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REVELATION 6

Apostle John is given is given a revelation of how the future of the world will be.  

REFLECTION 

‘Opening up the future’ is the theme for our reflection today. The book of Revelation as much as it employs apocalyptic language and symbolisms seek to open up the future in order to warn and enable believers to prepare for the day of the Lord. It should be noted that the day of the Lord will be preceded by some significant events, some of which we are already witnessing. John documents the book of Revelation to enable us to appreciate these happenings and the events yet to take place. The understanding of the word future has become a bit complicated; we may actually be living in the future and still be expectant of the future. This is the more reason we must pay attention to the message of John in Revelation and keep ourselves prepared for the day of the Lord. The future may appear, far away but to Jesus, it is only a “little while” as we see in John 16:16.  

Chapter 6 of the book of Revelation talks about the opening of the six seals out of the seven on the scroll hitherto talked about in chapter 5. These seals symbolise and represent specific events.    

The first seal represents a rider on a white horse given a crown and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. (Revelation 6:2). Most people would easily embrace this rider with a crown as the Christ but let us be watchful in prayer less we fall into temptation. He is only riding as the conqueror, not the conqueror himself. This is a clear image of the antichrist who looks and acts like Christ but he is not the Christ. Revelation 19:11-16 reveals Jesus Christ as the true rider with a sword on the White horse and the conqueror of the world, “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.  From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.  On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Let us beware of fake prophets and servants of the fake conqueror, the antichrist.  

The second seal represents another rider on a fiery red horse with a large sword, given the power to take peace from the earth and make people kill each other. (John 6: 3-4). If you are abreast with international news and your local channels, you would know that day in day out people and nations are at war and murder is on the ascendancy. We must indeed watch and pray. Jesus had already opened up the future to us on this issue when He said  “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.   “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:6-14) 

The third seal represents a  black horse and the rider holding in his hands a pair of scales. “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” (Revelation 6:5-6). In other words, there will be famine and food will be very expensive to afford. We already have some countries in African and the Middle East experiencing this phenomenon. There could be a reason why oil and wine are not to be harmed, these beautiful resources will again be the reason why others will suffer because the rich will fight over them through any means as we have seen in some parts of Africa. The untouched oil and wine which represent goodness have become the curse for nations.

The fourth seal represents a pale horse and its rider was named Death and Hades was following close behind him. (Revelation 6:7-8) Surely when people have been conquered by the antichrist, wars and conflicts become their way of life leading to hardship and famine, death is certain and we shall find out that the righteous also suffer.  

The fifth seal represents the suffering cry of the martyrs or the Lord’s Faithfuls. (Revelation 6: 9-11) The altar is used for making sacrifices therefore all believers who remain faithful to our Lord and Master Jesus Christ will suffer and be slain on the altar of righteousness for Christ’s sake. This is the cost of discipleship. “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” (Revelation 6:9-11) 

The sixth seal represents cosmic catastrophe or disruption leading to disorder, fear, and panic even among the greatest and powerful people in the world. (Revelation 9:12-17). No matter how powerful you are remember all things shall come to an end therefore let us humble ourselves and allow God to reign in our lives. “Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:15-17) Power and wealth are ephemeral, let us be guided by Jesus’ admonishment when He said “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) We are further encouraged by Paul in Ephesians 5:15-16 that “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Shalom. 

PRAYER  

GRACIOUS LORD,  TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS THAT WE MAY GET A HEART OF WISDOM. AMEN. PSALMS 90:12 

Jean-Paul Agidi(Rev)