Revelation 1-5

Over the next four days, we will seek to grasp heaven’s view of history. What we see in the Book of Revelation then is not the script for history, but a synopsis in which the main characters are revealed, the end of the story is told, and scenes are revealed to us that may actually be played out again and again on the stage of history before the final curtain falls. What we see are principles that guide the plot, not a scene-by­scene, line-by-line dialogue.

In chapter four we see God on his throne. This reveals that history is not happenstance. John sees a scroll in the right hand of God. Writing fills both sides of the scroll and it is sealed with seven seals. As the seals are opened, events begin to unfold before John’s eyes. It is not the purpose of this scroll to record every minute detail of history, but to project onto the minds of John’s readers principles of truth which may be played out time and gain on the canvas of time before the story ends in triumph. Whatever may happen in history, we will be prepared for it if we believe the “the Lord reigns” (Psalms 99:1). This does not mean that every act of man is pleasing to God or according to his will. Remember, Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This prayer would be pointless if it were already true.

In chapter five, we see the role of Jesus the Lamb of God in executing history according to God’s will. History is not a hodgepodge of meaningless acts. It is marching toward the great day of the Lamb. It may seem to be moving ever so slowly, and at times it may appear that Marxism, hedonism, and idolatry reign. But remember, we have been given a peek into heaven, for the door has been left ajar for us to see things as they really are. Believe it and share the reign. Disbelieve it and be duped into believing that there will be no final battle in which the old duper, Satan himself, will be cast into a lake which burns with fire and brimstone-and along with him, all unbelievers (See Revelation 20:10-15; 21:8).

As the Lamb opens the seals on the scroll, John sees a succession of four horses and riders. Each horse and rider has a different mission: to conquer, to produce conflict among the earth’s inhabitants, to produce scarcity, and to bring death and destruction. While the specific mission is different, the message is the same for each: REPENT! And yet the word “repent” is not found in the verses which describe the horsemen. The first seal is opened, and John sees a white horse and a crowned rider going forth, “conquering and to conquer.” The meaning is that the Word of God rides forth conquering (durative) and to conquer (finality). Jesus said, before his ascension, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47).

Through the preaching of the gospel, Christ is conquering the hearts of those who believe and repent. Solomon wrote, “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Because of the hardness of the human heart and the delay in Jesus’ corning, many pay little attention to the gospel. But does God give up? No, for the white horse is followed by a red horse and its rider. Their mission is to take peace from the earth. This is not the peace of which Jesus spoke when he said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:37). Jesus came and preach peace to those who were near and those who were far away (Ephesians 1:17). So, this is peace with God and peace with all who accept God’s peace. He warned: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. ‘For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household”‘ (Matthew 10:34,36).

CONNECTIONS

1. What beatitude does Jesus give in reference to reading the Book of Revelation? (1:3).