June 9: PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TRIBULATION
When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given him a great sword. Revelation 6:3-4
As Jesus breaks the second seal, the second living creature like a calf ((4:7) issues the invitation to “Come and see.” The fiery red horse signifies bloodshed! The calf, as a sacrificial symbol, fits the scenario. The second letter, written to the church at Smyrna, highlights their faithfulness. Love and faithfulness for our Creator and Savior has never failed to anger those who do not love Him.
In the days of the early church, Christianity was “public enemy number one” in the eyes of the Roman government. Faithful Christians, such as those in Smyrna, had been blessed with the inner peace that comes with a personal relationship with Jesus (see 1:4). In order to silence his opposition, Satan resorted to coercion and force, carrying it out through the Roman government. The persecution that they faced was very acute, yet they held fast to the Savior’s promise: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Again, we see a crown to be given by our Lord to His royal, loyal subjects. His every promise is trustworthy. Hallelujah!
The church continued to grow from the first century on into the fourth. It was even joined by repentant observers who had beheld the true, unshakeable faith in the faces of dying witnesses as they experienced the cruelest tortures unto death. Such a countenance conveys the true peace that everyone longs for. The faces of those faithful left the indelible imprint of a life-giving sermon in the minds of their observers.
We see that the mission of the red horse and its rider is to take peace from the earth. It is a fact that resistance to the gospel message results in a loss of peace. The Bible consistently refers to the wicked as those who have had exposure to the Good News, yet chose to reject it. The wicked are like the tossing sea, for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up refuse and mud. “There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God (Isaiah 57:20-21).
Jesus could not have been clearer as He taught His disciples about events to come in the wake of the gospel message: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.” Matthew 10:34-36
With strong symbolism, the second horse that rides forth as the second seal is broken illustrates the consequences that people bring upon themselves when they reject the gospel. But there is indescribable peace for those who truly love Jesus, accept His word, and honor His law.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (see also Psalm 119:165)