Sound The Trumpet : Revelation 6: 7-8 pt# 1 Exploring Revelation

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Exploring Revelation

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“Revelation 6: 7-8 pt# 1 Exploring Revelation”
by Art Sadlier
July 1st, 2020

THE RIDER ON THE PALE HORSE

The last of the four beasts (living ones) issues his invitation to John to witness the opening of the fourth seal.

The four living ones are mighty Cherubim. Many writers have called attention to the description of the "four living ones" In Revelation 4:7, the four living ones are represented as as a lion, an ox, a man and an eagle.

These are compared with the four gospels in which Christ is presented, in four different capacities, MATTHEW = King of Israel, The Lion of Judah. MARK = The Suffering Servant - the Ox LUKE = The Son of Man - JOHN = The Eagle, from heaven.

The implication is, in the four gospels, the Four Living Ones invite men to come and see the Lord Jesus as He left His Glorious Throne to come to earth to perform the work of Redemption.

Now, in Revelation 6: the Four Living Ones invite men to "Come and See," the Lord Jesus as He pours out His Judgments for sin upon the earth. These terrible judgmenta will ultimately purge the earth of sinful men.

"And when He had opened the fourth seal", it is good to remember it is the lord Jesus who is continuing to open the seals. These Judgments come from Him.

"And I looked and behold a pale horse." - "Pale" = Greek = Chloros" = the color of grass. Green = The color or symbol of life, even though here it is identified with death.

I believe this indicates a prophetcic irony. The world will, in spite of the preceding troubles, still be filled with optimism of the attainment of the Utopian Age of Peace and Prosperity that men have always sought for.

The Judgments of the first three horsemen are hardening Judgments. The Christless masses of that day will not recognize the Hand of God in these awful visitations. See, 11 Thess 2:10-12, see God's hardening of their hearts in verse 11.

One of God's severest judgments is the hardening of hearts, see Exodus 4:21. The scripture says, in three instances, Pharoah hardened His own heart, in 9 instances scripture says, God hardened Pharoah's heart.

Pharoah had his opportunity to respond in obedience to God, but when he refused, God moved in to harden his heart. Every man faces the same situation. "God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance," 11 Peter 3:9, but if men refuse to repent, they face the hardening Judgment of God.

Matthew 13:12 is a principle, responding to truth will bring the revelation of more truth. Rejection of truth, will result in the loss of truth. In verse :13 we see the process of blinding eyes to the truth. In verse :14, we have the confirmation of this principle from the Old Testament concerning Israel. In verse :15 the word" "gross" means, calloused or hard. because "THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED "

The Tribulation Period begins in a wicked world that has rejected God's truth. The Holy Spirit is withdrawn from the world in the sense that His present convicting, restraining ministry , through the righteous lives of believers is terminated at the time of the rapture. "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work; only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way". 2 Thes. 2:7 ... "LET" = "HINDERETH" = RESTRAINS.

When men harden their hearts, ultimately, if the process continues they reach a point where they are beyond repentance (Rev. 9:20,21; 16:9,11)and beyond mercy. (see Jer. 7:16)

Next week we will consider what the pale horse represents.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13