 From 1974 and until he passed away in June of 2005, Frank Caw devoted a considerable amount of time to research and study in Bible prophecy and related philosophical and theological issues. This website is dedicated by his family to his memory and work and is as he presented it at the time of his death. The family of Frank Caw, Jr. would like to thank Tim McHyde of EscapeAllTheseThings.com for hosting his website.
While always insisting on a plain, literal and sensible approach to scriptural exegesis,
he has pieced together many new scriptural insights on a number of extraordinary
prophetic developments that are poised to be fulfilled in our immediate
future!
Thus, it is safe to say that things are not going to happen the way many people think
they will happen.
But, this book will give you the scriptural keys for truly understanding what God has
preordained will happen, and how you can survive the incredible scenario of prophetic
events about to unfold! |
This ministry is dedicated to the loving memory of my
late wife, Debbie, who went to be in the presence of God on October 23, 1997, and who was
so instrumental in helping me to prepare for my ministry during those many long, difficult
years.
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Why The White
Horseman Does
Not Represent The Antichrist
Breaking
The Seals Of The Book
An Ipsos poll says that 25 percent of adults believe it is at least somewhat likely that Jesus Christ will return to Earth in 2007 2008. Of white evangelical Christian adults it's 66%. Want to know why Jesus won't come in 2007 2008, before most find out in Jan 1, 2008 2009? »» Read Featured Article
In order to understand the meaning of the events that follow, we must place them in their proper context. Thus, as we observed in the previous chapter, after the saints are Raptured into Heaven, and the Bema Judgment of Christ is completed, believers will be organized into various groups, each with a specific function to perform in God’s program of redemption for the earth. In Revelation, they are known as angels, horsemen, twenty-four elders, and the four beasts. Although these heavenly creatures might seem very strange and unusual to us, please bear in mind that similes (not symbols) are used to describe heavenly things. In other words, even though human words may be inadequate to explain extraordinary heavenly experiences, they were all that John had at his disposal to describe what he saw. Hence there is no symbolism involved in his descriptions; he used earthly words to describe literal things in Heaven.
For example, Revelation 5 portrays Christ as both a “Lamb” and a “Lion,” not in the literal or symbolic sense, but as a way of describing His personal attributes or characteristics which are shared in common with the creature or animal in view. In like manner, as we proved earlier, the “four beasts” and the “twenty-four elders” represent groups of Raptured saints in Heaven who will gather around the throne of God to praise and worship God as they prepare for their participatory role in redeeming the earth. So, the Four Horsemen must be viewed with this same perspective; they will be Raptured saints in Heaven. But, they are called horsemen because they will go forth to carry out the assignments that will be revealed when the seals on the “book” are broken by Christ.
In other words, Christ Jesus will break the seals because He is worthy, and because He is the head of everything in the universe. Moreover, all of the saints in Heaven will have just been organized into various groups, each with a specific function to perform in the redemption of earth. Therefore, the instructions revealed by the breaking of each seal will be passed through the structured hierarchy of one group of saints to the next group of saints until that assignment is carried out on the earth. Thus, for example, we observe the four beasts instructing the horsemen as they go forth to perform their tasks. So, this organized structure, with its layers of power and authority, is very similar to the “wheels within wheels” that Ezekiel saw during his experiences with the four cherubim (Ezek. 1-3, 10). That is why the Four Cherubim bear a striking resemblance to the Four Beasts in Revelation; likewise for Ezekiel’s “book of lamentations” and the “little book” in Revelation; Ezek. 2:8-10; 3:1-4; Rev. 5:1; 10:2-10.
We also observe that in the right hand of God is a small book, sealed with seven seals, which contains the “title deed” to the earth. Furthermore, just as the book contains the “legal” commission to execute God’s redemptive objective for the world, the seals collectively represent the legal procedures which must be followed before realizing that redemptive objective. Jesus is the rightful heir to all things, but Satan has been in possession of the earth ever since the moral fall of humanity took place in the Garden of Eden. However, the redemption price for the earth was paid by our kinsman, Christ Jesus, when He died on the cross as the sinless, innocent sacrifice in payment for our sins. Thus, the land has been bought back by Jesus as evidenced by the small book we observe in the right hand of God in Heaven.
But Satan, the “lawless one,” acknowledges no law but his own destructive and evil desires, and will not vacate his earthly property willingly or easily. Therefore, it will be necessary to break the seals of the small book that contains the legal title deed to the earth, and then proceed with the authority of the open book to take physical possession by force. Accordingly, Jesus will begin to break the legal seals of the book to reclaim physical possession of the earth as the process of redemption begins. However, since the earth is filled with sin and evil and corruption, it must first be purged and cleansed of all evil influences and consequences of sin. Obviously this process will be quite catastrophic in nature as redemption proceeds with the opening of the seven seals.
Meanwhile, Satan and his angels will have just been cast down to the earth, immediately after the Rapture has taken place. Then the Holy Spirit will be taken “out of the way” so that Satan and his evil angels will be unrestrained in their activities on earth. Interestingly, the Bible has little to say about the exact role that Satan’s evil angels will play at this time. Perhaps they will pose as exotic extra-terrestrials from another galaxy of stars. Who knows? But, we are told that the Antichrist will become “wounded to death,” and that Satan will then possess and incarnate his physical body so that both personages, i.e., Satan and Antichrist, will occupy the same body. At that point, the true nature and identity of the Antichrist will be “revealed” as the world realizes that Satan is the true source of power for the Antichrist. That is when the entire world will begin to worship both Satan and Antichrist.
But, that evil abomination will be countered, immediately, when the First Seal of the book in Heaven is broken, thereby resulting in the White Horseman, a group of saints, going forth to preach the Gospel message to the inhabitants of the earth. They will accomplish this vital mission by flying, literally, throughout the heavens, with complete immunity to the Great Tribulation and persecution which the Antichrist will begin on the earth below. This Great Tribulation will last for 3½ years, resulting in the martyrdom of many new Christian believers.
Sometimes it is said that ordinary people on the earth, such as the 144,000 Jews, will become new Christian believers, somehow or other, and then begin to evangelize the entire world for Christ during the Great Tribulation. But the truth is, no ordinary person would be able to roam thoughout the world empire of Antichrist, preaching the Gospel message to everyone, while such horrific persecutions were taking place, especially during a period of time in which the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit will have been removed. Instead, the Bible predicts that the Tribulation Saints, i.e., new Christian believers, will undergo a spiritual “wilderness” experience wherein many of them will be executed for their faith in Christ Jesus. In fact, it will only be after the Great Tribulation is over, that surviving Tribulation Saints, including 144,000 Jews, will be “sealed” supernaturally by God for their protection (from the Trumpet-Vial Judgments that will strike the world during the Day Of The Lord).
Moreover, Revelation 6 does not stand alone in its narrative on this matter. Other scriptural passages, including parts of the Olivet Discourse, parallel passages in Revelation, and the third chapter of Habakkuk also provide important accounts from different perspectives, thereby giving us many more details and insights than we would have otherwise. For instance, Habakkuk 3 is a prayer poem that uses the imagery of poetry to emphasize one important feature that many people do not understand about apocalyptic events. That before Divine judgments fall upon the world during the great and terrible Day of the Lord, there will be a period of tribulation that will beset the world first, a time that will involve a mixture of Divine wrath and grace. That will be when the Tribulation Saints will be saved and persecuted, and sometimes executed.
Unfortunately, too many people have been misled into thinking that the word “tribulation” applies to the entire period of time between the Rapture and the Return of Christ at Armageddon. But, “tribulation” is not the name of a period of time; instead, it is an experience, first for new Christian believers on the earth, immediately after the Rapture, and then many years later, for the Jews in Israel. Thus, Revelation distinguishes between Divine judgments that will be unleashed upon an evil world, and the persecution of new Christian believers by the Antichrist during a time when God will hinder his activities through the breaking of the first six Seals. Only persecutions that will be perpetrated by the forces of the Antichrist are designated by the expression “tribulation.” Divine judgments will not begin until after the “tribulation” is over, and the great Day of the Lord begins. Therefore, the Great Tribulation will involve Divine wrath mixed with mercy and grace, whereas the Day Of The Lord, which will begin as soon as the Great Tribulation is over, will be pure, unadulterated Divine wrath and judgment.
The poetic prayer in Habakkuk 3 contains only one petition: “In wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3 continues by saying, several verses later: “I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction, and the curtains of Midian did tremble.” This is a poetic way of describing a terrible period of time that Jesus referred to as the beginning of sorrows, and that Revelation called the hour of temptation or testing that will try the whole world. Thus, there will be two different types of judgment and wrath in Revelation. First, there will be a time of limited wrath whose purpose will be salvation for as many people as possible; judgment mixed with grace and mercy. But next will come a period of wrath and judgment whose purpose will be to purge and punish the world; pure judgment completely unrestrained by mercy and grace. However, immediately after the Rapture occurs, the first order of business will be salvation for the Tribulation Saints. That will be the work and the mission of the Four Horsemen, as Habakkuk expressed it so eloquently:
Habakkuk 3:12-13
Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed. (KJV)
Breaking The First
Seal
Revelation 6:1-2
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. (KJV)
Controversy and speculation have always shrouded the true identity of the white horseman who will appear as a result of the First Seal being opened. Often it is said he represents Antichrist, but that theory, although popular, is incorrect because, as we demonstrated earlier, similes, not symbols, are used in Revelation when describing heavenly things. Thus, there is a substantial body of scriptural evidence weighing heavily against the notion that the white horseman represents Antichrist:
1. Actually, no one can point to any clear-cut scriptures in the Bible which say Antichrist will pretend to be the Messiah of the Jews! Instead, the Scriptures make it quite clear that Israel will be one of the very first countries attacked by the Antichrist during his initial ascendancy to power, thereby precluding any possibility of deception in the sense that he will pretend to be the Jewish Messiah. (Dan. 8:8, 9). He will pretend to be a god of the universe, however, as we saw in earlier chapters of this book.
It is said that the Antichrist will sit in the rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem and declare himself to be “God.” However, this does not mean he will try to pass himself off as the personal, infinite, triune God of the Christian Bible, but only as a god of the New Age variety. (The letter “g” does not have to be capitalized in the Greek.) In fact, in this very same passage it is said that he “opposeth” everything associated with the true God in Heaven. Furthermore, not only will he oppose God immediately after the Rapture when he executes Christian believers for their faith in Christ, but even before the Rapture, he will advocate his own brand of morality and spirituality as confirmed in a number of passages.
Daniel 7:25 gives us additional insight: “And he (the Antichrist) shall speak great words against the most High.... and think to change times and laws...” In other words, Antichrist will speak boldly and defiantly against the true God of biblical Christianity while advocating his own standard of morals and values for society. No decent standard or sensible norm will be safe from attack or immune to criticism. Accordingly, from the very outset, there will never be any pretense on his part at feeling very sympathetic towards Israel or Jews or Bible-believing Christians, nor will he ever pretend to be the Jewish Messiah as some people suppose — especially since Israel will be one of the very first countries he will attack when he first rises to power. (Dan. 8:9). Instead, he will begin soon after his initial appearance to criticize and defy traditional Christian beliefs and moral values and cultural conventions, and then immediately after the Rapture, will even kill anyone who proclaims their faith in Christ. Later, he will also violate the sanctity of the sacred Holy of Holies room in a rebuilt Jewish Temple while proclaiming himself to be the god of gods.
I John 4:3
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (KJV)
II John 1:7
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (KJV)
I John 2:18, 22
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (KJV)
In the above passages, not only are we told that a specific, unique personage called the “antichrist” will appear some day, but we are also informed that since the inception of Christianity, there always have been people who have denied that the historic Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh. Or as noted in I John 2:22, that both God the Father and God the Son are the true God in Heaven. Thus, these people, too, are “little” antichrists in a manner of speaking. So, while we are warned against the heresy these people teach, we are also given further insight as to exactly what the Antichrist will advocate, and how the Bible itself actually defines the word “antichrist.”
Because Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines the prefix “anti” as meaning “one that is opposed,” this indicates that the Antichrist will be opposed (to the true God in Heaven). Moreover, as we noted in the paragraph above while commenting on I John 2:22, the Bible says that the Antichrist will deny the true God in Heaven, i.e., the personal, infinite, triune God of biblical Christianity. So, obviously this scriptural prediction is completely consistent with Daniel when he says in Daniel 7:25 that the Antichrist “shall speak great words against the most High,” and in Daniel 11:36-37 where he states that the Antichrist will “magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods... nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.” This then is how we should define the word “antichrist” because that is how the Bible defines it.
That is why it is wrong to think that the Antichrist will ever pretend to be the Jewish Messiah — even when he first appears to rescue the world from the threat of terror and destruction and war. Instead, the Antichrist will deny both God the Father and God the Son while proclaiming himself to be a god above all other gods. Therefore, it may not be a coincidence that the popular New Age Movement teaches that we can achieve godhood and extraordinary powers of the mind through “higher consciousness” techniques or “Christ consciousness.” For that reason, the impressive historical evidence proving the true identity of Jesus is ignored by these people and their followers, and He is relegated to the status of just another ordinary psychic seer.
Daniel 8:9
And out of one of them came forth a little horn (Antichrist), which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land (Palestine; Israel). (KJV)
This biblical passage portrays the “little horn” Antichrist originating from one of the four major divisions of the ancient Grecian Empire which emerged soon after the unexpected death of Alexander the Great. Then the little horn, representing both a tiny, new country and the personage of Antichrist, waxes “exceeding great” very quickly as he conquers countries in a southern and eastern direction. Please note that the “pleasant land” (i.e., Israel; Palestine; Dan.11:16, 41; Ezek. 20:6, 15; Psalms 106:24; Jer. 3:19; Zech. 7:14) is mentioned specifically as one of the first countries attacked by Antichrist during his initial rise to power, thereby precluding any reasonable possibility that he might pretend to be the Messiah to the Jews. The fact that the scriptural evidence also indicates Antichrist will originate from the country of Lebanon, and not from Israel, decreases that possibility even more so.
Later, in this same passage of scripture, Daniel elaborates on the above prophecy in verse 9:
Daniel 8:23, 24
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully... (KJV)
It is when the communists “come to the full” that “a king of fierce countenance... shall stand up.” This fierce-looking man, the Antichrist, will be a “king,” i.e., a political leader, and an aggressive military genius who will understand “dark sentences” that will infuse him with amazing occult power. Then with that power, the Bible predicts he will destroy his enemies with astounding ease! Nothing will seem too difficult for this extraordinary man to achieve! Although the “church-world” and many “religious leaders” will seem dazed and confused while fumbling around for plausible explanations, the Antichrist will appear to have the answers! During a period of crisis and fear and confusion, he will mesmerize the whole world with his incredible military feats and miraculous occult power and enchanting oratory.
“And he shall destroy wonderfully.” (Dan. 8:24). Thanks to modern science and technology, mankind now possesses a multitude of amazing high-tech weapons and nuclear bombs. So, it certainly makes sense that the Antichrist — from a very small country with a small army — would require supernatural occult power to achieve what the Bible predicts he will accomplish. This is made even more apparent in Young’s Literal Translation: “And wonderful things he destroyeth.” Thus, this scripture predicts that the Antichrist will rise up suddenly and demolish the modern, high-tech weaponry that will be arrayed against him. Moreover, further clarification becomes evident in an analysis of the word “destroy” because it is translated from the Hebrew word SHACHATH, defined as meaning “to ruin.” So, we must conclude it will be a most startling and remarkable demonstration of satanic occult power.
Other than from Satan, where could a man obtain this fantastic power and ability? That is precisely what Daniel was predicting in the scriptural phrases “understanding dark sentences” and “his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power.” Such amazing occult power will be satanic-inspired as the apostle Paul likewise explains in the following scriptural passage: “Even him, whose coming (i.e., initial ascendancy to power) is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” (II Thess. 2:9). This view is further corroborated in Revelation where it is said that the whole world, immediately after the Rapture, will understand that Satan is the source of power for the miraculous occult abilities of the Antichrist after he is “revealed.” (Rev. 13:4).
Daniel 11:36-39
36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. (KJV)
“Neither shall he regard... the desire of women... for he shall magnify himself above all.” Not only will the Antichrist magnify himself above every god, but apparently he will also lack interest and desire in the beauty and sexual attractiveness of women because “he shall magnify himself above all.” This does not necessarily mean, however, that he will not be married. Instead, it may indicate he will be obsessed by his extraordinary supernatural occult power and abilities, and by his agenda for political power and military conquests and spiritual deception. That is why there is no reason to believe he will be a homosexual as some have speculated; he will be too preoccupied with himself and his objectives to concern himself with sexual desires that would consume much of his time and energy.
“And the king shall do according to his will.” Daniel describes the Antichrist as “exceeding great” (Dan. 8:9), while Alexander the Great is given a description that denotes a lower magnitude of greatness; he is described as simply “very great” (Dan. 8:8). Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that the military feats accomplished by Antichrist will be amazing even when compared to the swift military conquests waged by Alexander the Great. Other scriptures also testify to the incredible military conquests achieved by the Antichrist. Thus, since Alexander the Great conquered his enemies with lightning speed, so likewise will the Antichrist. Nothing will be able to stop him or thwart his will. As John noted: “Who is able to make war with him?” In fact, the military conquests of the Antichrist, during his initial rise to power, will be so spectacular and astounding that he will be universally acclaimed as an invincible war genius, and most people will even believe him when he proclaims himself to be a god!
“The king shall do according to his will.” From the very beginning, the Antichrist will boldly and unabashedly defy God by doing whatever he chooses to do according to his personal values and passions. Moreover, Daniel 7:25 states that the Antichrist “shall speak great words against the most High.... and think to change times and laws.” Thus, Antichrist will boldly defy and blaspheme the true God in Heaven even as he encourages defiance and rebellion against traditional cultural conventions and norms and moral values. Likewise, Daniel 7:8 predicts that the Antichrist will “speak great things” from the outset when he first begins his spectacular rise to power. As further corroboration, Daniel 8:25 predicts that the Antichrist will “magnify himself in his heart,” while Daniel 11:36-37 also prophesies he will “exalt” and “magnify” himself “above every god” and “above all” — descriptions which are reminiscent of the self-deification delusion that snared Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Thus, he will “magnify himself above every god,” and will be so bold and defiant as to “speak marvellous things against the God of gods.” Obviously these statements seem to imply that the Antichrist, indeed, will advocate “god-hood” for everyone — just as the New Agers teach.
“And shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished.” The Hebrew word for “indignation” is ZAAM, meaning “rage; fury, especially, God’s displeasure at sin.” Therefore, this scriptural passage predicts that the Antichrist will “prosper” in his plans to deceive people before the Rapture by inspiring world peace and prosperity. Then later, after the Rapture, he will continue to “prosper” by waging “war” against Christian believers for three and one-half years of Great Tribulation. But then after that, the Day of God’s Wrath will begin, and the Antichrist will no longer “prosper” in his plans because God’s “indignation” and judgment will be unleashed in the form of Trumpet-Vial plagues before culminating in His Return at the Battle of Armageddon.
“Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers.” A reference to the personal, infinite, triune God of the Christian Bible is not necessarily intended here in this passage because the letter “G” is not capitalized in the word “God” in the original language. Here is how Strong’s Hebrew-Greek Dictionary defines the word “God”:
430 ‘elohiym (el-o-heem’);
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:
KJV— angels, X exceeding, God (gods)- dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
So, the word “God” actually can be translated as “gods in the ordinary sense,” or it can be rendered as “the supreme God.” However, we should note also that the article “the” was added arbitrarily by the KJV translators because they jumped to the same conclusion everyone else did — so the presence of the article “the” does not lend any support to the theory that this word must refer to the true God of biblical Christianity. Accordingly, it is erroneous to assume this scriptural phrase necessarily refers to the Jewish fathers of the Antichrist in an attempt to prove the Antichrist will pretend to be the Jewish Messiah. Besides, it could just as easily refer to the Islamic supreme god, Allah, if the Antichrist proves to be a Moslem or Druze Moslem. Instead, it means precisely what it actually says, i.e., he will ignore the religion of his ancestors by simply declining to honor or worship the god whom his ancestors worshipped, whomever that may be. Corroboration on this point is provided in this very same passage of scripture when it continues by saying that neither will he “regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all” BEFORE the Rapture, but that AFTER the Rapture, he will modify his religious stance by publicly honoring the “god of forces” who is none other than Satan himself:
Revelation 13:4
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (KJV)
The Antichrist will proclaim himself to be a god, but it will be as a “new-age” style of god. That is why he will magnify himself above every other god BEFORE the Rapture when the world will be astounded by his miraculous mind powers and military genius. But AFTER the Rapture, when he is “revealed” to the world and everyone will know that his power is from Satan, he will curse and blaspheme the true God in Heaven while publicly honoring the “god of forces.” Likewise, it is essential to our understanding on this matter to remember that he will invade Israel in his initial rise-to-power, many years before the pre-tribulation Rapture occurs. Therefore, without a doubt, all of these things indicate there will be no pretense on his part at being the Jewish Messiah.
“He shall honour the god of forces.” Initially, New Age thinking may very well ascribe the incredible supernatural occult power of the Antichrist to the “universal spirit” or the “cosmic consciousness” of the universe. But, those who are wise will understand that it is Satan who is the actual source of such miraculous occult abilities, not some “universal power” achieved through “higher consciousness” or a “sudden, dramatic leap in evolution.” However, immediately after the pre-tribulation Rapture occurs, everyone in the world will understand clearly that Satan is the real reason for the incredible power and abilities of Antichrist. (Rev. 13:2, 4) (Dan. 11:39) (Hab. 1:11). Moreover, that is precisely what II Thessalonians 2:3-12 alludes to when it states that the Antichrist will be “revealed” (Greek APOKALUPTO; disclosed, uncovered, revealed), immediately after the Rapture, when the Holy Spirit will be “taken out of the way” (but not out of the world), and a mortally-wounded Antichrist will become possessed and incarnated by Satan himself (Rev. 13:2-4). So, in other words, we will see the “coming” of the Antichrist when he first appears on the world scene as a man endowed with satanic supernatural power. But, we (as Christians) will not see him “revealed” as Satan incarnate because that satanic union will not happen until immediately after the pre-tribulation Rapture takes place.
These astounding developments will not mean, however, that most people will believe Satan is evil — even after the Rapture when the whole world will worship both Satan and Antichrist (Rev. 13:2-7). Instead, they probably will think — as many people, reportedly, believe already — that Satan is a “good angel” who goes by the name of Lucifer, and that he is a morally good and benevolent creature. Especially since he will have been responsible for creating world peace and prosperity, before the Rapture, through his human surrogate, Antichrist. But on the other hand, God will be blamed for destroying that world peace and prosperity when He begins to unleash horrific plagues and judgments upon the earth. That explains why Revelation states in several different passages that AFTER the Great Tribulation — during the Great and Terrible Day Of The Lord — people on earth will curse God while refusing to repent of their sins.
“Shall honor the god of forces.” According to Strong’s Hebrew-Greek Dictionary and the Rev. Alexander Hislop, author of the classic, The Two Babylons, a more accurate translation of the word “forces” would be the word “fortifications.” Therefore, this scriptural phrase may be an allusion to the great rebel Nimrod, who (as documented by Hislop; pp. 30-55) can be described as “the god of fortifications.” So, apparently the Antichrist will be a modern-day version of Nimrod, who was viewed in his days as an extraordinary benefactor of humanity because he taught people how to protect themselves from the wild animals by building walls around their cities, and because he was a mighty hunter of these wild animals who were threatening to overrun the earth. But, after giving people the benefits and blessings of safety and security, he used his prestige to persuade people to rebel against God, thus beginning the great Babylonian apostasy.
Sometimes it is said John 5:43 proves that the Antichrist will pretend to be the Jewish Messiah:
John 5:43
43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (KJV)
However, Jesus simply was saying that many of the people listening in His audience were so hardheaded and unreceptive they would not receive Him despite the impressive Godly evidence of His ministry. Yet, on the other hand, they were so foolish they would believe some ordinary man and accept him as their Messiah without any sign of Godly inspiration as proof of his identity. Which is precisely what they did some years later, causing many Jews to suffer at the hands of the Romans.
Furthermore, please note that Jesus did not say “when” another man comes along in his own name, thus implying the absolute necessity for this event to happen. Instead, He said “if” this happens, clearly implying that it might or might not happen — an acknowledgement that people have a God-given right to freedom and freewill. But, since this word “if” carries the element of doubt and uncertainty with it, this passage can not possibly be a reference to Antichrist because numerous Old Testament prophecies had already been given by God predicting Antichrist would appear at the endtimes. This view, concerning the word “if,” is confirmed by Strong’s Hebrew-Greek Dictionary:
1437 ean (eh-an’);
from 1487 and 302; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:
KJV— before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-) soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, [who-] so (-ever).
2. Please note that the colors associated with the four horsemen — white, red, black, and pale — apply to the horses, not the riders. The colors represent the nature of the objectives to be accomplished, not the moral character of the individual riders. Therefore, the “white horseman” does not symbolize a “counterfeit Christ” — but if for some reason he did, hypothetically-speaking, then the remaining three horsemen would have to be designated as personified entities even more evil and destructive than the Antichrist.
3. Obviously the white horseman can not be the Antichrist because the scene of activity portrayed in this passage is in Heaven, whereas Antichrist is never in Heaven.
4. The horsemen are in Heaven, and are sent forth on their missions by the four living ones (saints, as proven earlier) who also are in Heaven. Furthermore, the living ones even talk to the horsemen. Therefore, the implication is very strong that the horsemen represent groups of saints in the same manner that “living ones” represent groups of saints.
5. It is inconsistent to say that the white horseman represents a man, and then claim that the remaining three horsemen are merely impersonal things such as war and famine and death. Logical consistency obviously demands personal identities for all four of the horsemen if we assign a personal identity to the White Horseman. Moreover, several verses later in this passage, in Revelation 6:8, the fourth horseman is personified by the use of the personal pronoun “him.” Then in the very same verse, the personal pronoun “them” is used in reference to the collective actions of the second, third and fourth horsemen. So, clearly the scriptural evidence indicates that all four horsemen must be assigned personal identities.
6. White always represents righteousness in the Bible. (e.g., Christ has white hair; the saints have white robes; the Great Judgment Throne is white; etc..)
7. The “bow” represents God’s Holy Word:
Habakkuk 3:8-9
8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
9 Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. (KJV)
8. The poetic scriptural passage in Habakkuk 3:8-13 vividly portrays the Lord going forth throughout the earth, riding on horses of salvation, accompanied by saints, possessing the bow (“thy word”) for the purpose of salvation during a terrible period of wrath and trouble:
Habakkuk 3:8-13
8 Was the Lord displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst RIDE UPON THINE HORSES AND THY CHARIOTS OF SALVATION?
9 THY BOW was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, EVEN THY WORD. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
11 THE SUN AND MOON STOOD STILL in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
12 Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.
13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed. (KJV)
This is precisely the apocalyptic scene described in Revelation! The white horseman obviously represents a group of saints going forth throughout the earth for the express purpose of salvation. (The color of the horse signifies the precise nature of the mission for each horseman.) The parallel-account of Revelation also portrays the exact same situation: angels (saints) flying in the heavens, preaching the gospel message to the people on earth below:
Revelation 14:6, 7
6 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,
7 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. (KJV)
Mark 13:8-13
8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (KJV)
Matthew 24:7-14
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (KJV)
“Then shall the end come.” The word “end” means the end of the “Dispensation of Grace” — not Armageddon or the annihilation of earth. As we will prove later, for three and one-half years after the Rapture, during the Great Tribulation, people will continue to have the opportunity to accept Christ Jesus as their personal Saviour. People who will do so are often designated by the expression, “tribulation saints.” Now compare the following scriptures with the above biblical passages:
Luke 21:10-19
10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
12 But before all these, 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.
13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
16 And 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.
17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19 In your patience possess ye your souls. (KJV)
Please observe that verse 16, above, predicts that only some of the Tribulation Saints will be killed by Antichrist. Thus, surviving Tribulation Saints who will also “endure unto the end” (i.e., keep their faith) will be saved. In fact, they will be the “elect” who will be gathered by the angels and translated to Heaven just prior to the Return of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon. (Matt. 24:31) (Mark 13:27).
Joel 2:28-32
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood (i.e., the Sixth Seal), before the great and the terrible day of the LORD (i.e., the Seventh Seal) come.
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. (KJV)
Acts 2:16-21
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood (i.e., the Sixth Seal), before that great and notable day of the Lord (i.e., the Seventh Seal) come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (KJV)
9. The symbolism of Antichrist and the beast is associated with TEN crowns. (Rev. 13:1) (Rev. 17). The white horseman, however, wears only ONE crown, a crown of righteousness and rejoicing and glory and life. (I Thess. 2:19) (II Tim. 4:8) (James 1:12) (I Peter 5:4) (Rev. 2:10; 3:11).
10. “He went forth, CONQUERING and to CONQUER.” The Greek word translated here as the English word “conquer” is NIKAO, and it means “to have the victory.” It is used in only one other New Testament passage, Romans 8:37, which reads: “We are more than CONQUERORS through him that loved us.”
11. Scriptural passages scattered throughout the book of Revelation clearly demonstrate that, quite often, “angels” in Revelation are actually Christian saints performing a given task, assigned to them by God as part of the overall effort in carrying forth God’s program of redemption for the world. For instance, two passages in Revelation read as follows:
Revelation 19:9-10
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (KJV)
Revelation 22:8-9
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. (KJV)
“I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus.” The angel who identifies himself as a saint, is also identified as one of the angels who pours out the seven vials of plagues upon the earth. (Rev. 17:1). Therefore, this proves once again that our interpretation concerning the identity of the angels in many of the passages throughout Revelation is correct. Obviously it will be the saints who will execute judgment upon the earth when it is “redeemed” and purged by fire.
Accordingly, the “four horsemen” are four groups of saints for many of the same reasons we analyzed earlier when proving that the “four beasts” and the “twenty-four elders” are groups of saints. Since we can establish from biblical Scripture that the saints “will judge the world” and “execute upon them the judgment written” (Rev. 5:9-10; Dan. 7:21-22, 27; I Cor. 6:2-3; Rev. 1:5-6; Ps. 149:5-9), they obviously should be in prominent display throughout the events in Revelation. Therefore, if the “four horsemen” are not four groups of saints, then why are they involved so extensively in world evangelism and execution of judgments upon the earth during the apocalyptic events narrated in Revelation?
12. Finally, it is quite apparent that the white horseman will not make his appearance in the world until AFTER the Rapture has occurred. Accordingly, if we were to adopt the proposition, hypothetically, that the white horseman portrays the Antichrist staging his initial ascendancy to power and dominance over the world, then we would be forced to ignore a wealth of biblical scriptures which describe many pre-Rapture exploits and accomplishments of the Antichrist.
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