Verse Of The Week (08/18/17)

The Seven Seals (Rev. 6:1-17; 8:1) (Part 3)

2. SECOND SEAL > war, violence, murder > Mt. 24:6-7a

^“When He broke the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, 'Come.' And another, a

red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that

men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him.” (Rev. 6:3-4)

That didn't take long, did it? Just two verses ago, we said the world would welcome the new global ruler, the Antichrist, and because of that it appeared there would be peace. Wrong! There will be no lasting peace until Jesus, The Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6), rules on this earth during the one-thousand-year reign known as The Millennium. 

The Antichrist will not stop until each person gives total allegiance to him, is 'owned' by him and worships him as God. How might the Antichrist go about this? One possibility is the development of transhumanism.¹

“Transhumanism is the idea that human beings, as a whole, can be drastically improved in physical and mental areas with technologies such as cloning, genetic modification, bionics, nano-technology, drugs, etc. . . . Such technological advancements, some have said, would even redefine what it means to be human.” (Matt Slick)

Peace will be taken from the earth.  That will be accomplished by war. What the Antichrist doesn't gain by deceit he will take by force.

Men will slay one another. That will involve more than one nation rising against another in war. This slaying will consist of murder. Murder is listed as one of the sins that will be prominent in the last days (Rev. 9:21). Right now in the United States violence is quickly becoming the national pastime. Look at the surging fascination with and popularity of violent video games. Look at the surge in domestic abuse. “In 2 out of 3 female homicide cases, females are killed by a family member or intimate partner.”²

Peace that was initially promised won't be realized. Unfortunately, the red horse won't be the only instance where peace is withdrawn. We know that, halfway through the seven-year time period known as The Tribulation, the Antichrist will break his peace treaty with Israel and will take over the temple in Jerusalem, demanding to be worshiped as God.

War, violence, murder -- just scan the news headlines if you think the events in Revelation can't happen. What about ISIS?

1See the following URL for a definition of transhumanism and its implications: https://carm.org/what-is-transhumanism (accessed 4-9-16)

2http://www.safehorizon.org/page/domestic-violence-statistics--facts-52.html (accessed 4-9-16)

The Seven Seals (Rev. 6:1-17; 8:1) (Part 2)

1. FIRST SEAL > rise of the antichrist > Mt. 24:4-5

^“Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures

saying as with a voice of thunder, 'Come.' I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it

had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” (Rev. 6:1-2)

The rider on this white horse is not the same as the rider on the white horse in Rev. 19:11. The rider on the white horse in Rev. 19:11 is Jesus Christ, while the rider on the white horse in Rev. 6:2 is the Antichrist. This Antichrist will be a demon-controlled political figure who will rule the world once the Rapture of the Church has happened. He will control politics, commerce, religion and the military.

Concerning a person whose ambition is that great, you would expect an upsurge in opposition. Rev. 6:2 says there won't be. Notice that he has a bow but there is no mention of arrows. He won't need them because the world will gladly welcome and accept him – at least at first.

Think of the turmoil that will be in the world the moment after the Rapture occurs. The world will be looking for a leader, someone with answers and solutions.