Sound The Trumpet : Revelation 6: 7-8 pt # 2

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“Revelation 6: 7-8 pt # 2”
by Art Sadlier
July 2nd, 2020

Last week we looked at the aspect of the hardening of hearts of men, both by men and by God.

When the fourth seal is opened we see the same rider, antichrist, riding this time on a pale (green) horse. Last week we considered that green was a deception, appearing to be life but actually representing death. Man is looking to antichrist for deliverance, looking for him to bring in the golden age. What does antichrist actually deliver? "And his name that sat upon him was death" Verse 8. Man has hardened his heart, God has responded by further hardening man's heart and the end of it all is death!

"And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth" verse 8. The world's population is now approaching 7 billion, at todays rate, 1.7 billion people would die by this point in the tribulation period. One out of every four will die! Four instruments will be used to bring about this slaughter. ONE = a "SWORD", This is undoubtedly the sword of antichrist. Remember the armies and police forces of the world were placed at his disposal to protect the people. Now he can kill with no opposition. TWO = "HUNGER", Many will starve to death. The one who they entrusted to solve the problem of hunger, utterly fails the people of the world. Remember antichrist is not serving the people but rather the devil. THREE = "DEATH", This is a reference to disease and plagues. We have been shocked to discover in recent years, that disease and pandemics are suddenly and unexpectedly a looming threat to our world. Remember that some nations have in their arsenals bactererialogical weapons that can unleash plagues and annihilate much of the earth's population. FOUR = "BEASTS", Remember, the whole creation is cursed by man's sin, including the beasts of the earth. It would seem that just before the curse on the animal kingdom is lifted in the millenium, that one great final demonstration of the result of the curse on the animals will be given.

"And his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him". Understand, the dream of the optimist, that the world will become a better place, scientifically, religiously, intellectually and economically does not fit the pattern of God's word.

Notice that when our Lord is dealing with the death of men in this chapter, He Makes two separate categories. ONE - In this verse he is talking about those who die and go to hell. TWO - In verses 9-11, He is talking about those who die and go to heaven. The Lord makes a clear distinction and does not talk about the two in the same breath!

In verse 8, our Lord is talking two kinds of death. "DEATH"= Physical death. HELL = Spiritual death. Believing saints who are martyred and referred to in verse 9, die and go to heaven immediatetly. (2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:22,23) The unbelievers who die go immediately to hell. (see Lu. 16:19-24) This is not a parable, names are never mentioned in parables. "There was a "certain rich man", clearly this was a man that lived and was now dead.

Notice what happens, "The beggar died and was carried into Abraham' bosom", What a beautiful picture of death for the believer! "The rich man died and was burried", notice what follows this man's death, verse 23 "And hell he lifted up his eyes" , He opened his eyes in hell. Notice what hell was like for him, " verse 23, "Being in torments". Hell is a real place, hell is an awful place, the unbeliever goes there immediately at his death. There are four words for hell in scripture. "Sheol" = Hebrew, "Hades" = Greek, "Gehenna" = Greek, "Hell" = English. "Sheol" = To make hollow, or a hollow. The implication is that sheol is in the centre of the earth. Dt. 32:22; Num. 16:30; It's a place of darkness. 2Pe. 2:4; It's a place of torment. Rev. 19:20: Rev. 20:10; It is the place of waiting final judgment. Rev. 20:11-13,15.

That is the end of man apart from Jesus Christ! All of his dreams! All of his hopes, apart from Jesus Christ end in hell.

Loved ones will weep oe'er my silent face, Dear ones will clasp me in sad embrace,

Shadows and darkness will fill the place, Five minutes after I die.

Faces that sorrow I will not see, Voices that murmer will not reach me.

But where, oh, where will my spirit be, Five minutes after I die.

Oh, what a fool--hard the word, but true passing the Saviour with death in view,

Doing a deed I can ne'er undo, Five minutes after I die.

Thanks be to Jesus for pardon free, He paid my debt on mount Calvary's tree,

Paradise gates will enfold even me, Five minutes after I die.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13