"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalms 119:18 (KJV)
Daily Devotion in Revelation 6
As the first seal of the scroll is broken, a rider on a white horse begins to ride (Revelation 6:2). Is it a literal horse and rider, and are all the other released horses and riders further on in this chapter also literal? Is it one of the horses mentioned in Zechariah 6:1-7? I do not know the answer, but I believe it is clear they indicate what will happen on Earth.
There are many ideas about who the rider is and who the other horsemen are in this chapter. However, the Bible does not say. He is not Jesus, as Christ is opening the seals, and He does not appear on a white horse until Revelation 19.
A white horse is believed to imply peace, and the rider has a bow without arrows, which indicates that he is conquering without fighting. It most likely is a false peace that happens before (Revelation 6:4) terrible things happen on the Earth.
When the second seal is broken, the temporary peace on Earth ends, and war breaks out. A “great sword” (Revelation 6:4), or weapon, is unleashed on the inhabitants of Earth. Some writers suppose it may be a nuclear weapon, but until it happens, no one will be sure.
As the third seal is broken, a black horse is released. Its rider has a balance in his hand (Revelation 6: 5). The balance shows the reader, along with what is said in verse 6, that food will be scarce on earth, possibly because of the war that happened when the previous horse traveled throughout the Earth. Food will be measured out, and famine will occur throughout the land.
When the fourth seal is broken, a pale horse named “Death” rides about the Earth. The resulting war and death unleashed kill one-fourth of the world’s population (Revelation 6:8). With a current population of close to seven billion people, that would mean at least 1.75 billion will die!
The scene shifts from Earth back to Heaven when the fifth seal is broken. John sees those martyred for the Word of God (Revelation 6:9) under Heaven’s altar. This indicates that many will lose their lives for their testimonies for Christ. Persecution of Christians will increase.
Again, the focus is changed back to Earth when the sixth seal is broken. When it is, devastating cataclysms on earth will happen. A great earthquake occurs. The sun becomes black (Revelation 6:12). The moon appears as blood, and the Earth’s atmosphere changes drastically. All inhabitants on the planet will be afraid (Revelation 6:14).
What terrible events will unfold during those days! No man can stop what God will allow at that time. However, there is something that one can do to make sure he does not have to face those terrible days. That way is to trust Christ as Saviour from your sins (Romans 10:9), now! We do not know how much more time we have on this Earth.
Are you sure you have been saved (John 3:16) and have God’s promise of avoiding those terrible days? Jesus is the only hope of escaping those days (John 14:6), not our religion, good deeds, or good intentions.
Today’s Thought:
“Know God; no fear.” — Author Unknown
Today’s Reading:
Revelation 6
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
3 ¶ And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
9 ¶ And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?