05.05.21
The Four Horses of the Apocalypse
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. Mat 24:21 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)
Do you recall 1982? Many thought the end was near. All nine planets were on the same side of the sun, and all in alignment. This was unheard of. What would happen—floods, earthquakes, great heat? The same uncertainty existed in 1999, the year of Y2K.
Though we don’t know when, Jesus is coming again. He will take to heaven all of those who have been born again. He will leave on earth all of those who are not born again. Those in heaven will face the Bema Seat judgment and enjoy the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Those on earth will face a seven-year time of Tribulation. The Tribulation will begin when the Antichrist, the world leader, makes a seven-year treaty with Israel. Today we will begin to survey the events of the Tribulation. Many of these events are recorded in Revelation 6-19.
The Tribulation period of seven years is divided into two parts, each containing three and one-half years. The period of time is marked by a treaty that the Antichrist makes with the nation of Israel. This is described in Daniel 9. In the midst of that seven years, he breaks the treaty, dividing the seven years in half. The first half of this time period is referred to as the Tribulation, and the second half as the Great Tribulation.
The events of the Tribulation are basically described for us in Revelation 6-8. In these chapters the seals that secure a book or a scroll are unloosed by none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He is depicted in these chapters as both a Lamb and a Lion. He alone is worthy to open the seals, for He has purchased Mankind by the shedding of His blood on the cross. The book or scroll is deemed to be the title deed to the universe. He alone is worthy to take possession of that deed.
One by one the seals are opened. The first seal reveals a man on a white horse. He carries a bow but has no arrows. He wears a crown and begins to conquer. He is depicting himself to be the messiah. How can he conquer with no weapons? He is a man of peace, or seemingly so. This is the Antichrist who promises peace to the world through the peace treaty with Israel.
The second seal reveals a red horse. The rider on this horse carries a sword. He speaks of war. The promised peace by the man on the white horse will be short-lived. Perhaps the war will be the war of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38, 39.
The opening of the third seal produces a black horse. One of the aftermaths of this war will be great famine. Food will be rationed. Oil and wine will be available but not easily attainable.
The fourth horse of the apocalypse will be pale. It is a pale green, the color of death. The combination of war, famine and pestilence will cause one-fourth of the earth’s population to die.
If this were not bad enough, there are three more seals yet to be opened. Oh my friend, are you prepared for the coming of these things? The good news is that there is safety in the Lamb of God when you trust in Him.