September 14 Sure Death, Sure Life

Revelation 6:7-8 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
 
MANY see Revelation as entirely future oriented. Revelation’s trials, suffering, warfare and ultimate victory begin at a certain day God has appointed in the world’s future. Many, though, understand Revelation as history plus future. The Lord has revealed a future the world has not yet encountered; furthermore, he has given to John a vision of a view of events that occur in the world from the late 1st century until Christ returns.
    What do you think? Does not Revelation describe all the world’s history from Eden until today? Certainly the cataclysms of conquest (white horse), warfare (red horse), famine and disease (red horse) and death (pale horse followed by Hades – the grave) mark generation upon generation. As God has given to John the picture of, “what must take place after this." (Rev 4:1b) we can understand the vision is a preview of world history as long as God permits.
    How terrible this is! A fourth of the earth is too terrible (1.8 billion people today) to contemplate. But is it not true countless millions of people have died violent deaths? But even in this great tragedy, we can still be assured our hope is in the Lord.
    Yes, you can see God’s life is within the world’s death. Amid the deadly vision shines God’s promise: Isaiah 45:17 But Israel will be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting. And 1 Timothy 2:3 (Godliness and holiness) is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
    Rejoice that God has not and will not allow all the earth to be destroyed. Praise his name that he withholds judgment from the great majority of mankind until history concludes when Christ comes again.
    Revelation is a warning and a promise. Be alert to prepare your life against judgment. Trust in God’s sure salvation when you call on his name.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your life-giving patience and your great love to teach us the way of salvation. We pray for a world that rejects you. Turn their hearts to repent and be saved. Amen.