Dennis L. Finnan Commentator
"The World, the Word & You! Broadcast"

HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE

“when i was a young boy, growing up on the streets of new york city, i often saw gruffy looking men carrying huge signs that read, ‘ the end is coming, it is near, repent!’Although I didn’t really UNDERSTAND what they meant, it scared me, and i often wondered about it. a half century later,  i know now, and if it would work, i’d be out there today, myself, carrying similar signs, for my friend,  the end is coming, and it is truly time to repent…”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about the end times and what God says is ahead …

…Today we are going to look at the difficult and often misinterpreted Bible Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Yes, many churches and teachers are quite confused about it. As a result, it is either often ignored from the pulpits of churches, or selectively taught with much personal interpretation that clouds and confuses the hearers. Well, we’ll have none of that, for as we break down this book into bite-sized pieces for your understanding and clarity, you’ll come to appreciate today’s talk on the coming, “FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE…”

… A new millennium has arrived and many wonder if the end of all things is near. Although we normally don’t like to talk about such things, we must remember God does, and He spoke about this very subject while He walked the earth in human form. Jesus the God-man said,

Mat 24:36 (NIV) “”No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Jesus often indicated that the world of humanity as it stands, would not go on forever. To help us understand this the Bible describes the final end-time events that will happen, in exquisite detail, including God the Son, Jesus Christ’s own return, His coming judgments against His wayward world of humanity, the resurrection of all people, and the coming final rule of a messianic king, Jesus Himself. Now for Christians alone, understanding such Bible prophecies gives encouragement, hope and purpose. But for the non-Christian regardless of how religious they may be, knowing these prophecies will show them that an omnipotent Creator God is alive and well and has a plan for the future of planet earth, a plan that involves His marvelous grace, but also His abiding wrath in justice and judgment.

Today on the broadcast, I want to talk about the beginning heavenly judgments that will fall upon the entire world, following the Rapture or home going of all Christians on the face of the earth. Let’s begin by reading from the Book of Revelation that speaks of the coming of these Four mysterious Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Rev 6:1-8 (NLT) “As I watched, [the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ] broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll. Then one of the four living beings called out with a voice that sounded like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked up and saw a white horse. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory. 3 When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, “Come!” 4 And another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to remove peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere. 5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” And I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And a voice from among the four living beings said, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley for a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.” 7 And when the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!” 8 And I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green like a corpse. And Death was the name of its rider, who was followed around by the Grave. They were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.”

This is not a p lea sant scene or thought, but God is the Lord of truth and He writes here things as they will be. War and desolations are determined for this world that rejects its Creator God. Regardless of what optimists may say or think, God says, this is our future, and it may be closer than any of us think. Now who and what are these horsemen described here? Can we know anything about the future? The answer is yes!

John the apostle in Revelation chapter six, which I just read, used symbolism in his writings, for these events which were far in his future, could not be described in any other way without revealing too much, and resorting to error as a time bound individual. But here begins what the Book of Revelation is all about – justice and judgment! Now for simplicity sake, let me break down what Revelation tells us about the future.

It says that one day, in a split-second of time, God is going to call home every single living saint on the earth, and resurrect every saint who died since the Church began. This is known as the Rapture of the Church. Once God removes His saved and sanctified children, all that will be left here will be lost sinners, who sins await judgment. However, the Bible is filled with the truth that although God is just and holy, He is also grace and mercy. Even after this, the Book of Revelation tells us during this time of judgment and prior to it, God is going to make one last effort to save a world of sinners. So, the first four chapters of Revelation speak of God’s work of redemption and grace and what occurs to save the world prior to the Great Tribulation period. You see, after the rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ occurs, God says there is coming a literal seven-year period called the TRIBULATION. During this period of time, when all of God’s people and influence is gone, a series of increasing concentric judgments will fall from Heaven upon the earth and sinners. These judgments are known as (1) The Seal judgments, Rev. 6, 8 (2) the Trumpet Judgments, Rev 8,9,11 (3) the Bowl Judgments, Rev. 16, 18. Today, I want to illuminate for you the first series of judgments called the SEAL JUDGMENTS found in Revelation Six.

Here, following unsaved Israel ’s brief spell of delusion and safety in the first three years of the Tribulation period, when the world ruler, the antichrist, has arisen, God will begin His judgments. The “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” is the symbolism of these judgments. Let’s take time to exegete this text now. John the apostle tells us,

(1) THE FIRST HORSEMAN RIDES A WHITE HORSE (Rev 6:2) 

Rev 6:2 (NLT) “I looked up and saw a white horse. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.”

This first “Seal Judgment,” portrays the appearing of a human world conqueror. White symbolizes he comes in the name of peace, but a false peace if you will. This man will be lea der of 10 powerful nations, which other Scripture tell us, will be the European Union in its final form. The image suggests a counterfeit of Christ, who Himself later comes on a “white horse,” at the end of God’s judgments (Rev. 19:11). But when the Antichrist arrives, he will present himself as the savior of the world, politically, economically, militarily and religiously. Friend, know this -- this actual human being may be in the world right now, being readied by Satan, to be presented as our world’s savior. Moreover we see,

(2) THE SECOND HORSEMAN RIDES A RED HORSE (Rev 6:3-4) 

Rev 6:3-4 (NLT) “When the Lamb [Jesus Christ] broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, “Come!” 4 And another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to remove peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.”

This depicts a progression of increasing devastating violence to come. By mutual consent of all nations involved in Antichrist’s peace movement, during the beginning of the Tribulation Period, these 10 nations of  a European coalition, will merge further into a mighty industrial, and military force, working for “peace” at all costs under Antichrist (Rev. 17:12-13; Dan. 7:24). However, the rest of the unsaved world powers which are three, will not rest seeing the European Union taking control. What is known as the Northern Confederacy, which will include the revived Russian empire, will have other plans. The prophet Ezekiel foretells of a day when the Russians to the north of Israel , will come upon the land in war to gain a foothold of its vast untapped wealth (Ezek. 38:11-12). The “Mighty sword” spoken of here in the antichrist’s hand, symbolizing full-scale war and fierce homicide. This pictures the pent up anti-Semitic anger of the European Coalition, the Muslim hoards, and general racism that will literally “take peace from the earth.” Next comes,

(3) THE THIRD HORSEMAN RIDES A BLACK HORSE (Rev 6:5-6) 

Rev 6:5-6 (NLT) “When the Lamb (Jesus Christ) broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” And I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And a voice from among the four living beings said, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley for a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.””

Black of course is usually the symbol for death, but here it symbolizes what precedes many deaths, which is famine, an inevitable consequence of war. It is probable that this will also occur because, God sends a drought on the world at this time too (Rev. 11:6). Furthermore, economic collapse will accompany all this, as inflation will also plague the world. Costs of food in such a shortage will become astronomical! Now realize, to die of hunger is an awful thing! The Bible depicts such a gruesome death for millions at this time period of future world history,

Lam 4:9 (NIV) “Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine; racked with hunger, they waste away for lack of food from the field.”

This “black day” is surely coming for all who fail to receive Jesus Christ now in this life, before this Tribulation Period begins, and friend, it can come at any moment for the Rapture of the Church has no warning and the way things are shaping up, the world’s stage is being set up right now for this to occur. Indeed, the end is coming to all things of peace, security and tranquility as we know it. Well, continuing on,

(4) THE FORTH HORSEMAN RIDES A PALE GREEN HORSE (Rev 6:7-8) 

Rev 6:7-8 (NLT) “And when the Lamb [Jesus Christ] broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!” 8 And I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green like a corpse. And Death was the name of its rider, who was followed around by the Grave. They were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals.”

Now black symbolized famine, and famine sustained, ultimately ends in a terrible death! But, death can only claim the physical part of man for we are composed of much more in our existence. We are also a soul and spirit which is created everlasting. For as the body dies, your soul and spirit will live on, and will do so where God permits. But here we’re told, one fourth of the earth’s six to seven billion people will die in this 4^th seal judgment upon the earth, and their souls and spirits will descend immediately into Hell and its unquenchable fire! Why? Because they did not love the truth, Jesus Christ, and neglected to call out for Him to save them. Have you called out in your heart? Have you received your God and Savior Jesus Christ? The Lord Himself says,

Mat 11:28 (NIV) “”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Acts 4:12 (NIV) “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.””

Acts 16:31 (NIV) “They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.””

Friends, there is still time to be saved before our world is engulfed in the fires of God’s judgments spoken of here in Revelation six. Also remember these are just the beginning judgments, for twelve much more severe ones will follow in the Trumpet and Bowl Judgments to fall upon the earth. So I can rightly say without being a fanatic, the end is near, repent!

Now you might ask, “What is God’s ultimate purpose in all these things?” Does He just love to punish people? The answer of course is “no,” and proof is given to us in that we are reminded of it often,

Rom 5:8 (NIV) “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God the Father sent to this earth, 2000 years ago, in fulfillment of prophecy, His Son and our Savior. God died for our sins, He Himself became the payment to justify His saving us from wrath and death to come. But friend, no one can be saved; no one can experience God’s forgiveness, grace, mercy and gift of eternal life, unless they want to! Unless you come to God, confessing your sinfulness and calling upon Jesus to save you, you will perish for all eternity the moment you die. Now don’t get your hopes up, religion my friend will not do, living a good life will not count. The end is near, repent. Jesus tell us plainly,

Mat 7:21-23 (NIV) “”Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

This is why this broadcast is on the air. To bring you the GOOD NEWS, that right now wherever you are in the world, whoever you are, God loves you so much that He was willing to die for your sins to allow you to live on in His presence in eternity. But if you do not receive Him, if you go on living your own life, having it your way, religiously or not, you will not only die physically, perhaps in this time period through these awful ways described here, but you will die eternally by residing in Hell forever! Jesus Himself tells you this. Listen to His own words…

John 8:24 (NLT)  “That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I say I am, you will die in your sins.””

Who does the Bible say Jesus is? Listen again,

Col 1:16-18 (NLT)  “Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. 17 He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together. 18 Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so he is first in everything.”

Acts 10:35 (NLT) “In every nation he accepts those who fear him [obey His commands] and do what is right.”

“To fear Him and do what is right,” refers to confessing Him as your Lord God and Savior, and to order your life by His commands and teachings. These are the only ones God accepts and grants forgiveness, pardon and eternal life.

Now during this Tribulation period, we discover that although many will die, millions more will be saved, praise God! Yes, the first three years when the church is absent from the earth, God is again going to raise up evangelists from the Jewish people. First, He’ll save 144,000 special Jewish envoys of truth, who will peach to the entire world, the Good News Gospel of the kingdom coming. Then multitudes of others will share that good news and save more. Meanwhile Satan will work through his minion the antichrist, to destroy every vestige of Tribulation faith and Tribulation saints that are born again. The battle will be fierce!

Now some will say, “Oh I’ll wait till then, to get saved.” Really? Listen to what God say to you,

2 Thess 2:3-12 (NLT) “Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy every god there is and tear down every object of adoration and worship. He will position himself in the temple of God , claiming that he himself is God. 5 Don’t you remember that I told you this when I was with you? 6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 This evil man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of wicked deception to fool those who are on their way to destruction because they refuse to believe the truth that would save them. 11 So God will send great deception upon them, and they will believe all these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for not believing the truth and for enjoying the evil they do.”

Notice that last part, “God will send a great deception upon them.” Upon whom? Those who c lea rly heard the gospel in pre-tribulation days and chose not to believe and follow Christ, rather going on enjoying a sinful life without Him!

You my friend, already by this broadcast alone, qualify to be among these damned people, if you do not receive Christ before the Rapture of the Church comes. This is why I p lea d and beg every listener to come to Christ now, for today is the day God will and can save you. But if you neglect this, or put it off, there remains no hope for you. Now I’ve shared these things not to scare you, but to encourage you to see God’s love, and to reach out and accept it, by faith alone. May God give you such lea ding and desire before it’s too late. Amen.

·         Radio talk #3202

·         Broadcast date: August 11, 2002

·         Speaker: Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator

·         Program: The World, the Word & You! Radio Broadcast

·         Address: P.O. Box 40133 Grand Junction, CO 81504

The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 22 years, and serves as General Director.

These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are actual radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of recent messages is available upon request also.