Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray With Me”.
In Revelation 5, God’s mystery scroll was sealed. Then, as 100 million angels worshiped, a lamb on the throne took the scroll. In Revelation 6, the lamb opens six of the scroll’s seven seals.
The first seal released a conqueror on a white horse to kill his way through the earth.
The second seal released a red war-horse and warrior to incite violence and war on earth.
The third seal released a black horse with a rider who caused famine.
The fourth seal released Death on a pale horse, delivering war, famine, plague, and wild beasts to a quarter of the earth.
These are the four horsemen of the apocalypse, a vivid picture on their white, red, black, and pale horses, conquering, killing, creating havoc on earth. As some have commented, they deliver just another average day in the sad history of the world.
But why does the lamb act like a lion, releasing violence and chaos? Surely earth has enough already!
The fifth seal hints at an answer. Christian martyrs under an altar, pray that God will avenge their deaths by judging earth’s inhabitants. They are told to wait a while until the full number of Christians and martyrs have come.
Then the lamb opens the sixth seal. The sun turns black and the moon blood red. Stars fall. Mountains and islands shake. Kings and followers hide in caves and pray to the mountains, “Fall on us and hide us from the wrath of the lamb.”
Wow. God and his lamb are busy punishing the whole world for harming and killing the lamb’s people. And seal number 7 hasn’t even been opened yet. That’s for next time.
Here are two comments on these events in John’s vision.
First, his picture of an angry lamb releasing violence and chaos is just plain disturbing. I pray for a quick and peaceful resolution to earth’s problems, but maybe God has other plans.
Another thought. I think the crux of John’s message is that the lamb is in charge. Though the lamb’s people are weak and persecuted, God is on their side, and God is against their enemies. In his time and his way, God will act on our behalf.
Let’s pray.
Our father, John paints a disturbing picture of the Lamb releasing four violent warriors and shaking the earth and the heavens. Today’s news is equally disturbing. Russia invades Ukraine. Israel’s war against Hamas delivers famine and death. The Rapid Support Forces kill and plunder their way through Sudan. The the Houthis attack ships in the Red Sea.
We turn to you, God, to the sure ground of faith. You reign over heaven and you are in charge of events on earth. The lamb who shares your throne passes judgment on history. He hears our weak prayers. He unseals your judgment on your enemies and ours.
O father, help us to be people of faith in a violent and destructive world.
Amen
I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.
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