I do believe that, as the Body of Christ, we should be focused on “preparation” more than “evangelizing” in this day and age. We are rapidly approaching the “Day of the Lord”.
I am going to lay out my understanding of these scriptures and invite commentary to the effect of edification or correction. My faith is in Christ alone so it will not offend me if I am shown to misunderstand the scriptures. It can only increase my knowledge and understanding.
This topic, specifically is Matthew 24:3-14 and Revelation 6:1-11
Mat 24:4 Jesus' warns against being deceived.
5 Many will come “in Jesus' Name”, saying that Jesus is the Christ. Deceiving many. (paraphrased)
I understand that this passage can include the notion that there will be “false Christs”, too.
That may well be, but, it CERTAINLY refers to deception WITHIN the Church.
Jesus said “IN MY NAME” (refers to himself) and saying “I AM the CHRIST” (again referring to himself). There are no quotes”” in scripture. He could have said conclusively that people would claim to be the Christ. The passage would read more like “saying that THEY are the Christ”.
Rev 6:1-2 The Lamb opens the first seal, the White horse goes forth to conquer (overcome). The rider is given a Bow and a victor's crown.
There are 2 “Main” schools of thought on this.
- The White Horse is the Antichrist.
- The White Horse is Jesus.
Neither of these are true. We can look to Zechariah for an explanation of the Horses:
Zech 1:7-10
7 Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.
9 Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be.
10And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.
And Zech 6:1-5
1 And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.
2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;
3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.
4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?
5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
So, I understand the “Horses” to be those spirits sent forth for God's purposes.
This means that the White Horse is neither Jesus, nor Antichrist.
I do, however, believe that Jesus' “Olivet Discourse” is pointing to the 4 seals of Revelation. It matches too closely to dismiss.
The rider of the White Horse is the Spirit of “the spreading of the Gospel” that is riding out to conquer (overcome) and wears a victor's crown (Stephanos).
Jesus is warning not to be deceived or led astray from the mission of the Disciples/Apostles.
This brings us to the point that the White Horse begins his ride IMMEDIATELY after Christ's victory on the cross.
I support this in 2 ways:
- The Olivet Discourse CLEARLY describes a timeframe longer than a 7 year period. In fact, not until the Gospel has been delivered to EVERY Nation, will the END come.
- Rev 5 (let the reader understand) my emphasis
Rev 5 clearly shows a scene in Heaven where all are distressed that none is worthy to open the scroll.
SUDDENLY, the Lamb appears and is worthy. This happened immediately upon Jesus' resurrection and overcoming death. The Lamb then takes the scroll and opens the first seal. Notice that he did NOT wait 2000 years. Jesus began opening the seals immediately upon his victory. Remember, he had to become “worthy” before he could do so. There is no scripture connecting the 1st seal with the beginning of Daniel's 70th week.
It is important to note that the NT Book is called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” and NOT “The revelation of Daniel's 70th week”.
To keep it short, my understanding is that the opening of the seals began at Jesus' resurrection.
In my estimation, the 5th seal would be more contemporary to the beginning of the 7 years as it seems to suggest a “demarcation point” to tell the martyrs (up to that time) that the final week is beginning.
So, really, the 6th seal might be the first one that we “recognize”.
As Jesus said:
Mat 24:15-22
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:
Daniel)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
In closing, I believe that the Gospel HAS been preached to all Nations and the END is near.
My Pastor thinks that “the gospel must be preached to every living soul”. Not true. Jesus will make sure that all who can be saved, will be.
My love to you all. Please, let us Prepare! For He surely will come soon!
