“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” (Rev 6:4, KJV). ^[1]

The identification of the second rider is unknown. He is simply the one who sits on the red horse. He is arriving onto a world stage that has been prepared by the conquering first rider. The power of this rider is to remove peace from the earth and cause people to kill one another. Like the first rider and his crown, this rider is given a device with which to accomplish his mission, a great sword. While this study will cover each of these points, it will deal primarily with the power of this rider and the resultant carnage created by it. After all, understanding how this rider with a great sword wields power that removes peace from the earth, which in turn causes people to kill one another, is very important.

The World Stage is Set

Just like the first rider, the second will come onto the scene at the perfect moment. He will arrive like one who harvests fruit at just the right time, inasmuch as the remaining populace of the earth will be living in a day that finds the restrainer removed and lawlessness flourishing (2 Thess 2:6). Paul speaks of the mystery of lawlessness already at work in his day, nearly two thousand years ago. Additionally, this lawlessness is already escalating on this side of the rapture. One can only imagine how wicked society will become when the one who restrains is taken out of the way.

Anger is also building, and when this rider arrives, he will apply the necessary impetus to incite violence on a grand scale. The difference between this moment and any before is the scope of this rider’s influence. His ride will impact the entire populace of the world, as noted by the fact that he will “take peace from the earth.” Notice this statement does not limit his influence to a portion. Instead, by implication, his ride will inflame the entire population of the planet. The question is, how does he accomplish this? A brief explanation of each of the four riders may help with this question.

Each rider is given a distinct power:

The first rider may come in the name of a movement that is currently sweeping the world into the insanity of adopting the LGBTQ-championed denial of the distinct genders created by God, in an attempt to bring confusion from which he will conquer.

The second rider will have the ability to take peace from the world. Perhaps he will capitalize upon another bizarre movement that is already spreading like a cancer throughout the entire world, Critical Race Theory.

The third rider will bring famine that might arise from another movement afoot that is attempting to shift power from individual farmers to government entities who desire to be the ‘end all’ to all. This shift is currently being accomplished by establishing artificial shortages, which will ultimately run the small farmer, distributor, and even the local stores out of business.

The final rider is the culmination of the first three. He will act out his namesake—death, and hell will follow as one-fourth of the earth suffers carnage by sword, hunger, plague, and wild beasts. This ‘fourth part of the earth’ is explained in the article “Back to Babylon.” ^[2]

Jesus spoke of this time in his Olivet discourse when explaining the coming Tribulation (Matt 24). He informed his disciples that deception would plague men in the last days. He then began to lay out this same format of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Beginning in verse five, he explains that many would come in His name, by way of deception, claiming to be Christ (1st rider). In verses six and seven, he warns of wars and rumors of wars followed by nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom (2nd rider). In the second half of verse seven, he speaks of famines (3rd rider), followed by pestilences (4th rider). Jesus goes on to speak of the Tribulation up until his return and the need to remain faithful while waiting. The first rider has been addressed in the article First Horseman of the Apocalypse. ^[3] Now on to the second rider.

The Red Horse

Like the first horseman, the second rides a horse which is the color of the nature of the rider. Albeit it, the first horseman only imitated the purity intended by his white horse. The second rider, however, is described as one who is in perfect sync with the nature intended by the color of the horse, red.

Throughout history, red has often indicated anger, fury, and even war. There is even an old phrase used for someone who is cross which confirms this, “They are so mad, they are seeing red.” This rider is subsequent to the first who went forth conquering and to conquer (Rev 6:2). That rider, which was noted to be the Antichrist, set the stage for this rider by dividing those who remain on the earth after the rapture (Rev 4:1) into differing camps based on ideology. Therefore, the actions of the first horseman prime the inhabitants of the earth for the second rider.

This horse that depicts war will rapidly traverse the earth carrying its rider who brings conflict by removing peace. Remember, the Antichrist (the first rider) will come as one who brings false peace (Dan 8:25); perhaps, he will come as a champion of those who were once thought of as the minority. He may even co-opt another movement calling for “equity”; this could explain how he even beguiles the Jewish nation into thinking he is their answer. Remember, he will affirm the very peace agreement which initiates the countdown of the tribulation period (Dan 9:27), the timeframe known as the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer 30:7; Matt 24).

Following false peace, the second rider will bring unprecedented discord. This is evident by the fact that the effect of this rider is upon all peoples of the earth, even down to individuals. Just like the first rider, the second is ‘given’ something to accomplish his task, power and a sword.

The Second Rider is Given Power to Take Peace Away

As noted, the second rider is given the unique power to take away the peace of men. Perhaps the best way to do so is to enhance division. Close examination of the text indicates this is exactly what this rider will do. Remember, he has the power to take peace away and cause men to kill one another.

People only kill one another if they have come to a place of insufferable differences. In other words, these people will be so divided that they can see no way to coexist. This will be the state of mind of the people of the earth because of the influence of the first rider; he will, by championing lies, cause the earth’s populace to begin to separate along ideological lines. The second rider will capitalize upon this division and enlarge the breach into an insurmountable obstacle. This will cause men to turn on one another, and neighbor will begin to kill neighbor. Worse yet, family members will be turning on one another as well.

Ironically, the beginnings of what may culminate in this great divide may already be manifesting in the form of what Jesus foretold in the aforementioned Olivet discourse; nation is rising against nation. Nation is translated from the Greek word ‘ethnos,’ which stands for race. Therefore, Critical Race Theory and other movements calling for equity seem to be priming the pump of racial hatred, especially in the countries mentioned as the possible proverbial hot seat of the coming carnage to visit one-quarter of the earth. This is discussed in great detail in the article “Back to Babylon.” [4] Indeed, the teaching of this racially charged curriculum is preparing the people of the world to fulfill a prophecy spoken by Christ almost two thousand years ago:

Matthew 10:21

“And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.”

The second rider will capitalize on the division created by the first rider and further the divide by convincing each group that their position is the correct position. Remember, only one group is actually correct, Christians. This blood-bought group, in believing that Jesus paid the price for their sins by dying for them; resurrected on the third day; and ascended to the Father, will be taken from the earth in the rapture, before the ride of the red horse. Therefore, the dominant beliefs left on the earth will all be worldly views crafted by men. These worldviews will undoubtedly clash and lead to utter chaos. With this in mind, it is clear to see this rider’s power is most effective by way of division, which is another aspect of what a ‘great sword’ is.

The Great Sword

Swords are made primarily for warfare. The sword given to the second rider is “great.” This implies that the sword is either large or very effective, or both. Perhaps the best way to view this particular sword is to see it as not just a sword but as an implement used by the second rider of the Apocalypse to ‘cleave’ the already divided populace into fearsome factions bent on the destruction of the others. Agreed, the overall image portrayed by a sword is one of warfare. However, the result of a strong blow from a ‘great sword’ is the dividing asunder of two parts of whatever the target may be. No doubt, this rider will fulfill the words of Christ and divide kingdoms and nations. However, the text indicates the intended recipient is ultimately all of the earth. In other words, this division will impact all people down to the individual level.

This is Not an Ordinary War

Yes, the sword indicates war; however, this war will be like none before it. For the first time, people of every stripe will strive to kill one another. In former world wars, nations did rise against nations, and peoples rose against peoples. However, in the midst of the great carnage was a cry for peace. This will, presumably, not be the case during the ride of the second horseman. Remember, his power is to ‘remove’ peace from the earth. Currently, it is hard to imagine a time when everyone desires to kill one another. However, by looking ahead to the culminating ride of the fourth horseman, one could see that peace is even removed from the wild beasts, who will kill people during this awful time (Rev 6:8). No, this will not be an ordinary war.

Due to the current world-shaping pandemic, people are already clamoring for things to return to normal or “ordinary.” Unfortunately, the first rider is set to ride, and he will be followed by a rapid succession of riders, which will culminate with those who survive concealing themselves in caves and rocks while calling for the very rocks and mountains to fall upon them in order to hide them from the “face of God and His great day of wrath” (Rev 6:15-17). Too late, they will realize they have entered into the foretold period of God’s judgment known as the “great day of His wrath.”

One can already sense that things will never return to normal. The ordinary is a thing of the past. Indeed, the world is being prepared, by the powers that be, to accept the deluded one who rides a white horse to commence the period warned of for so long, the Tribulation. The second rider will ride shortly thereafter. Knowing what to do in order to survive such a period is paramount. After all, the second rider is just one of four, and the rider only makes up a fraction of the pending judgment. In total, the world will experience judgments in the form of seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. The earth will be forever changed as a result of God’s judgment and simultaneous remodeling for the millennial reign (Rev 20:1-3).

How to Overcome

Surviving this time of great peril will be extremely difficult. However, God has made a way for those who miss the rapture to overcome. If you find this article after the rapture, another article, ‘Open Letter to Those Who Miss the Rapture,’ was written to you.[5] Ultimately, just like the raptured Christians, anyone who finds themselves in the Tribulation must rely solely on Jesus Christ. He is the only way to overcome, as illustrated by the words of the apostle John about this time of woes:

Revelation 12:11

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

The Son of God has already shed His blood. Now, during the most difficult time to do so, the one who comes to faith after the rapture must testify of Jesus openly. This will only be possible if one understands and lives by the third announcement of Revelation 12:11, “and they loved not their lives unto the death.” One of the primary foes for the new believer during the Tribulation will be the desire by many to kill anyone who ‘testifies’ of Jesus. However, this testimony is the only way to actually overcome. The words of Jesus describe this circumstance very well; “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt 10:32-33).

Clearly, trusting in and testifying of Jesus, who died for all and rose again on the third day, is the only way to overcome (Rom 10:9). Ultimately, all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom 10:13). Think of it this way: if life hangs in the balance, the name upon which one calls will determine their eternal future.

Conclusion

The second of four riders will bring a time of unprecedented hatred. One only has to look around at their own community to see the beginnings of this. The pandemic has provided a great snapshot of the division already afoot. Injections and masks could be leading to the division, which the first rider will seemingly address in his call for equity while championing the message of the oppressed. However, this synthetic unity will collapse because it is rooted in selfishness. Each group – worse yet – each person will desire to be their own champion (2 Tim 3:1-5). This will lead to the second rider who awaits the perfect moment to burst onto a scene that only seems peaceful. He will elucidate the differences of those involved, and like a yo-yo, the populace will change direction from faux peace toward carnage at the local level.

Website: In His Commission

[1] “Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the King James Version.”

[2] For greater understanding, read the article “Back to Babylon.”

[3] For greater understanding, read the article “First Horseman of the Apocalypse.”

[4] For greater understanding, read the article “Back to Babylon.”

[5] For greater understanding, read the article “Open Letter to Those Who Miss the Rapture.”

 

(Part 1 of 3)

I want to write about a matter I know there is a lot of variance about and that I feel fairly strongly about because of proper biblical exegesis. Writers on this site and elsewhere have differing views, but I have rarely seen much in the way of justification for a specific viewpoint for the topic I am going to write on. Opinions seem fixed and interpretation molded around that view. People lock their views in vaults, and they do not justify those views. I suspect a good number of people don’t read what others write, in any case. I would not say that if I did not try to read most of the articles myself.

One of the key principles to any exegesis or exposition is that all conclusions must be in harmony with the rest of scripture. In order to do that, one must know what the rest of scripture says and how it links in with the whole revelation of God.

The matter I wish to examine critically is the “Gog/Magog War.” Ideas fall into 3 main timeframes, and it is this area that is disputed. As to the combatants, there seems to be general agreement with verses 2 and 3 of Ezekiel 38 being understood. It is the timeframe that I want to write about.

The three times given are (1) before the Rapture; that is, it could be anytime now. (2). Somewhere in the Tribulation. (3). At the end of the Tribulation as part of the whole Armageddon conflict. There has been the suggestion that this happens after the start of the Millennium, but that is so unlikely I won’t spend time on it.

I am convinced thoroughly that (1) is incorrect, and I know it is the dominant view of some RR writers, and I am not writing against anyone in any way. Please continue to read this fairly and not delete. I don’t hold my position without proof, and the proof is internal. One must be able to support one’s position. With that in mind, let us look at it.

1. We live in the day of grace when the gospel is proclaimed. It is said to be the age of God’s silence, which means God always has control over the world but does not intervene as He did in Noah’s time, and Sodom, and with the destruction of the Assyrian army in Hezekiah’s time, and especially as He will in the Tribulation. That is God in open judgment. God may have had a “behind the scenes” influence in World War 1 and WW2, but it was not openly known or seen. In the Gog/Magog war, it most certainly will be seen. The “silence” of God belongs to the age of grace. It would be totally inconsistent for God to intervene openly now in the affairs of the world.
2. Israel is always the key to prophecy. It is especially so in the Ezekiel account. Romans is very clear that these are the times of the Gentiles, and that is where all the emphasis is. Israel is on the back burner until the Gentile Church is removed, and then God takes up His people again. God will never work with Jew and Gentile at the same time. The Gog/Magog war sees God intervening openly for His people, and that dispensationally can’t happen this side of the Rapture.
3. The internal evidence in Ezekiel 38 and 39. The internal evidence is very great for NO Gog war before the Rapture, and we will consider those aspects now.

(a). 38:3-4. [[“and say, Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, ⁴ and I will turn you about, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords]] – God takes this initiative to bring armies to destruction. This has not happened in the age of grace and will not happen before the Rapture. It is the call and gathering of the Gog/Magog army. Right now, at the end of the Church age, we can see the beginnings of these power alignments, but that is not the war.

(b). We come to verse 8. This verse is a problem for all three views of timing. [[Ezekiel 38:8 “After many days you will be summoned. In the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste, but its people were brought out from the nations and they are living securely, all of them.”]] It cannot be said today that Israel is dwelling securely. Neither is that nation “restored from the sword” with the PLO and Hezbollah firing up to 225 Iranian rockets daily into Israel. Verse 8 just cannot apply to our times. It is an impossibility. Israel is surrounded by enemies.

The problem also exists possibly that near the end of the Tribulation when the forces gather for Armageddon, Israel is also not at peace. This is when I think the Gog conflict happens, along with Armageddon. It can’t really be said that the nation at that time is at peace.

The only time that happens is in the Millennium when Israel is settled and restored. However, the Lord reigns from Jerusalem, and before that, there has been a judgment of the sheep and goat nations. The forces of Gog would definitely be considered goat nations and would not enter the Tribulation anyway, so they cannot be present then.

(c). Another problem is found in this verse – [[Ezekiel 38:11 “and you will say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls, and having no bars or gates.”]] The purpose of walls, bars and gates was to protect the city and villages. In this verse, it speaks of a time of peace in Israel, a proper peace with security, and implied no threat from any enemy. That application to our days is ludicrous, and even at the end of the Tribulation when I think this happens, is problematic. The description presupposes a fully unprotected community dwelling peacefully, BUT Israel is one of the best-protected areas in the world.

Verses 8 and 11 are difficult. Maybe we are not to know exactly. The Gog/Magog war just can’t happen before the Rapture. It does not fit in any shape or form.

(d). This is a critical verse – [[Ezekiel 38:14 “Therefore, prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘On that day when My people Israel are living securely, will you not know it?'”]]

I have recently done a series on The Day of the LORD and pointed out over and over the special importance of the statement “In/On that day,” or “At that time.” Those catch phrases always refer to the times of the end, in the Day of the LORD, AFTER the Rapture, never before. The emphasis again is on living securely. No one can say that Israel dwells securely today; otherwise, it would not have both offensive and defensive weapons in abundance possessed by Israel to protect its very existence.

(e). IMPORTANT VERSE. Next, we look at this verse – [[Ezekiel 38:16 “and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It will come about in the last days that I shall bring you against My land, in order that the nations may know Me when I shall be sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.”]] “In the last days” in the Old Testament could never have referred to the Rapture or the time before the Rapture because the Rapture was a mystery to be revealed by Paul in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and not before. The term always referred to the time just before the Second Coming. Note this wording – “My people Israel.” Go back to Hosea and read this carefully –

[[Hosea 1:8-9 “When she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and gave birth to a son, and the LORD said, ‘Name him Lo-ammi, for ‘you are not My people and I am not your God.‘”]]

Then we move along with the most important conjunction, which is “Yet.” [[Hosea 1:10 “Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea which cannot be measured or numbered and it will come about that, in the place where it is said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ it will be said to them, ‘You are the sons of the living God.’“]]

The change is there from “Not My people” to “You are the sons of God.” Ezekiel 38:16 uses “My people Israel,” the same aspect of this Hosea verse – [[Hosea 2:23 “I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people,‘ and they will say, ‘You are my God.'”]]

Israel does not become “You are My people“ in the converted state until after the Second Coming. In the relationship sense today, Israel is “not My people,” though in the general sense they are the earthly people of God.

There is one more verse to consider in the Hosea passage that throws so much light on this subject. It is this one – [[Hosea 1:11 “The sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together, and they will appoint for themselves one leader, and they will go up from the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.”]]

That verse just quoted is where redeemed Israel will appoint one Leader, which we know will be the Messiah after the Second Coming. After their restoration, they will be restored as His people, just as Hosea and Ezekiel 38:16 teaches. What is the reason for this? It is stated, and it is this, “for great will be the day of Jezreel.” Jezreel is the valley that contains the hill “Har Megiddo,” which is Armageddon. It is Armageddon that is the great day and spells the deliverance for Israel from the Gog forces, and AFTER that, Israel can be termed as “My people” in the greatest affection.

See too, that expression “in the last days,” and as it occurs in the Old Testament, it can only mean the last days of the AGE leading into the Second Coming (same usage as in Matthew 24:1). In the New Testament, when Paul speaks of the last days, as in 2 Timothy 3, he means the last days of the CHURCH AGE, which is right now.

Through God’s dramatic destruction of the Gog alliance, the nations will know God, and He will be sanctified through what happens in Israel. That just cannot happen at this time before the Rapture. It would be totally out of place. Israel currently is “not My people.” So great will be Armageddon that the nations will know God and His mighty works.

ronaldf@aapt.net.au