Yesterday we discussed the rise of the Antichrist and how he comes onto the scene. Today we will look at the second, third, and fourth seal judgments and the events surrounding them. One thing we must keep in mind is that the Antichrist is going to come full force with a conquering power.
After the rapture occurs, there will be a gap of an unspecified time frame. During this time, the Antichrist positions himself into power in politics, economics, and the military. Because of this power, he is able to confirm a covenant. Daniel 9:27 says: And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. This verse refers to a peace treaty that will be confirmed with Israel. This treaty offers Israel peace for 7 years and rebuilds Solomon’s temple in the exact location it was in bible times- where the Temple Mount is now located. Once this peace treaty is in place, the tribulation officially begins.
We’ve already discussed the first seal judgment which was the white horse of the apocalypse or the rise of the Antichrist. There will be a false sense of peace for some time.
What follows next is the second seal. This is the red horse of the apocalypse and symbolizes war, blood, and death. Revelation 6:4: And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. This war will be a world war involving everyone. However, the countries surrounding Israel are very involved in this war and their intention is to wipe out Israel, but God will not allow it.
The third seal judgment and the black horse begin. Revelation 6:5-6 says: When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” With any military conflict, there is always going to be famine. High inflation rates will cause prices to sky rocket and people will not be able to afford the necessities of life.
The fourth seal judgment and the pale horse follow. Revelation 6:7-8 says: When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth. Out of the four seal judgments, this is the most severe. Of the people left behind after the rapture, this seal judgment will kill over 1/4 of the people by famine, pestilence, and wild beasts.
One thing to remember is that all of this is happening because the earth must be in submission as well as the people who live on it. This will set the stage for Jesus’s return at the end of the Great Tribulation which is the second half of the Tribulation.
We will continue with the remaining seal judgments and introduce the Two Witnesses tomorrow. Don’t miss out!
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Tony on the Border 