11/28/14- Sixth Seal continued

12I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

15Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us^f from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17For the great day of their^g wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” (Revelation)

Thoughts: The sixth seal, seems to be some kind of devastating war.  A war that makes the earth shake violently, sun and moon turn dark and red, and the sky fly away and the heavens recede like a scroll.  In reaction the kings and generals hide under the mountains in something like fall out shelters.  A nuclear disaster would seem to fit this bill rather well.  It is terrifying to think of such a nuclear-like catastrophe actually happening on the earth . Later it speaks of a third of the world's vegetation and water being burned up or made unusable.  A nuclear-like catastrophe could do this.  So could something like a chernoble disaster or an asteroid hitting the earth.  But it appears this is made in the context of war- with generals.  For the members of the seven persecuted churches, such a scene would draw both fear and a sense of relief that even kings and generals must answer to the Almighty. 

Prayer: Lord, keep me in your care in the tough times and good times of life.  

5th Seal- Wait Til the Number is Up

9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,^e were killed just as they had been. (Rev. 6). 

Thoughts:  Many have asked, "If God is so good, why doesn't He do something about evil?"  The answer is that He will.  But it is in His timing- He is much more patient than we are.  Some similarly say, "When will God do something about evil?"  This passage was written to a persecuted church, to tell them that their persecution will not last forever, and evil will not last.
      It is interesting that the fifth seal is God telling His martyrs to wait.  The other breaking of the seals invited a horseman to come on.  God's timing is perfect and gracious.  He is waiting until the full number of people to repent and the full number of His martyrs- who will be honored forever- is complete. Part of our task on earth is also to wait on the Lord.  As we prepare for the season of advent- the season of waiting, this is an important thought.  God hears the prayers of us to hurry up and bring the kingdom to earth as it is in heaven- but this involves not just reward but judgment and God is only going to move when it is His time.  

Prayer:  Help me, Lord, to wait on you. Help me to trust in your timing, wisdom, and grace.  

second horseman- war 11-20-14

3When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword. (Rev. 6)

Thoughts: It is interesting that the living creatures around the throne say, "Come" and the horseman responds.  The cherubim says "come" only when the Lamb (Jesus) opens the seals.  The horsemen do not come out of the gate on their own.  Just as God is in a sense in control of the cross, God is not out of control even in this terrible situation of war.  God is working His purpose out.  Meanwhile on earth the generals think they are the only factor involved, and that they are totally in control of going to or abstaining from war.  The rider (vs. 4 says) was "given power" to take peace from the earth.  The ability to make war was endowed.  But God does not fight Himself.  He gives the freedom to fight to the horseman who stirs up war and "makes people kill each other."
     Why would God possibly bring war about?  It is the same reason God brought the plagues about in Exodus.  It was so that the oppressors of God's people have the chance to repent, and so that salvation for God's people (from oppression) would come about.  Over and over again in this book the cry is given to repent, and over and over people refuse.  When we cannot repent anymore- even of war that causes famine and death- then the end should come.  God needs to put an end to those who would destroy humanity and the earth.
     Jesus said that hearing of wars and rumors of war were the beginning of the "birth pangs."  This implies that pain has to happen before the joy comes.  War is part of that pain.  Revelation mentions war many times- Armageddon, 200 million crossing Euphrates, generals in fallout shelters (Rev. 6), and the beast warring against the Lamb.  Wars must cease- and the prayer is "Lord, when will you bring peace- since you are the Prince of Peace? "  He comes and puts an end to war.  But war must happen at the end of time in order for him to extinguish it forever.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to see that evil is not out of your help.  Help me to be strong for you.  

The first horesman- Conquest 11-19-14

1I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. (Revelation 6)

Thoughts: The scroll talked about here is the plan of the future that ushers in the kingdom of God and heaven.  The scroll is sealed up with seven seals- seven locks that the Lamb unlocks.  By doing this, he  shows He is King of history.  As each seal is opened, a terror falls on the earth.  It is as if something ad has to happen before the end will come.  What happens in Revelation 6 is repeated at least three other times in part in Revelation 7-20.  
    The first horse is a horse bent on conquest.   Some say this is Christ- the King of kings.  Others say it is a horseman of wrath, so it is more likely to be an imitator of Christ- the Anti-Christ.  The horseman who brings conquest ushers in close by the other horsemen of war, famine, and death.  Conquest always brings with it war, and war keeps people from planting crops.  But it is in this effort of conquest of this false conqueror that the seal is broken and the King of kings conquers all the earth.  

Prayer: Come Lord Jesus.  May your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.