September 11 From Worship to War

Revelation 6:1-2 I 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!” 2 I 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.
 
JOHN has seen the heavenly throne room and worship of the King. Jesus, the only One who is worthy to open the seven seals of the scroll, now begins to reveal the scroll’s promise of conquest, warfare, famine and death to come. As Jesus opens the first seal, one of the four living creatures – a seraphim – calls, “Come.” A rider on a white horse responds to the command. Given a crown of authority, he rides out into the world to conquer. What is the conquest?
    Because the horse is white some interpretations say this is the conquering power of the gospel for the cleansing of sins. But in understanding Scripture, it is always vital we look at the context of the verses – or text – we seek to understand. When you read ahead, you will see three other horses going from heaven as God’s agents of judgment. One reason Revelation is difficult to read and accept is because God reveals severe judgment on the earth. But we must have Spirit-centered minds to receive even the most difficult of the Lord’s judgment. Otherwise, we cannot know the fullness of Jesus’ redemptive grace.
    Thus, we can understand white is not likely to be spiritual conquest. In the context, we can see the white horse and its rider representing a desire for conquest. One consistent truth of mankind is that nations strive to conquer others. Even individuals consistently try to compete and “win” against others. The passion for “more” stirs greedy hearts to expand territory, wealth and power through warring conquest.
    This is the message. The Lord Jesus has opened a seal to reveal the conquering evil of mankind is loose on the earth. Those who read Revelation in the first century fully understood the power of men on horseback to conquer and destroy. People in the Roman Empire were particularly concerned about the Parthians to the east. With their cavalry, they had twice defeated the Roman army.  
    God’s revelation to John, his church and to us is to teach us that mankind’s greed is the beginning of and reason for great human suffering. Remember the words from James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 
    This is true for our own lives. It is true for our families, the church and the world. Let us be content with our lives. Pray for your heart and for the nations to be satisfied to be transformed from conquest to compassion.
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have given us a vision of conquest rooted in our desire for what we do not have. Grow contentment and peace in our hearts. Help us to know all comes from you. Amen.