Is the Red Horse carrying Peace or Fear?
Revelation 6:3-4 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
John is asked by the “living creature,” that has the face of a calf, to “come and see.” He tells us that he sees a red horse galloping from the throne of God. Where is this red horse headed? Let’s us look at the diagram of the throne of God and place this horse.
We know that the symbol of the calf or ox was the standard on the West side of the wilderness sanctuary. Therefore, when we apply this principle to the throne of God in heaven, we can say that John saw this red horse galloping from the throne of God to the West.
This rider will take peace from the earth.
Revelation 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
How does this rider take peace from the earth? Let’s look at some examples of the use of the word peace in the NT?
Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Isn’t it nice to know that when we surrender our lives to God and trust in Him, He fills our heart with the peace of Heaven. Jesus tells us in John 14:27 that His peace replaces fear. Let’s look at another quotation from Jesus about peace.
Jesus Came to Earth With a Sword!
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Jesus is talking to the seventy that He sent out two by two. As He is instructing His disciples on how they should conduct themselves, He makes this fascinating statement about peace and a sword. He tells us that He did not come to bring peace on earth, but that He came to bring a sword. How does peace and the sword go together?
We need to read some other statements He made about peace. Before He returns to heaven He tells His disciples that He will leave peace with them.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
He said that He came to earth to bring a sword not peace, then He tells others that He will leave His peace with His disciples. What happened to the sword? I am confused. Is He the King of peace, or not? What is Jesus telling us?
Though he bore the title of Prince of Peace, Christ said of himself, “Think not that I am come to send a peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword.” By these words he did not mean that his coming was to produce discord and contention among his followers. He desired to show the effect his teaching would have on different minds. One portion of the human family would receive him; the other portion would take sides with Satan, and would oppose Christ and all his followers. The Prince of Peace, he was yet the cause of division. He who came to proclaim glad tidings and create hope and joy in the hearts of the children of men, opened a controversy that burns deep, and arouses intense passion in the human heart. And he warned his followers: “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” “They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. . .Ye shall be betrayed both by parents and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.” {RH, January 16, 1900 par. 3}
The key thought is found in the sentence that says He “ desired to show the effect his teaching would have on different minds.” The principles of Heaven, the teachings of Jesus Christ, direct the mind of each man and women on this earth to choose between two camps. “One portion of the human family would receive him [and the peace that He promises]; the other portion would take sides with Satan, and would oppose Christ and all his followers [and receive the opposite of peace which is fear].” Not only will they oppose you, they will try to put you to death!
Is the gospel invitation one of peace or fear?
If the word of God is called a message of peace, why does Jesus call it a sword?
…The gospel is a message of peace. Christianity is a system which, received and obeyed, would spread peace, harmony, and happiness throughout the earth. The religion of Christ will unite in close brotherhood all who accept its teachings. It was the mission of Jesus to reconcile men to God, and thus to one another. But the world at large are under the control of Satan, Christ’s bitterest foe. The gospel presents to them principles of life which are wholly at variance with their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion against it. They hate the purity which reveals and condemns their sins, and they persecute and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy claims. It is in this sense–because the exalted truths it brings occasion hatred and strife–that the gospel is called a sword. {GC 46.3}
The gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of peace. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a sword that causes rebellion and hate. Which is it?
The words of Jesus Christ tell us that love and peace are the prevailing principles of Heaven. When we are confronted with this fact of the gospel of Jesus Christ, those who will resist this sword that cuts to our hearts, will rise up in rebellion. Our selfish hearts tells us that this peace goes against our will. We turn from the gentile voice of the Shepherd, and say no. I will do it my way. We think that one day we will return, but for today we drink the wine of Babylon and allow the false doctrine of Babylon to fill our minds. We choose to rebel rather than surrender to the gentile voice of Jesus. The purity of the messenger and the message becomes the target of our hate, and destruction becomes our method of control. All this strife started when we were given the invitation to accept the gospel of peace.
Let’s look at one who preached the good news of the gospel of God but was looked upon as the enemy of Israel?
Upon coming up out of the water, Jesus bowed in prayer on the river bank. A new and important era was opening before Him. He was now, upon a wider stage, entering on the conflict of His life. Though He was the Prince of Peace, His coming must be as the unsheathing of a sword. The kingdom He had come to establish was the opposite of that which the Jews desired. He who was the foundation of the ritual and economy of Israel would be looked upon as its enemy and destroyer. He who had proclaimed the law upon Sinai would be condemned as a transgressor. He who had come to break the power of Satan would be denounced as Beelzebub… {DA 111.3}
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, but His coming is like “unsheathing of a sword.” What other contrasts can we find in this statement? Let’s put these key phrases into a graph and compare them.
When you compare the Truth of God side by side with the lies of the Devil which will you believe?
How true are the words we just read. “…He desired to show the effect his teaching would have on different minds. One portion of the human family would receive him; the other portion would take sides with Satan, and would oppose Christ and all his followers… {RH, January 16, 1900 par. 3}. Not only did they rise in rebellion to the Law of Heaven, they opposed Him, they made up lies about Him, and crucified Him.
The sword of the word of God reveals the response of man to the Word of God. Let’s try to finish this theme of the message of the rider on the red horse in the next blog.
