When Jesus opens the seven sealed scroll detailed in Revelation chapter 6, He authorizes and sends out four spirits from His throne figuratively depicted as riders on horses. The apostle John transcribes for us the mission of each of these riders as told to him by the four cherubim surrounding the throne of God. This release signifies the start of God’s last-days judgment of evil on the earth. My previous four posts detail each of their assignments that will cause unprecedented turmoil in the earth. If you haven’t read those, scroll down on my website to access them. Jim’s Eschatological Info – “What I say to you I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37) (eschatontrails.com)
Many prophecy teachers describe the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s seventieth week (often called the tribulation) as a time of relative peace in the world. They posit that the time of both Satan and God’s wrath will not be experienced until the last 3 1/2 years (the great tribulation). I believe, however, that this short study of the four horsemen refutes that claim. While the last half of the week may certainly be more intense, this does not diminish the massive effect the judgments given to the four horsemen will have on the earth. As we have seen, from the wars of conquest by the rising antichrist (white horse) to wide-spread death from many causes (pale horse), our world will be anything but peaceful.
From our perspective, all of these things will begin suddenly. We will abruptly transition from a world feeling the “beginnings of birth pangs” to a world subject to the judgments carried out by the four horsemen. (Read the article entitled “Beginnings of Birth Pangs Happening Now”). Beginnings of birth Pangs are Happening Now – Google Docs
Fellow Christians, don’t think for a moment that you will not have to face significant trials of your faith. You will. Soon. If you haven’t already. That’s simply because you’re in this world. Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). The apostle Paul, exhorting new disciples said this: “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22). We are in a battle that is only going to get worse. We must “fight the good fight of faith” (1Timothy 6:12). Friends, I’m not writing these words to scare you, but to prepare you. Jesus must be our example. Thankfully, He also said this: “But be of good cheer, I’ve overcome the world” (John 16:33). In Christ, we can all be overcomers of everything this evil world throws at us. These four horsemen will cause much havoc on this earth. It’s their mission. Be prepared.
Maranatha, Jim