Grim Horsemen Of The Apocalypse

There are striking connections between the Master's prophetic words in Matthew 24 and His further revelation given to John the apostle in

In Matthew 24 the Master was addressing a question asked by His disciples: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" "Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars" He said, "see that ye be not troubled: for these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places. But all these things are the beginning of travail". He went on to describe the climax of unprecedented tribulation before His advent as Son of Man.

"But the end is not yet". These words are significant as we see so much in current affairs which answers to what the Lord foretold. In palticular it will be no surprise to us that international conflicts continue to erupt despite so much well-meaning effort to replace war by conciliation and political agreement. If major world powers for the moment seem anxious to settle their differences by negotiation, wars still persist as far apart as

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, Georgia and Serbia.

The Lord also spoke of famines and earthquakes in various places as characteristics of the period leading towards the final phase of Gentile rule. We see today the strange paradox that although mankind has developed skills to produce ample food supplies for earth's populations, we still have famines on a gigantic scale.

Tribute must be paid to the dedicated service of relief organizations to alleviate the worsL effects of famine in such areas as the Sudan, Somalia or Bangladesh. Yet despite all the advances in food production and modern communications, tragic famines still recur according to the Lord's word.

Earthquakes are also given special mention. These too have been prominently reported from many parts of the world in recent years - from South America, California, Europe, the Commonwealth of Twelve States, Turkey, fran and Egypt, to name but a few. What a fearful toll they have taken in terms of human misery and

suffering!

Wars, famines and earthquakes, each foretold by the Lord Jesus as marked features of the latter days! But He distinctly warned of intensified judgements in the final phase before His return to earth. This we understand will develop after His return to the air to take from this world all who as believers in the gospel are members of the Church which is His Body. Revelation chapter 6 looks forward to that final phase. In vision it depicts the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lamb who is found worthy to take the scroll and open its seals. As each of the fffst four seals was opened the apostle John saw a horseman emerge. The second horseman rode on a red horse, and to him it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another:

he was given a great sword. The third was riding on a black horse: he had a balance in his hand, indicating strict food control because of famine. The fourth rode on a pale horse. The rider's name was Death. He was given authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine, and with death and by the wild beasts of the earth. These three grim horsemen vividly portray the terrors of that fearful time when war and famine will

devour millions in tomorrow's world.

When the Lamb opened the sixth seal there was a great earthquake; probably the same as that described in Revelation 16:18: "such as was not since there were men upon the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty".

It seems evident, then, that wars, famines and earthquakes, so prevalent in present history, will be intensified durin~ the' end-time, the seven years immediately before the Lord's coming to earth as Son of Man. How merciful for us, as believes in this age of grace, that we shall be taken to be with the Lord before that period of unprecedented divine judgements. Nevertheless, let us take to heart the relevance to this present time of our Master's prophetic words regarding wars, famines and earthquakes. Viewing developments from the perspective of prophetic revelation the apostle Peter wrote:

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgement and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer

so that in all things God may be glorljied through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (1 Pet. 4:7,11 NASB).

unknown | Mar 1993
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