Revelation 6:1-2 - The First Seal is Opened

As we explained yesterday, the seven-year tribulation period is the fulfillment of the prophesy in Daniel 9:24-27, where we learn that seventy-weeks (490 years) is a determined period of time in God’s timetable for Israel. The primary purpose of the tribulation is to prepare both Israel and the earth for the return of the Messiah, the Christ, and His thousand year reign on the earth. In the Old Testament prophesies it is often called, “the time of Jacob’s troubles”. “Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.” (Jeremiah 30:7) In Revelation 6:1-8, John recorded the opening of the first four seals; and as each seal was opened, one of the four living creatures summoned a rider on a horse. ("Come and see" should read, "Come!") In other words, events take place on earth because of the sovereign direction of God in heaven. The first thing John sees is a rider on four horses of different colors. The horse imagery is probably related to the vision described in Zechariah 1:7-17. Horses represent God's activity on earth, the forces He uses to accomplish His divine purposes. The center of His program is Israel, particularly the city of Jerusalem. (Jerusalem is mentioned thirty-nine times in Zech.) God has a covenant purpose for Israel, and that purpose will be fulfilled just as He promised. We believe that the rider on these horses is the same person and that he is the Antichrist. Daniel states that there is a "prince that shall come," who will make a covenant with Israel to protect her from her enemies (Dan. 9:26-27). In other words, the future world dictator begins his career as a peacemaker! He will go from victory to victory and finally control the whole world. He will set up a one world government, a one world economy, and eventually a one world religion. Some have suggested that the rider on the white horse is actually a symbol of the "conquering Christ" who today is defeating the forces of evil in the world. They point to Revelation 19:11 as proof, but the only similarity is the presence of a white horse. If this rider is indeed Jesus Christ, it seems strange that He should be named at the end of the book and not at the beginning! And we should also remember the Apostle Paul’s prophecy concerning the end times that indicates things will get worse. (2 Timothy 3:1-13). In other words, if the above were true, which it isn’t, Christ is not doing a very good job conquering evil. Certainly, there is a sense in which Jesus Christ is conquering today, as He releases people from the bondage of sin and Satan (Acts 26:18; Col. 1:13). But this conquest began with His victory on the cross and certainly did not have to wait for the opening of a seal! We would expect the Antichrist to resemble the Christ, because Antichrist is Satan's great imitation! Even the Jews (who ought to know the Scriptures) will be deceived by him (John 5:43). This great deceiver will come as a peaceful leader, holding a bow but no arrows! (Our Lord's weapon is a sword; Rev. 19:15.) Antichrist will solve the world's problems and be received as the Great Liberator. Antichrist will come as a master liar and the world will believe his lies (2 Thes. 2:1-12). I never thought I would see the day when so many people in America would believe the lies of much of the media and the politicians, and even from so many in high places in our government. But it is definitely happening today, and I believe it is simply setting up everything for the Antichrist to come with his lies.