Last time we heard what happened at the breaking of the fifth seal. John sees “The souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.” They cry out, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”
But upon contemplating the breaking of the first four seals, a gap remains. What is the connection between the three horsemen who appeared at the breaking of the second, third and fourth seals and the first seal? In other words, what is the connection between the spreading of God's Word, the gospel, and these three terrible disasters?
Well then, if the martyrs in heaven cry out for God's justice to be carried out when the fifth seal is broken, it is clear that the second, third and fourth horsemen are not about punishment or angels of vengeance. But what then is the reason for the terrible disasters they bring with them?
Well, the connection is different. In the end times, it is primarily about God proclaiming the gospel. It is primarily about God's gracious offer of salvation. God wants to forgive sins to everyone who bows before Him in repentance. But many show no repentance and continue with their godless lives. And so, where His Word is rejected, there is no place for peace, because the great King of Peace and Peacemaker is rejected. Where God's Word is heard and rejected, evil is given free reign, even more than before. Evil will manifest itself in people's lives even more than before. The prince of darkness, Satan, will have even more freedom to spread evil and misery. Well, that is what is happening. With the breaking of the first seal, we heard how Christ comes with His Word. But tragically, many reject this Word. Humanity then brings great evil upon itself. There is even less room for peace. Where there is no love for God, there is also no real love for your neighbor, because the world revolves around the “me”. There is no bowing down before God. And in its wake, much goes wrong and there is war, hunger and death, the reality of this life. But the first victims of this evil are often Christians. And so we hear the martyrs cry out: fulfill your justice on earth!
What important thoughts to ponder here! We must pay attention to the preaching of the gospel. How important it is that the church be a living witness of Christ! We live in a post-Christian era. The church is growing smaller in terms of numbers. There is much darkness in the world. Let us live personally and as a church in gratitude for salvation in Christ and glorify God in word and deed. How important it is to be a light on a candle and a city on a hill.