Revelation 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 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.
The same spirit is seen today that is represented in Revelation 6:6-8. History is to be repeated. That which has been will be again. This spirit works to confuse and to perplex. Dissension will be seen in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and those who have not had a spirit to follow the light that God has given through His living oracles, through His appointed agencies, will become confused. Their judgment will reveal weakness. Disorder and strife and confusion will be seen in the church. 13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 30
The prayer of Christ for His people, just before His humiliation and death is as much unheeded as if it had never been made. The same spirit that controls the nations of the earth is working upon the minds of those who have had light. As the children of disobedience, irrespective of consequences, they act like the blind. They are drunken but not with strong drink. They reveal that that which has allured and deceived them was an unholy ambition. 13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 31
The Lord God of Israel has made Himself a refuge for His people. All who will make Christ their dependence will know what it means in these last days to agonize to enter in at the strait gate. The foolish self-esteem and self-confidence which many possess will prove their eternal ruin. To them the narrow path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in seems altogether too restricted. But he who abides in Christ will understand what it means to be crucified to the world. The Lord has provided only one refuge for His people. The great apostle says, “Your life is hid with Christ in God.” “When Christ who is your life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” [Colossians 3:3, 4.] All who are overcomers will be highly exalted. 13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 32
The spirit of disorder, confusion, strife and dissension is none other than Satan himself. The fourth seal reveals this spirit
7 And G2532 when G3753 he had opened G455 the fourth G5067 seal G4973, I heard G191 the voice G5456 of the fourth G5067 beast G2226 say G3004, Come G2064 and G2532 see G991.
8 And G2532 I looked G1492, and G2532 behold G2400 a pale G5515 horse G2462: and G2532 his G846 name G3686 that sat G2521 on G1883 him G846 was Death G2288, and G2532 Hell G86 followed G190 with G3326 him G846. And G2532 power G1849 was given G1325 unto them G846 over G1909 the fourth part G5067 of the earth G1093, to kill G615 with G1722 sword G4501, and G2532 with G1722 hunger G3042, and G2532 with G1722 death G2288, and G2532 with G5259 the beasts G2342 of the earth G1093.
Looking more closely at the phrase in the original Greek: "on G1883 him G846 was Death G2288" we need to examine the name of the rider of this pale horse:
G2288
Original: θάνατος
Transliteration: thanatos
Phonetic: than'-at-os
Thayer Definition:
the death of the body
that separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended
with the implied idea of future misery in hell
the power of death
since the nether world, the abode of the dead, was conceived as being very dark, it is equivalent to the region of thickest darkness, i.e. figuratively, a region enveloped in the darkness of ignorance and sin
metaphorically, the loss of that life which alone is worthy of the name
the misery of the soul arising from sin, which begins on earth but lasts and increases after the death of the body in hell
the miserable state of the wicked dead in hell
in the widest sense, death comprising all the miseries arising from sin, as well physical death as the loss of a life consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth, to be followed by wretchedness in hell
Origin: from G2348
Death is personified in the fourth seal but when examining scripture more closely we can determine who is responsible for ' Death':
11 And G2532 they had G2192 a king G935 over G1909 them G848, which is the angel G32 of the bottomless pit G12, whose G846 name G3686 in the Hebrew tongue G1447 is Abaddon G3, but G2532 in G1722 the Greek tongue G1673 hath G2192 his name G3686 Apollyon G623.
G3
Original: Ἀβαδδών
Transliteration: Abaddōn
Phonetic: ab-ad-dohn'
Thayer Definition: Abaddon = "destruction"
ruin
destruction
the place of destruction
the name of the angel-prince of the infernal regions, the minister of death and the author of havoc on the earth
Origin: of Hebrew origin H11
TDNT entry: 01:04,1
Part(s) of speech: Proper Name Masculine
Strong's Definition: Of Hebrew origin [H11]; a destroying angel: - Abaddon.
Satan rides the pale horse of Revelation 6:8. The white horse of the first seal ridden by Christ is contrasted to the pale or greenish/yellowish horse of the fourth seal ridden by none other than the minister of death himself - Satan. Here we have imagery that captures the essence of what is taking place in reality. Satan, the author of sin and therefore death is permitted to do what he does best - DESTROY. Christ on the white horse in contrast is going forth to conquer. The great controversy between Satan and Christ - warring for the souls of men is exemplified in the description of the horses, riders and their actions in the first and fourth seals.
Isaiah directly refers to those that are in control of God's people or Jerusalem as those who have made a covenant or agreement with DEATH and HELL.
Isaiah 28
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
The prophet Isaiah brings to view the fearful deception which will come upon the wicked, causing them to count themselves secure from the judgments of God: “We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under the falsehood have we hid ourselves.” [Isaiah 28:15.] In the class here described are included those who in their stubborn impenitence comfort themselves with the assurance that there is to be no punishment for the sinner; that all mankind, it matters not how corrupt, are to be exalted to Heaven, to become as the angels of God. But still more emphatically are those making a covenant with death and an agreement with hell, who renounce the truths which Heaven has provided as a defense for the righteous in the day of trouble, and accept the refuge of lies offered by Satan in its stead—the delusive pretensions of Spiritualism. GC88 560.3
Marvelous beyond expression is the blindness of the people of this generation. Thousands reject the Word of God as unworthy of belief, and with eager confidence receive the deceptions of Satan. Skeptics and scoffers denounce the bigotry of those who contend for the faith of prophets and apostles, and they divert themselves by holding up to ridicule the solemn declarations of the Scriptures concerning Christ and the plan of salvation, and the retribution to be visited upon the rejecters of the truth. They affect great pity for minds so narrow, weak, and superstitious as to acknowledge the claims of God, and obey the requirements of his law. They manifest as much assurance as if, indeed, they had made a covenant with death and an agreement with hell,—as if they had erected an impassable, impenetrable barrier between themselves and the vengeance of God. Nothing can arouse their fears. So fully have they yielded to the tempter, so closely are they united with him, and so thoroughly imbued with his spirit, that they have no power and no inclination to break away from his snare. GC88 561.1
Satan has so deluded the wicked at this point in time that they believe they are invincible and free from the judgments of God.
"They manifest as much assurance as if, indeed, they had made a covenant with death and agreement with hell,—as if they had erected an impassable, impenetrable barrier between themselves and the vengeance of God. "
My heart goes out in yearning of soul for those who are living in the very last scenes of this earth's history, and yet are insensible to what is just before them. A vast reformation would be wrought upon the world if the veil of the future could be lifted, and all could see and understand that very soon there is to be a change in the attitude of God in His dealings with the perversity of man. TSA 48.4
The change in the attitude of God and how he deals with the 'perversity of men' is as a result of their disregard of his law. The withdrawal of God's protection will be the result. Satan exults in destruction and especially of those who profess to follow God but are disobedient to his word.
Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls. He has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature, and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as God allows. When he was suffered to afflict Job, how quickly flocks and herds, servants, houses, children, were swept away, one trouble succeeding another as in a moment. It is God that shields His creatures and hedges them in from the power of the destroyer. But the Christian world have shown contempt for the law of Jehovah, and the Lord will do just what He has declared that He would—He will withdraw His blessings from the earth and remove His protecting care from those who are rebelling against His law and teaching and forcing others to do the same. Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard. He will favor and prosper some, in order to further his own designs; and he will bring trouble upon others and lead men to believe that it is God who is afflicting them. CH 460.2
At the time of the fourth seal Satan replicates the coming of Christ in the fifth trumpet. The mark of the beast has been set up and is initially enacted in the USA with the remaining nine 'kings' or nations to follow in quick succession. Those who profess to keep the law of God and the fourth commandment requiring sabbath (Saturday) observance have either remained loyal to their heavenly Father and his son - Jesus Christ or have denied him at this point in time.
By the time the fifth trumpet sounds the seal of God has been placed on his obedient servants.
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Relying on this insight from Peter we know that the judgment of the living began before the fifth trumpet is blown. When the fifth trumpet sounds 'the house of God' have been judged and received the seal of God:
Revelation 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
Satan is accepted and worshipped as the true Christ by the majority of the world's inhabitants:
Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
They worship the dragon because he is 'Christ' - they have been deceived into thinking so.
Satan parading as Christ is the deception referred to by Paul in:
2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Satan manifesting as Christ himself is the overwhelming strong delusion that will lead those not obedient to God's word or commandments to accept the deception. They will believe a lie! Their lack of love for the truth - their lack of love for God himself and the simple commands he gave them leads to their destruction.
David was described as a man after God's own heart. He wrote about God's law:
Psalms 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Your love for God is demonstrated by your recognition that his law is:
Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Says the great deceiver: “We must watch those who are calling the attention of the people to the Sabbath of Jehovah; they will lead many to see the claims of the law of God; and the same light which reveals the true Sabbath reveals also the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, and shows that the last work for man's salvation is now going forward. Hold the minds of the people in darkness till that work is ended, and we shall secure the world and the church also. TM 472.2
“The Sabbath is the great question which is to decide the destiny of souls. We must exalt the sabbath of our creating (Sunday). We have caused it to be accepted by both worldlings and church members; now the church must be led to unite with the world in its support. We must work by signs and wonders to blind their eyes to the truth, and lead them to lay aside reason and the fear of God and follow custom and tradition. TM 472.3
“I will influence popular ministers to turn the attention of their hearers from the commandments of God. That which the Scriptures declare to be a perfect law of liberty shall be represented as a yoke of bondage. The people accept their minister's explanations of Scripture and do not investigate for themselves. Therefore, by working through the ministers, I can control the people according to my will. TM 472.4
“But our principal concern is to silence this sect of Sabbath keepers. We must excite popular indignation against them. We will enlist great men and worldly-wise men upon our side and induce those in authority to carry out our purposes. Then the sabbath which I have set up shall be enforced by laws the most severe and exacting. Those who disregard them shall be driven out from the cities and villages and made to suffer hunger and privation. When once we have the power, we will show what we can do with those who will not swerve from their allegiance to God. We led the Romish church to inflict imprisonment, torture, and death upon those who refused to yield to her decrees; and now that we are bringing the Protestant churches and the world into harmony with this right arm of our strength, we will finally have a law to exterminate all who will not submit to our authority. When death shall be made the penalty of violating our sabbath, then many who are now ranked with commandment keepers will come over to our side.
Satan's plan of action is clear. Yet him appearing as Christ will deceive many. They will follow his lead:
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
At the very time the judgment of the living is taking place the lives and decisions of those who have been deceived by Satan are examined. They believed not the truth, they preferred to believe a lie and their names are removed from the Book of Life.
During the time of Satan's lying signs and wonders he also creates misery on the earth. The description in the fourth seal describes the state of the world at this time:
Revelation 6:8 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.
Death or Satan himself and Hell or the state you end up in after death are the results of the destruction brought about by Satan.
Satan is given the power or control over those who are not under the protection of God. It is interesting to note that God's warnings to Israel through his prophets Moses and Ezekiel in the Old Testament also included similar judgments:
Deuteronomy 32:24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
Ezekiel 14:21 For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?
Why did God allow these judgments to destroy God's professed people? More detail is provided in Deuteronomy 32:
15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
Who are God's professed people at the time of the fourth seal? Whoever they are, they are no longer under the protection of God. They worship strange gods and have forsaken the Rock of salvation and their Creator. The trinity god has mesmerised Christianity and their worship of this strange god on the first day of the week - Sunday has sealed their fate. They are now subject to the whims of Satan because they are now under his control.
It is not only Christians that worship 'strange gods'. The vast array of religions have a multitude of gods which consume their worship and adoration. Satan in a glorified form parades the world as Christ and demands their worship and allegiance. The religion of Islam will not accept Satan as Christ - they will view him as the prophesied antichrist or 'dajjal' and refuse to serve him as he demands. The sixth trumpet will sound and the greatest world war ever fought will take place. Satan at the conclusion of this war will enter Jerusalem much to the adoration of Jews and Christians alike and will plant his tabernacles between the seas.
Those witnessing for the true God at this time at the peril of their lives denounce Satan and warn the world of the issues at stake. All throughout the sounding of the trumpets God's special end time people will broadcast the three angels messages of Revelation 14. denouncing Babylon and warning the world to avoid the Mark of the Beast.
Those who have been deceived by Satan's lying signs and wonders at this time find that the agreement they made with Death and Hell is non binding.
He will favor and prosper some, in order to further his own designs; and he will bring trouble upon others and lead men to believe that it is God who is afflicting them. CH 460.2
One third of the world's population is destroyed in the sixth trumpet war between the King of the South (Islam) and the King of the North or Spiritual Babylon who have hailed Satan personating as their king. The red horse of war has run throughout the world and destruction follows in its wake at the same time Death and Hell kill with the sword, pestilence, famine and beasts of the earth. A fourth of the earth will be impacted and particularly those in the south country.
Will God's people be protected from these four sore judgments? A wonderful observation by Job is worthy of consideration:
Job 5:19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.
There will be however those that have made an agreement with 'Death' and 'Hell' that will be favoured and continue to prosper; that is until:
Isaiah 29 :17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
When does their judgment take place? All are judged prior to the close of probation, just prior to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Their sinister plots receive their punishment in the penultimate seventh plague:
Revelation 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
This hail has already been mentioned in the key prophecy that Isaiah penned in which he describes the hail sweeping away the refuge of lies, and the waters overflowing the hiding places (Isaiah 29:17).
Zephaniah also refers to this event:
Zephaniah 1:11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
Hiding in their mountain strongholds waters will overflow their hiding places. Giant hail has battered the earth and the flooding that results will drive them from their hiding places :
Revelation 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Previously they had thought they could repel Christ and stop the second coming of Christ in its tracks. The armies of the ten kings were fully prepared to throw everything they had into the fray:
Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
But this was to no avail. Christ in the first seal is seeking to conquer. To conquer 'Hell ' and ' Death' and rescue his precious people from the stranglehold of Satan and his evil hordes.
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Making an agreement with 'Hell' and 'Death' will not save anyone - although it seems a surety for a time as Satan deceives the world with his lying signs and wonders, the deceived will ultimately receive the reward for their unbelief and sin - death.
Christ has the ' keys of hell and death':
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Christ has conquered hell and death - he overcame Satan and sin by relying on his heavenly father, even to his death on the cross:
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness......
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
You are called to become servants of righteousness by the Father and his son. Christ has the keys of hell and death and offers you eternal life. Christ is pleading with you NOT to make an agreement with 'Hell' and 'Death' but rather accept the free gift he offers you - life eternal. It may cost you your earthly life and in the last days of this earth's history reviling from Satan and his followers, but the reward is absolutely worth it. The Spirit of God is calling you to become a servant of righteousness NOW! Will you hear and respond to his still small voice?
During the fourth seal the 'loud cry', warning people about fallen Babylon and the mark of the beast will reach a zenith.
Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Who you worship is a life and death decision! Spiritualism or the lying signs and wonders of Satan deceive those who prefer to believe a lie. His demons deceive the nations by convincing them that they are their resurrected loved ones who have accompanied Christ (who is in reality Satan) from heaven to save them. The deception that Satan plied Eve with in the Garden of Eden is repeated at the end of time:
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Satan offers them life eternal in the heavenly realm. But at the same time points to God's true witnesses on earth highlighting their impudence and disobedience to his commands. They are responsible for all the judgments that have befallen the earth. They refuse to recognise the change he has instituted in his commands - Sunday, the day of his resurrection is now the chosen day of worship. His servant on earth the Pope has long borne with the arrogance of these 'seventh' day or Saturday adherents. This minority must be dealt with. Islam has already received the fruits of its volatile and warring spirit in the sixth trumpet and now closure must be sealed by sacrificing the lives of those who will not worship him and follow his commands. A death decree is proposed by Satan himself:
Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that 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.
The fifth seal is soon to be opened. Modern day martyrs will make their stand with the martyrs of old.
8 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.
The same spirit is seen today that is represented in Revelation 6:6-8. History is to be repeated. That which has been will be again. This spirit works to confuse and to perplex. Dissension will be seen in every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and those who have not had a spirit to follow the light that God has given through His living oracles, through His appointed agencies, will become confused. Their judgment will reveal weakness. Disorder and strife and confusion will be seen in the church. 13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 30
The prayer of Christ for His people, just before His humiliation and death is as much unheeded as if it had never been made. The same spirit that controls the nations of the earth is working upon the minds of those who have had light. As the children of disobedience, irrespective of consequences, they act like the blind. They are drunken but not with strong drink. They reveal that that which has allured and deceived them was an unholy ambition. 13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 31
The Lord God of Israel has made Himself a refuge for His people. All who will make Christ their dependence will know what it means in these last days to agonize to enter in at the strait gate. The foolish self-esteem and self-confidence which many possess will prove their eternal ruin. To them the narrow path cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in seems altogether too restricted. But he who abides in Christ will understand what it means to be crucified to the world. The Lord has provided only one refuge for His people. The great apostle says, “Your life is hid with Christ in God.” “When Christ who is your life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” [Colossians 3:3, 4.] All who are overcomers will be highly exalted. 13LtMs, Lt 65, 1898, par. 32
The spirit of disorder, confusion, strife and dissension is none other than Satan himself. The fourth seal reveals this spirit
7 And G2532 when G3753 he had opened G455 the fourth G5067 seal G4973, I heard G191 the voice G5456 of the fourth G5067 beast G2226 say G3004, Come G2064 and G2532 see G991.
8 And G2532 I looked G1492, and G2532 behold G2400 a pale G5515 horse G2462: and G2532 his G846 name G3686 that sat G2521 on G1883 him G846 was Death G2288, and G2532 Hell G86 followed G190 with G3326 him G846. And G2532 power G1849 was given G1325 unto them G846 over G1909 the fourth part G5067 of the earth G1093, to kill G615 with G1722 sword G4501, and G2532 with G1722 hunger G3042, and G2532 with G1722 death G2288, and G2532 with G5259 the beasts G2342 of the earth G1093.
Looking more closely at the phrase in the original Greek: "on G1883 him G846 was Death G2288" we need to examine the name of the rider of this pale horse:
G2288
Original: θάνατος
Transliteration: thanatos
Phonetic: than'-at-os
Thayer Definition:
the death of the body
that separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended
with the implied idea of future misery in hell
the power of death
since the nether world, the abode of the dead, was conceived as being very dark, it is equivalent to the region of thickest darkness, i.e. figuratively, a region enveloped in the darkness of ignorance and sin
metaphorically, the loss of that life which alone is worthy of the name
the misery of the soul arising from sin, which begins on earth but lasts and increases after the death of the body in hell
the miserable state of the wicked dead in hell
in the widest sense, death comprising all the miseries arising from sin, as well physical death as the loss of a life consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth, to be followed by wretchedness in hell
Origin: from G2348
Death is personified in the fourth seal but when examining scripture more closely we can determine who is responsible for ' Death':
11 And G2532 they had G2192 a king G935 over G1909 them G848, which is the angel G32 of the bottomless pit G12, whose G846 name G3686 in the Hebrew tongue G1447 is Abaddon G3, but G2532 in G1722 the Greek tongue G1673 hath G2192 his name G3686 Apollyon G623.
G3
Original: Ἀβαδδών
Transliteration: Abaddōn
Phonetic: ab-ad-dohn'
Thayer Definition: Abaddon = "destruction"
ruin
destruction
the place of destruction
the name of the angel-prince of the infernal regions, the minister of death and the author of havoc on the earth
Origin: of Hebrew origin H11
TDNT entry: 01:04,1
Part(s) of speech: Proper Name Masculine
Strong's Definition: Of Hebrew origin [H11]; a destroying angel: - Abaddon.
Satan rides the pale horse of Revelation 6:8. The white horse of the first seal ridden by Christ is contrasted to the pale or greenish/yellowish horse of the fourth seal ridden by none other than the minister of death himself - Satan. Here we have imagery that captures the essence of what is taking place in reality. Satan, the author of sin and therefore death is permitted to do what he does best - DESTROY. Christ on the white horse in contrast is going forth to conquer. The great controversy between Satan and Christ - warring for the souls of men is exemplified in the description of the horses, riders and their actions in the first and fourth seals.
Isaiah directly refers to those that are in control of God's people or Jerusalem as those who have made a covenant or agreement with DEATH and HELL.
Isaiah 28
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
The prophet Isaiah brings to view the fearful deception which will come upon the wicked, causing them to count themselves secure from the judgments of God: “We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for we have made lies our refuge, and under the falsehood have we hid ourselves.” [Isaiah 28:15.] In the class here described are included those who in their stubborn impenitence comfort themselves with the assurance that there is to be no punishment for the sinner; that all mankind, it matters not how corrupt, are to be exalted to Heaven, to become as the angels of God. But still more emphatically are those making a covenant with death and an agreement with hell, who renounce the truths which Heaven has provided as a defense for the righteous in the day of trouble, and accept the refuge of lies offered by Satan in its stead—the delusive pretensions of Spiritualism. GC88 560.3
Marvelous beyond expression is the blindness of the people of this generation. Thousands reject the Word of God as unworthy of belief, and with eager confidence receive the deceptions of Satan. Skeptics and scoffers denounce the bigotry of those who contend for the faith of prophets and apostles, and they divert themselves by holding up to ridicule the solemn declarations of the Scriptures concerning Christ and the plan of salvation, and the retribution to be visited upon the rejecters of the truth. They affect great pity for minds so narrow, weak, and superstitious as to acknowledge the claims of God, and obey the requirements of his law. They manifest as much assurance as if, indeed, they had made a covenant with death and an agreement with hell,—as if they had erected an impassable, impenetrable barrier between themselves and the vengeance of God. Nothing can arouse their fears. So fully have they yielded to the tempter, so closely are they united with him, and so thoroughly imbued with his spirit, that they have no power and no inclination to break away from his snare. GC88 561.1
Satan has so deluded the wicked at this point in time that they believe they are invincible and free from the judgments of God.
"They manifest as much assurance as if, indeed, they had made a covenant with death and agreement with hell,—as if they had erected an impassable, impenetrable barrier between themselves and the vengeance of God. "
My heart goes out in yearning of soul for those who are living in the very last scenes of this earth's history, and yet are insensible to what is just before them. A vast reformation would be wrought upon the world if the veil of the future could be lifted, and all could see and understand that very soon there is to be a change in the attitude of God in His dealings with the perversity of man. TSA 48.4
The change in the attitude of God and how he deals with the 'perversity of men' is as a result of their disregard of his law. The withdrawal of God's protection will be the result. Satan exults in destruction and especially of those who profess to follow God but are disobedient to his word.
Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls. He has studied the secrets of the laboratories of nature, and he uses all his power to control the elements as far as God allows. When he was suffered to afflict Job, how quickly flocks and herds, servants, houses, children, were swept away, one trouble succeeding another as in a moment. It is God that shields His creatures and hedges them in from the power of the destroyer. But the Christian world have shown contempt for the law of Jehovah, and the Lord will do just what He has declared that He would—He will withdraw His blessings from the earth and remove His protecting care from those who are rebelling against His law and teaching and forcing others to do the same. Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard. He will favor and prosper some, in order to further his own designs; and he will bring trouble upon others and lead men to believe that it is God who is afflicting them. CH 460.2
At the time of the fourth seal Satan replicates the coming of Christ in the fifth trumpet. The mark of the beast has been set up and is initially enacted in the USA with the remaining nine 'kings' or nations to follow in quick succession. Those who profess to keep the law of God and the fourth commandment requiring sabbath (Saturday) observance have either remained loyal to their heavenly Father and his son - Jesus Christ or have denied him at this point in time.
By the time the fifth trumpet sounds the seal of God has been placed on his obedient servants.
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Relying on this insight from Peter we know that the judgment of the living began before the fifth trumpet is blown. When the fifth trumpet sounds 'the house of God' have been judged and received the seal of God:
Revelation 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
Satan is accepted and worshipped as the true Christ by the majority of the world's inhabitants:
Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
They worship the dragon because he is 'Christ' - they have been deceived into thinking so.
Satan parading as Christ is the deception referred to by Paul in:
2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Satan manifesting as Christ himself is the overwhelming strong delusion that will lead those not obedient to God's word or commandments to accept the deception. They will believe a lie! Their lack of love for the truth - their lack of love for God himself and the simple commands he gave them leads to their destruction.
David was described as a man after God's own heart. He wrote about God's law:
Psalms 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Your love for God is demonstrated by your recognition that his law is:
Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Says the great deceiver: “We must watch those who are calling the attention of the people to the Sabbath of Jehovah; they will lead many to see the claims of the law of God; and the same light which reveals the true Sabbath reveals also the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, and shows that the last work for man's salvation is now going forward. Hold the minds of the people in darkness till that work is ended, and we shall secure the world and the church also. TM 472.2
“The Sabbath is the great question which is to decide the destiny of souls. We must exalt the sabbath of our creating (Sunday). We have caused it to be accepted by both worldlings and church members; now the church must be led to unite with the world in its support. We must work by signs and wonders to blind their eyes to the truth, and lead them to lay aside reason and the fear of God and follow custom and tradition. TM 472.3
“I will influence popular ministers to turn the attention of their hearers from the commandments of God. That which the Scriptures declare to be a perfect law of liberty shall be represented as a yoke of bondage. The people accept their minister's explanations of Scripture and do not investigate for themselves. Therefore, by working through the ministers, I can control the people according to my will. TM 472.4
“But our principal concern is to silence this sect of Sabbath keepers. We must excite popular indignation against them. We will enlist great men and worldly-wise men upon our side and induce those in authority to carry out our purposes. Then the sabbath which I have set up shall be enforced by laws the most severe and exacting. Those who disregard them shall be driven out from the cities and villages and made to suffer hunger and privation. When once we have the power, we will show what we can do with those who will not swerve from their allegiance to God. We led the Romish church to inflict imprisonment, torture, and death upon those who refused to yield to her decrees; and now that we are bringing the Protestant churches and the world into harmony with this right arm of our strength, we will finally have a law to exterminate all who will not submit to our authority. When death shall be made the penalty of violating our sabbath, then many who are now ranked with commandment keepers will come over to our side.
Satan's plan of action is clear. Yet him appearing as Christ will deceive many. They will follow his lead:
2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
At the very time the judgment of the living is taking place the lives and decisions of those who have been deceived by Satan are examined. They believed not the truth, they preferred to believe a lie and their names are removed from the Book of Life.
During the time of Satan's lying signs and wonders he also creates misery on the earth. The description in the fourth seal describes the state of the world at this time:
Revelation 6:8 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.
Death or Satan himself and Hell or the state you end up in after death are the results of the destruction brought about by Satan.
Satan is given the power or control over those who are not under the protection of God. It is interesting to note that God's warnings to Israel through his prophets Moses and Ezekiel in the Old Testament also included similar judgments:
Deuteronomy 32:24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
Ezekiel 14:21 For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?
Why did God allow these judgments to destroy God's professed people? More detail is provided in Deuteronomy 32:
15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
Who are God's professed people at the time of the fourth seal? Whoever they are, they are no longer under the protection of God. They worship strange gods and have forsaken the Rock of salvation and their Creator. The trinity god has mesmerised Christianity and their worship of this strange god on the first day of the week - Sunday has sealed their fate. They are now subject to the whims of Satan because they are now under his control.
It is not only Christians that worship 'strange gods'. The vast array of religions have a multitude of gods which consume their worship and adoration. Satan in a glorified form parades the world as Christ and demands their worship and allegiance. The religion of Islam will not accept Satan as Christ - they will view him as the prophesied antichrist or 'dajjal' and refuse to serve him as he demands. The sixth trumpet will sound and the greatest world war ever fought will take place. Satan at the conclusion of this war will enter Jerusalem much to the adoration of Jews and Christians alike and will plant his tabernacles between the seas.
Those witnessing for the true God at this time at the peril of their lives denounce Satan and warn the world of the issues at stake. All throughout the sounding of the trumpets God's special end time people will broadcast the three angels messages of Revelation 14. denouncing Babylon and warning the world to avoid the Mark of the Beast.
Those who have been deceived by Satan's lying signs and wonders at this time find that the agreement they made with Death and Hell is non binding.
He will favor and prosper some, in order to further his own designs; and he will bring trouble upon others and lead men to believe that it is God who is afflicting them. CH 460.2
One third of the world's population is destroyed in the sixth trumpet war between the King of the South (Islam) and the King of the North or Spiritual Babylon who have hailed Satan personating as their king. The red horse of war has run throughout the world and destruction follows in its wake at the same time Death and Hell kill with the sword, pestilence, famine and beasts of the earth. A fourth of the earth will be impacted and particularly those in the south country.
Will God's people be protected from these four sore judgments? A wonderful observation by Job is worthy of consideration:
Job 5:19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.
There will be however those that have made an agreement with 'Death' and 'Hell' that will be favoured and continue to prosper; that is until:
Isaiah 29 :17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
When does their judgment take place? All are judged prior to the close of probation, just prior to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Their sinister plots receive their punishment in the penultimate seventh plague:
Revelation 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
This hail has already been mentioned in the key prophecy that Isaiah penned in which he describes the hail sweeping away the refuge of lies, and the waters overflowing the hiding places (Isaiah 29:17).
Zephaniah also refers to this event:
Zephaniah 1:11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
Hiding in their mountain strongholds waters will overflow their hiding places. Giant hail has battered the earth and the flooding that results will drive them from their hiding places :
Revelation 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Previously they had thought they could repel Christ and stop the second coming of Christ in its tracks. The armies of the ten kings were fully prepared to throw everything they had into the fray:
Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
But this was to no avail. Christ in the first seal is seeking to conquer. To conquer 'Hell ' and ' Death' and rescue his precious people from the stranglehold of Satan and his evil hordes.
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Making an agreement with 'Hell' and 'Death' will not save anyone - although it seems a surety for a time as Satan deceives the world with his lying signs and wonders, the deceived will ultimately receive the reward for their unbelief and sin - death.
Christ has the ' keys of hell and death':
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Christ has conquered hell and death - he overcame Satan and sin by relying on his heavenly father, even to his death on the cross:
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness......
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
You are called to become servants of righteousness by the Father and his son. Christ has the keys of hell and death and offers you eternal life. Christ is pleading with you NOT to make an agreement with 'Hell' and 'Death' but rather accept the free gift he offers you - life eternal. It may cost you your earthly life and in the last days of this earth's history reviling from Satan and his followers, but the reward is absolutely worth it. The Spirit of God is calling you to become a servant of righteousness NOW! Will you hear and respond to his still small voice?
During the fourth seal the 'loud cry', warning people about fallen Babylon and the mark of the beast will reach a zenith.
Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Who you worship is a life and death decision! Spiritualism or the lying signs and wonders of Satan deceive those who prefer to believe a lie. His demons deceive the nations by convincing them that they are their resurrected loved ones who have accompanied Christ (who is in reality Satan) from heaven to save them. The deception that Satan plied Eve with in the Garden of Eden is repeated at the end of time:
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Satan offers them life eternal in the heavenly realm. But at the same time points to God's true witnesses on earth highlighting their impudence and disobedience to his commands. They are responsible for all the judgments that have befallen the earth. They refuse to recognise the change he has instituted in his commands - Sunday, the day of his resurrection is now the chosen day of worship. His servant on earth the Pope has long borne with the arrogance of these 'seventh' day or Saturday adherents. This minority must be dealt with. Islam has already received the fruits of its volatile and warring spirit in the sixth trumpet and now closure must be sealed by sacrificing the lives of those who will not worship him and follow his commands. A death decree is proposed by Satan himself:
Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that 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.
The fifth seal is soon to be opened. Modern day martyrs will make their stand with the martyrs of old.
| the_fourth_seal.pdf |