Even though I spent months studying the book of The Revelation a few years ago, I am gleaning so much from our slow journey through the book right here on the blog. I hope it is a blessing to you, friend.
Last week we were privy to the breaking of the first seal on the seven-sealed scroll by Jesus, which began the release of the FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE. The rider on the white horse was loosed to conquer, and we discussed what all of the details might mean. If you missed that post, please go HERE to read it. Also last week, you were able to download and print the Revelation 6 drawing by Lisa. I hope it was a blessing to you.
Today, we open our Bibles to Revelation 6:3-4 and watch Jesus break Seal #2, setting loose the second of the four horsemen, the rider on the red horse.
3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”
4 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.
We are not told the timing of the breaking of these seals, so we are left to wonder if one follows immediately on the heels of the other, or if there is some lapse of time between them. I suppose it does not really matter or the Lord would have told us.
When Jesus opens the second seal, the second living creature shouts “Come!” and another horse appears, this time a red one. Like the first horse, this red horse has a rider, and this rider has been given a sword. The Word tells us that this rider has been granted permission to take peace from the earth which results in people taking the lives of one another.
These verses are fairly self-explanatory. One thing I want to point out is the Greek word used for ‘slay’ is one that denotes incredible violence and bloodshed. Consequently, many scholars believe the appearance of this rider brings widespread war to the earth. I would like to share a passage from one of my commentaries with you so that you can grasp the far-reaching nature of what likely takes place when the second seal is broken.
The quote is from The New American Commentary: Revelation by Paige Patterson.
“Jesus himself predicted that there would be wars and rumors of wars, which has certainly been the case throughout human history. With the opening of the second seal, the reader is introduced to a worldwide involvement in such conflicts, surpassing the world wars of history, the cold war, and all other conflicts of the the human family.”
Patterson goes on to tell us: “Even in eras of war so widely extended as the two world wars, there has never been a time when segments of the earth did not remain essentially at peace. The uniqueness of the tribulation period seems to be that this second rider signals the taking of all peace from the earth.”
Another commentator (Stedman) called what will take place ‘civil anarchy’ and ‘raw, red slaughter’.
Ezekiel 38 and 39 also tell of the kind of destruction, death, and desolation that will occur as the events of the Revelation take place when men war with one another all across the earth.
The takeaway from our time in Revelation today is that the world is going to be an infinitely more horrendous place one day than it is today. The blessed news is that it will not stay that way forever. Jesus will return to earth, banishing death and destruction and setting up His Glorious Kingdom. Only those who know Him as Lord and Savior will live in that Kingdom.
Are you ready for His return?
