor, and glory to Jesus Christ for what we currently have?  We should not be too busy to be thankful.  We shouldn’t be complacent and neglectful and forget the grace, mercy, and love given to us through Jesus Christ.  If all you have is taken away – what do you have left?  Those who trust in Christ have eternity, hope, faith, and perfect peace even though what they have is gone.  Those who remain on earth after the seals begin to be opened will have a very difficult time wrapping their minds around what is happening and only a small number of them will realize they rejected Jesus and will be saddened by that fact.  The rest will go about life from one tribulation (seal) opened to another.  they will see the beginning of the end approaching and will not even know it.  They will be searching for things in this world that will no longer be.  For sure there is a time of judgment coming.

6.t. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth

Revelation 6:3

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.

The red horse rider is given power by God to remove peace from the earth.  Is it possible that “the one who holds back lawlessness” has been removed from the earth?  “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7).  Another verse in 1 Thessalonians 2:7 “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them”.  For the most part, we live in peace and prosperity in the western world.  There is little if anything we lack in terms of material needs and yet we see theft, murder, conniving, sexual immorality, and a lack of reverence for Jesus Christ.  This is all happening while the Holy Spirit is holding back the Lawless One.  When the Red Horse rider is permitted, all restraint appears to have been removed and with peace removed people act out their sinful nature – “People kill one another”.

There is a mystery of the removal of Christians prior to the opening of the “Seals”.  They have been taken away from earth and united with Christ in heaven – “the Rapture”.

This is truly a time no sane person wants to be part of and yet many people live as it will never happen during their time. “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail on a woman with child; and they shall not escape”.  They reject the need for forgiveness of their sin, the need for their redemption, the need of a savior, the need to repent, and the need to turn away from that which does not honor and glorify Jesus Christ in their lives.  People can do good things but if they are not directed to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ, they are self-serving, self-gratifying, and self-reliant.  These good things are nothing but filthy rags in the eyes of Jesus Christ for they are conceived and carried out apart from honor and glory to Him.  Relying on being good and doing good will not cover our sin for we are saved by grace, not works, lest in man boast.  When the start of breaking the seals has started the end is near and life on earth will begin a time of tribulation that no other generation has seen or will ever see again.  It is the beginning of the end, where God’s final judgment begins.  Come to Jesus now and live with a deep desire to humbly serve, honor, glorify, worship, follow, trust and obey Him, for He is worthy of all honor and glory and power.

6.s. And I looked, and behold, a white horse!

Revelation 6:1   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!” 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.

The rider on this white horse is not to be confused with Jesus Christ in chapter 19.  This rider is released with the removal of the first seal.  This rider is given might (bow) and power (crown).  He will come out waging war (conquering) and will win those wars and battles (and to conquer).  This is a time on earth when the tribulation will start and will continue in increasing measure until the return of Jesus Christ.

The White horse given to this rider seems to indicate that he will have the ability to deceive people and make them think he is something more than what he is, an agent of Jesus Christ’s judgment on the earth and to those who have rejected salvation through His sacrifice.

When we talk of Jesus Christ and His grace, mercy, and love (“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever should believe in Him shall not perish but will have everlasting life”) many don’t give enough thought to this and what it means to believe.  Believing means; clinging too, relying on, and trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for their sins.  They give little to the thought of their sin and need for salvation but rather just on the gift of everlasting life.  With this thought, they truly do not see the fullness of their sin and because of this, they do not fully see a need to cling too, rely on, and trust in Jesus Christ.  “Wide is the path that leads to hell and narrow is the door that leads to everlasting life”.  Those that are remaining on earth during the time of this first seal being released will be those who flat out deny the need of Jesus Christ and as well those who do not deny the need but have not given their whole heart, mind, and soul to cling too, rely on, and trust in Him.  Many are going to find their place on earth during this time without hope, without peace, without rest and it will only get worse. There is no better time than right now to make an intentional choice to fully believe in Jesus Christ, confess you are a sinner, lost and without hope, repent and turn away from sinful ways, and cling too, rely on, and trust in Jesus Christ with your whole heart, mind, and soul.

6.q. “Worthy are you”

Revelation 5:9   “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.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

When John first saw the scroll he looked at it with anticipation and desire to know what it contained.  It was important.  It was a scroll that was in the presence of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God and God Himself.  No one in heaven or earth was found worthy.  John wept.  Then one of the elders said do not weep any more for there is one who can open the scroll and its seals.  The one who could open it had been slain and with His blood, He ransomed people for God and His kingdom.  These people will reign with God on earth. John heard praises and saw the worship of God and the Lamb.  Worthy are they of our true and deepest worship.  Worthy are thy of our devotion.  Worthy are they of our humble service before them.  Worthy are they of all our heart, soul and mind.  Worthy are they or our time and possessions.  Worthy are they of all we have.  And yet we seem to keep too much of this world and its influences in our lives.  We get distracted by busyness and whatever else this world has to offer and lose sight of our God and Savior.  We are given a recorded revelation by God through John on the worthiness of God and the Lamb that was slain. This is not something we should take lightly.  It should fill our thoughts so that what we think, say, and do are worthy of the price that was paid through the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ.

6.p Stricken for the transgression of my people?

Revelation 5:6  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.

Isaiah 53:7-8   He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.  By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?

John 1:29     The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:36    and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

1 Peter 1:19-20     but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.  He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you

The Lamb of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the Lamb without spot or blemish, the Lamb led to the slaughter, the Lamb cut off fro the land of the living, the Lamb stricken for the transgression of My people.  Jesus was the Lamb of God sent to redeem those who, aware of their sin, aware of their need for redemption, and aware of their need for forgiveness, believe (trust in, cling too, and rely on) in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for their sin.

We see Jesus as the Lamb stand and as though it had been slain, and ever a reminder of the price that was paid and that He lives.  The church in Ephesus was scolded for the loss of their first love.  That first love would be the purest grateful, thankful, and relieved heart realizing their sins had been forgiven.  We will do well to remember the Lamb of God that was slain for our sin with this first love forever remembered in our daily lives.

6.o. “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”

Revelation 5:1  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.”

The emphasis is not on the content of the scroll but on its seals and the One who is worthy to take it.  John says that he began to weep when no one in heaven or earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.  John had just been invited to heaven to see things that must take place, future things.  Now he is allowed to see a scroll that must have something to proclaim about the future and no one is worthy to open it.  In a moment John went from awe-inspired anticipation to hopelessness and discouragement.  He wept at not being able to see and communicate what was to come.

What would our lives be like if we looked at God’s Word with this awe-inspired anticipation?  What impact would it have when we read it?  Would we trust more, follow,  and obey it more?  Would we see what is written as God speaking to us personally?  Would we see things in this world in a different light?

Come to His Word each day with awe-inspired anticipation and see what God reveals to you.  When you come to His word like this God will lead you into a maturity of faith, joy, peace, love, hope, and strength,  which will manifest in your life a thousand different ways each and every day.

6.n “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power.

Revelation 4:2   At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

In the spirit, John sees a throne with 24 elders seated around this throne.  There are also 4 living creatures around the throne.  They never cease saying “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”  When these living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks the 24 elders fall down and worship Him, who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before His throne saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power.”

Some commentaries explain the 24 elders as the 12 patriarchs of Israel and the 12 apostles.  Whoever they are and what whatever the 4 living creatures are it is what they do that is most important.  They give absolute praise.  In His presence, there is nothing else that seems worthy of their attention.  In His presence, they are in awe continually.  They are fully aware of creation and the fact that all things were created by His will.  Do you ever wonder why we get distracted so much that we can go hours or even days without giving heart, mins, and soul-deep praise, thanks, and worship?  We get so caught up in the things of this world and the busyness of life that the One who is worthy of all our praise, thanks, and worship.  We are shown these things for many reasons, and for sure one of those reasons is to focus our eyes, heart, mind on Him who is worthy.   What we do with what we see and have seen, and what we hear and have heard from the Spirit of God, we will be held accountable for how we respond.  If we live with our heart, mind, and soul given over to things of this world, and living for things of this world rather than for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ we will have lived unworthy of that to which we have been given through Jesus Christ.  Ask God to open the eyes of your heart, mind, and soul to His majesty, power, and creation.  You will then just begin to understand the awesomeness of God.