Chapter 20

Counting Down to Eternity: Part I

 

Surely Adonai Elohim will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7).

 

Racing victoriously through-out the whole earth, the Rider on the white horse from the first seal has been Biblically identified as Christ and the 144,000 bearing the light of the fourth angel to the world. Additionally, the prophetic event, which begins the fulfillment of the first seal has been explained to be the final experience of Pent-ecost. Thus, the prophetic fulfillment of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Latter Rain is the event that Elohim’s people are to recognize as YHWH’s last prophetic clock-starter.

The White Horse Rides in the opening of the First Seal.

Once the 144,000 have received the Latter Rain, only six more seals remain as the count down to eternity begins. Let us now continue to follow the sequence of the remaining six seals, one-by-one identifying the symbology and events, which each prophetic seal contains.

The Bible records what the prophet John saw when Christ opened the second seal. This account is found in Revelation.

And when He had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword (Revelation 6:3-4).

The red horse rides on the heels of the first. But his message is not the same as his predecessor, which Scripture has symbolized as having brought salvation to the world. Rather, this red horse and rider have come to "take peace from the earth." Does this horseman bring war to planet earth then? Actually, his intent to take away peace from mankind bears a far more sinister meaning.

The red horse represents another group of people. Remember that in the previous chapter horses were shown to symbolize groups of people. This next group hastens their message to the world in frantic response to the message of the fourth angel which the 144,000 are preaching with great power. Whereas full acceptance of the message of the white horse brings the sealing to the believer, the purpose of the red horse is to ensure that people will receive the mark of the Beast, instead.

We may be sure of this explanation by understanding the symbolic meaning of the word "peace." In the Bible, ultimate peace is a term used to express what our experience will be in heaven. As we perfectly reflect the beauty of Christ, we are prepared to receive heaven’s sealing mark.

Great peace have they which love Thy Law: and nothing shall offend them (Psalm 119:165).

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee (Isaiah 26:3).

Through receiving the seal of Elohim, we hold the firm assurance of possessing that wonderful and eternal peace that comes from residing in Elohim’s protective presence.

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace (Psalm 37:37).

The Red Horse Rides in the opening of the Second Seal.

There is only one thing that, if received, will cause men to lose out on the eternal glory and peace of heaven: The Mark of the Beast. Thus, we find that while the white horse hastens to bring eternal life to the world, the red one comes to bring damnation.

The sword in the red rider’s hands does not bring death to the wicked. This sword is for the righteous. Those who refuse to receive the mark of the Beast will suffer tremendous persecution at

the hands of the group symbolized by this red horse and rider.

This persecution will take two forms. Many true Christians will be martyred for not accepting the Beast’s mark. Those faithful ones who survive will find that they cannot conduct business, or even buy food.

…The image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (Revelation 13:15-18).

During the terrible persecution against Elohim’s true people unleashed through the ride of the red horse, the same Elohim Who protected and fed Elijah will be the Rock in which the faithful ones trust. To these afflicted ones, the promises of YHWH’s blessing, care, and love are especially sweet.

The steps of a good man are ordered by YHWH: and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for YHWH upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and His seed is blessed (Psalm 37:23-26).

While persecution is certainly something visible enough to be marked on a timeline, the great event to occur in the red horseman’s ride is still a bit nebulous. The Bible does clearly define the notable event, which coincides with bringing the Mark of the Beast to the world with persecution to those who do not accept this demonic mark. The prophet Daniel described this great event as the Abomination of Desolation. When the Abomination of Desolation is set up "in the holy place," making it very uncomfortable to reject the Beast’s mark, Christ warned that it would be necessary for the righteous to "flee" for their lives.

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: Then let them which be in Judaea (Just like Egypt and Babylon, this a spiritual term referring to the place where Elohim’s people dwell) flee into the mountains. Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child (pregnant), and to them that give suck (mothers with nursing infants) in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day (Elohim’s people will keep the Sabbath, even in flight): For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened (Matthew 24:15-22).

In the next chapters, we will Biblically define the Mark of the Beast and the Abomination of Desolation in greater detail. Stating that the Abomination of Desolation will be the great event in the red horseman’s ride is sufficient at this time.

Receiving the Seal of Elohim or the Mark of the Beast is made imminent through the symbolic horses riding in the first two seals. Next, the third seal and horseman is loosed upon the earth.

And when He had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine (Revelation 6:5-6).

This third horse is black. His color warns of judgment and final death to those who accept the Beast’s mark and reject the light of the fourth angel.

For thus hath YHWH said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end. For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black (the color of death and judgment): because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it (final judgment upon the wicked). The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen… (Jeremiah 4:27-29).

The Black Horse Rides in the opening of the Third Seal.

We are next brought to consider the balances this third rider carries. Balances are still representative of justice and judgment. The fact that this black horse symbolizes the impending judgment of Elohim is further reinforced through the balances clasped in the hand of the rider.

In the Bible, Paul explained that Elohim’s judgment will fall upon those who rejected the message of the Law. As the light of the fourth angel exonerates the holy Law and the necessity of living in full obedience to it, those who refuse this truth are placed in line to receive heaven’s Judgment.

For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the Law shall be judged by the Law; For not the hearers of the Law are just before Elohim, but the doers of the Law shall be justified (Romans 2:12-13).

While the black horse warns of impending judgment, he also bears a message of hope. Amid all the persecution and hardship the people of Elohim must endure because of the power of the red horse, the Fourth Angel’s Message, which they still bravely proclaim, will bear fruit in a bountiful harvest.

The evidence that the harvest of souls will be great is symbolized in the low price of the grain announced during the black horseman’s ride: "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny" (Revelation 6:6). When there is a bountiful harvest of grain, farmers must sell the fruit of their crops for less.

In the Bible, the harvests of wheat and barley represent Elohim’s people. Those who accept the Fourth Angel’s Message and take their stand with the Bride of Christ in giving the last call comprise this bountiful harvest. To illustrate this, Christ told a beautiful story of a farmer and a field. (See Matthew 13:24-30.) The disciples did not fully understand the symbolic meaning of this parable. Thus, they came to Christ later and asked Him to plainly reveal the meaning of the story to them.

Then Y’shua sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man (another name for Christ, or the Rider on the white horse); The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom (the people who accept the truth and are saved); but the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear (Matthew 13:36-43).

The Bible teaches that the preaching and testimony of the 144,000 will result in a bountiful harvest for heaven. While this holy group is clearly defined as standing before Elohim in heaven, the 144,000 are not alone. With them stand the fruit of their labor: a great multitude.

And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands (Revelation 7:4-9).

The Saviour has offered a tremendous sacrifice that everyone who believes and walks in the light of what he has learned might have salvation. Symbolized so long ago in the sacrifices of oil, wine and wheat, given in the sanctuary system, now finally the living sacrifice (see Romans 12:1) is ripe and ready for the harvest. As was proclaimed during the black horseman’s ride, "and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine," the wheat, wine, and oil are not spiritually harmed in spite of Satan’s best efforts to keep them from receiving the heavenly seal. Now they stand united in holiness as a righteous, living sacrifice unto Elohim.

All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits (the 144,000 – see Revelation 14:4) of them which they shall offer unto YHWH, them have I given Thee (Elohim) (Numbers 18:12).

Three former horses have been prophesied to ride throughout the earth, the Law of Elohim will be presented in the message of the fourth angel, the Beast will do his worst to refute this message and dissuade any from receiving the seal of heaven, and the heavenly harvest will still bountifully ripen.

Now the fourth seal is opened. In the ride of the pale horsemen who bursts forth, sinful mankind will begin to reap the judgments promised by the black horse and the fourth angel.

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth (Revelation 6:7-8).

In this fourth seal, the greatest sins, for which the Beast and his followers are to be judged, are the sins of violating Elohim’s holy Law and profaning His Sabbaths. This was most blasphemously and deceptively accomplished through mixing demonic darkness into the teachings of truth. Those who now stand to be judged have taken what Elohim declared to be holy and sacred and have blended in that which He proclaimed to be foul and unclean. The prophet Ezekiel records the serious list of heaven’s charges against these wicked ones.

Her priests have violated My Law, and have profaned Mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them (Ezekiel 22:26).

Judgment now begins to be meted out against those who are guilty. But these judgments are not to fall without mercy. Heaven continues to extend the offer of salvation during the fourth seal. The fact that sinners may still be saved, even at this late date is evidenced by the continuing of martyrdom. The blood of the martyrs symbolically cries out to Elohim in the following seal. (See Revelation 6:9-11.)

The Pale Horse Rides in the opening of the Fourth Seal.

Elohim will not permit one of His precious children to die after probation has closed, and there can be no further positive effect from the testimony of their death.

Precious in the sight of YHWH is the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15).

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of Adonai, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in Adonai (1 Corinthians 15:58).

There is only one thing that could make the labor of the righteous be done "in vain." The Bible teaches that the labor of the righteous is to bring eternal life to the world. (See Proverbs 10:16.) Elohim’s people would be laboring in vain if their testimony was born without any salvational fruit being ripened through it.

Thus, we find that the evidence of martyrs in the following seal leaves us with only one Biblical conclusion: The judgments which are pronounced in the fourth seal are still mixed with mercy, in that humanity may still accept the blessing of salvation, even at this late date. While the bulk of the harvest is spiritually ripened during the ride of the black horse, there will be a few late bloomers to accept salvation during the raining judgments of the fourth seal.

As has already been presented in the chapters about the seven trumpets, the judgments mixed with mercy are poured out upon mankind during the sounding of the seven angel’s trumpets. Our heavenly Father, Who "changes not" (see Malachi 3:6) has already established a firm pattern of fulfilling the event rehearsed through each yearly holy day on the actual day of the annual Sabbath.

Following this pattern, the first angel’s trumpet will sound on the final fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets. As has already been studied, the successive six blasts will complete the final probationary period. Thus, in the final fulfillment, the judgments of the seven trumpets, including the three woes, will continue throughout the ten Days of Awe. The end of Elohim’s offer of redemption is pronounced in the sounding of the seventh trumpet, upon the final Day of Atonement.

Thus, those who are diligently studying the Scriptures will recognize that the pale horse, upon whose heels come the final judgment of hell, has begun his ride through the plague of the hail mixed with fire and blood, as was prophesied to occur in the sounding of the first trumpet. (See Revelation 8:7.) To recap briefly, the seven trumpets contain the following judgments, culminating in the close of probation:

Before we press on to studying the remain three seals and the prophetic events they contain, for added clarity, we will place the first four seals within a diagram showing the progression of events, as follows:

Final Prophetic Timeline…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 20 Summary