Visions of Judgement: The Horsemen of Revelation
The “four horsemen of the Apocalypse”— this latter term being the Greek name for the book of Revelation—have intrigued Bible readers for centuries. What do they represent? The implications for mankind are staggering. In this first article of a series, we introduce the overall prophecy and look in detail at the first horseman.
By Darris McNeely
Few sights are as stirring as a scene of horsemen galloping across a landscape. Moviemakers use such scenes to add drama, mystery and power to their stories.
In Revelation 6, Christ uses four horsemen to represent the first four of seven seals He opens from the scroll in His hand. These images have intrigued generations of Bible scholars and students. Thundering across the prophetic landscape, these dramatic images cast a pall of terror on the world.
What is their meaning for our troubled and uncertain world? Do these ominous riders foretell a coming wave of calamity for the earth's inhabitants? Let's look and see.
Mankind's destiny hanging in the balance
To understand the seals in Revelation 6, we first need to examine chapter 5. John is experiencing a vision of the throne of God when he sees "in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals" (Revelation 5:1).
No one in heaven or earth is able or worthy to open the scroll and reveal its contents. John bemoans the absence of anyone capable of opening the scrolls. But a voice from one of the elders around the throne says: "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals" (verse 5).
What John saw next was the sight of the glorified Jesus Christ in the commanding position to receive and dispense the full power of God. "And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne ... stood a Lamb as though it had been slain ... Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne" (verses 6-7).
Read the full article at www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn50/thehorsemen.htm
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Table of Contents that includes "Visions of Judgement: The Horsemen of Revelation"
Other Articles by Darris McNeely
Four horsemen of the Apocalypse:
- _Visions of Judgment: The Coming Ride of the Horsemen of Revelation
- _Ready to Ride?
- _The Horsemen of Revelation: The Black Horse of Famine
- _The Horsemen of Revelation: The Pale Horse of Pestilence
- _The Horsemen of Revelation The Fifth Horsemen Rides
- _Ready to Ride?
- _The Perfect Prophetic Storm
- _Biblical Terms for the Coming End of Man's Age
- _Preparing for the End Time
- _The End of 'This present Evil Age'
- _The Mark and Number of the Beast
- _Does Prophecy Tell Us When Christ Will Return?
- _Has Jesus Christ's Olivet Prophecy Been Fulfilled?
- _The Survival Game: Who Wins?
- _The North-South Struggle for the Middle East
- _'Many False Prophets Will Arise and Deceive Many'
- _The Rising European Superpower: Prophesied in the Bible?
- _'When You See These Things, Know That It Is Near...'
- _Disbelief in the Bible: A Tragic Phenomenon and Increasing Trend
- _Pope Calls for New "World Political Authority"
- _Biblical Terms for the Coming End of Man's Age
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