What would happen if man was left to his own devices and sin? The Four Horsemen: What would happen if man was left to his own devices and sin?

“The first four seals center on the depravity of mankind…the progression of the four seals is from lust of conquest (first seal) to civil war (second seal) to famine (third seal) to pestilence and death (fourth seal). This is the natural progression of man’s inhumanity to man. In other words, God simply allows human sin to come full circle, turn in upon itself, and self-destruct.” Grant Osborne, Revelation * See Romans 1

Seals Opened Timing: Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:3-14 The Four Horsemen: Seals Opened Timing: Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:3-14 Opened by the Lamb Voice of Command – Living Creature Timing – Birth Pains – already, not yet! Opening of seals leads to unfurling of scroll and rest of judgements.

The White Horse White = conquest Bow and Crown Common Interpretations The Four Horsemen: The White Horse White = conquest Bow and Crown Common Interpretations Options: Christ; Spirit of Militarism; Antichrist Bow – instrument of war, illusion to Parthians and archers on horseback – terrible for Rome! Crown = “Stephanos” – victors crown, not diadem. Christ: White horse – Rev. 19:11, conqueror, conquest of Gospel before final events – See Mark 13:10; no recap in 6:8 Not Christ – white horse only similarity in 19:11. Horse does not make the rider! Multiple crowns (diadems) Spirit of Militarism: Bow and crowns speak of conquest, match wars and rumors of wars in Matt. 24, no real reference to a person in other horses Antichrist: another prince of Daniel 9:24-27. Conquerors

The Red Horse Red = bloodshed The Four Horsemen: The Red Horse Red = bloodshed Takes peace from the Earth – slay one another Great Sword Takes Peace – 2 Thess. 2:6 Slaying one another = slaughter, murder by violence Great Sword – Roman short sword Well understood to be rebellion and civil disorder in John’s day

The Black Horse Black = famine Scales – symbol of justice The Four Horsemen: The Black Horse Black = famine Scales – symbol of justice Scales: balance upset, imbalance rules - Denarius – day’s wage to provide for a days worth of food for one man. 10-12 times higher Result of the ravages of war – soldiers living off the land Contemporary illustration – OIL

The Pale Horse Pale (Green) = Pestilence and death The Four Horsemen: The Pale Horse Pale (Green) = Pestilence and death Hades following – Symbol of the grave ¼ of the Earth killed - ¼ = Roughly 1.5 billion people.

“Reviewing the various interpretations assigned to the Four Horsemen tends to rob the contemporary reader of the dramatic nature of the vision itself. It is good to place oneself back in one of the seven churches and listen to the visions as they are being read. Instead of discussing the probably significance of each of the four colored horses those first listeners would undoubtedly have recoiled in terror as war, bloodshed, famine, and death galloped furiously across the stage of their imagination. Visions at best are to be experienced rather than analyzed. Those who approach Revelation with a sympathetic imagination are most apt to understand its true meaning.” Robert Mounce, The Book of Revelation

Sin left to its own devices brings for death Takeaway Thought. Hard for us to understand the terror of the visions because we do not experience the effects in America. Goal – More sensitivity!

Abundance creates complacency. Takeaway Thought. James 1:13-15