So we're going to turn to Revelation chapter 6. We've had just a little break, but we're going to read verses 1 to 4 in just a bit, but of course some of this may be a little redundant, but that will get us back into focus as to where we were when we broke for the holiday, but if you would, let's go to the Lord in prayer and ask his blessings as we read his word, as we look at the scripture today. Our Father and our God, we come once again with a thankful heart that you have so moved in grace in our lives. You moved in grace in this world to send your son to die for the sins of mankind. And Father, we thank you that that grace is operating in the lives of all those that know the Savior. That grace is operating within the conviction of the Holy Ghost, those that don't know the Savior, to bring them to Him. And Father, we just pray for that conviction upon the lost, the lost of our family, our friends, our neighbors. that they would come to Christ. And Father, we just thank you now for this time that we have together and pray, Father, that you'll bless the Word of God as we read it and bless it to our hearts. We thank you for this book that you've given us and in the canon of scripture that you tell us that it's a blessing if we read this book. And Father, we pray that you'd help us to submit ourselves to you and look forward to the coming to the day of the coming of Christ in the rapture, and then would the day when we're with you in the glory. And Father, we'll praise and thank you, and I ask you for this preacher that you'd so fill me to the uttermost. Do that that I cannot do, say that that I cannot say, but I pray that it would be for your honor and glory that you'd open our hearts to receive the truths of the word of God, we pray in Christ's name, amen, amen. Reading Revelation chapter one, Chapter 6, verse 1 to 4. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, come and see. And there went out another horse that was red and power was given to him that set there on to take peace from the earth and that they should kill one another. And there was given unto him a great sword. That's reading verse 1 to 4 in chapter 6 of Revelation. I want to speak to you this morning on a thought that you have to be careful if you don't, when I give you the title, you'll misunderstand. But it was in 1973 that it was Andrew Lloyd Webber that put forth a musical called Jesus Christ Superstar. And then later on, and that was a blasphemous play of course, and later on that blasphemous play was made into a film and a movie, and of course it still goes on today to blaspheme our Savior for sure. But I want to speak to you this morning on Antichrist Superstar. Antichrist Superstar. Because there's, according to the scripture, there is one coming on the scene that will be looked at as a superstar. And he will be, of course, the Antichrist. Now, as we return to our study of the book of Revelation, it's important that we remember that the events in this great book of prophecy are chronological. The first three chapters deal with Christ's movement on the earth within his church. In chapters 1 to 3, the events take place upon the earth. Then in chapter 4 and 5, the church is appearing in heaven, symbolized by the 4 and 20 elders, indicating that by the time we get to chapter 4 and 5, That the church has been raptured and is now appearing in heaven in the presence of the saints and the angels around the throne of God Coming to chapter 6 The scene is back on the earth for the time known as the tribulation and its end as we know it in time, the end of the earth as we would know it in time. In chapter 6, we have the opening of those seven sealed judgments and the introduction of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, that famous phrase. the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and the presentation and the introduction of Satan's Antichrist superstar. At the first seal, as the first seal is opened, John saw the white horse and a rider having a bow and a crown and no arrow. going forth, but he was going forth to conquering and to conquer, the Word of God says. Now, it's significant that the crown and the bow were readily given to him. It says that he had a bow and a crown was given. which would indicate the symbol of peace. In other words, he was given, it was relinquished to him, and he had a peace, and I would say a false peace, of course. Now, it's significant that the crown and the bow were readily given. Coming to this opening of the second seal, peace is vanquished by this rider on the second horse. As the second seal is broken by the Lamb of God, the second living creature, which is a calf-like creature we would see in chapter 4, verse 7, issues a command to come and see again. In response, another horseman appears then, that white, that red horse. This introductory expression is used with the other horses. I saw and behold, verse two, verse five, verse eight, and it's missing then that the word another is used only with this horse, another. This is suggesting to us that the two horses are very closely linked as if they must go together. You see, the peace came, the one that brought the peace, and he was able to take the peace from the earth. Now, it's logical that when the colors are considered, these colors are considered, then white in any culture denotes If one were to surrender or seek peace, they would wave the white flag, of course. But while red speaks of war, and as in 2 Kings chapter 3, verse 22 and 23, denotes a slaughter. Let's look at that, if you would. 2 Kings chapter 3, verse 22 and 23. Now, this is when the Moabites were defeated. And Israel is saying, notice what it says. And they arose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water. And the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood. And they said, this is blood. The kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another. Now, therefore, Moab to the spoil. Of course, it says, and when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote them. So, but the indication was that the blood red indicated that there had been a big slaughter. This is the color, of course, of the, as well as the dragon in Revelation chapter 12 and in verse 3. Word of God says, Now this phrase, the phrase, the same phrase was given as was used in the first horseman, indicates the divine permission for the providential happenings that are going to take place. You see, the devil thinks he has everything under control, but every bit of this is coming under, unfolding under the control of God. We understand that. Our authorized version interprets power here, which is a reasonable deduction, as defining the right that's granted unto these horsemen. They were given the power. What is depicted is worldwide war and turmoil, which with state pitted against state and nation against nation. The symbol of authority is given to this writer. It was a great sword, you know, that we read. Now, the great sword, it's the word here that's used as the great sword, indicates that sword, describes that sword that was used by the Roman legions. It would be a short sword as a symbol of might throughout the empire, and it is to the conquered a symbol of violence and death. It's a small, small sword rather than a big wielding sword. would indicate, by the way, this is the type of sword that an assassin would use. He would walk up close, do his work, and disappear in the crowd. By the way, that's the way that I understand in reading that that's the way the assassins do now. They have something that is less conspicuous. They get in the crowd, they do their duty, and they do what they're going to do, and then they disappear in the crowd. But this indicates the sword was given. Hailed as a messianic figure, this great peacemaker will be the center of the worldwide cult of deception, virtually a religion even at this stage. which, of course, we can see that mimicked today, this worldwide deception of religion as a cult. We see that within the Roman church today. As media, the news media controlled by the state government will promote personality cult of this world-renowned figure, this one that would be declared superstar because he has the power to bring peace and then has the power to take the peace away. The result will be that the nations will admire him or they will hate him. The inevitable outcome will be that of which our Lord spoke. Matthew 24, verse 7, for nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Now, while some regimes will be prepared to accept this deceptive cult of emperor worship, others will not. And, in fact, it's seen in the cult of emperor worship as seen in the old Roman Empire. But not everybody would be willing to receive this. It's reasonable to assume that at least the Judaism or the Jews would not readily accept this one. And also, Islam would not readily accept this one. You see, the Roman church, the Catholic church, is a system of deception and lies. But folks, there's no deception when you read about Judaism. The Muslims, there's no deception in Islam. They tell you exactly what they're after. But you see, the Roman church, And all of its debauchery has everything covered up is where it's going. It's leading, taking souls to hell. And the, uh, I would reiterate that the Roman church is a cult. It is not Christian. So it's reasonable to assume that at least the Judaism and Islam will resist to the death such claim, while the apostate religion alone is seen in the harlot church. And in Revelation 17, 3 to 6, we'll give a wholehearted support to his claims. The tensions and conflicts will give rise to war and bloodshed. We read here that it says that they will kill one another. And it indicates to us that crime will become more rampant than it is today. And folks, we do realize that crime is rampant in our nation, in our city, but it can get much, much worse. and we understand from the Word of God, the infallible book that we have, the Word of God, that it will, in fact, be much worse. So we, there's great bloodshed and war that's coming. International friendship and world tranquility will soon disappear and strife will set nation against nation and war of an unprecedented scale will ravage the whole earth. That's what's going to take place here. If we look at these four, these four or these seven sealed judgments, The seven judgments here, we see that the first one is a cold war, which is really false peace, and then it's open war, and then famine, and then death, and then there's martyrdom, and then a great physical disturbance. And we'll see those as we go along. Not today, of course. But the statement in Revelation 6 here, chapter 6 and verse 4 here, it was granted to the one who sat on the horse to take peace from the earth has tremendous and awesome implications. It was granted to him to take all peace away. In other words, set everyone against another. Set nation against nation. people against people, neighbor against neighbor. Efforts to bring peace are constantly being advocated by world leaders. And I believe that much of that is no more than a hoax to try to twist the heartstrings of the people and in some way twist and extort money to go toward peace efforts. But here we have one man, a rider on the white horse. As the world leaders are crying out for peace, we have this one man on the world stage riding the horse who is able to remove peace completely from the earth. As we read this, we see there are three things that are going to happen when this red horse rider comes on the scene. First of all, world peace will end. World peace has ended. By the way, don't be duped by thinking that the world is at peace now. But world peace will end. Number two, many people will be killed. And then the third thing that will happen, military power is placed in the hands of one man, which scares me to think in the next 20 days, the nuclear football is in the hands of someone that doesn't even know he's alive. But the temporary peace of verse 2 is short-lived because There can be no permanent peace until the Prince of Peace comes to reign. While the coming of the false Christ is taken from the earth, While they're coming to the false Christ, peace is taken from the earth. Many people, of course, will be killed during that great tribulation upon the earth. Revelation 6 and verse 8 would tell us, indicate to us that one-fourth of the world's population will be killed. One-fourth. And we can see, notice with me, if you would, in chapter 9. Chapter 9, verse 15. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour and a day and a month and a year for to slay the third part of men. Then verse 18 of chapter nine, by these three was the third part of men killed by fire and by the smoke and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. we find out that there's one third of the remaining population will be eliminated. Those totals equal one half of the world's population when it's said and done. At the present time, in the senses of this nation, or the senses of the world, The figures would indicate that there are over two billion people, based on that census, that will be killed during the tribulation period. Two billion people. These figures do not include other judgments depicted here in the book of Revelation that indicate death and destruction. for the peoples of the world. In Revelation chapter 6 and verse 4 here, it says there's a people that tells us that people will kill one another. The word kill there comes from a word that means slaughter. They will not just kill, they will slaughter. Now, when something is slaughtered, you just think of in the meat processing, when something is slaughtered, it's not just killed. By the way, let me just say this, though in that regard, we see the way our world is going, and at least in this nation, it seems that the homosexual agenda seems to try to drive everything. But the law enforcement people will tell us that some of the most heinous, the most disastrous crime scenes The most horrific crime scenes that they investigate are those crime scenes where, have occurred within the homosexual community, that they are violent and they go for slaughter. Now, I'm just giving that as an insert here. So at the present world senses, We understand that somewhere over 2 billion people would die during the tribulation period. And this, of course, indicates that there's judgments in Revelation that indicate that death and destruction for the people of the world and that they'll be slaughtered. Some believe that this refers to the rise of, as I said, violent crime. People are killing each other. with no apparent military or political reason here in these verses. They just killed somebody is what it indicates. What is this great sword? The text says there was given to him a great sword. Remarkable military and or government power is given to this rider on this fiery red horse. It's just given to him the power to destroy. And I'm convinced that there is in the making the thoughts of the globalist a way to get rid of masses of people at one time. And that will come. During the tribulation at least it may even start prior to that Here in the text it is When a ruler is given a sword, it usually expresses his right to exercise capital punishment according to Romans chapter 13 and verse 4. In this text here, the writer is given a great sword emphasizing the unusual powers, declaring his authority and influence over all the affairs of the earth. He will govern everything. Do you realize that strides have been made to govern every move that you make now? Revelation 13 verse 7 says of the opening, says of the coming world ruler that authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. People will be convinced that they have found a solution for the world's problems when this Antichrist superstar comes on the scene and begins to reign. John 1st notes that to the red horse rider was granted to take peace from the earth. We must remember all that happens will be under God's control, allowing false peace and ending by bringing war upon the earth. The judgments of the tribulation do not reflect the wrath of humanity or even the wrath of Satan. Rather, these judgments that we read about in the book of Revelation express God's wrath that is poured out on the world. You see, the world had one time to receive him. The world had a time. They got their hands on him once. They didn't receive him. They shall never get their hands on him again. This is the time that's described by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24. In verse 6, notice he starts by saying, and ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that ye be not troubled, for all these things must 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 pestilences and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." Now, while during this time men will kill one another on an unprecedented scale, the Scripture does not give the details, however, the advances in modern weapons suggest a terrible destruction. Do you realize that the weapons that are manufactured now can take thousands of people out at one time? John noted that a great sword was given to this rider. The Greek word sword here refers, as I said, to that short stabbing sword of a Roman soldier that he would carry into battle. In other words, he would just walk right up to someone and shiv it right in his ribs or in his stomach, his back. It was also, this weapon was also used, as I said, by assassins suggesting that the great sword to describe the extent of the war. Antichrist's false peace will dissolve in battle and revolt. I believe that even this false peace, he will start putting stringent requirements upon people and push them to where the peace will just dissolve into battle, people will stand up against and revolt. Unfortunately for them, this temporary pseudo-peace that will be followed by a world war and tremendous bloodshed, it will be followed by that. This upheaval and violence will not only be will not only be war between nations, but also between classes. Do you realize that nowadays there are those at hand that are trying to put the different classes against one another, the different classes of people? The world has never seen such a conflict as will arise after the restraining power of the Holy Ghost has been removed. Listen to what the Word of God says, the words of this prophecy in verse 3 and 4. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, come and see. And there went out another horse that was red, and power was given to him that sat there on to take peace from the earth. Can you imagine one so depraved that he would want to take peace from the earth, to take peace from the earth and that they should kill one another? And there was given unto him a great sword. The future of this world is horrendous, not ending by some cataclysmic environmental disaster, but rather the divine judgment of Almighty God as transgression of man reaches its zenith. That's how things are gonna end. Ladies, you're not gonna destroy this earth by using hairspray. And you farmers, if those cattle farmers that are listening, and there may be some that are listening, we have some that listen periodically, you don't have to worry about the flatulence from your cattle. What you need to worry about is the hot air coming out of Washington is what you need to worry about. Well, let's go on, preacher. With Antichrist playing a major role in these wars that break out all over the world, he will have no choice but to resort to war in order to preserve his power. He has to bring war to keep his thumb down on the screws on the people, down to hold them down. He has to have war. Being as skillful at war as he was at promoting peace, Daniel chapter eight, his victims will be many of God's people. Let's look at Daniel chapter eight for just a moment, if you would. Daniel chapter eight in verse 24. The word of God tells us, it says, and his power shall be mighty. but not by his own power. He shall destroy wonderfully and shall prosper and practice and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. We understand that his victims will be many of God's people. In chapter six of Daniel, chapter six and verse nine, No, that would be Revelation chapter 6 and verse 9. He tells us, he said, That's the martyrdom. If we look in Matthew chapter 24 and in verse 9, Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you. And ye shall be hated of all nations for my namesake. You say that can never happen. No one could ever come to power to do. Let me remind you, if you know your church history, you'll be, you'll remember that bloody Mary did just that very thing. And by the way, that was at the hand of the Roman church. destroyed, confiscated all the Word of God, made it a law that you could not have the Word of God, you could not read the Word of God, and killed Christian people. It can happen. And according to the Word of God, it will happen again. Antichrist setting up of the abomination of desolation, we would see also in the book of Daniel again. Daniel chapter 11. Notice Daniel chapter 11 and verse 31. Now, arms here is the arms of war, the implements of war. And arms shall stand on his part and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength. and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate." And then also in Daniel chapter 12 and in verse 11, notice what he says. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be 1,200 and 90 days. You see, there's coming the time that Antichrist will put his hand down on the people. And what this will do, will ignite, ignite a massive conflict. You can read, we don't have the time, but you can read Daniel 11, 36 to 45. Now, with the Antichrist being the head of the Western Confederacy, he will at first portray himself as a champion of peace, that Antichrist superstar, if you would. He will, as he portrays himself a champion of peace, appearing to bring peace to the long-troubled Middle East area especially. This will result in him compiling a treaty with Israel, posing as their protector and defender. Shortly after, however, his desire for power and dominance will spark great controversy and rebellion. With his attempts to crush his enemies, His rampage will continue throughout the remainder of the tribulation with our Lord finally returning and antichrist will be cast into the lake of fire forever. Revelation 20 verse 10. Messiah is called the prince of peace in Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6, but the false Christ takes away peace. Jesus Christ offers us real peace, not the world's kind of peace, merely suggesting a cessation of hostilities, a signing of a paper to lay down arms for a time. No. The peace that Jesus offers is a peace of heart. No matter what tribulation comes, No matter what tribulation comes or goes and goes on around the world, around us, he said in John chapter 14, verse 27, my peace I give you and I leave with you. His peace settles the greatest of hostilities. Right now there are people in this world, there are people in this country, there are people in this state, there are people maybe I don't know listening today that don't have peace in their hearts. Peace settles the greatest hostility of all, and that hostility is a hostility between ourselves and God. Now, the great question here is, have you made peace with your maker? Life at its best is short. I shall never forget when Miss Betty Ledford's mother passed away. I think she was 102. And I was talking to Miss Betty and she said, Pastor, it's still too quick. Still too quick. But we understand that life can come to an end quickly, very quickly. Life can go on and we can struggle to stay alive. But the greatest thing that you can know, if you're listening to my voice today, is that you have peace with God. The Bible speaks of the peace of God which passeth all understanding. You see folks that go through difficulties in life and you wonder how in this world could they have peace with all that's going on. And folks, you never know when that peace in your heart that passeth all understanding will be tested. but a peace that passes all understanding, a peace that will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, according to Philippians chapter four and verse seven. So the question is, with all that's going to happen when the antichrist is set up, now we believe as we see here in the word of God, if we're saved, we're part of the church and the church will not be here. But we never know the difficulties that may come our way but prior to the rapture of the church. Someone has said years ago that all great events are like great trees, they cast their shadow before them. And things will begin to happen even before the rapture of the church, I believe. So if the rapture is gonna take place, if we read what's gonna happen here, we could be very near the coming of our Lord in the rapture. So the question is, do you have the peace of God in your soul? Would you stand with me, please? We're going to come with a song in just a moment, but with our heads bowed and eyes closed, would you say, preacher, would you pray for me? I have the peace of God in my soul, I know. But I'm concerned about family members and about people, friends that don't have that peace, that don't know the Lord, have not made peace with their maker. And I'd like to pray. Would you slip your hand up and back down? God bless you. Yes, God bless you. If you're here today without Christ, or you're listening by the way of the internet and you're without Christ, you can know him today, if you will, you'll trust him. Our Father in heaven, we come today. We thank you for the great sacrifice that was paid for us on Calvary. We thank you for the promise of the book that you will take us that we're not appointed into wrath. But Father, we thank you that we're promised that we will be with you before this great time of tribulation will come upon this earth. But Father, should there be anybody here, should there be anybody listening to the sound of my voice today, that has never trusted Christ, I pray that they would do that, that they would have that peace of God in their soul, the peace that passeth understanding, the peace that lives and dwells in their hearts, even though the things of the world around us may be raging, we still have the peace of God. Would you bless, Lord, I pray, And Father, maybe we'd just like to now, in just a moment, come and pray for those we know that need that peace of God. You've burdened our hearts with those in our family, those of our friends and acquaintances that don't know Christ. I pray, Lord, today that you'd help us to bring them before you in prayer, to storm the throne of grace, with their names and bring them to the Lord and ask Him to work in their hearts and lives. And what you do for us, Lord, we'll praise you and thank