Red Horse Of The Apocalypse XI

"The Lord will smite you with madness"

(Deut 28: 28)

It has never happened before. People killing one another on a vast worldwide scale. Such an event seems preposterous. Surely that can never happen. All peace gone? Could that really happen? What could possibly cause such a stupendous phenomenon?

We have already seen that it is the sin of man that brings God to withdraw his merciful restraints upon the wicked and their enterprises. We have called attention to the nature of the sinful behavior of the last generation, that "wicked and adulterous generation," the generation that shall experience the judgments of the Apocalypse, and how it reaches its fullness in that final generation and precipitates the end time judgments.

As I have observed, something drastic must happen to the psychology of the men of that final society. I have pondered this difficulty much. The commentaries offer little help here. I can speculate about several possibilities, but will save doing so till we have considered several important points first.

End Time Madness

All can agree that a kind of insanity and chronic paranoia must be present in the end time masses to bring them to slaughter one another violently. We should all also agree that such insanity is a judgment of God. Peace given by God is a blessing. Peace taken away by God is a curse and a judgment. So, will God cause end time insanity during the time of the red horse rider? I think so. Notice these words:

“The Lord will smite you with madness, blindness and with bewilderment of heart." (Deut 28: 28)

"Madness" may be translated as "craziness" (Strong), or as insanity or lunacy. The judgment of God turns men into "raving maniacs."

End time madness can be inferred by the fact that the red horse rider "takes peace from the earth." This is because the peace that is taken is not merely external, but internal as well. People will lose their peace of mind at the time of the slaughter occurring under the red horse rider.

In the previous chapter we saw how God gives wicked rulers to a people as a judgment for their sins. We cited Calvin on this point and showed several scriptures that upheld that idea. But, not only is the giving of such wicked rulers a judgment of God, but so also is his causing people to go mad. This is what we see happening under the administration of the red horse rider's judgment. It is a deadly prognosis for a society. Oh the insanity of the last days! The destructive paranoia!

When God intends to destroy a people for their rebellion he will not only send them wicked rulers but will also send them insanity. This truth was even recognized by the heathen. Notice these words:

"For those whom God to ruine has design’d,
He fits for Fate, and first destroys their Mind.

John Dryden, The Hind and the Panther (1687)

The idea that God first destroys the minds of those He determines to ruin doesn’t originate with Dryden. Lycurgus of Sparta (c. 900-800 BC) is often credited with saying of the Greek gods, “When falls on man the anger of the gods, first from his mind they banish understanding.” Publilius Syrus (85-43 BC) wrote, “Whom Fortune wishes to destroy she first makes mad.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, writing in 1875, repeated the assertion in “The Masque of Pandora” by having Prometheus say, “Whom the Gods would destroy they first make mad.” Does the Bible agree that God first strikes with madness those He is bringing to destruction? If so, are we now beginning to see it come to pass in the world?" (“He…first destroys their mind” - here)

When the red horse rider comes, the Lord, through that agent, will "smite with madness" the masses of the planet. Of course, we know that the bible teaches that lost sinners, till they are renewed by the word and Spirit, suffer from a kind of spiritual or moral madness. Sinners are crazy in their sinning. Said Solomon: "the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead." (Eccl. 9:3)

On this verse Dr. Gill wrote:

"and madness is in their heart while they live; or "madnesses": every sin is madness; for who but a madman would stretch out his hand against God, and strengthen himself against the Almighty, and run upon him? who but a madman would rush into sin in the manner he does, and expose himself to dangers and death, even eternal death? Wicked men are mad upon their lusts, and mad against the saints, and all that is good; this insanity is in their hearts, and shows itself in their lives, and continues with them as long as they live, unless called by grace." (Commentary)

If sin is madness, and if sin will reach its fullness in the very last days, then madness of course will also be unparalleled. Notice that Gill speaks of sinners being "mad against the saints and all that is good." This is in keeping with the words of the apostle who, in describing the sins of the very last days, says that sinners will be "despisers of those that are good." (II Tim. 3: 3) Sin is mental derangement. It is utter senselessness.

We use that word "insanely" as adjective and/or adverb for many things, such as "insanely jealous," and "insanely angry," and "insanely passionate," etc. Sinners are insane when it comes to their lusts. They are "beside themselves." Paul spoke of this when he wrote:

"For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause." (II Cor. 5: 13)

"We be beside ourselves" is from the Greek word "existēmi" (ἐξέστημεν) and means "to throw out of position, displace, to amaze, to astonish, throw into wonderment, to be amazed, astounded, to be out of one's mind, besides one's self, insane." (Strong) Thus, we may say that insanity involves people being "out of their minds."

In the text "beside ourselves" is set in contrast to the word "sober." That word is from the Greek "sōphroneō" and means "to be of sound mind, i.e. sane, (figuratively) moderate:—be in right mind, be sober (minded), soberly." (Strong) A sober mind is a "sound" or "healthy" mind. It is translated "right mind" in Mark 5: 15 and Luke 8: 35. The demoniac, while possessed, was not in his "right mind." But, after his exorcism, he is sitting at the feet of Jesus and in his "right mind." If demon possession brings insanity, and if demon possession is rampant in the world in the days of the red horse rider, then so will be insanity. A world filled with the criminally insane! In such a state you can see why there would indeed be no peace!

Notice this other prophecy of coming insanity:

"For thus says the LORD God of Israel to me: “Take this wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it. And they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.” Then I took the cup from the LORD’S hand, and made all the nations drink, to whom the LORD had sent me." (Jer. 25:15-17)

What do we see under the red horse rider? A "great sword." This is the sword of the Lord. We may well say that the words of this prophecy are fulfilled then. That sword brings madness, obviously, for when people are slaughtering each other they are indeed mad.

We see this kind of madness in king Saul.

"And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand." (I Sam. 18: 10)

The words "evil spirit" are also translated as "a harmful spirit" (ESV), "a tormenting spirit" (NLT), "distressing spirit" (NKJV). This is the same "spirit" that will be sent by the Lord to afflict the world of sinners when the red horse rider appears.

The word "prophesied" is also variously translated.

"and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre." (English Standard Version)

"and he began to rave in his house like a madman." (NLT)

These are better translations because it lets the reader know that the prophesying of Saul was not the same prophesying that is done by true prophets. Wrote one:

"And so he lost all control over himself, and prophesied. The conjugation employed here (Hithpahel) is never used of real, true prophecy (which is always the Niphal), but of a bastard imitation of it. Really Saul was in a state of frenzy, unable to master himself, speaking words of which he knew not the meaning, and acting like a man possessed. In all this there was something akin to the powerful emotions which agitated the true prophet, only it was not a holy influence, but one springing from violent passions and a disturbed state of the mind. In order to soothe him David played with his hand, as at other times, but without the desired effect. On the contrary, Saul brandished the javelin, which he carried as a sort of sceptre in his hand, with such violence that David twice had to escape from this threat of injury by flight." (Pulpit Commentary)

The condition of Saul will also be the mental condition of the masses at the time of the slaughter under the red horse rider. Notice these words about mad men from Solomon:

"As a mad [man], who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death..." (Prov. 26: 18)

That is an interesting verse on insanity. Wrote Dr. Gill:

"Or the instruments of death, as Aben Ezra; or the sharp arrows of death, as the Targum and Syriac version; who casts firebrands into the houses and barns of his neighbours, to consume them; or arrows at their persons and cattle, to destroy them; or any other instruments of death, which none but a mad man, or one wickedly mad, would do." (Commentary)

Said another commentary:

"there would come idiocy, blindness, and confusion of mind, three psychical maladies; for although blindness signifies primarily bodily blindness, the position of the word between idiocy and confusion of heart, i.e., of the understanding, points to mental blindness here." (Keil, C. F., & Delitzsch, F., Deut 28:28)

How will people kill one another under the red horse rider? Will it all be by guns? Or, with guns not available, will the people find other ways to kill their neighbors? Yes. They will use any and all kinds of "instruments of death," such as arrows, firebrands, etc.

When God defeated the armies who attacked Israel, he did so by striking them with madness so that they began to kill each other in a psychotic panic of confusion and delusion. This is what we will look at in the next posting.

Red Horse Of The Apocalypse X

"when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn"

(Prov. 29: 2)

"they which lead thee cause thee to err"

(Isa. 3: 12)

Wrote John Calvin:

"...they who rule unjustly and incompetently have been raised up by him to punish the wickedness of the people...we need not labor to prove that a wicked king is the Lord’s wrath upon the earth [Job 34:30, Vg.; Hos. 13:11; Isa. 3:4; 10:5; Deut. 28:29], for I believe no man will contradict me; and thus nothing more would be said of a king than of a robber who seizes your possessions, of an adulterer who pollutes your marriage bed, or of a murderer who seeks to kill you. For Scripture reckons all such calamities among God’s curses." (Calvin's Institutes - Book four, chapter 20, section 25 as cited here)

And he adds, "For since a wicked prince is the Lord’s scourge to punish the sins of the people, let us remember, that it happens through our fault that this excellent blessing of God is turned into a curse."

We have already seen how the perverse psychology and sociology of the very last days will be a secondary means that the Lord will use to cause the murderous slaughter under the coming of the red horse rider of judgment. We have seen how the wickedness of men will have reached a "boiling point" at the time of the judgments of the four horsemen; Then the Lord removes his restraints, sends the judgment of the red horse rider, and there is the "beginning of woes."

We have seen how one of the ways that God will "take peace from the earth" is by his removal of righteous rulers, they being viewed as a gift from God for the "keeping of the peace," so that their removal, and their replacement with wicked rulers, destroys the peace and safety. This was well understood by Calvin as the previous citations show.

Righteous Rulers Ensure Peace

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn." (Prov. 29: 2)

You can be sure that the world's rulers at the time of the red horse rider will not be just and righteous. Rather, they will be wicked and immoral. The effect of such a state will be one of anarchy, the very kind we see on a gigantic scale when the Apocalyptic judgments begin; And, they begin with worldwide civil war under the administrations of the red horse rider.

"When the righteous are in authority" the people "rejoice" and are happy because they enjoy peace and safety with its fruits of prosperity and general well being (what we call today a "peace dividend" or the "commonwealth").

Notice these words of the apostle Paul:

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (1 Tim. 2: 1-2)

The effect of good men ruling in authority is that citizens "lead a quiet and peaceable life," hopefully too "in all godliness and honesty." So what is a "quiet and peaceable life"?

In "quiet and peaceable (ἤρεμον καὶ ἡσυχιον) life" the word "quiet" is from the Greek "ḗremos" (used only here in NT), and "peaceable" is from "hēsychios" (both adjectives of "life"). The former denotes that which is "undisturbed or placid," or "free from outward disturbance," or "without needless commotion or disturbances."  ("tranquil" is a good synonym) The latter ("hēsychios") is slightly different. Vincent says that ἤρεμον denotes "quiet arising from the absence of outward disturbance" while ἡούχιος denotes "tranquillity arising from within." (Word Studies) Thus, under the times of wicked and ruthless rulers there is little peace internally or externally.

The most wicked ruler ever will appear during the days of the Apocalypse. He is "the beast," or "the Antichrist." His other titles are "the man of lawlessness," and "the little horn." But, preceding him, and even reigning under him, will be the world's morally corrupt leaders, such as "the ten kings." 

Long ago the prophet Moses wrote:

"The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." (II Sam. 23: 3)

But the men who will be in authority at the time of the Apocalypse will not be just and righteous and have little fear of God or man. They will be as Calvin said, "a curse" to the inhabitants of the earth when they have such rulers. Tyrannical rule will be the order of the day on all levels of government.

Wicked Rulers

"The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted." (Psa. 12: 8)

The men who are "exalted" are the rulers in a community or state. When the rulers are of "the vilest men," then the criminal element, the "wicked," are able to walk freely without fear of prosecution. Not only that, but "when" the most depraved of men are ruling and governing, the population then is generally just like them. If the majority of a state are just and good, wicked men have little chance at gaining and retaining power. In other words we can say "like leader, like people." The words of Solomon come to mind:

"For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged." (Prov. 28: 2)

By "princes" we may understand any who rule, whether it be on a small local level or on a national scale. By "many princes" we may therefore understand "many leaders." But, many leaders imply huge governments and bureaucracies, much social control with little freedom, and creates an environment of corruption in government. 

"When the wicked bear rule"! When fools are in charge! What an evil time!

Wrote Isaiah:

"And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable...As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." (Isa. 3: 3-4, 12 kjv)

Unqualified leaders who cause their subjects to err, who lead them astray. Notice that during the time when babes and women are the rulers that the people who are governed are "oppressed" not only by these corrupt officials but also "by one another," each neighbor oppressing neighbor. This is the way things will be under the slaughter of the red horse rider.

"Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, Nor does the widow’s plea come before them." (Isa. 1: 23)

"Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire— they all conspire together." (Micah 7:3)

These verses list some of the common crimes of rulers, judges, and of "all who are in authority." It includes what we call "graft." Graft is a form of political corruption, being the unscrupulous use of a politician's authority for personal gain. Similarly, political graft occurs when funds intended for public projects are intentionally misdirected in order to maximize the benefits to private interests. It includes what we call "kickbacks," where government leaders get money for voting a certain way. It also includes the "buddy system" where government jobs are allocated to family or to loyal party supporters.

The Judgment of Destructive Laws 

"Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees." (Isaiah 10:1)

When the wicked are in authority, including the police, judges, prosecutors, governors, legislators, and even those in mega businesses or positions of economic leadership, such as bankers and varied lenders, etc., we see not only an awful and immoral social environment but the existence of burdensome and tyrannical laws, regulations, and administrative rules, where such leaders "make unjust laws" and "issue oppressive decrees." There are lots of examples of this in history.

Today we have laws that promote infant murder (abortion) and sexual immorality. In the early history of the USA we see colonial laws that forced citizens to support the state church and imprisoned those who were not "licensed" by the state to preach. Infanticide, the killing of unwanted babies, was common throughout the Roman Empire and other parts of the ancient world. It was settled law in the Roman empire to worship the Caesar as God.

We also see in the Book of Revelation the rise of the last great world empire under Antichrist and his reign will be full of "unjust laws" and "oppressive decrees," the one most well known is the one where all are commanded to worship "the beast" and to take to them his image and his number.

Another verse that well may be called a companion verse to the above are these words:

"Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law? They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood. But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the LORD our God shall cut them off." (Psa. 94: 20-23)

The "throne of iniquity"! Surely it will be so superlatively when Antichrist comes to rule. But, we can be sure that the world will be full of evil and depraved rulers when the calamities of the Apocalypse begin under the coming of the red horse rider and when peace is taken and men begin to kill one another. "Framing mischief by a law"! This is what we have seen in history and will yet see again on a wide scale at the time of the judgment of the red horse rider. Notice these words of the Lord to the prophet:

"Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols. Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live." (Eze. 20: 24-25)

Wicked rulers and evil laws are a judgment from God. So says the word of God. So said Calvin. So said others. So say I. People often take good rulers for granted but when they are clean gone, people will remember and mourn.

The evil statutes that the Lord "gave" to the disobedient Israelites were given in judgment, being an act of just retribution. These are not the statutes of the Lord. No, for they are "holy, just, and good." (Rom. 7: 12) These, as the context fully shows, were rejected by the people. And, in response, God says - "you think my laws are grievous and evil? Lets see what your own evil laws bring you." (Paraphrase) Evil times have evil rulers and evil rulers have evil statutes.

Consider this text long this line:

"Set you a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand." (Psa. 109: 6)

This verse, like many others, as Calvin understood, demonstrates the truth that the giving of ungodly rulers is a judgment of God.

A persecutor deserves to be himself persecuted, an oppressor to be himself oppressed. As we have noted in previous chapters, the various tribulations of the Apocalypse are a repayment against those who have brought tribulation to the good and righteous, to Christians. Rejecting God and his law, the people are suffered to retain an evil lord, and this brings much suffering. Think of the story of how Israel got her first king.

Having rejected God as their king, and desiring a human king "like that of the nations," God gives them their request by giving them Saul. Of this event the Lord said by the prophet:

"I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath." (Hosea 13: 11)

Saul was a king given by God in anger and it was not for their good. He gave them what they wanted and knew that doing so would demonstrate the wickedness of their desires. God took away Saul, for he was not God's choice, and put David in his place. We may say, using the language of the Psalm, that "set a wicked man over him (or them)" was certainly done in the case of king Saul. Further, the reign of "the man of lawlessness" will be a case where God "sets a wicked" man over his rebellious creation.

David, in his imprecation, is asking that the Lord to "set a wicked man over" the rebellious people so that such a ruler will be as cruel and oppressive to them as they had been to others. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another. So was the Assyrian army. It was God's weapon to fight the rebellious Israelites. (Isaiah 10)

Further, "Satan" (the adversary, or prosecutor) is to stand at the right hand of the one who is being thus punished by God. What a court! A wicked judge and prosecutor! Such is the kind of judgment we see at the time when peace is taken from the earth.

Said Barnes:

"Set thou a wicked man over him - This commences the imprecatory part of the psalm, extending to Psalm 109:20. The first thing that the psalmist asks is, that his foe might be subjected to the evil of having a man placed over him like himself: a man regardless of justice, truth, and right; a man who would respect character and propriety no more than he had himself done. It is, in fact, a prayer that he might be punished "in the line of his offences." It cannot be wrong that a man should be treated as he treats others; and it cannot be in itself wrong to desire that a man should be treated according to his character and deserts, for this is the object of all law, and this is what all magistrates and legislators are endeavoring to secure."

Civil Disobedience & Unjust Law

When the state commands us to do something God forbids or forbids us from doing something God commands, we must disobey our rulers. (Sometimes, the state makes a law that is unjust but does not require us to disobey God) In such cases the believer should "obey God rather than men." Notice these examples of civil disobedience that was justified and right:

"Saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5: 28-29 ESV)

"Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” (Exodus 1:15-22 ESV)

"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment." (Heb. 11: 23)

The command "not to preach" cannot be obeyed. The command to kill babies cannot be obeyed. Etc.

The book of Daniel has a number of instructive examples. In Daniel 3, for example, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden image and were cast into the fiery furnace. In Daniel 6 the commissioners and satraps had King Darius make a decree that no one could make a petition to any god or man for thirty days. Daniel nevertheless continued to pray to God three times a day and was cast into the lion's den.

In closing let us notice this promise of the Lord:

"The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil." (Psa. 125: 3 NIV)

At the time of the end when the four horsemen of judgment ride on the scene the wicked will be in power. They will hold "the scepter" of earthly sovereignties and their rule will take away the peace. But, thank God, it will all end with the final overthrow of all wicked rulers and the installment of Christ and his people on his and their thrones.

Red Horse Of The Apocalypse IX

"the times and the seasons"

(I Thess. 5: 1)

Climate Change?

Today we hear a lot about "climate change" and "global warming." This of course has to do with the weather of the planet. The climate is supposedly deteriorating and getting worse and the cause of it is supposedly carbon emissions. Many people are frightened of the future and saying "the sky is falling." But, with all this concern about the climate of the physical environment of earth, where is the concern and fear about the changing (and worsening) "social" or "political" climate? So, what is meant by the "social climate"?

In "What Is Social Climate?" (here) an informed source writes (emphasis mine):

"The term "social climate" is a sociological term that refers to the general feelings, attitudes, beliefs and opinions on a subject within society. Social climate is closely related to ideas such as the political climate, which refers to the general feelings of the public about modern political issues, and the Zeitgeist school of thought, which refers to the dominant intellectual beliefs of society during a particular time frame."

One can consider social climate to be how a population feels about particular issues affecting a given time. These beliefs and opinions often arise from prominent individuals in society who share their beliefs and accomplishments on a mass scale, leading others to adopt those beliefs. Some main subsets of the social climate in America are the racial, political, and economic climates.

Some important shifts in social climate can be observed throughout history, such as the enlightenment of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, when Individualism began to dominate sociopolitical schools of thought, and the 1960s in America, when the culture began emphasizing changes regarding sexual freedom, women's rights and pacifism. The Western world is in what has been dubbed "the information age," and issues such as technological advancement and social media are at the forefront of the modern social climate."

Who can doubt that in America, and in many other parts of the world in 2020, the social and political climate has become very destructive? Does the bible speak of the social climate of the very last days? If so, where and how?

Keep in mind as we look into the characteristics of the time under the red horse rider that we are trying to find the causes for the whole world suddenly struck with a kind of insanity that will lead neighbor to seek to kill neighbor. We know God is the cause, but what means will he use? What will be the effect of the removing of divine restraints upon the wrath, hubris, and varied sin of man?

The Seasons (Grk. "kairos")

Paul spoke of "the times and seasons" (τῶν χρόνων καὶ τῶν καιρῶν) connected with the coming again of the Lord Yeshua. "Chronon" is translated "times" and "kairon" is translated "seasons." Though these two Greek words are seemingly used interchangeably in some scripture passages, yet there is a clear difference in the meaning of each. Wrote one writer:

"While the words times and epochs both relate to time and are on occasion used interchangeably, they are not equivalent terms. For example, the ancient writer Ammonius remarked that times (chronos) denotes quantity and the epochs (kairos) quality. As discussed more fully below, chronos designates time in its duration, whether a longer or shorter period, while kairos draws attention to the characteristics of the period. Chronos deals with the measurement of time, while kairos deals with the suitable or critical nature of the time." (PreceptAustin- here)

"Kairos" deals with social and political climate. Within a chronos of one year we have four seasons (kairos). Each of those seasons are characteristically different within the chronology. Chronos deals with the length of time, or quantity of time, while kairos "the suitable or critical nature of the time," or the quality.

"The times have to do with the chronology of future periods, the seasons (epochs) with the characteristics of those periods." (Morris, Henry: Defenders Study Bible. World Publishing)

"Hiebert explains that "The times (chronos) point to the chronological ages that may intervene before the parousia (Second Coming of Christ) takes place; the dates (epochs - kairos) indicate the times in their critical character, the occurrences that will distinguish these times. Involved is the thought of the opportune seasons that have their own distinctive characteristics calling for an appropriate response."

What will characterize the time of the four horsemen? What will distinguish it?

The days of the rider on the red horse will see a dark and foreboding environment of fear ("a day of darkness"), and among the world's masses will be an air of licentiousness, a climate of hate and violence. Further, using the weather analogy for the social and political environment, we can also say that the climate (or weather) will become very "stormy" in the time of the red horse rider.

A Climate Of Rage

Having called attention to the central sin of hubris, and of the general lawlessness, violence, and widespread depravity of the last and most wicked generation, and of the other evils that attend that state (arrogance, insults, shaming the weak, etc.), we now enlarge upon those other sins of those "evil days," and of course, in doing so, we must speak of man's unjust wrath and rage, of which the apostle says - "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1: 20) The anger and wrath of depraved man will become a violent rage at the time of the Apocalypse.

Said the apostle Peter:

"Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done." (Acts 4: 25-28 citing Psalm 2: 1)

This literally occurred when Christ's enemies were "enraged against" him as Peter describes. But, such a thing not only characterized the mass of the peoples when Christ came the first, but will also characterize the state of the masses (and their leaders) at the time when the first seal opens, at Christ's coming the second. The rulers and the people in general will be filled with rage. The word "rage" (Greek ἐφρύαξαν) is interesting. "Only here in New Testament. Originally, to neigh or snort like a horse. Of men, to give one's self haughty airs, and to act and speak insolently." (Vincent's Word Studies) The Greek word was primarily used of "the snorting, neighing and prancing of horses;" hence, metaphorically, of "the haughtiness and insolence of men," Act 4:25. In the Sept., Psa 2:1." (Vine) Strong adds that it includes the idea of being "high-spirited," and of men "taking on lofty airs," and "behaving arrogantly," and being "tumultuous."

What a "social climate" that will be!

"And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth." (Rev. 11: 18 kjv)

There is a lot of anger and wrath, rage and outrage, in Revelation! There is the anger of "the nations (or races)," and the "wrath" of the devil (Rev. 12: 12), and of course lots of references to "the wrath of God" and "of the Lamb." Along with hubris is a society of angry hot tempered people.

"A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute." (Prov. 15: 18)

"An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression." (Prov. 29: 22)

The times and seasons connected with the coming of the four horsemen will see the hubristic "wrath of man" unrestrained and the effect of it will be "strife" and "abounding transgression." Jude described these enraged people, saying:

"Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." (Jude 1: 13 kjv)

The metaphor of raging sea waves denotes that these wicked men were "turbulent and furious in their tempers and manners." Said Barnes: "They are like the wild and restless waves of the ocean. The image here seems to be, that they were noisy and bold in their professions, and were as wild and ungovernable in their passions as the billows of the sea." (Commentary) The words "wild" and "untamed" are involved in the Greek word for "raging." It is generally agreed that Jude had this verse from Isaiah in mind: "The wicked are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." (Isaiah 57: 20) "Casting up mire and dirt" means "stirring up wrath and strife." About wrath and its allies Paul wrote:

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Eph. 4: 31-32)

Notice the grouping of the words and concepts in these words. The anger of man in the very last days of this age will be accompanied by bitterness, wrath, clamour, malice, and evil speaking. What an awful climate! There are other sinful attitudes that are often associated with rage, such as hate, malice, envy and jealousy, strife, etc. Other sins that prevail at the time of the red horse rider: anger and wrath, implacable ness and intolerance, violently arrogant, and murderous hate. When peace is taken from the earth under the red horse rider, this will be the terror filled state of things.

Today we hear a lot about "hate crimes." These will be frequent when people are killing one another at the time of the coming of the red horse rider.

The life of the truly lawless and depraved is described in the story of the Prodigal Son who spent his all in "riotous living." (Luke 15: 13) The Greek word translated "riotous" means:

"wastefully" (akin to A, No. 1), is translated "with riotous living" in Luk 15:13; though the word does not necessarily signify "dissolutely," the parable narrative makes clear that this is the meaning here." (Vine); And, what is the meaning of dissolute?

"lacking restraint; especially: marked by indulgence in things (such as drink or promiscuous sex) deemed vices." (Merriam-Webster)

"Lacking restraint"! "Riotous living"! That well describes wicked men at the time of the return of Yeshua.

"The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted." 

(Psa. 46: 6 kjv)

Red Horse Of The Apocalypse VIII

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

(Proverbs 16: 18)

 "pride hath budded" 
(Eze. 7: 10)

The Apocalypse and its judgments begin with the opening of the seven sealed scroll, the unsealing of which brings redemption; But, part of the work of a "kinsman redeemer" was to avenge the blood of murdered kin in addition to delivering from bondage. This is what we see beginning to transpire when the red horse rider brings anarchy and slaughter to the world. It will be a time when the pride of man blossoms or buds, when it has reached the limits of divine forbearance, and when the Lord brings swift retribution.

When World's Iniquity Passes The Limit

"But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." (Gen. 15: 16)

What is meant by "iniquity" being "not yet full"?

"The idea is that the wickedness of the people of Canaan must reach a certain degree, before the Divine penalty can be inflicted. The postponement of the penalty, which indicates Divine forbearance, means also a terrible, but gradual, accumulation of guilt." (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges)

"For the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full. - From this simple sentence we have much to learn. First. The Lord foreknows the moral character of people. Second. In his providence he administers the affairs of nations on the principle of moral rectitude. Third. Nations are spared until their iniquity is full. Fourth. They are then cut off in retributive justice. Fifth. The Amorite was to be the chief nation extirpated for its iniquity on the return of the seed of Abram." (Barnes)

"All men’s sins are kept by God as in a book of remembrance, not one of them is lost; and as God exactly observes the number and measure of men’s sins, so he determines within himself how far and how long he will bear with sinful men or nations, and what shall be the period of his patience; and when that comes, their measure is full, and their destruction infallibly comes." (Matthew Poole's Commentary)

"...wicked people have a measure of iniquity to fill up, which is known of God; some are longer, some are quicker in filling it up, during which time God waits patiently and bears with them; but, when it is completed, he stays no longer, but takes vengeance on them, Matthew 23:32." (Gill)

At the time of the red horse rider the sins of man will reach its height, a point of time when God says it is enough. The above comments elaborate this. When the Apocalypse begins the sin of man will be "full" to the brim.

"Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers." (Matt. 23: 32)

This is another passage where the same idea is put forth as in Genesis 15: 16.

"The English fails to give the pathetic abruptness of the original: And ye—fill ye up the measure of your fathers. The thought implied is that which we find in Genesis 15:16, and of which the history of the world offers but too many illustrations. Each generation, as it passes, adds something to the ever accumulating mass of evil. At last the penalty falls, as though the long-suffering of God had been waiting till the appointed limit had been reached, and the measure of iniquity was at last full." (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers)

"Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Of their sins; for there were bounds and limits set how far they should proceed, and no further; as yet they had not got to the end of their iniquity: their fathers had gone great lengths in sin, but their iniquity was not yet full, as is said of the Amorites, Genesis 15:16 these their sons were to fill it up." (Gill)

Again, this is what we see happening when the judgments of the Apocalypse begin. Notice this prophecy of the very last days:

"And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise." (Dan. 8: 23)

"That is, when the state of things - the prevalence of wickedness and irreligion in Judea - shall have been allowed to continue as long as it can be - or so that the cup shall be full - then shall appear this formidable power to inflict deserved punishment on the guilty nation. The sacred writers often speak of iniquity as being full - of the cup of iniquity as being full - as if there was a certain limit or capacity beyond which it could not be allowed to go. When that arrives, God interposes, and cuts off the guilty by some heavy judgment. Compare Genesis 15:16 : "The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." Matthew 23:32 : "fill ye up then the measure of your fathers." 1 Thessalonians 2:16 : "to fill up their sins alway." The idea is, that there is a certain measure or amount of sin which can be tolerated, but beyond that the Divine compassion cannot go with safety to the universe, or consistently with the honor of God, and then the punishment may be expected; then punishment must come." (Barnes)

When the Apocalypse begins with the four horsemen the forbearance of God will have reached its end. God will no longer tolerate the sins of man, especially the superlative sins of those "days of evil." God will only "put up with" man's rebellion and blasphemy so long. God has suffered long but it has an end.

Well do the following words of the prophet Ezekiel apply to sinners at the time when the Lord sends the judgments of the coming days of the great tribulation:

“See, the day! See, it comes! Doom has burst forth, the rod has budded, arrogance has blossomed! Violence has arisen, a rod to punish the wicked. None of the people will be left, none of that crowd—none of their wealth, nothing of value. The time has come! The day has arrived! Let not the buyer rejoice nor the seller grieve, for my wrath is on the whole crowd." (Eze. 7: 10-12 NIV)

"The day of judgment is here; your destruction awaits! The people's wickedness and pride have reached a climax." (NLT)

Well do these prophetic words fit the scene when end time calamities and tribulations begin with the coming of the four horsemen. With the coming of the Lord (white horse) and the red horse (executor of the first judgment) we may well say "doom has burst forth." Further, we see that what precedes this bursting forth of doom, the result of divine wrath, is hubris or arrogant pride, a cause of the wickedness of the end times.

Notice also the reference to the "violence" that is promised for the punishment of wicked men. Is this not what we see under the red horse rider? The violence is between men in those turbulent days, but it is a judgment coming from God, as previously shown, by his removal of restraints upon the wrath, pride, and wicked doings of men.

Sin and lawlessness will become so prevalent and dominantly characteristic of the world at the time of the end when the longsuffering and forbearance of God becomes exhausted. In the last days of this evil age the stench of sin will become no longer tolerable and the Lord will not only no longer restrain the wrath of wicked men, but he will no longer restrain his own wrath either! This height of sin and rebellion will bring on the divine action of restraint removal and this action will bring on the judgments of the Apocalypse, beginning with the four horsemen of the first four seals.

End Time Hubris

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (II Cor. 12: 10 kjv)

The word "reproaches" is from the Greek ὕβρεσιν (hybresin) a form of the word ancient Greek ὕβρις (hubris). Most other English translations give the word "insults" as best one word translation of the Greek. Yet, neither word (reproaches or insults) captures the depth of meaning of the Greek idea behind the word. The meaning of hubris has been altered and expanded over time. Strong says: "hubris: wantonness, insolence, an act of wanton violence." Thayer says it means "insolence; impudence, pride, haughtiness." Other word scholars show that it includes "outrage" and "arrogant treatment."

Says one scholar on the Greek word:

"Only here and Acts 27:10; Acts 27:21 is ὕβρις found in the N.T., while in the LXX., as in classical Greek, it is very frequent...In all three places ‘injury’ is the best translation: but the word implies wanton infliction of injury, just because it pleases one to inflict it; it is insolent maltreatment. Its use in Acts of the storm is metaphorical: comp. Joseph. Ant. III. vi. 4. Similarly, ὑβριστής is rare in the N.T. (Romans 1:30; 1 Timothy 1:13), but frequent in the LXX." (Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges)

The two references given are these:

"Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents." (Rom. 1: 30 kjv)

“Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” (I Tim. 1: 13 kjv)

Here the same Greek word (hubristes) is in the KJV given two different English words to impart the meaning of the Greek; the words "proud" and "injurious." We could therefore call hubris a kind of injurious pride.

The term hubris originated in ancient Greek and had several different meanings depending on the context. In common usage hubris was outrageous behavior of abusers in shaming or humiliating the victim, such as raping or assaulting a victim.

Wrote one writer:

"In ancient Greece, hubris (ancient Greek ὕβρις) referred to actions that shamed and humiliated the victim for the pleasure or gratification of the abuser. The term had a strong sexual connotation, and the shame reflected on the perpetrator as well. It was most evident in the public and private actions of the powerful and rich. The word was also used to describe actions of those who challenged the gods or their laws, especially in Greek tragedy, resulting in the protagonist's fall."

Hubris, though not specifically defined, was a legal term and was considered a crime in classical Athens. It was also considered the greatest crime of ancient Greek society. The category of acts constituting hubris for the ancient Greeks apparently broadened from the original specific reference to mutilation of a corpse, or a humiliation of a defeated foe, or irreverent "outrageous treatment" in general. It often resulted in fatal retribution or Nemesis. Atë, ancient Greek for "ruin, folly, delusion," is the action performed by the hero or heroine, usually because of his or her hubris, or great pride, that leads to his or her death or down-fall."

"Violations of the law against hubris included what might today be termed assault and battery; sexual crimes ranging from rape of women or children to consensual but improper activity, in particular anal sex with a free man or with an unconsenting and/or under-aged boy; or the theft of public or sacred property.

Aristotle defined hubris as shaming the victim, not because anything happened to you or might happen to you, but merely for your own gratification. Hubris is not the requital of past injuries—that is revenge. As for the pleasure in hubris, its cause is this: men think that by ill-treating others they make their own superiority the greater." (see here)

The world will be full of hubristic people when the Apocalyptic judgments begin. Some call these proud and arrogant people "outragers," a word that many spellcheckers will not recognize. However, the Oxford English dictionary says this:

"A person who subjects another to outrage or gross violence; a violator; an affronter or offender of other people, their feelings, laws, morals, etc."

Do we not see these people in abundance today? Do we not see them among the riotous crowd? Do we not see it in the "bullying" that is prevalent today? Do we not see it in many assault and murder crimes?

We must distinguish between hubris in the mind or character (in the psychology), in one's disposition or "attitude," and in the hubristic deed. There is hubristic thought and hubristic deed.

In literature hubris is often closely related to hamartia (translated as "sin" in NT), which is the tragic flaw that leads to a character's reversal of fate and downfall. While there are many different types of tragic flaws, hubris is one of the most common.

End Time Arrogance

"And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible." (Isa. 13: 11)

Hubris has been defined also as "extreme or foolish pride or dangerous overconfidence - often in combination with (or synonymous with) arrogance."

When the Lord speaks of "the arrogancy of the proud" and "the haughtiness of the terrible" he is describing hubristic people. Truly they are "outragers"! And what is arrogance? It is an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions. Well does this describe the Omega Generation of sinners!

Red Horse Of The Apocalypse VII

"who is lord over us?"

(Psa. 12: 4)

"The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?" (Psa. 12: 3-4)

"wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?" (Jer. 2: 31)

All unsaved sinners reject the rule of God over them. They say of Christ, the Son of God, "We will not have this man to reign over us." (Luke 19: 14) So, who do they want to rule over them if not the Son of God? Those who believe in government and law enforcement want just and wise rulers. Anarchists want no government at all. Who needs the police? What they want is what all depraved and lost sinners want, though not all will openly acknowledge it; they want to be their own lords and gods. This attitude is reflected in the above texts. "Who is lord over us?" The answer - "we are lords."

Wrote Paul:

"Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Phil. 3: 19)

"For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16: 18)

It is ironic that sinners, who think that they are their own creators and gods, are actually servants of "their own belly," the belly being their god. Yes, the belly is part of the person, so a person who serves his belly is serving himself. Still, the irony is evident.

"Whose God is their belly - Who worship their own appetites; or who live not to adore and honor God, but for self-indulgence and sensual gratifications." (Barnes)

Today's eastern and new age teachers tell us to "find the god within you." They talk about the "enlightenment" that comes when they realize or discover that the only gods are they themselves. Therefore, to "adore" God is to adore self. To love God is to love self. To serve God is to serve self. Etc. Also, this thinking makes them see their carnal, sensual, and depraved appetites as things not to be suppressed or controlled, or things wrong or immoral; And why? Because these are the cravings of a god! How can those cravings be wrong?

Vincent's Word Studies - Belly; Romans 16:18. "So the Cyclops in Euripides: "My flocks which I sacrifice to no one but myself, and not to the gods, and to this my belly the greatest of the gods: for to eat and drink each day, and to give one's self no trouble, this is the god for wise men" ("Cyclops," 334-338)."

This is the philosophy of life for the world of blind and deceived sinners.

End Time Anarchy

"Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities." (Jude 1: 8 & II Peter 2: 10 kjv)

"In the same manner nevertheless, also these who are beguiled with sensual images and carried away to an impious course of conduct, defile indeed the flesh, and set at naught authority, and speak evil of preeminence." (Wuest Translation)

The words "despise dominion" (KJV) are also translated as "reject authority," "defy authority," "reject Lordship," "despise lordship," "set at nought dominion," "lordship they put away," etc.

Reject (set aside) from "atheteo," meaning "to set aside something that is established (like authority). To do away with what has been laid down." Atheteo is used by Jesus addressing the Pharisees and the Scribes who rejected authority declaring "You nicely set aside (reject = atheteo) the commandment of God."  (Mark 7:9)

Authority ("Lordship") from "kuriotes," from kurios (Lord, owner, master) and means lordship, ruling power, one who possesses dominion, authority or magistracy.

More is involved in "rejecting authority" than rejecting governmental or civil authority and rule, but includes rejecting parental authority, even landlord authority, and rulers of business, as we see prevalent even today in 2020. It is more than a rejection of the rule of God. Of course, rejecting legitimate governmental authority is to reject God as Paul taught in Romans 13.

Peace Taken

What is a "civilized society"? Check the dictionaries and encyclopedias and you will find it defined as "characterized by taste, refinement, or restraint," and as having "law and order." On the other hand, uncivilized means savage, amoral, lawless. Under the red horse rider "civilization" will give way to a savage and disorderly state. It will in many ways be a "kill or be killed" state, where "might makes right" and where no one is safe. Vigilantism, or taking justice into one's own hands, and private revenge, will be commonplace. It will be like the "wild west" in days when states were territories filled with murderers, bushwackers, etc., and where men out of necessity carried guns to defend themselves. With many nations having outlawed gun ownership, one wonders how people will kill each other during the time of the red horse rider. In areas around the world today, where guns are few, people will no doubt use other means to kill each other.

The first question in our previous list of questions for study was: "What is meant by the taking of peace from the earth?" The second was connected with it - "Is the removal of peace in politics alone, or in other areas?" So also is the third - "Is the removal of peace worldwide?" Let us address these three questions in our musings.

Everything in the book of Revelation is happening on a global scale. Those commentators who think the red horse rider has already come and gone (Preterist and Historicist views) limit the fulfillment to a limited territory of the earth (land) such as to the land of Palestine, or to Israel, or to the Roman Empire, etc. Only the Futurist sees the fulfillment as yet unrealized and that it is global in its extent. The slaughter and bloodshed under the red horse rider is worldwide. This is clear because the judgments of the Apocalypse are all worldwide. So, not only is the murder universal but so is the loss of peace.

The bloodshed under the red horse rider is not the result of nations warring against nations, for that has been occurring since Revelation was written, and for the past two thousand years (since Jesus warned of the continuous presence of wars up until his return in his Olivet sermon); wars between nation states have been occurring before the second seal is opened. It cannot therefore be the precise kind of killing occurring under the red horse rider.

Race Wars

"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matt. 24: 6-8)

The Greek word "ethnos" ( translated "nation") does not primarily refer to a political state. The word means "a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus," or "a tribe, nation, people group, or race." The word denotes ethnicity, not necessarily a nation state or political entity. So, "nation warring against nation" may allude to ethnic groups within one political state fighting each other, or what we call "race wars" or "ethnic conflicts." We could justly translate as "race shall rise against race."

The loss of peace that the world will begin to experience when Christ returns, via his precursory judgments under the doings of the four horsemen, will not be limited to the mere political area, to wars between nations, for the reasons stated. It is a total loss of peace.

Many commentators think that the red horse rider brings a final "world war" between nation states and that the bloodshed is therefore primarily confined to soldiers rather than civilians. But the words "that they should kill one another" seems to put the murder and killing on a very local level, where neighbor is killing neighbor, in a kind of gang warfare.

Notice that Jesus says that the warring between races marks "the beginning of sorrows." This is what we see in Revelation chapter six with the opening of the first seals. But, as Jesus said, "the end is not yet." The "end" or culmination comes at the end of the Book of Revelation. The coming of the four horsemen represent the "beginning of the end."

Red Horse Of The Apocalypse VI

"neither repented they of their murders" 

(Rev. 9: 21)

"And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts." (Rev. 9: 20-21)

Murder will be the "order of the day" when the Apocalypse begins with the coming of the four horsemen, especially with the coming of the fiery red horse with his great sword. The above text comes when the seventh seal has been opened and the fifth trumpet thereof has sounded; But, the sins listed did not just then begin among earth's inhabitants at that time. Rather, much murder, death and destruction has already occurred between Revelation 6: 1 and 9: 21. The sins enumerated did not just start with the fifth trumpet but were prevalent throughout the entire time, from the coming of the four horsemen till the hellish locusts ascend from the bottomless pit. Widespread murder begins with the coming of the red horse rider but he continues right on through Rev. 9: 21 and beyond.

Here are specified the "deadly sins" of men in the day of trial and tribulation: idolatry, murder, sexual immorality, theft; And, the chiefest of all sins is a sin of omission, and mentioned twice in the above list of sins, the sin of "repenting not." 

What are the immediate secondary causes of this murderous time? What are the effects of it?

As stated in previous entries, the coming of the four horsemen is for the purpose of bringing devastation upon a sinful world that has rejected Lord God and his Christ. Their coming is in order to "destroy the sinners" from off the earth. That first begins to happen when the second seal is opened and men are under the influence of the red horse rider. The Lord will kill them by bringing them first to kill one another, as we have said, and upon which we will yet enlarge.

Long ago the prophet Isaiah spoke of the time under the red horse rider and during the coming day of wrath and tribulation.

"They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty...Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it...And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible." (Isa 13: 5-6, 9, 11)

Though the "they" (in "they come from a far country") had primary reference to the Persians and Medes who came to destroy the land of Israel, yet it is more fully applicable to the four horsemen of the Apocalypse and to the judgments of the "day of wrath" or "day of evil" described in the Apocalypse. Thus we may say that the four horsemen come from "the end of heaven," or "from the LORD" (as we see in Rev. 6) and are well described as "the weapons of his indignation," and their mission being "to destroy the whole land" and to "destroy the sinners" and "getting them out of the land." It is the beginning of the punishment described for the world in the day of judgment executed by God's "angels of vengeance" or "destroying angels."

As we have seen, it is a time of tribulation upon tribulation. (see our comments upon Amos 5: 18-20 in posting IV) Here is another verse that is like that one:

"Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake." (Isa 24: 17-18)

Escape "the noise of fear" (one trouble) only to "fall into the pit" (another trouble)! Then, somehow, after getting out of the pit, he is "taken in the snare" (another trouble). One tribulation pain after another, like the pains of a woman in travail. Says Dr. Gill: "the meaning is, that he that escapes one trouble should fall into another, so that there will be no safety anywhere." (commentary)

It is all part of the "day of evil," to the day when the Lord will "render indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil." (Rom. 2: 9) It is then that he will "repay tribulation" (II Thess. 1: 7) to the unbelievers. The words of the prophet are fitting for this great time of global tribulation: "woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves"  (Isa. 3: 9)

Things That Bring Peace

"Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace." (Luke 14: 31-32)

"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (Rom. 14: 19)

What are the "conditions of peace"? What are "the things that make for peace"? Whatever they are, those things will not be present in the days of the four horsemen or in all the judgments of Christ's Apocalypse.

Of course, when we speak of the salvation experience as finding peace with God (Rom. 5: 1-2) we speak of the "conditions of peace" and of the "things which make for peace" with God. Peace has come through the coming of the Messiah, the "Prince of peace," through his sacrificial blood, and this is appropriated by faith in Christ and repentance (which is a turning away from sin and self to the Lord).

But, the texts above cannot be limited to what is true in regard to spiritual peace with God, but must include peace between men, including political peace between nations (so as not to war), which are nearly always based upon treaties or covenants between them. There are lots of ingredients or conditions for political peace as we all know. They are not dissimilar from what are the conducive elements of social peace in a village or community, or in a family. Today we speak of "global" or "world peace," of "national peace," of "civil peace," of "family peace" or "peace in the home," etc.

First, people must want peace; at least the greater majority of them. They want laws against crimes such as murder, theft, bearing false witness, etc. and therefore want those laws enforced by a police force sanctioned by the ruling authorities. In other words, people must want law and order. It begins here with the will and the choice. The problem is that people at the end of this age will not want peace because they are violent and implacable. Recall the words of the Psalmist:

"I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war." (Psa. 120: 7)

When the majority of a society become implacable, violent, contentious, strifeful, vengeful, etc., peace cannot be realized. This is because "war" is "in his heart," in the heart of men who form the Omega generation. So wrote the Psalmist: "the words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords." (Psa. 55: 21)

Self preservation alone leads men to want safety and security of their persons against thieves and murderers, and such like, and there can be no peace without safety. Certainly no "tranquillity" or "quietness."

All societies have had a criminal element. Some have had many lawless people, others few. These are the openly wicked and cruel types, people who are vicious in their brutality against others. These are they who "love violence" (Psa. 11: 5), and who "eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence." (Prov. 4:17) During the time of the rider on the red horse men will be most violent on a scale not seen since the days before the judgment of the Deluge. So, what must happen to people, who naturally want strong enforcement of laws (designed to keep the peace), to all of a sudden, in the great tribulation, become so violent? Is everyone simply taking the law into their own hands by necessity?

In looking further into the conditions or necessary ingredients for obtaining peace, let us notice these words of the apostle.

"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3: 14-18)

Who are they who "make peace"? We have already noticed the reference to the "conditions of peace" and of "the things that make for peace," and here we have a reference to those persons who "make peace." Jesus spoke of the "peacemakers." (Matt. 5: 9) Another question to ponder along this line would be - "who are the troublemakers"? The one implies the other.

Notice that worldly devilish wisdom does not produce a "peaceable" and "gentle" society with citizens who are "easy to be intreated," and "full or mercy," etc. There can be no peace in any society where the citizens are violent and intolerant. We see this on a small scale today in many large American cities, like Chicago, where murder is rampant and gangs rule; Gangs which are composed of those who love violence.

As stated, men are basically "implacable" (Rom. 1: 31; II Tim. 3: 3) because of sin and the rule and love of self. This fact will manifest itself on a large scale under the rider on the red horse. The Greek word translated "implacable" means "not to be appeased" or "that can not be pacified and rendered peaceable; inexorable; stubborn or constant in enmity." Heavenly wisdom, which men will greatly lack in the last days, is "easily intreated" but devilish wisdom is "not easily intreated." A world full of those who "love violence" and who cannot be appeased in their anger and hate! How terrible!

The wisdom that men will possess in the last days is devilish, not coming down from heaven, but what is ascending from Hades. God's wisdom is "gentle" and "peaceable" but devilish wisdom is fierce, cruel, intolerant, etc.

The apostle Paul spoke of "the bond of peace" (Eph. 4: 3). Christians know what this means in relation to one's standing with God, to one's peace with God. They have been "reconciled" to God by the blood of the Lord Jesus. The "bond of peace" is the thing that sustains oneness, agreement, and harmony between parties. In the case of salvation, the thing that "keeps the peace" between the believer and God is the union of the believer with the Lord Jesus Christ, who "himself is our peace." (Eph. 2: 14)

The "bond" of peace also involves a "covenant." Sociologists speak of the "social contract" that exists between citizens and other citizens, or with the government. In the old testament there is mention of "the bond of the covenant." (Eze. 20: 37)

The word "bond" in "bond of peace" is from the Greek word "syndesmos" and means "that which binds together, a band, bond." (Strong) This is what covenants, treaties, and contracts, etc., do; they are means of keeping unity and peace, of binding people together. But, men in the extreme last days will be "covenant breakers" on a very large scale.

Covenant-Breakers

"Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful..." (Rom. 1: 31)

"Covenant breakers" is from the Greek word "ἀσύνθετος" (adjective — asunthetos from suntithemi), with the negative prefix a, hence signifies "not covenant-keeping," i.e., refusing to abide by "covenants" made, "covenant-breaking," faithless.

"Note: Trench, Syn. lii, notes the distinction between asunthetos and aspondos, "implacable," the latter, in 2 Timothy 3: 3 only, being derived from sponde, "a sacrificial libation," which accompanied treaty-making; hence, with the negative prefix a, "without a treaty or covenant," thus denoting a person who cannot be persuaded to enter into a "covenant." He points out that asunthetos presumes a state of peace interrupted by the unrighteous, aspondos a state of war, which the implacable refuse to terminate equitably. The words are clearly not synonymous." (Vine)

When the overwhelming masses of mankind become wholly implacable, and breakers of contracts become the norm, then times will indeed be evil and full of tribulation.

Said the prophet Isaiah:

"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." ( Isa 32:17-18)

Notice the words describing the real peace that will come when the Lord overthrows this evil world and replaces it with a most righteous state; "quietness" (including freedom from fear of evil), "assurance" (that all is well and all possibility of evil is gone), "habitations" and "dwellings" that are "peaceable" and "resting." But, in the time of the "Omega generation," or the last generation, at the time of the coming of the red horse rider, men will be almost universally suffering the very opposite of this description! There will be no peace for the rider "takes peace from the earth." 

Strife In The Omega Generation

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (Jam. 3: 16)

"Where" is it indeed to be found in its most gross manifestation if it is not in the days when the four horsemen ride into this sinful world! Envy and strife, the things that destroy peace rather than "things which make for peace." In this time there will be nothing by "confusion" and bewilderment. Fear on every hand. In every place there is "every evil work."

Red Horse Of The Apocalypse V

"in the last days perilous times shall come"

(II Tim. 3: 1)

The word "perilous" (KJV) is from the Greek "chalepos" and means "dangerous, harsh, fierce, savage," or "hard to do or deal with, difficult," involving what is painful and grievous.

After describing the last days as perilous, Paul gave the reason for it, laying the cause directly to the immoral spiritual state of all men, with few exceptions, in the days immediately preceding the coming judgments of the four horsemen. After prophesying of the end time peril (vs. 1) he says:

"For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." II Tim. 3: 2-4)

By the word "for" Paul will identify the cause or reason for the unexpected Apocalyptic catastrophes, going to the root cause of the savage violence and evils of the days when Christ appears in the awful calamities (the presence of Christ being in those judgments before his final bodily appearing); And, what is that root cause? Is it some natural catastrophe like a worldwide drought, or climate changing meteor, or volcanic eruptions, or earthquakes, etc.?

No, it is the direct result of man's inner moral and spiritual depravity. Of all the adjectives Paul used to describe the men who will suffer the vengeance of the Lord in "the day of evil," let us focus on the word "fierce" because it directly relates to the ideas involved in the Greek word "chalepos" (perilous).

The word "fierce" is from the Greek "anēmeros" and means "not tame, or savage." It is thus closely related in meaning to "chalepos." 

The only other time a form of the word "chalepos" (perilous) is used is in these words from the gospels.

"And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way." (Matt. 8: 28)

Here "fierce" (chalepoi) clearly denotes dangerously violent, a state where a person is totally given over to attacking and hurting others. Recall that "perilous" ("chalepos") involved the words savage and fierce and are the same words used to define "anēmeros." "Fierce" (from "anēmeros") signifies "not tame, savage" (from a, negative, and hemeros, "gentle", i.e. 'not gentle'), 2 Tim. 3: 3.

The coming time of great tribulation will see both dangerous and savage times and savage and wild people, where people are totally given in to their animal passions and sensual desires.

When the rider on the red horse arrives, his work will be to "take peace from the land," by the removal of divine restraints (as we have seen), cause brutality and savagery among men, and such as has not been seen on a world wide scale since before the great flood. Simply recall the "bloodsport" that was famous in the Roman coliseums! Bloodbath spectacles with crowds cheering! A world with little or no "moral restraint"!

It was said of Ishmael, the one "born after the flesh," that he was "a wild man" and that his wildness manifested itself by "his hand being against every man, and every man's hand against him." (Gen. 16: 12) What a description of the last days under the rider on the red horse!

Though mankind and the times of the coming judgment are "fierce," in a bad sense, yet the Lord at this time will be pouring out his "fierce anger" and "fierce wrath," and justly so.

Governmental Restraints

"For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." (Rom. 14: 3-4)

One of the things that restrain crime and wicked behavior is "law and order" rulers (authorities) with their strong police forces to enforce obedience. Where are they in "the day of evil"? How can people be murdering one another on such a vast scale with such authorities in place? Obviously, for some reason, rulers and their police forces are unable to stop the mass mutual killing. But, why? Though I will expound on this important question in upcoming postings, I will just say this much now.

In light of present day rioting and the call to "defund the police" we can get a glimpse of the times under the presence of the judgments of the red horse rider. When there is little or no governmental restraint on law breaking, law breaking will increase unimpeded. Consider also the fact that the killing of one another is occurring among all men, including those in law enforcement. Police are killing each other just like the populace! So, they can be expected to do little to stop the killing when they themselves are part of the whole murderous enterprise.

In regard to the restraints that God has had in place, and which he will remove in the time of the end (of which I have already written much),  Dr. John Walvoord had some excellent words in "The Person of the Holy Spirit Part 5: The Holy Spirit in Relation to the Unsaved World" (here - emphasis mine).

Walvoord wrote:

"The doctrines of providence and of the sovereignty of God demand that the power of God be effective not only in the saved but also in the unsaved world. While the ministry of the Holy Spirit is ever primarily directed toward the Christian, it is evident that He is working in the world as well, bringing to pass the will of the Father and the Son."

"The ministry of the Holy Spirit in relation to the unsaved world falls into two categories which are not necessarily independent. The Holy Spirit is given the ministry of resisting evil and restraining the world in its manifestation. To the Holy Spirit, also, is committed the task of making known the way of salvation to a race which has no natural capacity to receive it with understanding. Most of the attention of theologians during the Christian centuries has been directed to the latter ministry, that of revealing the message of salvation to the lost and providing enablement for saving faith. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in restraining sin in the world is most important, however, though few direct references are found in Scripture."

"The work of the Holy Spirit in relation to the unsaved world is most important for a number of reasons. In view of the power of Satan and his evident hatred of Christians and the truth, the work of the Holy Spirit in restraining sin is required to explain the relative freedom allowed the Christian in the world and the preservation of those conditions which make possible the preaching of the Gospel and the maintenance of some order in the sinful world."

"The work of the Holy Spirit in restraining the world from sin is found in every age, except during the period of unprecedented sinfulness during the great tribulation, when it is God’s purpose to demonstrate for the first time what unrestrained sin is. The character of this work of restraining sin varies slightly in different ages, however. In the previous discussion of this work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, it was shown that the Holy Spirit undertook to restrain sin throughout the Old Testament period. The striving of the Holy Spirit against sin in Noah’s period is definitely stated (Gen 6:3). While Isaiah 59:19 is not as clear a reference, it infers a similar ministry of the Holy Spirit. The many other ministries of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament tended to restrain sin. His work in revealing truth through the prophets, particularly the warnings of judgment to come, and the work of inspiration of the Scriptures with their power helped to restrain sin. The judgments which followed rejection of His striving against sin (Isa 63:10-11) had their effect. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit by virtue of His holy character was conducive to restraint of sin. Throughout the Old Testament, then, the power of the Holy Spirit guided human events into the path of divine providence."

In the time of coming great tribulation, where violent killing and general lawlessness prevail on a global scale, a great reason for it will be due to the absence of any state police force powerful enough to stop it along with the court system. This brings to mind the words of Solomon:

"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." (Eccl. 8: 11)

Men's hearts will, at the time of the coming of the four horsemen, be "fully set in them to do evil." They will be doing the greatest of all evil to their fellow human beings, having no respect for life. People will be "out of control," as Paul said ('incontinent' or lacking self control). There will no effective police force to restrain the masses who are killing one another on such a massive scale. No longer is lawlessness and criminality not given speedy trial and execution, but not given at all! Horrendous times! Jesus spoke of them in connection with his return, saying:

"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." (Matt. 24: 12) Love gone! Hate and furious wrath abounding on every hand. A "hot-headed" people who murder for sport. This is what the world will have come to when Christ appears in the judgments of the four horsemen!

And, remember that one of his purposes (as we have seen) is to remove or "uproot" the wicked from the earth and then to bring peace on earth under Lord Messiah. Said Solomon:

"Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness." (Prov. 25: 5)

This is what we see coming "before the king" and before he establishes his throne on earth in righteousness in the coming judgments of the four horsemen. The Lord begins his work of "taking away the wicked" so that those who are left, "the meek," can by themselves "inherit the earth."

As we have said previously, peace on earth comes after the wicked have been destroyed.