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!

Overthrowing Hardshells On Rev. 5: 9

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." (Rev 14: 6-7)

In my short posting "Another Hardshell Falsehood" (here) I quoted these words from the articles of faith of Lexington Primitive Baptist Church.

"Primitive Baptists are the only known group in existence who believe that God has an all inclusive group of chosen, sanctified and redeemed people in every kindred, tongue, people and nation (Rev.5:9)."

Let me add these thoughts and rebuttal to the Hardshell argumentation.

The passage in Rev. 14 overthrows the Hardshell "logical" (or illogical) argument that says - "these people (in Rev. 5: 9) could not have all heard the gospel for every kindred, tongue, and people have not heard it."

Well, does not the above passage disprove such an argument? Who hears the "everlasting gospel" when the angel preaches it? Bingo! "Every kindred, and tongue, and people"! The exact description given in Rev. 5: 9!

We could also cite Hardshell forefathers, or even some of today's Hardshells, on Rom. 10: 18 which says:

"But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."

These argue that this verse says that in the old testament the word of God had gone into "all the earth" and it is argued, apart from preachers and missionaries. Well, if it had gone into all the earth, where then is the argument that it is not possible for "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" to have heard the gospel? Truly "the legs of the lame are not equal" here. Don't you see?

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."

Advice On PB "Preacher's School"

In "Preacher's Meetings," an article by Elder Lasserre Bradley, Jr. (Copied from the March 1997 issue of The Baptist Witness - here), Bradley defends "preachers meetings" or "preachers schools." I have looked at this article before. At this time I simply want to make one recommendation.

Let every PB preacher get a copy of Spurgeon's "Lectures to my students" and make that a mandatory textbook for all to read upon entry into the school. It can be read here. A second book of Spurgeon should be "The Soul Winner" (can be read here)

Spurgeon On Dry, Dusty Preaching

"Spurgeon on Preaching with Feeling"

"To win a soul, it is necessary, not only to instruct our hearer, and make him know the truth, but to impress him so that he may feel it. A purely didactic ministry, which should always appeal to the understanding, and should leave the emotions untouched, would certainly be a limping ministry. “The legs of the lame are not equal,” says Solomon; and the unequal legs of some ministries cripple them. We have seen such an one limping about with a long doctrinal leg, but a very short emotional leg. It is a horrible thing for a man to be so doctrinal that he can speak coolly of the doom of the wicked, so that, if he does not actually praise God for it, it costs him no anguish of heart to think of the ruin of millions of our race. This is horrible!"

This truth and counsel is what I was trying to get across in my previous observation on much preaching done today by PBs and other Baptist ministers.

Continued Spurgeon:

"I hate to hear the terrors of the Lord proclaimed by men whose hard visages, harsh tones, and unfeeling spirit betray a sort of doctrinal desiccation: all the milk of human kindness is dried out of them. Having no feeling himself, such a preacher creates none, and the people sit and listen while he keeps to dry, lifeless statements, until they come to value him for being “sound”, and they themselves come to be sound, too; and I need not add, sound asleep also, or what life they have is spent in sniffing out heresy, and making earnest men offenders for a word. Into this spirit may we never be baptized!"

Can only say "amen" to that!

Continued Spurgeon:

"We are to seek our neighbour’s conversion because we love him, and we are to speak to him in loving terms God’s loving gospel, because our heart desires his eternal good."

How can we tell others of the dangers of sin and of the need for salvation without some emotion in our words and exhortations?

Continued Spurgeon:

"A sinner has a heart as well as a head; a sinner has emotions as well as thoughts; and we must appeal to both. A sinner will never be converted until his emotions are stirred. Unless he feels sorrow for sin, and unless he has some measure of joy in the reception of the Word, you cannot have much hope of him. The Truth must soak into the soul, and dye it with its own colour. The Word must be like a strong wind sweeping through the whole heart, and swaying the whole man, even as a field of ripening corn waves in the summer breeze. Religion without emotion is religion without life." (from Charles Spurgeon, "What Is It to Win a Soul?" in The Soul Winner as cited here)

Can I get an amen?

Preaching Has Become Dry As Dust

What I have to say about this will concern the "Primitive Baptists" and other groups as well. It pertains to many churches and preachers, to many who are adopting what is called "expository" preaching or teaching. Their sermons have become dry as dust. This is an opposite extreme to those churches and preachers who simply entertain by playing on the emotions.

I liked the old time Baptist preachers who could teach and exposit scripture and at the same time preach with some pleading and deep emotion. This lecture type of preaching has its place, but so too does enthusiastic preaching, singing, and worship. Too many PB churches and other Baptist churches have too many "professorial" preachers who give lectures. Again, I do not say that this type of teaching does not have its place; I do say that it has totally eclipsed the other.

Over the past several years I have listened to many sermons by my PB brothers as well as those by other able Baptist ministers, such as John MacArthur, John Piper, James White, etc. Among the PBs I have listened to are Lasserre Bradley, Ben Winslett, Bernard Gowens, Sonny Pyles, David Pyles, etc. From these men I rarely hear a "shouting" sermon, one where the people are mightily stirred and shout amen and hallelujah, and who raise theirs hands in praise, and where the people are laughing with joy unspeakable.

When I was with the PBs I heard a lot of their older preachers and many of them not only taught the word of God but did it with some excitement. No stoical preaching here! But, today, the PBs seem to want to go to the dry and dusty way of only giving "lessons" (ironically, as in a "Sunday School" or seminary class!). I hear few amens and shouts of praise among today's Hardshells.

My advice? We need to model the great Spurgeon in this regard. He certainly expounded scripture but he spoke with emphasis when needed, urging people with warm appeals, and so kept himself from preaching sermons that are "dry as dust."

Just my thoughts, for whatever they are worth.

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."

Another Hardshell Falsehood

"Primitive Baptists are the only known group in existence who believe that God has an all inclusive group of chosen, sanctified and redeemed people in every kindred, tongue, people and nation (Rev.5:9)." (Questions & Answers at Lexington Primitive Baptist Church - here)

Is this not another example of either outright lying or gross misrepresentation? Is this kind of false accusation not characteristic of Hardshells?

Notice also the reference to the Hardshells being the "only ones"! Cult thinking clearly.