The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - 18

Well I have returned. We have returned to the book of Revelation we are in chapter 6, so let me read chapter 6 and will read the first seven verses of this chapter.

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, and see and I looked, and behold a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow and a crown was given to him and he went out conquering and to conquer. When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, come and see another horse, fiery red went out and it was granted the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another and there was given to him a great sword.

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say common.

See. So I looked, and behold a black horse and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand and I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying a quart of wheat for a denarius, and 3 quarts of barley for a denarius and do not harm the oil and the wine. When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, and see. So I looked, and behold a pale horse in the name of him who sat on it was death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over 1/4 of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. Whether these are challenging portions of God's word and we are very dependent upon the spirit of God, helping us to understand it or right you know from previous messages in the series that I've drawn your attention to back that throne of God is a dominant feature throughout the book of the Revelation.

In fact, 38 times. There is reference to the throne in 17 of those 30 times were confined to chapters 4 and chapters 5 and around that throne our worship scene in chapters 4 and five seen that God the father is worship for his creation. First, creating power chapter 4 verse 11. These words you are worthy, oh Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for you. What created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. And then again, worship is dominant in chapter 5 and it's not God the father is worship, but it is the Lamb a lion of the tribe of the lion of the tribe of Judah, and we are reminded that he's worthy of worship and he is worship, not for creation. Although he participated in creation is Colossians would tell us in the book of Hebrews would tell us that he holds all things together by the power of his word but he is worship in chapter 5 because he is the Redeemer, Redeemer in chapter 5 we have these words. They sang a new song, saying, you the Lamb you are worthy to take the scroll and open the seals, for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation and have made us kings and priests to our God and we shall reign upon the earth.

Well John. John saw God Almighty on the throne and he saw God Almighty with a seven sealed scroll in his hand and a search went out in all of heaven and all of earth and under the earth to find someone worthy to open the scroll and no one was found and therefore the Bible tells us in Revelation chapter 5 John wept. He wept because no one was worthy to open the scrolls. Then one of the elders said to John do not weep for what does he say memory filled me there for a moment. He says you do not weep.

Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed or has conquered to open the scroll and the lucid seals is the act of the Lamb approaching God Almighty on the throne to receive the scroll that provokes the worship in heaven of him and we have taken long look at that and rejoiced in this important to keep that picture before us because that is the end that all of history is moving toward. That is the great climax that is the apex of all that God is doing that world history will end and consummate in this great wonderful scene here is worship in its perfection and if we are child of God. We will be there. We will participate in this we come here to chapter 6 John is still in the spirit and he's in heaven.

The vision that he sees now shifts from what he saw in heaven to what will transpire on the earth. Remember the context here for for the sake of context, let me remind you of chapter 4 verse one that says after these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven and the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking to me saying come up here and I will show you things which must take place after this. So John is still in heaven. He still privilege to these visions. He's in heaven and in his spirit. He's body is still on the island of Patmos, but here he is in the spirit and he is being shown visions of things which must take place after this. Of the things that are recorded here are future. From his vantage point, we have no way of knowing how many of the things that are recorded in the book of the Revelation are passed from our perspective, but we do know that what he recorded was all future release.

From this point on.

From his vantage point. What you listen to a quotation from Herman hope some a manager in a commentary on the book of Revelation life.

I like what he says here to listen to this quotation he says, taking into consideration that the one important theme of the book of Revelation is the coming King and the completion of the kingdom, and that the book of the seven seals must be taken as symbolic of the living and powerful decrees of the Almighty.

The ultimate purpose of which is the glory of God's name through the coming of God's kingdom, we are safe in drawing the conclusion that the seven seals are intended to reveal to us the main aspects and larger currents of the history of this world as they cooperate to bring the kingdom of Christ to its perfect consummation again were in chapter 6. Remember the four living creatures that were a part of the worship scenes in chapters 4 and five. They are the cherubim of God. They are these mighty awesome fearful angelic guardians and attendance of the throne of God they serve God's purposes.

They do God's bidding, and they speak words of summons in the opening of each of the first four seals notice we have tonight were going to look at the four. The first four seals and they are in verse one, verse three verse five in verse seven. I want you to note that each of the four seals portray forces with riders. They are symbolic, only one of the writers is given a name that is the fourth rider and were told in verse eight so I looked, and behold a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it, is death. So of the four Horsemen. This is the only one that's given a name. The other three are simply we get description descriptions of them and we are to draw some conclusions as we seek to identify who they are portraying. But these four living creatures. They speak words of summons in the opening of each of these four seals notice with me the repetition verse one now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like under, and see and you'll see that again in verse three when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, come and see verse five when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say common see and then verse seven. Then he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, and see. The question is who is this summons given to and it might help if you are made aware that there is a textual variant here and the word C is been added to our translation.

My Bible I'm reading from the new King James, but in the original and many the manuscripts.

It's just, as the summons of, not common see, but simply to come. I think it's doubtful that the summons is directed to John because John has already been summoned by way of vision in the spirit and he's there.

Everything he sings captured his attention. He doesn't need a look here, behold, see he's he's engaged he's riveted on what's transpired so I don't believe that the summons is directed to him. I think the summons is directed to the Horsemen that they are being directed to write out through the earth and to accomplish their purposes that has been ordained by them by the decrees of God.

Remember what's going to unfold are the things that must take place. They must take place because God has decreed that they will take place and he here we see the exercise of that so I want us to to think tonight about the relationship between these first four seals their unique, there are seven seals that make up this scroll, but the first four have such similarity. Each of the seals has a Horsemen each of them have this summons that you do not see in the fifth seal to succeed on the seventh seal. So I think we need to see them as a unit. See the relationship one to the other and I will proceed in my interpretation along those lines. These descriptions of the first three horses welders description of the fourth with the fourth has a name death. The writer of that horse.

The. The other three have descriptions, but again, not names in these descriptions lead us to interpret what's being portrayed in what is being described for us and my Bible has some headings. The first seal it says the conqueror. The second seal conflicts on earth.

The third seal scarcity on earth. The fourth seal widespread death on earth now again those headings are inspired, but they help us to understand.

I think in part what is being communicated here so the first horse the white horse. I'm going to suggest to you is symbolic of victory it symbolic of victory. Why do I say that because this as I saw the Lamb opened one of the seals and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a loud, with a voice like thunder common see and I looked, and behold a white horse.

He was sat on it had a bow and a crown was given to him and he went out conquering and to conquer so that language is on a horse is on a white horse it's horses is a means of war and he goes out to conquer because out conquering and to conquer.

So I want to assign a word of victory to the first rider. The second is symbolic of what war says that the second horse is a red horse notice with me. When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, come and see another horse, fiery red went out and it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, so again symbolic of war. The third horse rider on that horse is a black horse says that he was set on how to prayer scales in his hand. I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying a quart of wheat Ford in areas in 3 quarts of barley for denarius and do not harm the oil and the wine language will look at in the moment, but symbolic of family so white for victory. Redfern wore black for famine and the pale horse for death I think is important that we take note that the horses are not independently just running while doing whatever they have a rider and that rider directs the horse according to a predetermined course and purpose, and they will portray the unfolding events of human history that have as their hand, the coming of the kingdom of God in his fullness. Its victory and its consummation.

Again, the question who is controlling these forces, whose it was controlling these events, that must take place. Well, it should be obvious to us. We've we've spoken to it is here in the text is the one who's been given all power and authority, both in heaven and on earth. The Lord Jesus Christ. He's the one who is directing and controlling all things after the counsel of his own will and that should be a source of great comfort to us. So let's begin the look at these four horsemen, and that if you're looking for title tonight. We will entitle at the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse again. Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder common see and I looked, and behold a white horse.

He who sat on it had a bow and a crown was given to him and he went out conquering and to conquer a white horse with a rider who has a bow and says a crown was given to him. Anyone out conquering and to conquer. Now there are very diverse interpretations of the identity of this white horse and the rider on it and them just trying to get my mind around the various interpretations and there in the background and the reason why various scholars believe it's this or believe it saddened and so diverse people who are contributing to study Bibles are scholars there theologians there study people and if you have a couple different. Study Bibles take a look at the ESV study Bible looks take a look at the Reformation study Bible. Take a look at the MacArthur study Bible, you will see how diverse interpretations are and all have what they believed to be justification for their interpretation. So let me give you three of the most prominent interpretations of the identity of the rider and the white horse number one, there are those who have the interpretation that this is the antichrist, the antichrist that the white horse is the first of the four horses that he must be seen as part of a destructive force of war of famine and of death. Again, what they're seeing is a connection between the four horsemen war. There's famine. There's death there saying that this first one is got to have an element of destruction and opposition to God in his work and his kingdom now. Well let me go on and in offer some rebuttal to this position. They say that the color white points to the ancient customs of having the victim your ride on a white horse at his return from battle. The crown denotes victory.

Let me read to you from Matthew chapter 24 because this is well. Matthew chapter 24 is the all of it discourse where Jesus is discussing the end times and listen to what he says and hear the.

The language in the similar themes being communicated. Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple and his disciples came up to show him the building of the temple.

And Jesus said to them, do you not see all these things assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Now, as he sat on the Mount of olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, tell us, when will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age. Jesus answered and said to them, take heed that no one deceives you, for many will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And there are those who have an interpretation here of Revelation chapter 6 of the white horse that he is that one who is the antichrist. He is the deceiver. He is the one who's portraying himself as a savior, but he is the antichrist, and they're getting that from what Jesus is saying here and then listen is a goes on and you will hear of wars and rumors of war see that you're not troubled for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you and you will be hated by all nations for my namesake and then many will be offended, will betray one another and will hate one another in a goes on. So you see the language there wars and pestilence and of killing that is similar to the language here chapter 6 here. Revelation. So what what do we say about this interpretation that here is the portrayal of the antichrist. Well, I agree that we must look at these four horsemen together and see the relationship to one another so I'm not opposed to the desire to do that but I think attempt is is a misguided chapter 19 reveals the conquering and the victorious Christ, who cast the antichrist and the false prophet into the lake of fire. So the one who rides on the white horse the one who wears a crown, the one who is moving through the earth to conquer is not the antichrist. The antichrist is not a victor.

He's not a conqueror he's a loser he's frustrated every point. So, must understand that the color white here in the New Testament and especially in Revelation, almost always denotes holiness and purity and victory and justice and righteousness. I don't believe that that is consistent with the portrayal of the antichrist is not used anywhere white to depict or to portray Satan oars helpers oars workers oars work for that matter. It's is a crown notice. I look to behold a white horse who sat on had a bow and a crown was given to him a crown was given to the writer.

I believe it's God who is the agent of the one who is giving the crown will God is not going to crown our adversary, the antichrist and the text does not unequivocally state that this writer portrays evil forces. I think for you to come to here and say well they the the scroll and the seals are going to reveal God's worldwide judgment on an unbelieving Christ rejecting world and in part that's true. But to say that in every detail. I think again is misguided because if you and again that's what's driving. I think part of this interpretation it's got to be a form of judgment and part of that judgment is God giving deception to an unbelieving world.

The antichrist is the one is riding on this horse and making his way through the earth to deceive many.

Well again princes when I can look at it tonight, but for our purposes.

Right now I want to show you if you want to see if you want to say all these seals are going to portray judgment. God manifesting his judgment pouring out wrath would gonna say about the fifth seal verse nine 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 testimony which they held and they crowd cried with a loud voice saying how long the Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth in a white robe was given to each of them and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. You can't read judgment into that fifth seal so you see the problem if you impose that paradigm on all the seals I don't think that that's what's going on here. The second possibility as we are considering commentators and those who have wrestled with these issues that the identity of the rider on the white horse is the Lord Jesus Christ. Now folks I want. I want to explain to you how serious I'm taking this I had occasion to be with some folks a week or two ago and music people to Carly's spends time with and I went with her just to support her and interact with one of the men who sell wife plays a dulcimer he's a woodworker so he and I got to talk but anyway there was a man there and I had remembered him from a previous occasion and I called him Dave.

And when I said will good to see you Dave and he said well my name is actually Jeff, I was embarrassed simply because I called him by his wrong name not we've all had that experience here. If I miss identify who this is on his white horse and and I'm so far afield.

I don't just mispronounce her column.

What one name or another that lets you say I'm going to do directly to what I what I think is the correct identification here in a moment before. For purposes that I'm trying to make here in this illustration. If are only two possibilities are the Lord Jesus Christ is the one riding on this horse with a bow and with a crown and he's moving through the earth conquering and to conquer. If that's who it is or is it the antichrist. I mean, could you be any further apart. Could you be more mistaken if if it's Chrysler USACE antichrist towards antichrist and his strike, I don't.

I do not want to miss identify who this is and I don't think you want to miss identify who this is so, let's consider the possibility that this writer on his white horse is indeed the Lord Jesus Christ and William Hendrickson in his commentary goes it to quite extent to make this point to prove this to us and these are some of the points he makes reasonable in the context favors it because John is told to wait, not look, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed or he has overcome okay the language here is that he's going throughout the earth doing what conquering to conquering, conquering and to conquer the symbolism of white in Revelation refers to that which is again holy and pure crown refers to Christ.

He was wearing a crown of gold in chapter 14 and verse 14. Chapter 19 in verse six.

The verb to conquer that she used here. Always he says points to either of either Christ or his followers.

He says throughout the book of the Revelation, John unfolds the design that Christ is the one who has conquered is conquering and will conquer and that really is a theme of the book of Revelation. In fact, it could perhaps even be called the purpose of the book I'm reading one verse here from Revelation chapter 17. In verse 14 where were told about the woman and the beast in verse 14 says these will make war with the Lamb and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of Kings and those who are with him are called, chosen and these will make war with the Lamb and the Lamb will overcome them.

There is there's that theme that runs throughout the book of the Revelation and then he gives some of the reasons that I'll stop at that point.

What what is said to refute Hendrickson's insistence that this is the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, the biggest one is that the Lord Jesus is the one who is taken the scroll from the right hand of God Almighty. He's the one who's opening the scroll's how can he be at the same time, the one who is holding the scroll and folding the scroll and the one riding on the white horse that's what is pointing to is it can't be key can be functioning in both roles here. What is 1/3 possibility third possibility and the one that I believe and I am the most comfortable with is that what is being portrayed here is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, that Christ is sending forth his gospel that in the history of the church is always proved to be unstoppable. What does the gospel do it conquers it conquers rebellious men.

It brings them in subjection to King Jesus. That's the work of the gospel of Christ. The gospel is set on conquering the world. That's what we see all of history is moving toward that end, Jesus speaks about his gospel in the context of the upper room discourse. I read to you there from Matthew chapter 24 as the disciples were asking questions will be the signs of the times of the end of the age.

Jesus said similar language, we find here, but in that same context in verse 13 Jesus said this, that this gospel of the kingdom must be preached to all the nations, and then the end will come. So it is, I believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is being sent forth into all the earth. Jesus speaks also of war and famine, and death there in Matthew chapter 24 that the proclamation of the gospel creates reaction it creates hostility.

It creates a response. They've they've killed the Lord Jesus Christ. Dave killed his followers that killed his messengers.

There is bloodshed associated with the proclamation of the gospel yet, this gospel goes forth to conquer now for what it's worth, this is the dominant interpretation of the early church. This is what the early church believed was being portrayed here by this writer on the white horse so I will I will leave it at that.

There's more that can be said but uncomfortable. I think in my own mind and suggesting to you that the identity of any there's one more thing, there's no names given to any of these horsemen.

The forces there entities their impersonal there's death is war. There's famine and so rather than to try and find a name I think we have the that the force the power of the gospel of Christ sent forth by Christ into this world to do what to do the very thing that it says here conquering and to conquer the good way to think about what the gospel does my friend tonight if the message of Christ and his gospel has not had that effect upon you.

It has not subdued you. It has not conquered you then there's real question whether you really truly have been converted with truly are indeed saved because where the gospel comes it comes to conquer comes to subdue it comes to overcome and I trust that you can find joy in that and knowing that that's indeed what happened God is come to you.

He is subdued you he is overcome you and he's done that for your good and for his ultimate glory.

Well, I knew that we would probably spend a lot of time there. Let me try and move quickly now through these other seals. The second seal, the red horse.

Notice what he says when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, come and see. And again I think it's the summons is just a come come and do your bidding come in, move through the earth, and fulfill the decreed purposes that have been ordained for you so what we see another horse, fiery red went out and it was granted the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another and there was given to him a great sword for the color red signifies bloodshed and it points to warfare.

Wherever the gospel is introduced, particularly in areas where it is not been preached before, there is conflict there is a pushback.

There is hostility there is often bloodshed. Jesus said as much.

He says in Matthew chapter 10 in verse 34 did not come to bring peace but a sword.

And he said in Matthew 24 verses six and seven you will hear of wars and rumors of this nation will rise against nation's kingdom against kingdom. So the writer on this red colored horse personifies evil evil that opposes God's Word and his people. You see them trying to try and understand that in relationship to the first horse of the first horses. The gospel than the second is opposition to the gospel and there is bloodshed associated with the question here is, says it was given to him to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another and there was given to him a great sword.

People that people should kill one another. What is at who is that well again in a gospel context. I think it's those who have given their lives for the sake of the gospel.

Those who been martyred. Those who, in John's day three for the churches had working guilds and men needed to join the guilds in order to have employment and with being a part of the Guild you had to give allegiance to the idols, and they refused to do that because they were giving their allegiance solely to the Lord Jesus Christ and therefore they were, they were cut off from the labor force, and they paid it out and tremendous price economically. There's all kinds of explanations here. Others, civil wars and world wars so bloodshed the word in the Greek is probably better translated instead of kill to slaughter that word slaughter that Greek word occurs eight times in the book of the Revelation and listen to some of those references. The reason I'm telling you this is that it's a reference to that, the killing in the death of Christ's followers hear some of those references all there is a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain. Revelation 56 you were slain, and with your blood you brought them you were slain. Chapter 5 verse nine. Were these Lamb that was slain. I saw under the altar the souls of the ones slain chapter 6 and verse nine. So there is continual conflict in this world because of the animosity and the hatred of Christ and his gospel, and there is death because of it. The third seal there in verses five and six when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, and see.

So I looked, and behold a black and he was set on it had a pair of scales in his hand and I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying a quart of wheat for a denarius and three warts of barley for a denarius and do not harm the oil and the wine. This black horse is symbolic of famine, famine, pictured with the. The scales way grain. There are four things mentioned there wheat, barley, oil and wine all precious commodities all necessary for the sustaining of life basis. A quart of wheat for a denarius, and if you remember the parable of the workers in the vineyard denarius was a day's wages. What he saying is there's a time of famine coming in which it will take a day's wages in order to purchase a quart of wheat to make a loaf of bread so there are terrible economic crisis. These that are being portrayed here and the question is well from Don's vantage point.

Obviously that was future. From our vantage point is where have we seen that or that yet future is history unfolds will depends on your point of reference, I suppose if I was talking to the brother and in the believers in Zimbabwe, they would say hey we seen this we seen were a dollar bill or where $10 billion could buy a loaf of bread seriously. Remember the stories people would stand in line with a wheelbarrow load of money American currency dollars and be there for five or six hours have to leave and and go to the restroom and come back and money still there but somebody stole the wheelbarrow. The Wilbur was worth more than the money so times of great famine. What we make of the reference their word says and do not harm the oil and the wine do not harm the oil or wine again who is controlling these things who is in charge who is superintending is Christ Jesus.

These are things that must happen and he is ordering all these things for a glorious purpose. The consummation the ushering in of his kingdom and he is saying yes there's going to be a famine, but on the put limits on that famine. So this writer goes out into the earth to execute the decrees of God and bring to fulfillment. That which is been determined.

There's limit set.

What is that limit do not harm the oil and the wine so's hardest things may be we can rejoice that there is a God who is limiting and controlling all events for the good of his people and for his own honor in his own glory.

That's what I see there. And then there is 1/4 seal verse seven when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, see, so I looked, and behold a pale horse in the name of him was set on it was death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over 1/4 of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth while pale horse rider on that horse's name is death. Notice what it says there about Hades name of humus on it was death and Hades followed with him.

Hades is not the grave.

Hades is the place with the souls of unbelievers are While the souls of believers are what absent from the body present with the Lord. So this is speaking of spiritual death. The passive voice year says was given notice again. I looked, and behold a pale horse and name of him was set on. It was followed with empowerment and power was given to them over 1/4 of the earth power was given again. I think it's clear that God is the one who gives power. God is the one who controls these matters.

What's being pictured here is mass destruction and disease that kills of 1/4 of says that will kill 1/4 to them over 1/4 of the earth.

We've all been affected to some degree or another.

By this pandemic that has come upon the world and there have been not making light of this number will at all, but there have been a little over 4 million people who have died from coalbed across this world here United States north of 600,000.

That's a lot of people. For million deaths is a lot of this, but what's the population of this of our world. There are 6 billion people living on this planet and says 1/4 of the earth would be 1 1/2 billion people.

I think we could say without any question that whatever cataclysmic event that would usher in that kind of devastation and death. We have not seen now the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima not Nagasaki killed about 200 and 220 to 250,000 people. Again, that's a lot of people, but that's less than well roughly about half as many people who have not even not even half as many people have died from covert here United States so just trying it to give you a sense of what's being referred to here one half those who have died of covert less than 12:45 percent of the world population across this across this world here is talking about 25% 25%. Now the bubonic plague that entered Europe in the 14th century killed 26 million people between 1346 and 1352 20 million people died in World War II in Europe so I'm saying all that to say this was being referred to here is a future catastrophic event and it is a warning of God's forthcoming judgment. There is judgment awaiting all who will not bow the knee to King Jesus because he's coming conquering and to conquer.

And for those who resist and for those who will not be subdued. There is judgment that awaits so would be my first application would be amiss not to challenge my listeners tonight to be absolutely certain that you are a recipient of saving grace.

What is that look like and again it's being subdued by King Jesus brought into submission to his Lordship, you are not in rebellion toward him. You are a glad followers. He is your seeking to represent him in this world you're not a Christian in name only. You been changed. Christianity is not something that's external is not something that is on the exterior and works its way in true biblical Christianity is a work of grace in the life it's an in itself not exterior its interior. It's internal and it works its way out difference. Too many people have a Christianity that is merely external. It shall for many, it's a counterfeit. It's a deception it's a lie that they bought into but true, true Christianity true saving faith is being subdued and we of recognize that King Jesus is Lord we have put down our arms, we have surrendered and we are a glad followers of his second application. What were studying here reveals that history is completely under the control of the Lamb that stands as though he had been slain. He's the one who's unfolding these scrolls is not just revealing what's in the scrolls. It's the power to execute the eternal decrees that are confined in the scrolls. That's why these horsemen are being sent out across the earth, not to not to communicate. Things are going to happen, but actually execute the eternal decrees of God that relate to the consummation and the fulfillment of his kingdom. So that's what I see.

I'm very thankful for those of you who have expressed appreciation for this study. Those of you who have conveyed your promise to pray for me as I lead us in this study and find it interesting that the preaching in first Thessalonians is dealing with issues of eschatology that were dealing with here in the book of the Revelation. I would echo what Pastor Parkman said I am avoiding being dogmatic as I've suggested to you, good men. Men have contributed to study Bibles and written commentaries are of very different opinions about a lot of these matters and they have their biblical rationale and justification for, and rather than just totally dismissed something out of hand.

I've been working hard to try and get my mind around. Okay now how did you get there.

How, what, what are you bringing to the text that the direct you and that that vein, so it's it's a lot of work to not only rightly divide the word of God, but understand if this is what I believe.

Why do I believe this why don't believe that. Why don't I believe this so I want to try and help you in this. Let me conclude with a short paragraph by again. One of the commentators that I've been benefiting from Herman Houck summa.

He says this, be not afraid.

Therefore he people of the kingdom. All these things must needs come to pass in times of war in trouble, famine, and pestilence.

When the red horse drive through the earth, and the black horse appears in your streets or the pale horse enters into your homes. Let your hearts rest in the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who holds the book with the seven seals and controls all things in heaven and on earth. Unto the ultimate completion of his glorious kingdom shall we pray father how we thank you for your word and we confess that some of these things are very hard for us to understand the Lord, you know my heart. I do not want to misrepresent the truth. I want to know truth as it truly is Lord. It has caused a an earnest dependence upon you, and I trust that that will continue and prevail upon all of us as we continue to study your word, not only here but in other places or keep us humble. Keep us looking to you, protect us from any divisiveness or any spirit of argumentation help us father to love our brother and our sister and to join arms as we seek to represent our Lord Jesus Christ in this world or how we thank you tonight for your conquering gospel, how it is changing cultures and changing people groups why I think of what you are doing there in Papua among these tribal people. What else could we say how else could we describe that but the powerful gospel of Christ, conquering, subduing and bringing life and in blessing. Father, we ask that that would continue that you would give success to your gospel. Now, Lord, we would say even as these gathered around the throne said blessing and honor and glory and power be to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever