THE SEVEN SEALED BOOK
and a different pre-trib rapture view
To the Church,
the Body of Christ, of which I am most grateful to be a part.
The 1st Seal reveals Satan's Church Age scheme to conquer truth by deceivers and false Christs.
PROPOSITION M
We know that John received The Revelation in the first century, early in the Church Age. I submit that the opening of the first seals of the Seven Sealed Book mark the beginning of what was "at hand" to start taking place---from that perspective of time (Rev. 1:1-3). Following, from Revelation chapter six, we find what John sees first:
1 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.
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A prevailing interpretation of this rider on the white horse is that he is a counterfeit and a deceiver or a false Christ. Some believe this to be the Antichrist. Thinking along these lines, it should not be too hard to envision this rider being akin to "that spirit of antichrist" that John spoke of in I John 4:1-3, of which he says, "and even now already is it in the world." Paul spoke similarly to the Thessalonians, saying, "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work" (II Thess. 2:7).
Now, notice again Jesus' Olivet Discourse. He began by informing His disciples that there would be deceivers and false Christs who would come. From Matthew's account, in chapter 24 we read:
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4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
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Jesus had warned His disciples of this several decades prior to John's receiving of The Revelation. Taking into account these things with what history bears testimony to, it can be rightly suspected (and I believe concluded) that the underlying influence in the lives of the many deceivers and false Christs who have come on the scene since the time of the apostles has been the horseman of the 1st Seal. If this is indeed the case, it would not be too difficult to trace his activity down through the corridors of Church history to this present time as the bow wielding force behind the movements that have arisen to conquer the truth with arrows of deception. Isn't it mind-boggling how many differing religious movements and distortions of the truth there are in the world today?
Consider this: How long has Christ's Bride (the Church) warned of deceivers and false Christs and tried to teach the truth and sound doctrine, only to have so many of Her efforts rode roughshod over by something? Does it not seem to you that something out there is constantly on a bend to stamp out anything of truth and virtue that has to do with the true Christian faith? We all know that ultimately, that something is Satan. But, I venture that with the opening of the 1st Seal, we have this activity of his revealed as being carried forth by one of his henchmen, the rider on the white horse. While it has not been necessary for the Bride to realize this in order to serve Her Bridegroom, I do believe it is necessary for a correct understanding of His Revelation to Her. I think of the song we have so long sung, "We'll work, till Jesus comes, we'll work, till Jesus comes, we'll work, till Jesus comes, and we'll be gathered home." We must continue Christ's work until He comes to gather us home. Be assured, this horseman is going to keep trampling on the truth, recognized or not.
And then, there is the horseman of the 2nd Seal.
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