Sermon Tone Analysis

Revelation 6:1-17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell © 2004

This morning we will continue our series in the Book of Revelation.

In chapter 6 we will see that everything that happens on earth is governed by Jesus Christ.

As He opens the seals in heaven events unfold on the earth.

The Lord God Almighty is sovereign over all.

The seven sealed book that Christ takes out of the Father’s right hand is His plan to judge sin and establish a righteous kingdom.

*/We will see Him unloose the 7 seals in heaven./*

First Seal – Anti-Christ The Conqueror

 

*Revelation 6:1-2:* /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./

After the Lamb opened the */first seal/* a powerful leader enters the stage of human history.

/In Roman times victorious generals led their armies in a home coming parade seated on a white horse./

*/It was an honor reserved for conquerors./*

This leader wears a */victors crown/* showing that he has been given authority.

The bow in his hand also speaks of power.

However the absence of arrows seems to indicate peaceful conquest.

/He will have high intelligence, great oratory ability and be a military genius./

/He will have a strong physical appearance and a charismatic personality./

This powerful leader rides out in conquest to establish a one world government.

*/Some theologians say that this is Jesus Christ conquering the world with the Gospel./*

Yet in ch.

19 the Lord Jesus Christ wears a diadem *διάδημα* or kingly crown, not a victor’s crown *στεφανος** *as this man has.

Jesus warned us that false Christ’s would appear.

This ruler is not Christ but Anti-Christ.

*Matthew 24:5:* /For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many.

/The prefix */anti/* means both */instead of/* and */against./*

*/Through deceit he will attempt to take the place of Jesus Christ as God’s Messiah./*

/Initially, he conquers the world through diplomacy and peace.

*He is hailed as the world’s savior when he brings peace to the Middle East.*/

*Daniel 9:27a:* /Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; *He will also oppose everything good that Christ has done.*/

A closer look at the following riders shows that he doesn’t bring lasting peace but war and bloodshed.

/The Anti-Christ pretends to be a peacemaker when in actual fact he is a war monger.

/

 

One day soon this man of sin will appear.

For the time being God is restraining him from taking control of the world.

*2 Thessalonians 2:7-10:* /For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, \\ and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved./

/Many years ago the world leaders met together for a conference.

During that conference they said this,* We need a man to lead us who can solve all of our problems and bring in world wide peace.

Such a man we will follow anywhere even if he is the devil himself.

*/

*Lesson:/ If man won’t be ruled by God, he will be ruled by tyrants.

If you don’t believe the truth you will fall for the lie./* /If you reject God’s Son you will receive Satan’s son./

 

Second Seal – Anti-Christ The Warrior

 

*Revelation 6:3-4:* /When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come and see.

Another horse, fiery red, went out.

And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword./

/ /

Most of the people in the world will think that their new leader is a good man.

Many will even think that he is the Messiah.

His leadership and diplomacy will be very convincing and his speeches will win over the masses.

However, he has a dark side.

After 3 ½ years of peace the Anti-Christ will break his peace treaty and there will be bloodshed like the world has never seen.

The */red horse/* speaks of */bloodshed /*whilst the */large sword/* speaks of */warfare/*.

*/He has been given authority to take peace from the earth./*

*1 Thessalonians 5:3:* /For when they say, Peace and safety!

then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.

And they shall not escape.

/

/ /

Jesus warned us about this too.

*Matthew 24:6-7a:* /And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.

See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

/*Daniel 9:27:* /Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; *but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering*.

*And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.*/

The 7 year peace treaty Anti-Christ signs with Israel will allow them to rebuild the temple.

It would seem that when they complete it the Anti-Christ will move into the most holy place and proclaim himself to be God.

*2 Thessalonians 2:3-4:* /Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

/

/ /

At this point the Anti-Christ will demand that everyone worship him as God.

Israel will see him as an impostor and flee.

In turn the Anti-Christ will persecute the Jews and every believer.

He will attack the saints with unbelievable cruelty.

The nations of the world will become afraid of him as he wages war against all opposition.

*Revelation 13:4:* /So they worshiped the dragon (Satan) who gave authority to the beast (the Anti-Christ); and they worshiped the beast, saying, who is like the beast?

Who is able to make war with him?/

No one will be able to withstand the power of the Anti-Christ except Jesus Christ and His servants.

*Lesson to learn:* */Only Jesus Christ can bring peace to mankind and to this world; only He is the Prince of Peace.

All others are impostors!/*

Third Seal – Anti-Christ The Dictator

 

/When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, Come and see.

So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.

/

 

The color */black/* is often connected with */famine/*.

A natural consequence of war is famine.

There will be a worldwide lack of food.

As a result, food prices will go sky high.

It will take a day’s wages to pay for a day’s food.

There are probably a number of reasons for this famine.

Anti-Christ wont’ allow anyone to buy or sell without his mark.

Christ warned there would be famines at the end of time.

*Matthew 24:7:* /For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against/ /kingdom.

And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

/God will also punish the Anti-Christ by sending a drought for 3 ½ years upon his kingdom.

This happens while His 2 witnesses testify against the Anti-Christ and his wickedness.

Elijah did something similar to King Ahab.

*Revelation 11:3-6:* /And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies.

And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.

These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire./*

Lesson to learn: /We must look to God for our daily needs, not man./*