Revelation - The Four Horsemen and the Two Witnesses

Revelation - The Four Horsemen and the Two Witnesses
Introduction to Revelation

Matthew Vander Els, a pastor at Founded in Truth Fellowship, introduces a teaching on the book of Revelation. He emphasizes the importance of experiencing the book as its first audience did: by reading it from beginning to end in one sitting, without immediately focusing on detailed interpretations or preconceived notions. This approach allows for a more holistic understanding of the vision presented to the seven churches in the first century.

Themes in Revelation

Several key themes emerge in Revelation, including prayer, worship, the contrast between compromise and holiness, and the opposition between the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and an unholy trinity (the beast, the dragon, the false prophet). Another significant theme is the concept of allegiance, symbolized by the seal of God on believers' foreheads versus the mark of the beast. Despite various theological viewpoints, the book offers hope for those faithful to Jesus (Yeshua), suggesting that the chaos and judgment are part of God's plan to transition humanity to a new world.

The Lamb Opens the Seals

Revelation chapters 4 and 5 depict John's vision of the throne room of God, filled with worship. A scroll containing God's plan for the future and redemption appears, but no one is found worthy to open it, causing John to weep. However, an angel declares that the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who is then revealed as a lamb with its throat cut, has conquered and is worthy to open the scroll. This **victorious slain Lamb**, symbolizing Jesus' sacrifice, takes the scroll and begins to break its seals, initiating judgments on the earth.

The Four Horsemen

The breaking of the first four seals in Revelation 6 unleashes the **four horsemen**, each representing a different form of judgment. The first horse is white, its rider carrying a bow, symbolizing conquest. The second is fiery red, with a rider holding a large sword, representing warfare and bloodshed. The third horse is black, and its rider holds a pair of scales, signifying famine and economic hardship. The fourth horse is pale, and its rider is named Death, with Hades following, indicating widespread death through sword, famine, plague, and wild beasts.

These images are not new; they echo Old Testament prophecies. Zechariah 6 describes four chariots with horses of similar colors, representing the four spirits of heaven sent to punish nations that oppress God's people. Revelation's four horsemen also draw parallels to Ezekiel 14, where God lists four dreadful judgments: famine, wild beasts, sword, and plague. John utilizes these familiar Old Testament elements to show that **Jesus, the Lamb King, has sovereignty over these judgments**. These events are not random but are under His control for both redemptive and judicial purposes.

The Fifth and Sixth Seals

The opening of the fifth seal reveals the souls of those who have been slain for their faith in Jesus, crying out for justice. They are given white robes, symbolizing purity or victory, and told to wait until the full number of their fellow servants is also killed. This seal highlights the suffering of believers who remain faithful even unto death, mirroring the sacrifice of Jesus. The sixth seal brings cosmic disturbances: a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon becoming blood red, and the stars falling from the sky. These cataclysmic events signify the day of the Lord, a time of great judgment.

The Seven Trumpets

Revelation 8 marks the conclusion of the seals and the beginning of the **seven trumpets**, which also proclaim judgment on the earth. The first trumpet brings hail and fire mixed with blood, burning up a third of the earth and its trees. The second trumpet results in a great mountain thrown into the sea, turning a third of it to blood and killing marine life. The third trumpet causes a great star to fall, poisoning a third of the rivers and springs. The fourth trumpet darkens a third of the sun, moon, and stars.

The fifth trumpet unleashes demonic locusts that torment those who do not have the seal of God. The sixth trumpet releases a vast army that kills a third of mankind. Despite these severe judgments, **the rest of mankind does not repent** of their evil deeds, idolatry, murders, magic arts, sexual immorality, and thefts. This lack of repentance is a crucial point throughout the trumpet judgments. The severity of the judgments increases from affecting a fourth (seals) to a third (trumpets) of creation.

The Seven Bowls

The seven bowls in Revelation 16 represent the final outpouring of God's wrath. The first bowl causes painful sores to break out on those with the mark of the beast. The second bowl turns the entire sea to blood, killing all living things in it. The third bowl turns the rivers and springs into blood. The fourth bowl intensifies the sun's heat, scorching people. Despite these plagues, people curse God and **refuse to repent**. The judgments in the bowls echo the plagues of Egypt, further emphasizing God's sovereign control. The progression of the plagues – affecting a fourth, then a third, and finally all – suggests an attempt to give grace and a chance for repentance, yet humanity persists in its unrepentance.

The Scroll and the Two Witnesses

Between the sixth and seventh trumpets, Revelation 10 presents an interlude where John is given a small scroll to eat. It tastes sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach, a scene reminiscent of Ezekiel's prophetic calling. This scroll is possibly the same scroll opened by the Lamb, and its content is revealed in Revelation 11 with the appearance of the **two witnesses**.

These two witnesses prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. They possess power similar to Elijah and Moses, able to call down fire and plagues. They represent the bold and faithful believers who authentically bear witness to King Jesus. The two witnesses are also described as the **two lampstands**, echoing the seven lampstands that represent the churches in Revelation. Specifically, they seem to represent the faithful remnant, like the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia, who did not waver in their witness.

The beast that ascends from the bottomless pit kills the two witnesses in the "great city," which is symbolically referred to as Sodom, Egypt, and the place where Jesus was killed (Jerusalem/Babylon). Their bodies lie in the street for three and a half days before God resurrects them, and they ascend to heaven. This **mimics the pattern of Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection**. Following their ascension, a great earthquake occurs, and some of the survivors finally recognize God and give Him glory, marking a rare instance of repentance in Revelation.

Application for Everyday Life

• **Endure trials with faith:** Recognize that Jesus is sovereign even in the midst of hardship and persecution. Like the early believers, choose to yield to His sovereignty.
• **Bear witness through actions:** Show the gospel through your life, reflecting the self-sacrificial love of Jesus. Be a living testament to His kingship.
• **Prioritize true allegiance:** Avoid compromising your faith for the attractions and distractions of the world, symbolized by the "empire." Be one of the faithful "two lampstands."
• **Repent and turn from sin:** Acknowledge God's sovereignty over all things, including difficult times, and examine your heart for areas needing repentance.
• **Find hope in God's ultimate victory:** Understand that the chaos and judgment in the world are not the final word; Jesus will ultimately reign.

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