Sermon Central
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The First Six Seals Are Opened Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 7, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Humanity’s sin and depravity only continues to get worse by the day, and we must heed the warning of Jesus in this critical Revelation of what is ahead for mankind. The four horsemen and God's wrath are coming, and we must be prepared to share it to all.
Alpha and Omega, Part 30, Revelation Part 7
The First Six Seals are Opened
Introduction
- Taking this a part, chapter by chapter, to understand God’s ultimate plan
- Last week, we saw the appearance of the Lamb before God’s throne
-- We also saw the reaction of those in Heaven – complete worship!
-- APP: All of heaven responds the same: unconditional (no limits) worship
-- BIG: We are called and exhorted to worship b/c we see Heaven do the same!
- Today … the stage is set for the end of time events, and it requires us to tune in!
- Read Revelation 6:1-17 / Pray
- We have arrived at the beginning of the end told in the future tense (CHART)
-- God’s book of destiny to be opened – His plan for how this all ends
-- Note: The seals opening are the preliminary events to the end of time
-- The actual events are held within the scroll – this chapter sets the stage
- Join us on Wednesday night: Timeline discussion on these things …
- TR: As we dive in, don’t let it be lost Who opens the seals: Jesus!
Point 1 – The First Seal, The White Horse
- The first seal brings the appearance of a white horse and it’s rider (v2)
-- Lots of discussion has been had about this rider – it being one of two people
- The first thought is that its Jesus Christ, but let’s examine him:
• He is revealed to be a great deceiver, see how he appears in white
• Wears crown of a conqueror (GR: stephenos); not royalty (GR: diadema)
o Consider: A crown of invasion vs. a crown of kingly royalty
• The bow symbolizes war – and the OT shows this as “military power”
• Additionally, his bow has no arrows, no way to wage a war (physically)
-- IMP: This rider sets out to conquer; Jesus is not called to conquer mankind
-- RE: Salvation comes as a gift of God, not as a demanded / forced response
- Since he is the one sent to wage war on humanity: conclude he is the Antichrist
-- His method of deception is HOW he conquers - it’s what he uses as his weapon
-- Thus, he does not need weapons of war (arrows); b/c he is a liar and deceiver
-- His method will be tell-tale of his heritage; he comes from the “father of lies”
-- Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, “This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.”
- His deception is easy to pull off, because men do not care about God
-- Men do not believe that they need to repent of sin, so they’ll believe his lies
-- They’ll believe they can have everything their own way, “suits us just fine”!
- APP: The devil knows your weakness; he knows what you want (self-love)
-- Thus, his method of conquering will be to convince you that God is not imp.
-- FACT: He already does this via suggestion – HERE he is given power to do so
Point 2 – The Second Seal, The Red Horse
- The second seal brings the appearance of a red horse and it’s rider (v4)
-- He is a rider who is given great power, with a sword, to cause division and strife
-- He is the one who divides against race, class, neighbor vs. neighbor
-- Religion vs. religion, husband vs. wife, nation against nation
- His actions bring about war and slaughter everywhere as a result of his leadership
-- FACT: The last days will be filled with terrible wars and rumors of wars
-- FACT: The last days will also be filled with evil and truce breaking
- The devil himself is referred to as a “red dragon” in scripture GR: purrhos; red
-- Revelation 12:3, “Then I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads.”
-- FACT: He is a murderer and a great liar – and he has been since the beginning
- This rider represents a complete lack of peace; he is 2nd to the white horse rider
-- His chaos will be world-wide, and will affect governments and nations alike
-- His primary weapon will be war, and his deception of humanity will be powerful
- How does he do this? Simple: He will establish trust and then take it away!
-- We’ll see more about this later, but here is a preview of his ability …
