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.
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