Horses of a Different Color

684.  "Horses of a Different Color"
February 4, 2013
Revelation 6-Part 8
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?  Revelation 6:17 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Have you heard that saying-That's a horse of a different color? I heard it while I was growing up, but did not stop to consider what it meant. Perhaps in discussion, things are similar, but different, too. Horse have the same features, but not all are the same color. Family members may look alike, but their personality, even attitudes, may be different. I think I'm a horse of a different color. As Christians, we are supposed by be unique. Well, this chapter talks about horses of a different color. Are you ready? Get your ridin' boots on and your hat, pardner.

If you read the previous post on chapter 5, you recall that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the one able and worthy to open the seals of the scroll, the book. We have read about the scenes of heavenly worship and scenes of joy in chapters 4 and 5. Now we come a totally contrasting scene-scenes of judgment.
The seven seals on the book in the hand of our Lord Jesus begin to be broken, one by one. As the seals are opened, a series of divine judgment is poured out upon the earth and those who dwell on the earth. The first 4 seals described events which will take place during the first 3 1/2 portion of the Great Tribulation. This occurs after the church has been removed in the Rapture, so the world will have no Gospel witness, singing preaching, no Christians, nor peace. The wrath of God is fixin' to be poured out upon the godless people and godless world, those who deny Christ as the Messiah and His authority as King of kings.

What good can I point out in this chapter? I believe that I will be enjoying heaven when these event happen. I will be among the billions singing praises to The Lamb of God. I realize there are others who do not hold to my beliefs, so I challenge them to consider it.

First, notice that there are 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls. In chapter 6, we read about the first six seals, riders on various colored horses, symbolic of different things. Jesus is not among the living creatures, beasts.
Here's a summary according to Liberty Bible Commentary and Alan Carr@sermonnotebook.org:

1. Seal: The White Horse of Deception is not ridden by Jesus, but the Antichrist.  His crown is given him by men, serving as an earthly king. This man brings in false religion and false peace Jesus wears many crowns (diadems) because of Who He is, not what He has done.
2. Seal: The Red Horse of Destruction speaks of war and bloodshed. This rider breaks the promise of peace. Man will attempt to have world peace by the sword. Jesus warned this would happen, in Matthew 24:6-7.
3. Seal: The Black Horse of Destitution carries a rider holding a symbol of commerce, the balance. Famine follows war due to the abuse of the soil, resulting in poverty.
4. Seal: The Pale Horse of Devastation speaks of death, probably due to pestilence and plague. One-quarter of the world's population will die during this time. God allows evil in the world, but He is not the author of evil; He is sovereign, righteous in all His deeds (Ps. 11:7). He oversees all things in accord with His will, but He is not the source, the cause, or the author of sin. God is absolutely just and fate in punishing evil. Yet in His abundant grace, God tempers His wrath and demonstrates His mercy.

LET IT GROW

5. Seal: The Martyrs change the scene from the horses to the Temple.
The church, having been rescued before the tribulation by being caught up to heaven at the rapture, will already have been rewarded in their glorified bodies (3:10). Those who are left behind and come to faith in Christ during the 7-year tribulation period, will face the greatest persecution the world has ever known (Matt. 24:21). These martyrs who suffer at the hands of the Antichrist described in Revelation 13 will ultimately be vindicated when God pours out His wrath on His enemies. (Swindoll)

The altar is a place of sacrifice. These Jewish martyrs have been slain as burnt offerings for the Word of God and their testimony. They are given white robes and rest for a little season, until the other martyrs join them. (Falwell)

6. Seal: Upheaval in Nature
A great earthquake changes the heavenly bodies-sun, moon, stars, mountains and islands move.
all sorts of men, kings, rich, captains, mighty, slaves hide from the devistation. They want to hide from God instead of repent of sin and believe in Jesus as the Savior, bowing down to His as Lord. Their cries are not for salvation, but an end to their miseries.

Who is able to stand?  (verse 17) None.
Romans 14:11 says, For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Am I willing to be martyred for Jesus?

LET IT GO

Be different from the world.

Trust Jesus with everything.