The Conquest of Nations

Revelation 6

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah speaks of the great tribulation in stark terms: “How awful that day will be! There will be no other like it! It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30:7). The encouraging news, then, is that many people will be saved during this period; however, those still in rebellion against God will experience heightened judgment.

“Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.” Revelation 6:1–2 (ESV)

The world ruler (Antichrist) begins his conquest of the nations by peacefully taking control. He has a weapon but no ammunition; and men are saying, “Peace and safety!” Satan usually declares peace before he declares war, so beware his offers.

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:1–3 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “The rider on a white horse is referenced elsewhere as the antichrist who will rise to power following the rapture and bring order out of chaos. This person will claim victory—represented by his white mount and crown—and gain world power. Notably, there is no mention of an arrow with his bow, indicating the bloodless nature of his coup. The ensuing sense of peace throughout the world, however, will prove false.”

“When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. 5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard what seemed to be 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 wine!” 7 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.” Revelation 6:3–8 (ESV)

Soon the world is at war, and suffering results from famine and plagues and cosmic disturbances.

Dr. Evans goes on, “The fiery red horse represents chaos. Like Adolf Hitler before him, the antichrist is going to transition from pretending to be peaceful to wielding a large sword, representative of his capacity to slay people. The parallel to Hitler is instructive because the German chancellor rose to power amid the turbulence of the Great Depression by building consensus and support before his administration devolved into violence and dictatorship.”

Jesus said these things would happen.

“And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:4–14 (ESV)

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” Revelation 6:9–11 (ESV)

Warren Weirsbe writes, “These people were slaughtered for their faith during the tribulation by the antichrist. Obviously, then, people will come to faith in Jesus following the rapture because all believers of the church age will have been removed from earth.”

“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:12–17 (ESV)

The martyrs are seen “under the altar” because that is where the blood was placed. Death for Jesus’ sake is not waste; it is sacrifice and worship. They pray not for personal vengeance but for God’s glorification and vindication.

Today, know that when it appears that God is not working as you think He should, be patient and let Him do His will in His time. Keep looking unto the Author and the Finisher of our faith... Jesus... the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

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