Reading Tomorrow's Headlines Today - Romans 6:1-4

The most important question and decision is what will you do with the gospel of Jesus Christ. John wrote earlier, this is the testimony. It is God has given us eternal life.

Whoever has the son has life. Whoever does not have the son of God does not have life symbol is that how are you related to Jesus Christ. Now listen, I don't hitch your wagon to the wrong horse. Every human has an eternal we will either enjoy God's blessing forever or experience God's wrath forever. What makes the difference is how we respond to the gospel today on this broadcast of wisdom for the heart. Stephen Devi returns to the book of Revelation with the lesson called reading tomorrow's headlines today when we are reminded of how the story ends. It challenges us to consider how were living today, are we living with the end in mind. That's the key question that were exploring Stevens continuing through a series that he's calling for horsemen in the coming world madness. Grab your Bible. As we get started with today's lesson from God's word. Without a doubt, the four horsemen that appear on the scene in Revelation chapter 6 represent the most famous horses of all time.

These thundering horses and the writers of captured the imagination of artists, politicians and preachers. The church at large. Even skeptics and cult leaders among them for centuries found it interesting that a young man named Vernon Wayne Howell known to his followers as David Karesh was obsessed with these four horsemen taught often about them from the book of Revelation effective claim to be Jesus Christ. That was a bit of a problem. Of course he claimed it been given the task by God to open the seven seals and bring on the end of the world's world did and sadly tragically, as he was killed in the standoff with officials much of his compound burn to the ground tragically take his life and the life any followers and ironic way.

The David Karesh and all those who claim to be the Messiah before him at all is a claim to be Messiah after him doing away fulfill the warning of Jesus Christ in Matthew 22 that false Messiah is at an ever increasing pace will mark the end times, culminating of course in the coming of the false.

The deceiving counterfeiting one known as antichrist.

All right, enough of it in elections. Let's read Revelation chapter 6 verse one now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder. Remember these four living creatures and jellybean circle for, wanted, demanded, and I looked, and behold a white horse and this writer had a bow and a crown was given to him and he came out conquering and to conquer his limited effective victory. This is the opening seal and the thundering of the first horsemen. The planet Earth on a white horse.

Although John saw a white horse and a mute horsemen riding him this horsemen represents the culmination of counterfeit messiahs and deceivers effectively want three words to identify the coming of this horsemen who was later described will look closely, the antichrist chapters, there are three words that sum up his rise to power the first word is peace.

The second word is partnership and the third word is protection.

He doesn't come to begin war according to the events Daniel prophesied in John now sees this. Begins with peace. A peaceful accord.

There is no peace today. Is there certainly not of the world and in the Middle East, the world would love to have peace where there is 1 Geographical Pl. on the planet that occupies the thinking and the growing frustration of the civilized world.

It is peace in the where Middle East will this writer comes in actually will broker Daniel specifies this piece we are literally reading tomorrow's headlines today here in this text. The world is clamoring for peace and suddenly, so it is not common in rise and offer this elusive thing called peace in the middle east. He will succeed in the world today is waiting and watching.

It's been waiting and watching for peace anyway and it will only grow as this man eventually surfaces in leadership Shiite branch of Islam believes in the existence of a final email effective study what they believe in their similarities are gospel account interesting.

They believe there is 1/12 Imam who will come and I sure in peace and Islamic justice, the president of Moran recently prayed openly of the convening of the United Nations for the soon appearing of this 12 theme which is the title and name of a simply religious leaders capable of leading a mosque, or perhaps being the spiritual leader of people and he prayed openly at the United Nations for this man, soon all Americans can't pray publicly name of Jesus, at least not out loud without severe repercussions, the president of a growing world power unapologetically pray for the coming of his spiritual leader.

He opened his speech at the United Nations on September 25, 2007 we read to you a little of his prayer quoted O God, hasten the arrival of the mom, I'll not be and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers.

There's more. This opening prayer by the way, the followers of the Shiite branch of Islam follow men they believe to be the descendents of Mohammed's are like the Catholic churches believe in apostolic succession. They believe in literal descendents of Mohammed humility difficulty proving these imams are the guardians of the Quran have the right of spiritual leadership over the world. They believe that in the 10th century, the 12th and Lasky mom disappeared. Literally whisked away by God and hidden away, kept alive, and he's well until the end of history where he will appear in the lead those people and the world into Islamic peace and justice. The current president of Moran's is overseeing the building of a mosque by the way just for the 12 Imam to have as his. His headquarters of the rider of the white horse is going to fit the profile of this man of peace, with supernatural power, tremendous elect, claiming divine authority capable of brokering a peace that will settle the Jerusalem question.

In fact, even allow the temple to be rebuilt, which boggles my imagination, but Israel will finally have peace now. That's what leads some to suggest that this writer in Revelation 6 is the gospel to metaphor for the gospel.

One of the gospel can bring an I would agree is pretty amazing. Others would say no. It's Jesus Christ that his his coming will bring about this kind of peace.

Now there are similarities in Revelation chapter 19 Jesus Christ appears writing a white horse is also crowned and he would, he comes, will certainly bring peace to the world, but there are textual reasons. I don't believe this is Christ here. These four horsemen serve as a unit that they are all bringing judgment, but I'll give you just a few of these reasons in the take time just for a few in this study.

First, I want you to understand that their weapon are different here in Revelation chapter 6. Notice again.

This writer comes and he's carrying a lot above is caring about in Revelation 19 is a sword which is used by our Lord to smite his enemy.

In fact the writer of the white horse here carries no errors just below his mansion, which I believe and would symbolize the rise of the Antichrist in a series of blood less victories diplomatic victories victories politically, as he assumes leadership. Daniel tells us of the revived Roman empire that is most certainly indicates the threat of war, but I agree with Lowther who said that if you if you look carefully here war is not the result of this seal. Peace is the result of this first horsemen so the price will deceive the world into believing he is a man of peace is a look I got gone, but it's not loaded bullet in his pocket, but the guns not loaded at this time in the world will fall into the devil's trap.

Secondly, not only are there weapons different, but the crown are different as well. The text reads in verse two, and a crown was given to him. The rider on the white horse in chapter 6 is wearing.

However, a Stephanopoulos. This is the victor's crown made of leaves.

The athletes would be crowned with these work or citizens of done a good job. The problem with this crowd. Of course, is that it withers away dies they might president a book to keep it but they wouldn't work for very long affect the deferred essay was given there in the text of crown was given to him is a very interesting verb. It appears to speak of divine permission for evil powers to carry out their wicked mission. It's a temporary delegated crown and I want to mark this point and I stress it for this reason he is given a temporary position by God. This writer ultimately answers to God, he might be riding a white stallion, but his horses on a leash and the other end of that leash is in the hand of sovereign God, the crown that Christ wears in Revelation 19 is Diane Dane, for which we get our word diadem. It's the crown of royalties. The crown of King. Thirdly, another difference the length of their influences vastly different rider of the white horse will gallop in setting up the peace accord. Daniel nine specifies which lasts 3 1/2 years until he desecrates the temple beginning the last 3 1/2 years which Christ also dividing the tribulation calls this the great period of trial. This is a false peace brought about by Antichrist peace before the coming storm and the storm will come, but people won't care to hear about the storm of them just as they really don't care. Now they will heed the warning signs that despite you might not be a follower of Christ and you will heed the warning signs now it will come.

But the world will one piece and they will want peace at any what price those of you who enjoy history.

Perhaps a read of the appeasement of adult Hitler a man. Many bought thought was the antichrist clearly chronicle how the world appeased him as they literally gave countries away the amazing ability of the human heart to blind itself to the truth in an attempt to keep some measure of peace. I read the last line a large two-volume biography Winston Churchill and I read specifically to refresh my memory as I thought it was a study revelations exit help Neville Chamberlain, who was the prime minister of England made a couple of trips to meet with Hitler to try to appease him to try to get him some promise study that he wouldn't hurt Great Britain as it saying hurt others would just leave us be travel to Germany that one fateful visit and and received from Hitler a pledge a piece of paper and wanted a promise from Hitler that he would not harm England when Chamberlain returned to England.

He was a hero. Streets were lined with shearing crowds and he stepped out of the balcony. That moment he wished he could take back later. But he waved that piece of paper and he shouted to the throngs peace for our time. Everyone sang his praises, except for one man, Winston Churchill said that Hitler was simply a snake preparing to strike and later when Churchill rose to speak to Parliament decrying that pledge is nothing more than a sham. Literally shouted down fears later Great Britain with no strewn the pledge of peace was fraudulent, manipulative, came from a man who never meant to keep the world desperately wants peace. When this man signs the record, everybody on the planet is breeze peace. There is no doubt that there will be suspicions and wanderings. In fact, much of the world.

Very soon after will turn against the blinders are going to be put on the cheering crowd will hail the man who promises peace to Israel and seems to be the first man ever who can broker but in a matter of a few years, Israel will see this demonically empowered man violate his pledge and unleash suffering and death and horror that they have never experienced in any prior Holocaust. This is not Christ here. This is the false Christ antichrist for when Jesus Christ comes he will usher in not a few years, but a thousand years of known as the millennial reign the kingdom that will then command worldwide victory until the final battle ushers in a new heaven and the new are the first rider promises peace.

It lasts about 42 months. Jesus Christ brings peace and it lasts a thousand. There's another distinct difference between these two writers on white horses. When you give it one more the referred to differently in the text. John observes this mute writer chapter 6 and you know he's coming he's thundering in on his white horse. I can just picture nostrils flaring beats flying in he simply refers to them here as its writer. Chapter 19 the given due deserving of our Lord is provided as he comes thundering on the world scene in Revelation 19 he is called none other than the King of Kings and Lord of its finally let me give you one more actually what they commence in the coming is totally and drastically different. The first rider comes to commence the tribulation. The second writer comes to commence the millennial kingdom of false Messiah rides in the birth pangs begin triggering a time following a brief period of peace, of chaos and in trouble all of it will last for seven years.

The true Messiah rides in as the tribulation and is bringing in the messianic age thousand years of majesties.

He sits upon the throne of David, literally fulfilling all of the prophecies of the second coming. Just as his first coming prophecies literally true. The only permanent peace ladies and gentlemen, anyway comes from the true Prince of peace. And when he ushers in his peace, it will usher in such amazing conditions on this planet. We can only speculate and anticipated with what little were given and were going to make a lot out of his we get into text on what that kingdom is going to be all about the next horseman to arrive is writing a red horse, it's fitting because blood is going to flow in the path of its galloping hooves draw some needed warnings from what the globe is going to experience those of us who know Christ. Unbelievably, with him, but we can learn from his deceptive ways things about the section even now give you a couple of observations. First, deception works because it models as much of the truth as possible. It it works because it sounds like the truth, it looks like the true it smells like the truth it talks it uses the term of true like the man in the newsletter referenced earlier, Israel Hopkins returned with the reporter to the book of Revelation announce the coming of a terrible war. He was right about that war is coming.

There is a final war coming. Then he said in his interview, it will be a nuclear war now is guessing we don't know for sure. Then he said it will start on June 12, 2008 no won't four Horsemen after galloping first in the Middle East must enjoy something they do not enjoy now, namely peace and so much more, but he's right on one count wars coming. He's wrong on assuming the weapons used and he's wrong on the clearing the date.

In fact, I replayed the interview is actually a need to replace several times to listen to what he said and he made a brief statement that told me a lot.

He said June 12 is in the hidden codes in many refer back to the Bible that told me a lot is getting his information not from a clear understanding of Scripture from torturing of letters to combinations of letters to come up with all sorts of fancy and fanciful prophecy know it's amazing to me. It's amazing to me is this man is already announce that nuclear war would begin twice before. Why don't people read the resumes of profits. Sorry, announced it would, is also facing a trial in Texas for bigamy.

Soon after this date comes and goes, is charged with having multiple wives among his followers as many as 30 is involved with for my research about this false teacher. There were hundreds of people, by the way in Kenya who believed him and his last prophecy that nuclear war would begin September 12, 2006 sold their land for pets with their jobs. They moved in the basement. Bunkers all of them were gas masks, and they waited with their barrels of grain to something that didn't come those who believe the Bible again one more blackeye to her watching skeptical world right now, ladies and gentlemen. There are about 100 trailers on this man's compound stocked with food and supplies which his company. By the way, produces from which is followers purchase stock will all this where they await the end of the world right now. Seeds of truth bushels of deception leads to distraction the loss of focus and integrity.

Even immorality is blinded, people ignore the cover-up of other delusions and greed, and worse yet worse yet, this affects me. This affects you. Worse yet, a public disgrace. Bible believers everywhere who claim to believe the book of Revelation is true, bears, deception works because it uses biblical terminology concepts, but look underneath and you find pride in the morality and greed covering up the true motives of these you lead people astray. Not only. Secondly, this deception model as much of the truth is it can't but it it's always been a choice weapon of Satan. This goes all the way back to the garden. It was his first weapon of choice soft words appealing lures receiving state and maybe you'd be the last person on the planet to leave Raleigh carrier Apex Garner every live and and and head to Abilene, Texas by a couple buckets of grain and join this Israel Hopkins and change her last name and your thing and there's absolutely no way I either. Maybe for you it's a different kind of deception. Deception that is just as distracting and potentially dangerous if not deadly to your testimony and integrity and purpose in life. Here's one of his favorites is one of his favorite deceptions that then my that might be affecting you and me today. It goes like this. The grass is greener over there no over there no no no over there.

No, it's over there and we spend our lives spinning our wheels searching for this elusive pot of gold at the end of the rain is another popular one, especially among churchgoers.

God wants you happy first and foremost you all because of that holiness and discipline that can talk to hold you back and hold it down. He wants you happy.

Or how about this one. Believe in yourself. All the answers you need are in your heart, which is deceitful, depraved, or here's one always popular whatever you want.

You should have just name it.

You place your faith in the people that rain on your parade by saying that he should you go for it one more don't get so hung up on guilt and in sin.

You're only human. I know earlier I told her you were divine when it comes to sin. Your only human. That's very convenient so don't worry about it. Listen, ladies and gentlemen deception so powerful and turning her eyes. Others were on her cell are things our path ultimately with the crisis was so critical for the believer in Christ daily surrender to the authority will worship of God.

Surrender to the Stephen Davey is the senior pastor of colonial Baptist Church in Cary, North Carolina and our Bible teacher here on wisdom for the heart. I'm glad you joined us today for this lesson that he's calling reading tomorrow's headlines today during the month of October.

We have a resource that were featuring it's Stephen's latest volume in the wisdom commentary series, a book called Philippians this newest resource is our featured resource this month.

You'll find Philippians in the resource section of our website which is wisdom online.org. Of course we can also help you over the phone and give you information on how you can get this wonderful resource into your library when you call us today at 86 648 Bible that number one more time is 866-482-4253 would enjoy hearing from you. You can send Stephen a note if you address it to wisdom for the heart PO Box 37297 Raleigh, NC 27627.

You can send an email to info@wisdomonline.org. Stephen will continue through this series tomorrow.

So join us for more wisdom for the heart