Have you ever felt intimidated or disheartened by the world around you?
Maybe as you read Revelation 6 you find yourself wanting to gloss over the details and go back to Revelation 5, a chapter that was filled with more praise and celebration regarding Christ, the Lamb of God.
In Chapter 6, however, John reveals a more humbling set of visions that speak to historical events that were taking place against the Christian community and reflects present threats that are real for all of us today. I remember my seminary professor, Craig Koester, who unpacked the meaning of the four horsemen in my New Testament Bible class. Koester spoke about the idea of the visions of the four horsemen as “stripping away the pretensions of security.” Koester in his lecture said, “The visions point to the deep uncertainties that affect us all.”
As you read Chapter 6, you begin to identify the four horsemen and what they represent: war or conquest, violence, economic insecurity, and death itself – a fear many of us hold. Who can stand in these moments and is your faith in God secure?
The recent events in the Middle East and Ukraine beg the question about our own security and whether it is prudent to place trust in world leaders, militaries, peacemakers, humanitarians, and others. Who and what should we put our trust in? God?
In contrast to looking at things of this world for security or truth, John moves us to look at God’s tremendous promise with the opening of the fifth seal, starting in verse 9. In this part of the vision, we read about all those who stood with God and remained in his truth, even in times of heavy persecution. John makes us aware of the reward given to martyrs as they wait for Jesus to return in final judgment; they are clothed in white. The significance of being clothed in white is referred to in Revelation 3:5 and is a reminder that those dressed in white were baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, giving assurance of our own resurrection and eternal place with God in heaven.
So, who can stand? The text has us believe we have nothing to fear if we have placed our trust in Christ. To truly understand that our trust is well placed in Christ, we’ll have to get to Chapter 7 tomorrow. The good news is that visions stop growing in intensity and the threats are halted by the end of Chapter 6. This is so we can begin to consider the promise that is going to be revealed in Christ Jesus. To know God means that we don’t need to fear anything. That promise will be emphasized more tomorrow in the reading. Be patient. Good News is all around us.
Bless and heal our world, Father. Come, Lord Jesus. May your love comfort every soul as only you can. Bring hope to the hopeless and unity where there is conflict. Motivate us by love to work together, sharing the Good News with all. Amidst the rebellion and destruction, you reached down to restore us to the light of your presence through Jesus. Reveal more of you in my life today. Amen.
Old Testament reading: Hosea 4-7