Death and the Grave
I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals. Revelation 6:8
I am praying for you today. As you read through Revelation with Daily Dose, I pray that revelation will come to you beyond what I am writing each day. I am praying that supernatural insight and encouragement is entering your heart and life through this book. My hope is that you are gaining new understanding of the things to come and how to share with others before it is too late. As the Holy Spirit opens up your understanding, please share with me when you have time. I know there is so much more beyond what I understand today, and the depth of this book is much more than we even realize. As you read each day, I ask that you start with prayer and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal truths and inspiration to empower you to put away any fear of uncertainties that you may have felt in the past.
As we continue to watch the Lamb of God open the seals on the scroll that only He is worthy to open, the fourth seal is broken, and a pale horse is released. John watched as the riders, Death and Hades were given authority over ¼ of the earth. As a result, a quarter of the world’s population was killed in battle, famine, disease and hungry wild beast. If you can imagine the magnitude of the destruction that has hit the earth with the release of the 4 horsemen, much of the planet’s surface will be destroyed from warfare. I have seen reports on news apps of countries around the world that are at war at this time and the devastation of the land is incomprehensible. Buildings falling down, vegetation and nature blackened as the results of bombing and burning not to mention the severe injuries of the people. It is a terrible scene in today’s world and at the time of Revelation six, it will be beyond anything that has ever hit the world before.
In my opinion, these first four seals that are broken occur over a one-year time period. One rider each season. At the end of the first year, the earth is in total demolition, sorrow, suffering and misery. Everyone is brought to an equality like never before and it is the perfect condition for a world leader to rise up over the chaos to say they are bringing “peace” and order back into the world.
So, what encouraging message can be brought out of this traumatic picture? Even though reading this chapter can try to bring fear and anxiety of the mass destruction in the world, we can take comfort in the promises of God. God’s Word is alive and active in the world today and it will still be just as powerful in the time of tribulation that covers the entire world. Those who will be coming to the Lord at that time will be a great force of goodness in the world to help bring more into God’s Kingdom through the suffering. Also, be comforted with knowing that this is God’s plan and story. He is the one that is holding the scroll, and He is the one that is releasing the circumstances of that time. There will be people who try to control things and take advantage of the horrific surroundings, but God is the One that has all the answers, and He has the power that is still drawing people to Him. In times of suffering, people began to think seriously about Who God is and how to reach Him.
Jesus told us in John 11:25-26: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die”. This promise reminds us that physical death is not the end and for God’s people, it is the beginning of a wonderful eternity with Him. Psalm 68:20 reminds us that, “Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.” Even in the face of death, we can trust in God’s unfailing love and His promise to be with us always, guiding us through every trial and “tribulation.”
Today I want to encourage you to find hope in God’s Word to sustain you in every area and season of your life, even when navigating the challenges and uncertainties of this world. As we continue our journey through Revelation, let’s hold on to the hope we have in Christ Jesus our Savior, knowing that He has overcome the world and has prepared a place for us in His kingdom. We can live each day with confidence and courage, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in our Lord Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).
Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 6:7-8
7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!”
8 I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave. These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.
The Daily Dose 