Revelation 6:7,8 7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 And I looked, and there was a pale green horse. The horseman on it was named Death, and Hades was following after him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by the wild animals of the earth. According to quora.com the death rate is as follows... • 55.3 million people die each year • 151,600 people die each day • 6,316 people die each hour • 105 people die each minute Nearly two people die each second Average life expectancy is approximately 67 years. 55.3 million deaths per year is a lot but according to today passage 1,750,000,000 people will die once the 4th seal is opened. Now, that was billion not million. At an average rate, it would take over 30 years for that many people to die but this will happen with a few years if that. We are not told specifically how long but the tribulation period is only 7 years and the first half will be a time of peace like the world has never seen or will see until Jesus comes back. Our passage says, "the horseman on it was named Death, and Hades was following after him." Did you know that there are several types of death? We are all born spiritually dead, separated from God and in need of salvation. We will all die a physical death where our spirit will be separated from its body. Those who die who have trusted Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins will never die again for the final death of those who don't will be eternal separation form God in the Lake of fire. Hades is a spiritual prison where people wait for their final judgement. Later in the book of revelation we will read, "Then the sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead; all were judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire." Revelation 20:13,14 Since believers will never go to Hades it could be that we will not be there for this horrible time. But as horrible as this time sounds to stand before a Holy God on the basis of your own works is the most terrifying thing. Those who are in Christ will never stand before God this way. Our sin was paid for on the cross by Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades." Revelation 1:18 Thank you Jesus, with those keys you hold my eternity. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Memory Verse of the Week Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” Revelation 6:1
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Revelation 6:5,6 5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and there was a black horse. The horseman on it had a set of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard something like a voice among the four living creatures say, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius—but do not harm the olive oil and the wine.” When my oldest daughter Mikki was in high school she had an assignment in her economics class where she had to plan a budget for herself. She completed the assignment and turned it in but her teacher said that what she budgeted for food was no where near enough. She told him it was actually more than what our whole family actually spends on food at the time. He still made her change it. Mikki understood very clearly that day that people have different expectations of what they should have and how much money they need to make if they are going to have it. In today's passage the 3rd seal is broken and with it the black horse is released. Again, I want you to see the absolute control of the Lamb(Jesus) as He opens the seals and what is said to happen, happens. The black horse's rider is carrying a scale which in this case is not to balance justice but to measure food. Bread, the most basic and inexpensive thing we can eat is sold for a "denarius". In the day that this was written a denarius was equal to what a man was paid for an entire day of work, could you imagine that. That would mean your allowance (if you'd even get one at that time) would be worthless. You would not be able to by anything. Imagine the strain on a family especially if was a large family and the pressure for parents to provide a simple meal like bread. With simple bread being so expensive luxuries like wine and oil would be abundant and those who are rich and powerful could have more than they want. It is not hard to picture this. In many countries ruled by a ruthless dictators we see food is scarce. Their people are poor and starving and they are living in luxury. When I was a your age we didn't have much but it was a lot compared to the people that will live through horrible time in the future. Be thankful for what we have today. Consider those who are living like this today and take a moment to pray for them. Remember it is not a lack of food that is keeping them from having it but the selfish people who rule. Pray that the Gospel message would come to those places and that Jesus would rule in their hearts so that their would be hope even in desperate times. Have great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Memory Verse of the Week Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” Revelation 6:1 Revelation 6:3,4 3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse went out, a fiery red one, and its horseman was empowered to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And a large sword was given to him. There's a bumper sticker I use to have that read, No Jesus No Peace on top and Know Jesus Know Peace on the bottom. This very truth is proclaimed in scripture. As much as we want there to peace on earth it will not come until Jesus the Prince of Peace comes for He Himself is our peace. With the first seal broken and the Antichrist given authority many will see things actually get better. He will deceive many but first usher in a time of peace starting with a 7 year peace agreement only to break that agreement and proclaim himself to be god and sit in the temple that will be rebuilt for Jewish sacrifices. I guess I never that about it much but I wonder if this second person on the red horse is an event, a time in the future or is it a person through which the Antichrist will bring about such carnage. I do know that people will turn on one another even as we shared the other day, "And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom... brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death." Mark 2:7,8,12 Again, I cannot say it enough, Jesus is in absolute control of all time but we must remember this especially during this time. It's is a time of judgement but also purification for those who belong to Him. It will divide the believer and unbeliever and the world will know who has been purchased by the blood of the Lamb and belongs to Him. Jesus also said,"you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Mark 12:13 This promise of salvation to those who endure at the end is not a reward but rather a description of His own, not a prescription to become one. The time of tribulation will set apart those who are His by fire, it will NOT be pleasant. The soldier who trains for war doesn't pray for it but is prepared for it. Are you prepared to be tried by fire? If God were to squeeze you would Jesus pour out? The time to prepare for war is the time of peace. Right now is the time. Do not wait until times get hard or even impossible because then may prove to difficult even too late. Jesus said, "I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away... I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you." John 16:1,4 Remember, it is not us that hold on to Jesus that counts but rather Him holding on to us that makes all the difference. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Memory Verse of the Week Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” Revelation 6:1 Revelation 6:1,2 The First Seal on the Scroll Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there was a white horse. The horseman on it had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he went out as a victor to conquer. We have the ability to look back in history and see those who with good intentions did horrendous acts of violence against humanity and they didn't see it coming. At first Adolf Hitler was not seen as the monster he is today. When he first was given power he restored much of Germany's identity and economy which was lost in World War 1 and there was no apparent reason to not trust Him. That soon changed and He was exposed for the the monster that he is. In today's reading there emerges one who comes with a bow (note, no arrows) on a white horse who is given a crown and he goes out as a victor to conquer. Do not miss the fact that this crown or authority was given to him. Jesus is absolute control opens the first seal and purposely sets in motion the last 7 years called the Tribulation. This one is not Christ Jesus who comes in the end on a white horse in victory with a a sword and His holy ones. This is the Antichrist who comes alone and this happens in the beginning of the 7 years just as Jesus said... 3 While [Jesus] was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached Him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Then Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. 6 You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these events are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:3-8 Be careful not to fall for those who come with good intentions, even in the church, but are not speaking and living the Truth of God's Word. Many come with a promise of peace, even power, but in the end are there to conquer you and rather than the real and lasting peace that Jesus promises you get temporal peace that soon moves toward chaos. God is Good absolute control and He is good. Our trust should be completely in Him and what He believes is best for us rather than what we want and think is best for us. Will you trust Him today? Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Memory Verse of the Week Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” Revelation 6:1 |
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