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Revelation 10 and the Church's History

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The first seal of Revelation, as described in chapter 6, introduces the white horse, symbolizing false religion. Once this seal is opened, the event it represents does not disappear but persists through time. Its intensity varies, waxing and waning across the history of the church. There are periods when false religion strongly persecutes the church, and other times when its influence recedes. This seal covers events from just after Christ's resurrection, around 30-31 AD, when persecution and false religion emerged as enemies of the church, starting with the Judaizers and intensifying with the rise of a great false Christian church that impersonated the true church while persecuting it. The first seal thus represents a continuous influence within the prophetic timeline, sequentially unfolding alongside other seals, indicating both a progression of events and the passage of time.

Let No One Deceive You

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Seals of Revelation reveal a time of great deception, particularly with the first seal introducing a horseman who is a counterfeit, spreading news of a false Messiah. This figure carries a bow, distinguishing him from Christ, who is consistently depicted with a sword. Jesus Himself interprets this horseman, warning that many will come in His name, claiming to be the Christ, and will deceive many. This deception is a critical element of the end times, where recognizing and following the truth becomes essential for salvation. God's concern focuses on spiritual deceit, urging vigilance against falsehoods that can distort one's approach to the truth.

The Four Horsemen (Part Two): The White Horse

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The white horse and its crowned bowman, as depicted in the first seal of Revelation 6:1-2, symbolize religious communication with a malevolent intent. This horseman goes out conquering and to conquer, initiating the beginning of sorrows that ultimately leads to widespread devastation. The color white, often associated with purity and righteousness, carries varied meanings in biblical contexts, sometimes representing leprosy or desolation, yet predominantly symbolizing holiness and victory in Revelation. However, the white horseman's deceptive appearance conceals a deadly purpose, as he wields a bow, a weapon of war and a symbol of God's judgment, suggesting a counterfeit truth or false gospel that penetrates with deadly accuracy from a distance. The rider is given a crown, signifying triumph, authority, or military valor, bestowed by divine sovereignty, as all authority comes from God. This crown authorizes the horseman to engage in conquest, with the purpose to dominate and subjugate the peoples of the earth. The imagery of the white horse and its rider portrays a powerful, aggressive, and victorious force, appearing noble but intent on destruction and deception. Jesus Christ Himself interprets this symbol in the Olivet Prophecy, warning His disciples against deception by many who will come in His name, claiming His authority, and deceiving great numbers through subtle doctrinal changes. The white horseman represents religious deception, exploiting the name of Christ to spread lies and false teachings, overwhelming the true disciples with an inexhaustible supply of fraudulent spiritual leaders. This deceptive force continues to ride, spreading counterfeit truths and erroneous beliefs, using its facade of righteousness to trick the world, while inwardly harboring destructive intent.

A Place of Safety? (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the unfolding of the seven seals of Revelation, the breaking of the first seal reveals a significant deception. This seal, represented by a rider on a white horse, appears to be good but is, in reality, a facade. It introduces religious deception as a plague upon the world, a prophecy that began to be fulfilled even in the days of the apostles. This initial seal sets the stage for the progressive building of iniquity, as each subsequent seal adds to the intensity of the challenges facing humanity. The mystery of lawlessness, already at work during the time of the apostles, continues to grow, exerting pressure on the true church and contributing to the spiritual and moral struggles that characterize the end times.

Matthew (Part Thirty)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Seals of Revelation, as discussed in relation to Matthew 24, provide a chronological framework for understanding end-time events. The first seal, evidently opened shortly after Christ's resurrection, marks the rise of false ministers instigated by figures such as Simon Magus. This initial seal sets the stage for a progression of events that unfold through time, with each seal continuing to remain open once broken, though their fulfillment varies in intensity. As the end approaches, the intensity of these seals' fulfillment is expected to increase, signaling the nearness of significant prophetic milestones.

Overcoming Destructive Fear

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

Our world is engulfed in violence and wars, facing threats of nuclear conflict and acts of terror, reflecting a deep darkness and demonic influence that perverts what is good. As we approach the coming of our Lord, trials and persecutions will intensify, severely testing our faith and troubling our hearts. In this context, the Seals of Revelation signal the beginning of sorrows, marking the end of the age with significant and frightening events. Concerning the first seal, there is a belief that it may have been opened with the establishment of a religious agenda, possibly linked to the Pope's 2030 agenda, which has been adopted by the UN. This suggests the emergence of a religious conqueror, setting the stage for the tumultuous times ahead. As these events unfold, we must remain rooted in Jesus Christ, staying strong and courageous to face the challenges and overcome the destructive fear that threatens to separate us from God.

The King of the South

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The first seal of the book of Revelation deals with false christs, those who do not fight fairly, preferring to deceive and strike from a distance rather than confront face-to-face. This imagery aligns with the description of Ishmael as an archer, one who shoots from cover or ambush, reflecting a terrorist mindset that avoids direct engagement. This characteristic of striking from afar, as seen in the symbolic representation of the first seal, underscores a method of deception and indirect conflict that mirrors the historical and prophetic depictions of certain adversarial behaviors toward Israel.