Rev. 6:1-8
Ancient Jewish rabbis who believed the six day creation story, taught that the world would last for 6,000 years.
Then the messiah would come and usher in the final 1,000 years of human history.
They based their theory on Psalm 90:4 “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday.”
Historians also tell us that the early church father’s taught the six day theory of world history.
It was considered basic doctrine, that the world would go on for 6,000 years followed by a period of 1,000 years designated by the millennial kingdom, corresponding with the seventh day of creation, or the Sabbath.
These godly men for the first 300 years of Christendom based their belief on 2 Peter 3:8 “But beloved be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
The generational tables of Matt. and Luke that 4,000 years passed from Adam’s creation, to Christ’s birth. From the birth of Jesus, to this present time approx. another 2,000 years have passed, for a total of 6,000 years.
This means that we are approaching the dawn of the millennium, 1,000 years of glorious human history, under Christ’s reign.
Draw attention to the fact that the Rapture takes place seven years before this. Are you ready for its coming?
Revelation 6 tells us that four horses will appear on the world scene immediately following the Rapture. Introducing the Tribulation, followed by the Great Tribulation. These horses, by their color represent tremendous events.
The first horse, white in color. Represents peace. The rider is the antichrist. He comes forth “conquering and to conquest.” Crown note that he has a bow, but no arrows.
He offers protection to the Jews for seven years. They welcome his protection, for Islam has grown so strong and are ready to push them into the sea. During this security the Israelites feverishly build a Temple, restore Jewish ceremonies, and settle down to worship God in the old way. In the middle of the seven years the Antichrist breaks the peace treaty, and occupies Palestine. During the previous 3 ½ years the Antichrist has won victory after victory without shedding blood. He has waged a “cold war”. Open warfare nations have submitted to him grudgingly, but peacefully. Diplomacy, deceit, coercion.
This era of uncertain peace is about to end. The White Horse, whose rider has a bow but no arrows, is about to exit the world scene beginning the Great Tribulation. Suddenly, a galloping red horse with thundering hoofs appears on the world scene. Taking peace from the earth, men will kill one another – the rider wields a great sword. The Antichrist’s occupation of Palestine, the most strategic place on earth – the bridge between two continents – infuriates the King of the North and South.
They muster their forces and attack the Antichrist (Dan 11). Their combined armies are innumerable. The air is filled with planes, the sea with ships, the land is filled with military forces. Own volition to attack
The real reason is that they are drawn to Palestine, because God has put hooks in their jaws (Ezek. 38:3). He draws them to the place of execution. He has an account to settle with the Gentile nations.
As these armies converge on Palestine, the Antichrist withdraws his forces back to Europe. No doubt ordered by God.
The reason for this being – God is going to deal with His enemies systematically. North-South-East-West. The ensuing battle will be of such magnitude that it will make all other global wars pale into insignificance.
5/6 of this fighting force will be annihilated. Weapons will be gathered and destroyed for seven years (Ez 39). The stench from decomposing bodies will be so horrendous that those sailing in ships on the Mediterranean will be forced to cover their noses (Ez 39:11).
How does God deal with His enemies?
The Beast of the west had withdrawn, but not God. Without human help He creates a great earthquake, sends overflowing rain, great pieces of ice fall from the heavens, fire sweeps over the whole area, volcanic eruptions.
Finally, the soldiers in their terror and confusion will fight against each other. God is avenged. 5/6 of that great army lie dead on the battlefield. Beginning of the end of the Times of the Gentiles.
The black horse now appears. He has control of the food. This horse represents famine. The rider of this horse has a pair of balances in his hand with which he weighed out the staple foods of the working class – wheat and barley. A measure of wheat, three measures of barley. Food for one person for a day cost a day’s wage. People will starve to death.
Notice that the oil and wine, typifying the food of the upper class were not touched. This shows us the chaos and the blighted prosperity of the last days. (see Rev 6:12-17) It represents famine and economic disaster.
He has the power to kill with the sword – hunger and death (pestilence) – beasts. At this point in time, the pale horse makes his appearance.
This horse is the color of death. The rider of this horse was “death”, and “hades” followed him. At this period of time ¼ (1.5 billion) of the world’s population will be slain (v. 8). The unbelievers will drop into a place of torment as described in Luke 16 – hades.
The believers who die will be carried to heaven (Rev. 5). Will there be many who die for their faith in Christ? A great number which no man could number (Rev. 7). They cry, “how long?” Rest for a season.
Earth’s Last Great Battles
I believe that the opening of the second seal coincides with the attack of the King of the South, and the King of the North.
God deals with these two powers first (Dan. 11). “At the time of the end the king of the south and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and many ships.”
War in heaven. Satan is cast down to earth (Rev 12). This invasion is absolutely successful. The forces of the Beast of the west are not required by God to defeat His enemies.
God, Jehovah, creates a great earthquake – sends over flowing rain, great pieces of ice, fire, volcanic eruptions. Finally, the soldiers in their terror and confusion will fight against each other. God is avenged and 5/6 of that great army lie dead on the battlefield (800,000 men slain).
This great defeat of the forces from the north and south is the signal for the Beast of the west to move again into Palestine.
While occupying the land and reveling in the adulation of the masses The false prophet doing mighty miracles calling fire down from heaven, making the image of the Beast speak.
He hears disturbing news. “Tidings out of the east and north trouble him.” The disturbing news of the advancing armies from the East, is made more sinister by Divine action. “And the sixth angel poured out his bowl upon the great river Euphrates and its water dried up, that the way of kings of the east might be prepared.”
John also mentioned that three spirit, like frogs, came out of the mouth of the dragon. These performed many miracles, and gathered the nations together to the final battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 16:13-16)
The kings of the east are drawn to this appointed place. Consider the awesome array of military might. Two hundred million men (Rev. 9:16).
As these two armies from the east and from the west face each other, waiting for the strategic moment to lock their horns in mortal combat, there appears the “sign of the Son of Man.” (Matt. 24)
Describe the coming of the Lord at this time. Glory – Power.
As these vast armies see this great phenomena, their hatred for each other dissolves and they unite to fight against the Lord.
This is the scene that David saw in Psalm 2. “Why do the nations rage and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed. Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us. He who sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, He shall have them in derision. Then He shall speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His great displeasure.”
How will God deal with these nations?
The Lord will peak. His words will be like a sharp sword (Rev. 19:15). He will smite the nations – He will cut them in pieces – He will smite the men with blindness. (Zech. 12:1-9).
Their flesh shall rot while they stand upon their feet. Their eyes shall corrode away in their sockets. Their tongues shall decay in their mouth. There will be great confusion and panic. Every man will turn against his neighbor. The carnage will be undescribable.
Notice how quickly the Lord moves.
1. The Beast and the False Prophet are cast into Gehenah (v. 20).
2. Satan is bound and cast into the bottomless pit (20:3)
3. Satan finally is cast into the Lake of Fire, Gehenah (20:10)
The Judge on the Throne (Rev. 20)
At this time the nail-scarred hands of the Lord will carry the scepter of unchallenged and supreme authority.
His once thorn-crowned head will be crowned with glory, majesty, and power. King of Kings.
His once marred face will shine in resplendent brilliance. (Rev. 3) Head-hair-eyes-feet-voice-face.
The “small” and the “great” will be there (v. 12). From all walks of life and degrees of greatness they will come. Men and Women from every station in life will be there. The prince, the pauper, the intellectual, the ignorant, rich, poor, religious, irreligious. You will be there. All these will stand before the throne. Upheld by the omnipotent power of God.
O the horror and despair of standing in one’s sins, searched by the blaze of divine light. There is no escape. There are no caves in which to hide. There is no blood. They are now face to face with the Omnipotent Christ. “It is appointed unto men,” etc.
The Sea gave up its dead (v. 13)
The voice of the Son of God will fathom the lowest depth of the deepest sea. The angry billows and the tempestuous waves will obey the command of the Omnipotent Christ and yield up their dead. Everyone will answer the summons – there will be no exceptions – no escaping the call.
The grave will give up its bodies (v. 13). Hades will give up the souls of the lost (v. 13).
This is the second resurrection. Resurrection of Judgment.
From the records on the books the degree of punishment will be determined.
At the conclusion of this judgment every unbeliever will be cast into the Lake of Fire. The Second Death.
This is not extinction nor annihilation. The Antichrist and False Prophet still there after 1,000 years. This is eternal separation from God, in unceasing torment for ever and ever.
“Flee from the wrath to come” (Matt 3:7) “Because there is wrath beware,” etc. (Job 36:18).
“The harvest is past, the summer is ended.” etc. (Jer 8:20)
“Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?” (v. 22)
Yes, there is! John 5:24. “He that heareth My Word, and believes on Him that sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment but is passed from death into life.”