Doomsday ‘prophets’ look at the events of the world and predict that the end is soon. The Bible makes predictions about coming events too. Some of them focus on what happens in Israel, others are more global. One of my relatives thinks that with the current attacks on Israel, the end could soon come.
I’ve noticed that biblical prophecies talk about a time of peace that will be at ‘the beginning of the end.’ This peace will include a series of false messiahs culminating with the Antichrist. The whole world will come under his dominion. For this reason, I don’t think the current fighting in the Middle East, or the world-changing terrorist attacks, or even threats of terrorist attacks mean that the end is near.
Today’s verses: “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:1-2, NKJV)
Jesus unrolls the deed to the earth and releases the judgments of God. First there is a ruler on a white horse with a bow and no arrows who begins to conquer the world, but without bloodshed. The next of the four horses is blood red; its rider has a great sword and is given power to take peace from the earth. People will kill one another.
The third horse is black and its rider carries scales; both depict famine and hardship. The final horse is ‘pale’ and its rider is “Death” with Hades following, having power to kill one-quarter of the earth.
Wars have happened almost without stop for centuries. We have never had any unparalleled time of world peace depicted by the white horse; nor have we had one ruler who is powerful enough to make the whole world stop fighting.
Christian theologians differ on what Bible prophecy says will happen (and when) to believers. Some think Jesus will come and take all of us out of this mess before it happens. Others think we will see some of it and still others think we will experience it all. One think I know: I’m still here and I’ve not seen anyone taking charge of the world. The four horses and what they depict are in the future.
So how am I supposed to respond to the threat of airplanes being blown up or wars breaking out in many places? Pray. Pray for government leaders, for peacemakers, for peace, even world peace, even if that peace is ushered in by those opposed to Jesus Christ and is a false and short-lived peace. When it begins to happen, I know that the only real and true Peace-maker will not be too far behind.
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