Rev 6:1-2  And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.  (2)  And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Good morning! ☕ I’m sipping away at my coffee and enjoying the peace and quiet that come before the sunrise. I await with an anxious and fearful heart for what is about to happen in our next series of verses. I’m anxious because I am weary of this sinful country in which I live and I long for my heavenly kingdom. I’m fearful because I know that there are family members who are not saved and will have to go through the worse period of time our earth has ever seen. It’s hard to have these mixed emotions. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s words:

Php 1:22-24  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  (23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  (24)  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

I long for Heaven but if we are raptured today, there will no longer be an opportunity for my family and friends to be included! The longer the Rapture is delayed, the longer believers have to tell others about the saving power of Jesus Christ! So I totally understand what Paul was saying – spreading the Gospel is our number one priority, friends! If anything can light a fire under you, it is this devotional series! It should motivate every believer to share Jesus, amen? If you aren’t actively talking about salvation, you don’t have true compassion for lost souls. This should convict your heart and I pray that it does! There is no better “shot in the arm” for any Christian than to lead someone to Christ! It is a joy like no other.🧡

So, are you ready to see what is about to be poured out on the entire earth? We are now going to be witnessing, through John, the beginning of the judgments that will be sent to the earth and those who dwell in it. Life as you know it now will never be the same once this seal is opened! The scroll’s first seal is opened by the Lamb and followed by thunder: it’s like a loud siren blasting its sound to get everyone’s attention. At that moment, John sees a white horse. This is not the white horse that Jesus comes to earth riding on in Revelation 19:11. This is an introduction to the Antichrist coming on the scene. We see that he is not going to wage war just yet because his bow is not bent nor do the Scriptures say he has arrows. He will be a leader because he is wearing a crown which is given to him. The Antichrist will rise up and be appointed to be a leader who brings peace to Israel.

Om Sanningen ska fram............: Ryttaren på den vita hästen

The Antichrist will come to power sometime after the rapture of the church. We don’t know the date of the rapture but we do know that the Antichrist will sign a treaty with Israel and it is at that moment that the prophetic time clock begins to count the seven years of Tribulation. At the beginning of his reign, he will bring peace to Israel. He will have everyone but Tribulation believers deceived. The Antichrist brings with him havoc and death. He lives up to his names: he is known as the son of perdition, the abomination that causes desolation, and the beast. (2 Thessalonians 2:3, Matthew 24:15 and Revelation 13:2) The word “Antichrist” is not used in Revelation. As a matter of fact, John speaks of him in 1 John 2:18 and 1 John 2:22. But in Revelation, John refers to the Antichrist as the Beast 32 times in 25 verses! Suffice it to say, Satan is at the center of chapters 6-19 until King Jesus returns! I can see Satan’s pride all over those chapters, can’t you?

So what do we have to learn about the Antichrist? The Antichrist’s goals are to blaspheme God, oppose Him and exalt himself. (2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 19:19) Half way through the Tribulation, he will stand in the Temple proclaiming to be God! (Daniel 12:11) Satan’s sinful pride got him kicked out of Heaven and thrown to earth. Now he is trying to be head honcho on earth! King Jesus will put an end to that pride after His millennial reign! \o/

Dear reader, if you are not a born-again child of God and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, you should be very concerned about living through these times. At the moment, God is giving mankind every opportunity to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. When that last person accepts Him at Saviour, the door will open for the Rapture and your opportunity to be rescued from what lies ahead will come to a close. Should you get saved during the Tribulation, you will be martyred for your faith. We will cover this later on in this devotional series. But please, do not wait, I beg of you!

2 Co 6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!