An challenging look at understanding Prophecy
Introduction
Many theories have been made about the seals of Revelation. Churches and scholars remain divided on them. Even David Koresh dedicated much of his study to understanding them, and even felt that the FBI`s assault of his commune was satan`s attempt to prevent him from finishing his work on them. Below is a look at a literal interpretation of them, as the events leading up to the rise of the 7 headed 10 horned beast of Revelation 13. FIRST 4 SEALS
1. Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard on of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”
2. And I looked, and behold, a white horse. And he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
3. When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.”
4. And another horse, fiery and red went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.
5. When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say. “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.
6. And I heard 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 the wine.
7. When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.”
8. And I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of Him who sat on it was death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.
SEALS DESCRIBED in the GOSPELS
• Notice warnings of wars, famine and pestilence in the gospels. Now since the meaning of the white horse isn`t as obvious as the other 3, the gospels become very helpful in shedding light on its meaning. Just as the white horse precedes war, famine, and plague, so do antichrists proceed these events in the gospels.
Matthew 24
5. "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
6. "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7. "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famine pestilence and earthquake in various places.
8. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mark 13
5. And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
6. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many
7. "And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.
8. "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
Luke 21
8. And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many, will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.
9. "But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."
10. Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11. "And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famine and pestilences, and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
* Click link for Johny
Cash's song "Going
by the Book" about
these prophesies.
*For a continue study of the remaining seals, go to the Two Witnesses page.
DISCUSSION
• Although most churches and scholars have assumed that the seals are symbolic of various events possibly in the past or future, it is obvious that they are merely adding depth to the revelation Jesus gave to his disciples. The Seals also clear up some gray areas about the gospel prophecies. As Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., many have been confused about the application of these prophecies. Was it fulfilled in the past, perhaps partially, or is there some sort of double application. As in, was 70 A.D. a small example if what would happen in the last days.
If you read the page on the Two Witnesses You will discover that there is strong evidence that the remaining seals occur literally right before Jesus returns. This strongly suggests that the first 4 seals would occur during the same time period. This favors the last explanation, that rather than trying to fit the gospels and the seals into a sweeping 2000 year prophecy, we can allow it to be a literal explanation of "beginning of sorrows" leading up to end times.
WHAT DO THEY MEAN
White Horse
• Revelation seems to point the actual anti-christ, or man of sin as coming after the beast arises out of the sea. The seals and gospels point to these antichrists as coming prior to nation rising against nation, which means the
y must represent the multitude of deceivers among world religions who will inspire the nations to clash, then eventually unite. This may seem beyond the realm of possibility. Pictured to the left is a drawing of the Maitreyah, a new age ascended master who claims to be one of many "Christs." He also claims that Jesus is a fellow ascended master, and resides in the vatican, and that soon, the 2 of them will be seen shoulder to shoulder before the world, along with the many other ascended masters.
In fact most world religions are currently waiting who they think is their god. Buddhists await the fulfillment of a 2500 year prophecy of the return of Buddha, Moslems await the 7th Imam, Jews await their Messiah, and many christians await a Jesus who will come to explain why their secret rapture has not occured.
Although these could work to unify the world and overwhelm those who resist, they could also work to create war, as individual groups following who they believe to be god, wage ruthless war on the heretics or infidels who don`t accept their god. One living example we see on the news today is the president of Iran who claims to be fulfilling the orders he receives from the 7th Imam.
*the actual antichrist is discussed on the 2nd beast page.
Red Horse
• Clearly the red horse refers to rumors of war, becoming nations rising against nation. As we read later on in Revelation, the 7 headed 10 horned beast arises from the sea. It is described as ruling the whole world. "the whole world marveled and followed after the beast." "the ten horns" are ten kings who support the beast. It stands to reason that in order for this beast to arise, there will need to be a massive political shake up before the way of the beast can be paved. Those who want to remain sovereign will have to submit, either by deception or by force.
Today, right before us we are watching as this prophecy unfolds. Europe has already gone to the European union, using one currency. North america is expected to head the same direction in as little as 2 years from now. The kings of the earth who resist are marked for death. One can only wonder what fate Chavez and the president of Iran will befall.
Black horse
• The high price of wheat and barley, combined with the parallel to the gospels describing famine point to the black horse as representing famine. Currently the world produces food in mass excess. California alone produces enough food to feed the entire world. The reasons for current famine have always been greed and political corruption. Now there are added issues like genetic engineering, which produces plants that don`t produce seeds. Farmers around the world become more and more dependant on the producers of these seeds for each year`s crops, rather than being able to produce their own seeds.
When war spreads across the earth, our fragile system will prove to be quite vulnerable. Crumbling governments will have no way of supplying food to the millions of concentrated residents within the cities. Loss of power will mean loss of refrigeration, and most of our food will spoil. Modern cities will be similar to the ancient cities when being sieged.
Pale Horse
• To kill with "Death." A fairly vague phrase, which is why it is so helpful to be able to line it up with the gospel prophecies. 
The gospels all mention pestilence which is synonymous with plague. Today the current level of health of humanity is under constant attack. Processed foods,fast food, preservatives, GMO`s, msg, poorly raised livestock, prescription drugs, and the use of microwaves are all contributing to a malnourished society, with severely weakened immune system, leaving the world more vulnerable than ever to widespread plague.
The plagues of the pale horse could come from a few causes.
Pestilence and war could be an intertwined prophecy. Biological and chemical warfare has not only become tools of the leading world powers, but also a way for inferior nations to overcome their disadvantages. Nuclear war could also be a fulfillment of this. Radiation poisoning from fallout has a deadly effect on those who are malnourished.
"The beasts of the earth" as meantioned in the pail horse raises curiousity. Is it possible that the plagues come from beasts. We have already had a few substantial scares with the avian bird flue and Mad Cow, or BSE. Adventists like myself are well aware of Ellen White`s warning that agriculture would bring widespread disease in the last days.
Revelation Main Page
The 7 Trumpets herald the beginning of the last days. Some claim they are symbolic while some argue literal.
The 7 Seals of Revelation parallel the gospel prophecies of Matthew Mark and Luke.
The 7 head 10 horned beast rises to power and rules the whole world militarily and spiritually, and makes war with the saints.
The 2nd beast of Revelation exists at the same time as the 1st. some believe its the antichrist while other say it is America.
The 144,000 described in Revelation have a very inspiring message for those who live through the time of the end.
Jerusalem, the highly debated city. Some say it will be the center of end time events, while others claim its merely symbolic.
The Abomination of Desolation is mentioned as happening in the early days of the new testament. Some verses point to end times.
The 2 Witnesses of Revelation. Not everything about them is revealed, but many clues are evident.
The Close of Judgment which precedes the 7 last plagues is clearly described in 2 different chapters of revelation.
Special Resurrection. Jesus returns to resurrect the saved and some of the lost.
The spirit of prophesy.