Thank you for listening to Servants for Christ. In all that we do, in all that we say, we want to give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for tuning us in as we get into the wonderful Word of God. For the next few minutes, let's take the beautiful Word of God and share it with each and every one of you as we have a sense of anticipation to take the Word of God and to listen to its truth for each and every one. for my Sunday night series, amen, as we look at the doomsday clock. I'm glad that tonight we look at Revelation chapter six as we talk about the writers on the horizon. Here's Sunday night, September the 15th, 2024, the 10th of Tishri, 5785. Here, as we look at the first month of the Jewish year of the Hebrew calendar and the day of Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, which is the significance of day of fasting and reflection. Here in the book of Revelation, chapter six, verses one through 17, I'm glad that as we look at this, we see that the seven seal judgments, the events preceding the Great Tribulation. And I'm glad that as we get ready, the Lamb breaks the first four seals of the Book of Destiny, and then we see the appearance of the Antichrist and his power. And so, the dramatic moment has now come. The seals that bind God's book are now to be broken. One by one, they shall be broken. Amazingly, as the seals are broken, the most astounding thing happens. What is written under the seals of the book leaps off its pages, acts out the events of the future for John and the heavenly host. They actually see what happens Well, excuse me, they actually see what appears to be a picture or a movie of the end time because John and the heavenly host are not reading the book, they are witnessing the events of the end of days. The first four seal judgments seem to be a description of the Antichrist gaining control over the nations of the earth. He'll do it by waging war, the red horse, by gaining control over the economy, the black horse and having his opponents put to death the pale horse and so the sixth seal will show God's wrath being stirred and being prepared to move in judgment against the Antichrist. And the seventh seal is the seal that brings forth great tribulation, the terrible period of God's judgment. And as we look at the scripture before us in Revelation chapter five, the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus himself, breaks the first four seals. And when he does, one of the four living creatures who surrounds the throne of God, thunders forth the command, come forth. And when he thunders his command, the terrible scene of some end time event thunders across the scene of world history. Now, as we look at this, the first seal is the thundering appearance of a white horse and its rider. The first seal, a white horse and its rider, is Revelation chapter six, verses one and two. And as we look at this, we get ready to go in to the word of God and as we will open up with a word of prayer here in Revelation chapter six, verses one through 17. Father, as we approach your throne with humility and gratitude, forgive us of our sins, guide us to put on your whole armor every day, and may we stand firm in your truth as we get into the word tonight. Reveal to us the significance of the events described in Revelation to help us prepare our hearts for the eternal treasures that await us in Jesus' marvelous mighty name, amen. Imagine hearing a story about a soldier who, after years of conflict and strife, finally returns home. As he steps off the plane, he carries with him not just the weight of his experiences, but the deep longing for the treasures of home, his family, his memories, and the promise of peace. Similarly, as we journey through our earthly lives, we carry with us the hope and the promise of the treasures that await us in heaven. In our series, The Doomsday Clock, we look at how the signs of times point to the fulfillment of God's promises and hear Tonight, we explore the unphoning events described in Revelation chapter six, verses one through 17. And we understand the significance of these revelations because just as the doomsday clock underscores the urgency of our time on earth, It serves as a reminder of the certainty of heaven's promises. Our exploration tonight will reveal five key tribulations that will unfold as we await the eternal promise of redemption and peace. And so, the thing that we see first is the seal of deception. The first seal, the Antichrist. And I'm glad that the white horse and the rider on verses one and two When we look, we see in verse one of Revelation chapter six, 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. In verse two, and I saw him 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. You see, the Lamb, Jesus, opens the first seal, revealing a rider on a white horse. This rider holds a bow and is given a crown symbolizing conquest. He goes forth conquering and to conquer. This white horse represents victory. Some believe this rider could symbolize a figure of authority who seeks to conquer the world, whether spiritually or politically. Who is this rider? His identity is disputed widely, but the conclusion of most commentators is that he's one of two persons. Number one, He symbolizes the victorious Christ himself or either victorious proclamation of the gospel, but it's argued that the white color is associated with Christ throughout Revelation. In addition, the rider is said to be crowned. And therefore, this rider must be Christ himself. But others argue, however, that Christ cannot be commanded by heavenly creatures. Therefore, it cannot be Christ himself. Hence, the horseman must be the conquest of the word of God as approached by Christ. But then, we see the second viewpoint. that the rider in Conquest is generally the Antichrist in particular. One thinks he's Christ, the other one thinks he's the Antichrist. He's the deceiver. He appears in white. The crown that he wears is different from the crown wore by Christ. It is a crown of the conqueror, not the royal crown of the king of Diadem. The bow symbolizes conquest because in the Old Testament, it always was a symbol of military power in Psalms 46, Jeremiah 51, and Hosea chapter one. Its father argued to be consistent, one must relate this horseman to the other three. The four represent a picture of the four horsemen of the apocalypse that are to descend upon the earth in the latter days with terrifying destruction. And so, it's extremely important to note that when the rider appears upon the scene, he already possesses a bow, but the crown is given to him. So after it is given, then he goes forth to conquer. Now, this points to a counterfeit Antichrist. Because first of all, this rider has a bow. Christ possesses no bow. A weapon of war is not a part of his being. Secondly, this rider is given a crown. Christ is not given a crown. One has to say that Christ has been crowned throughout all eternity or else at his ascension. Thirdly, this rider sets out to conquer, and there's no point of time at which Christ set forth to conquer the hearts of men. He has always been about the mission of salvation. Conquering men's hearts will continue to be his mission until the day of judgment appears, and there is no point from which he has to move to conquer. He is conquering souls even as he's always been conquering souls, but this is not true with this rider. This horseman on the white is one who sets out to conquer, one who already possesses a bow and is given a crown at some point in time. And so that first seal, that white horse and rider, as he goes forth to conquer, As we think of the little horn of Daniel, chapter 7, the man of sin and the beast of the ruler of the restored Roman Empire of Revelation, chapter 13, and the abomination of desolation of Matthew, chapter 24, verse 15, the argument seems to point toward the white rider being the Antichrist. How is the Antichrist going to conquer the world? Well, scripture tells us that it's going to be through deception. And because of the sins and the evil of people, because people have chosen to go the way of sin and evil, the Antichrist is going to be able to deceive them. People do not receive the love of the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ. people could care less about God's salvation, and therefore, God is going to judge the world. And the beginning of His judgment is going to be His allowing the Antichrist to come upon the world scene. God is going to allow men to be deceived because they've rejected the love of His truth. They've rejected and cursed Him as His glorious salvation revealed in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And therefore, God is going to send a strong deception upon the earth, a very, very strong deception which men long a strong world ruler who can solve the world's problems and bring utopia to earth and men are going to give their kingdoms to him and that is they're going to sign treaties and agreements that will allow him to rule over their nations and their lives and so what calls What causes men to turn the government of the world over to one man? Christ himself told us all of this is given by Christ in Matthew chapter 24 verse 1. It is a world that is full of false messiahs claiming that they have the answers to life that will prepare the way for the Antichrist. A world that is full of violence, wars, and rumors of wars. that prepares the way for the Antichrist. It is a world that is wrought with natural disaster after natural disaster that will prepare the way for the Antichrist. It is a world that is torn apart religiously that will prepare the way for the Antichrist. And I'm glad here as we look at All of this about that first seal, a white horse and a rider, a world that is full of false religion and false preachers will prepare the way for the Antichrist. And it is a world that falls more and more away from God, that experiences the increasing sin, sin that just grows and grows and a love that grows cold. that will prepare the way for an Antichrist. People will be begging for help in dealing with lawlessness, drunkenness, drugs, occults, crime, and on and on because they'll look forward to anyone who can bring true care and affection and love back into society. And so, as we see the first seal, a white horse and a rider, in Revelation chapter six, verses one and two. But secondly, the second seal, a red horse and a rider in verses three and four. And verse three, the Bible says, 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 sat there on to take peace from the earth and that they should kill one another. And there was given unto him a great sword. The second seal reveals a rider on a red horse symbolizing war and bloodshed. And so as we look and realize he's given the power to take peace and from the earth and it says and that they should kill one another. And so here we see the secondly, the seal of destruction, the red horse and its implications that are taking place because here, who is this rider? He's the rider who has power to take peace from the earth so that men will kill each other. He's the rider that is given a great sword. He's the rider of strife and of violence, of assault, of division, of abuse, of anger, of hate, of murder, insurrection, war, and bloodshed. He's the rider that divides race against race, class against class, neighbor against neighbor, employee against employer, husband against wife, religion against religion, and nation against nation. He's the rider that takes peace from the earth, causes every kind of division that he can. He's the rider that destroys every human relationship that he can. And so, who's the rider upon the horse? John does not say, but we look and we see the facts. The last days will bring terrible, terrible days of evil and truce breaking. The last days will bring terrible days of war and rumors of war. The devil himself is called the great red dragon. The devil is a murderer and a great liar and deceiver and has been from the very beginning. The Antichrist, who will be the supreme representative of the devil upon earth, will become a mass murderer. Use the sword against both God's people and those who oppose him. This is one way that he brings the world in subjection under the government. And so, who's the rider upon the red horse in Revelation 6-4? I thank God. The red horse represents war and bloodshed and The imagery signifies a period of intense conflict, violence, where peace is removed, war becomes rampant, and we can say that he either represents the lack of peace, the Antichrist and his government that they bring to the world, or else he's the Antichrist himself. But to say one is to say the other. And when the Antichrist and his government appear upon the world scene of human history, he'll bring peace and safety for a while, but then They're gonna be a break-in of his peaceful behavior. He and his government will explosively destroy the peace of the world, and it'll take place right before the Great Tribulation takes place. And so, thirdly, we see the third seal, a black horse and a rider in verses five and six. The Bible says in verse five of Revelation chapter six, and when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, come and see. And I beheld an old black horse, and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, a measure of wheat for a penny, three measures of barley for a penny, see thou hurt not the oil and the wine? And so the third seal reveals a rider, on a black horse, holding scales in his hand, and a voice announces the price of wheat and barley, indicating extreme inflation and famine, while oil and wine are not harmed. And so, this black horse, as it represents famine and economic imbalance, the scales signify the scarcity of the resources and the basic necessities that become expensive and the luxuries that remain unaffected. And so, the rider, as this shows us, the end times will see that intensification of all the terrible sufferings known to man. And so we see that this third will be the seal of despair, the black horse of famine that we're talking about because the balance and the economic collapse of the pair of balances that symbolize rationing and the severe economic impact of famine. A day's wage will only buy a small amount of food, indicating widespread scarcity. And the world's hunger crisis, the scale of famine described in Revelation, will be severe, highlighting the urgent need for compassion and action in response to current hunger crisis. And so the rioter, the anti-crisis set, has a set of scales to measure out the wheat, the basic food for people in John's day, a penny was a denarius to buy a measure of wheat that was about a quart. A penny to buy three measures of barley was about a day's wage. Imagine working and earning only enough money to buy what food was needed for that day. What would a person do about feeding his family and providing the other necessities of life, such as housing, heat, cold, clothing, transportation? Entertainment, the end times will see an intensification of all the terrible sufferings known to man. This rider of the antichrist has a set of scales to measure out the wheat, but also the rider controls the food distribution. And one way that he gains and holds control of the world, at least for a season, is the idea is that it will be strictly controlled. There'll be plenty of oil and wine. How could oil and wine, which come from trees and wines, be available when wheat and barley are scarce and shriveled up with a drought? From stockpiles and from the fact that trees and vines have roots more deeply in the ground than crops, They can usually survive and produce more through a drought than crops. The trees will produce for years without being cared for. War will keep men from growing crops, but trees will keep on producing without much attention. Oil and wine were luxury items in the ancient world. As is true in most famines, the wealthy will have food, but the poor will not. The end time will be marked by famine. after famine all over the world, and it'll take all a man can do just to survive. And so we've talked about the first seal, a white horse and a rider, in verses one and two. The second seal, a red horse and a rider, verses three and four. The third seal, a black horse and a rider, in verses five and six. Then we come to the fourth seal, a pale horse and rider, verses seven and eight. Here in verse seven of Revelation chapter six, the Bible says, and when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the force beast say, come and see. And I looked and behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was death and hell followed with him. And power was given unto him, unto them over the fourth part of the earth to kill with sword and with hunger and with death and with the beast of the earth. You see this fourth seal, reveals a pale horse whose rider that's named Death and Hell that follows him. Power is given to kill one fourth of the earth through sword, hunger, dead, and wild beast. And so, this is a widespread death through multiple means, war, famine, plague, and even wild animals. And it shows how these calamities will affect a significant portion of the entire population of the world. This horseman, not just as the other three, is to appear before the end time. that what happens under his attack causes such a devastation that it boggles and weakens the mind, and it seems to represent the terrible devastation caused by the Antichrist and his government himself. Two significant facts that are given about him. The writer, the Antichrist, has a name, that of death, and sitting right behind him is hell. and the realm of the dead. His very name announces that some terrible devastation is about to set loose upon the earth. Secondly, the rider of the Antichrist is given power to cause unbelievable pain and suffering. He is personally responsible for killing one-fourth of the people on earth. Unbelievable! How can one rider possibly kill one-fourth of all the people in the world, a number that will equal over one billion? And so, we look at the sword can help to kill that many people. That is war and genocide by deliberately setting a policy to destroy certain races or groups of people. All of it would take is someone like a Hitler to launch a larger war, maybe an atomic bomb upon the earth. Someone like a Hitler to launch a worldwide holocaust. A Stalin to create a worldwide Siberia where millions upon millions of people were killed by Stalin himself. Hunger and starvation can help to kill that many people. The writer can starve people. He can cause famine due to war and rationing of food. You know, reports tell us that while each and everybody sleeps each night, there are about 40,000 children alone who starve to death. In the 20th century, 40,000 children starve to death every single day. And yet, of all the money that we have in our pockets, and of all the money of so many that are banking, tens of thousands starving to death, and we have the money and the resources to keep it from happening. But out of selfishness and greed, we all hoard stuff. So much death from starvation occurs when we could just stop it, but we don't. How many would be dying from starvation due to the kind of world war that we would see in a modern world? How much of the earth would be scorched and unfit for farming? How savage and lawless would people become if they were starving and saw someone with a little food? Pestilence can help to kill that many people, that is, germ warfare, diseases that result from the unsanitary conditions of refugee and concentration camps, from the war and genocide, and from sound waves. Think of the outcome of the disease that will occur when the next war breaks out, the unsanitary conditions, the outbreak of both old and new diseases such as witnessed with the venereal diseases, flu epidemics, smallpox, polio, measles, AIDS, diphtheria, and yes, even in our day of modern things, COVID. There'll be little or any medical supplies. Wild beasts will help to kill that many people. Due to war, the transplanting of people, billions of people, especially children, that'll be homeless. This rider is responsible for exposing people to the beast of the forest, jungles that will be just as hungry and insane from the lack of food as people will be. And it's the picture of the full horsemen of the apocalypse that's not a pretty picture. And just think, any thinking and honest person knows that it's a real possibility with the weapons of war that exist today. The Holy Spirit says that it's going to happen. Do you hear me? It will happen right before the events of the end time are to be launched by God. But as terrible as the four horsemen events are, they're not the worst judgments that are to take place upon earth. The worst will still lie ahead when the end time itself is launched. These judgments are just the seal judgments. The end time judgments are called the trumpet judgments and the bowl judgments. May God help us to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation before that time comes. And so the Lamb breaks the first four seals of the book of destiny. And there's the appearance of the Antichrist and his power in verses one through eight. Then we see the Lamb breaks the fifth seal, the slain martyrs in verses 9 through 11. Here, a dramatic moment. God's book, the book of destiny, the great book of history, the book that spells out the future of the world, is being opened. There is only one person worthy enough to open it. the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. It's so important. It's so secretive. It contains important subjects that God has had seven seals tied around it for all eternity. No one has ever seen the contents of this book. No one has ever seen the events that are happening at the end of the world. But now, in the most dramatic of moments, Jesus Christ has stepped forward to the throne of God and taken the book out of God's extended hand, standing around that throne with pounding hearts, burning with anticipation, where all the heavenly hosts and John the Apostle to whom God was given this vision, the most astounding thing happens. when Jesus Christ began to break the seals in order to open the book. When he broke the first seal, out from under the seal leaped a horseman. What was given in the book was actually leaping off the pages, being acted out before John and the heavenly host. It was like a dramatic book of pictures of a movie of the future events that are happening in the end time. Christ has not yet opened the book or scroll. He's merely breaking the seals. But what John in heaven are witnessing are the events that are to happen right before the end time, the period of history that Jesus Christ called the beginning of sorrows. The events of seals are preliminary to the end time. They're coming upon the earth before the end time. They have to be broken. Their breaking open has to take place before the book and its events can be seen. And the four seals were broken in the previous passages of verses 1 through 8. When they were, the four horsemen of the Apocalypse leaped forth, executed their wrath upon the world, and now it's time for the dramatic breaking of the fifth seal, time for another astounding event to leap across the scene of the world history. And so, we saw the white horse in the first seal, the red horse in the second seal, the third seal with a black horse, and the fourth seal with a pale horse. And that is verses 1 through 8. But then the Lamb breaks the fifth seal. The slain martyrs in verses 9 through 11. And what we see when we look at this, we see that the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, breaks that fifth seal. They're under the altar in verse 9. And we see the souls of the martyrs. And look what it says in verse 9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. That fifth seal shifts to a vision of the souls of martyrs that under the altar, these people were killed for their faith in God's word and testimony. They cry out for justice, asking how long until God avenges their blood. They're given white robes, told to rest until the full number of martyrs is complete. And so when he does, the souls of all the martyrs of the world are seen under the altar of God. The fact that they cry out for justice against those who killed them and that judgment falls in the sixth seal points to the reference being to the end time martyrs. But what John and the heavenly host see is probably the souls of all martyrs for the souls of all that all are no doubt living together before God. The most precious thought that the martyrs of God are very special to Him because of their strong testimony, their sacrifice, and they hold a very special place before Him. The slain martyrs of the world under the altar remember what scripture teaches about the tabernacle. The furnishings of the tabernacle were only patterns of a worship center in heaven. And it means that there's a perfected altar of sacrifice in the throne room of heaven. The altar of sacrifice. It's called in the Bible the brazen altar. It was the altar where the animals were sacrificed. The blood was poured out at the foot of the altar, symbolizing that the animal was being sacrificed for the person's offering. A picture of the lives of these martyrs, their blood that's been sacrificed, poured out for God, offered up their lives, paid the supreme price, and literally sacrificed all they were for God. They offered up their lives upon that altar for God. And now these martyrs have a very special place before God. They stand at the foot of the altar, a group of believers who are given a very special place near to God for all eternity. We look at a strong lesson for all believers and all ages that God has a very special place for those who are faithful unto death, a place that is close and dear to his heart and throne. This should stir every one of us to be faithful every minute of every day. What a precious, what a heartwarming thought to be close to God, close to his throne, his presence, serving him throughout all eternity, and then laying down one's life for him. And so we see those martyrs under the altar in verse 9. Also in verse 9, they're slain for God's Word and for His testimony. Because I'm glad that as we read this, amen. as the seal represents the persecution of believers who have given their lives for the gospel. They're honored, they're clothed in purity, although they long for justice, they're called to wait for God's perfect timing. And so, they were slain for the word of God. In the last days of human history, some people will still love Christ and still believe the holy scriptures, amen. Because of this, the world will react against the Word of God and kill believers. Why will they do that? The world will react because God's Word demands that a person gives his first loyalty to Jesus Christ. And in the end time, under the Antichrist, The peoples of the world will be required to give their first loyalty to the state. The government will demand loyalty to the state first. Then the people can have freedom of religion and worship whatever god they wish. The state will develop the idea of what could be called a state religion, something close to what exists in some states today. Believers, of course, can only give their first loyalty to Christ. Therefore, they're going to be killed. They're going to be beheaded, for they cannot deny the Word of God. And the world will react because God's Word demands that a person live a pure and righteous life. And in the end time, people will be as they have always been, unwilling to give up the reins to their lives. They'll continue to rebel against God, to do what they want, their own thing, instead of living like God says to live. But in the end time rebellion, It'll be against God and it will intensify. People will reject God more, curse God more, deny God more, ignore God more, neglect God, disobey God, disbelieve God more. And so the world in the end time will reject God's Word. The world and its government will demand that believers give their first allegiance to the state and that they keep quiet about the righteousness proclaimed in Scripture. The government will be like so many governments that deny a personal God and have a law against worshiping a personal God and the state will exalt itself as a God. And so, They were slain for the Word of God and they were slain for the testimony that had been born concerning Jesus Christ. The martyrs will believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world. The world rejects Jesus Christ. They reject his deity, that he is the Son of God. The world is willing to accept that Jesus Christ was a great religious and moral teacher, but no more than that. In the end time, the world's rejection of Christ as the Son of God will be intensified so much that they will kill all of those who proclaim Christ to be the Son of God, the Savior of the world. And so, the altar is mentioned throughout Revelation. The altar would be the altar of incense. It brings us down to verse 10, because they're under the altar. They're slain for God's word and testimony, but in verse 10, they're crying for justice. And when we look and realize that out of all of these things that are transpiring and that are happening and that are taking place, we see that out of all of these seals, that are taking place, we look and realize that they're crying for justice. In Revelation chapter six, verse 10, and they cried with a loud voice saying, how long, O Lord, holy and true, doest thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And so the fifth seal shifts to a vision of the souls of martyrs under the altar that were killed for their faith in God's word and testimony that are crying out for justice. They're crying for that justice, amen. They address God as the sovereign Lord, holy and true, amen. And so he's the master, he's sovereign, he's holy, he's set apart from all other beings in the universe, amen. He is true to his word and his promises and they're crying out for that justice. And so the martyrs cry out for justice and for vengeance against their persecutors. I'm gonna tell you something, this is not what the martyrs are doing when we look and realize how shocking that believers in heaven would seek vengeance against men upon earth instead of loving them and longing for them to be saved. because this is an accurate picture. But no, it's not. This is not what the martyrs are doing. Their cry is a cry for vindication of the word of God and for Christ, not a cry for vengeance. So they're not trying to bring revenge or vengeance against somebody. Note exactly what they're saying. They are crying out in verse 10, for God to avenge their blood. Why was their blood spilled? Why were they killed? Because the persecutors rebelled against the Word of God and against Jesus Christ as the Son of God. And this is what the martyrs are crying about, their vindication, not for vengeance, They're crying out for God to stop the injustice against the Word and against His Son, Jesus Christ. Stop the injustice against His own glory and justice. Stop the injustice of sin and evil against Himself. Stop the injustice of unrighteousness and to bring righteousness to the universe. Here in all essence, no one suffers the hell and wrath of sin any more than a martyr. Mortar has endured the greatest wrath and hell that sin could cast against a person. It is the fire and wrath of sin that kills them. And so, when we look at this, we see that we move on to verse 11, that they're given white robes, these slain martyrs, amen. He says in verse 11, and white robes were given unto every one of them, and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season until their fellow servants also and their brethren that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled. The fifth seal shifts to a vision of the souls of martyrs under the altar that will kill for their faith in God's word and testimony. And they're given white robes and told to rest until the full number of martyrs is complete. Amen. And they are assured of that justice as well that we read because what did we read? and white robes were given unto every one of them. And it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season until their fellow servants also and their brethren that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled. They're resting in the peace of Christ, free from the struggle, from all the exhausting labor upon earth, the wickedness of the earth, all the trials and temptations of life. And they're resting in the perfection of a new life, even in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Lord tells the martyrs that it will still be a little while before the end of the world comes. What a dynamic challenge to every one of us, to be on fire for God, to be proclaiming Jesus Christ, that we don't need to fear, that we must be willing to witness for him, even if it means that we must die for him and his cause of eternal salvation. And so, we talked about in verses one through eight, The Lamb breaks the first four seals of the Book of Destiny and we see the appearance of the Antichrist and his power of the four horsemen. The Lamb breaks the fifth seal, the slain martyrs that are under the altar in verses nine through 11. But as I close out, in verses 12 through 17, the Lamb breaks the sixth seal. The great day of God's wrath begins and the universe will be shattered. The sixth seal is now broken. and the great day of God's wrath begins. The universe is shattered, both heaven and earth, and as the seals of the book of destiny have to be broken before the book can be read, therefore the seal judgments are events that are to happen right before the end begins. And here, the lamb, as he breaks the first four seals of the book of destiny, the appearance of the Antichrist and his power. The first seal, a white horse and a rider, verses one and two. The second seal, a red horse and a rider, verses three and four. The third seal, a black horse and a rider, verses five and six. The fourth seal, a pale horse and a rider, verses seven and eight. Here in this fifth seal, the slain martyrs under the altar, amen. They're slain for God's word and testimony. They're crying for justice. They're given white robes. They're assured of that justice. And then it comes to verses 12 through 17 where the lamb breaks the sixth seal the great day of God's wrath that begins and the universe is going to be shattered. We see the effects of God's wrath upon the universe because in verses 12, 13, and 14, Revelation chapter six, and I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and though there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood, and the stars of heaven fell upon the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind, and the heaven departed as a scroll, when it is rolled together, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. The opening of that sixth seal brings a cosmic disturbance, a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon becoming like blood, stars falling from the sky, and the heavens departing like a scroll. And so, there'll be a great earthquake. There'd be no ordinary earthquake. It'll be on anything that we've ever known. The destruction of property, the loss of life, the fear gripping the hearts of people, the damage caused by aftershocks of that earthquake. Jesus Christ himself predicted that there would be more earthquakes in the latter days than ever before. And it mentions three great earthquakes. The Old Testament predicted earthquakes in the end time. And I'm glad that the sun and the moon will be eclipsed and blackened and stars or meteorites will shower the earth. The heavenly bodies that are sometimes darkened by volcanic eruptions, wind storms, smoke from fires, whatever darkens the sun hides the light of moon and stars from the earth. Stars and meteorites of various sizes fall from outer space to earth quite often. And it means that it's unbelievable all of the disorder that will be inflicted upon some of the stars above, causing massive explosions, fireworks, hurtling meteorites throughout space, a volcanic eruption in the heavens that affects all of the universe. And when we look and realize that after the tribulation, when Christ returns to Earth, Astronomical happenings will occur right before the end time. Astronomical happenings will occur during the tribulation. They will occur right after the tribulation, when the day of the Lord comes. All of the effects of God's wrath upon the universe, in verses 12 through 14, we see the heavens will disappear and the mountains and the hills will be moved out of their place. What does that mean? Men are so frightened that they cry for the mountains and the rocks to fall upon them. the prophetic way to describe the devastation of astronomical happenings and the great earthquakes and the meteorites that are falling to earth. And so we see in verses 15 and 16 that here the effects of God's wrath upon that universe, amen, that we look and we see that it reads in verse 15, and the kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the chief captains and the mighty men and every bondman and every free man hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains, in verse 16, and said to the mountains and rock, fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb. That great fear will grip all unbelievers upon earth. kings and rulers, great and powerful, rich and wealthy, military chiefs, mighty and strong, slave and insignificant, free and independent. Every unbeliever upon earth will be stricken with terror, maddling terror, so frightened that panic will sweep the earth. No one is going to escape the judgment of God, and there will be no partiality. God has no favorites. The world of unbelievers will quake in terror, fright from the unusual events in outer space upon earth. The awareness, the consciousness, the judgment of God, lumen right over from the horizon, the very atmosphere of the earth. All unbelievers will cry for death. the terror and the fright that will be so maddening that the world will panic. People will be madly rushing about to hide in secret dens, rocks of the earth, begging to die and being annihilated in order to keep from having to face God's eternal judgment. And so we see the effects of God's wrath upon the universe and we see the effects of God's wrath upon people. But lastly, in verses 16 and 17, the reason for the catastrophes and the panic of men, because as we read in verse 15, let's pick back up in verse 16, and the Bible tells us, and he said to the mountains and rocks, fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. And lastly, in verse 17, for the great day of his wrath has come, and who shall be able to stand? People from every social rank, kings, great men, rich, poor, free, slave. They try to hide themselves, asking the rocks to fall on them from the wrath of God. Boy. I'm going to tell you, when we look at this and we realize everything that God's going to be doing in those last days, the great day of God's wrath that signifies a time when God's judgment is poured out upon the earth in a series of dramatic and destructive events of cosmic disturbances, natural disasters, widespread turmoil, symbolizing a divine reckoning with evil and injustice, a period apart from all of the apocalyptic vision that's in the book of Revelation, that we see that a day when all unbelievers, know how I say that, because if your name ain't written in the Lamb's Book of Life, you're going to be going through all of this. And you're going to stand before the face of God that sits upon the throne of the universe. You're going to face the wrath of the Lamb. The day that you're going to face the Son of God Himself, well, you'll be rejected, denied, cursed, disobeyed, disbelieved, ignored, and neglected. and that wrath that the very day that is wrath to fall that every unbeliever will face him when no unbeliever shall stand because the day when all unbelievers shall crumble and be subjected to humiliation of eternal guilt, condemnation, and punishment. And so this is a picture of what will be happening right before the day the Lord comes. It has yet, it is not yet come, that in time has not yet happened. and the event that's catastrophic in the heavens and on the earth, and the fright and the panic that strikes people with maddening terror, all right before the end time begins, breaking of the seals of God's book on the destiny of the world. Within the pages of that book, the worst judgments are yet to come, and the message to all people everywhere, all unbelievers will stand face to face with God on the great day of his wrath, and the day is right over the horizon. It's coming to the rich and the powerful, those who thought they were self-sufficient, the religious who thought they could be good enough and do enough good to be accepted to God. the poor who thought they were too insignificant or else thought their oppression would cause God to look upon them with mercy, or the intelligent who thought they were too knowledgeable to believe in Christ, the scientists and the technician because they thought they had progressed so far that they could disapprove God. And so we must trust God, Jesus Christ, and to escape that great day of God's wrath because as that lamb breaks the first four seals of the Book of Destiny, and the four horses of the Apocalypse come forth, the appearance of the Antichrist and his power, the white, the red, the black, the pale, and the fifth seal of the slain martyrs that are under the altar. that are slain for God's word and testimony, crying for justice, given white robes and assured of that justice. And then the sixth seal, the great day of God's wrath that begins that the universe will be shattered, that we see all of the effects of the universe and God's wrath upon people and the catastrophic and the panic of men. But in the opening of these seals reminds us that while God's judgment is certain, His mercy is also available. The horsemen represent the evils of war, famine, and death that afflict mankind, but the fifth seal shows us that God honors the faithfulness of his people. The sixth seal brings us a realization that universe itself will be undone, but those in Christ have nothing to fear. and at the same time to make sure that our faith is anchored in Him, who alone can save us from becoming wrath? How can you and I prepare ourselves spiritually for the times of trial and judgment described in Revelation chapter six? I think by staying rooted in God's word, remaining in prayer, relying on the strength of the Holy Spirit, to stand in our faith when challenges arise. What does it mean to be a faithful witness like the martyrs were that were under the altar? It means standing for God's truth, even when it costs us personally. It's about living out our faith boldly in the face of opposition and our vision of God's ultimate judgment How do you think that it will impact us of how we live today? Knowing that God's judgment is coming should inspire every one of us to live with an urgency, sharing the gospel of the Great Commission and ensuring our lives that are in alignment with his will. I hope and pray that the writers on the horizon As they begin to go forth, and as they affect us, every one of us, as we reflect on the events described in Revelation chapter 6, verses 1 through 17, we see a vivid portrayal of the tribulations that will precede the return of Christ. These tribulations serve as both a warning and a call to action, and they remind us of the urgency to align our lives with God's will and prepare for his coming. We need to let our life be with an anticipation of his return and the promise of his eternal kingdom. Father, we thank you for your word. for revealing to us the realities of the end times as we witness the unfolding of your plans. Help us to remain steadfast in our faith and forgive us for our sins. Help us to put on the full armor of God daily and may we be ready for the return and living lives that honor you. I pray for the lost that they'll receive salvation before it's too late and all this as we look upon the riders on the horizon. I'm glad that the church will be raptured out way before all of this in Revelation chapter four. And Lord, I thank God that you wrote our names down in the Lamb's book of life. And I pray that someone that's listening to this will ask Jesus to come into their heart and life and to forgive them of their sins and ask him to be the keeper of their soul. In Jesus' marvelous mighty name, amen. you