The ultimate face-off between the Lamb of God and Satan is the most breathtaking truth in the Book of Revelation.  But, first a six thousand year old scroll must be understood.  “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals” (Revelation 5:1).  Apparently, our Heavenly Father commissioned this scroll to be written just as soon as Satan stole the legal deed to the beautiful world that Adam and Eve had inherited.  This scroll was never seen by mortal man until John saw it in his vision.  The Father held it as a strong angel sought a Worthy Redeemer who had earned the legal right to open its content.

Nowhere in God’s entire universe was there a being or creature kin to the divine person of God.  The great host of angels must have searched every nook and cranny in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth.  By divine revelation, John was either told or made to understand that this book contained the hope of humankind.  Without this great scroll in the Father’s hand being fulfilled, this unclean universe was destined to continue downward.  Someone had to open this book and take back what the devil stole.  In this six thousand year old document were the title deed and the divine process to uproot the usurper.   The Father’s plan and purpose was recorded; but, the first of kin to God Himself had to unseal the plan.

John was weeping in soul-rending disappointment.  We would think that John already knew that there was an answer; but, it had been held back from him.  It was an unfolding drama. He was still in the flesh even though he was caught up in the Spirit.  But, the Elders at the scene were glorified saints and now possessed the wisdom of the ages.  “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof” (Revelation 5:5).  This is one of the most revealing manifestations of the victory of the cross in Holy Scripture. His death was the redemption and reclaiming of paradise lost.

When the Son of God said, “It is finished,” He literally ripped a stolen and emaciated world out of Satan’s possession.  That victory could not be claimed until the Gospel had its day of redeeming souls.  But, that day is now at hand in this vision; and we are about to see the real drama in our day.  John was beholding the scene that is soon to be acted out when the Raptured saints are gathered home.  “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne” (Revelation 5:6-7).

The Heavens exploded in triumphant worship.  The saints will sing their first song after arriving in the Eternal City of Jerusalem.  This is the Holy City of which earthly Jerusalem was but a shadow.  The worship will be of Jesus Christ our Emancipator.  Finally, the universe will see the full scope of who He is and the finished work of what He did.  He was the first of kin, His only begotten Son, to the Father.  As the Divine Savior, He is ready for the ultimate face-off with the lying masquerades of Satan.

That’s the background of the beginning process to open the “Seven Sealed scroll.” This entire document is a legal manifest, it is divine business and His saints are the offended host.  Satan is the accused and judgment has been passed.  Let the proceedings begin, “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.  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” (Revelation 6:1-2).

The picture of this beginning eviction is very celestial.  John sees this after being “caught up” himself while still in his body but allowed to see in the Heavenly realm.  The Lamb is the Grand Marshall.  The first four seals are unique and reflect a unity of purpose.  Zechariah had seen the same four horses and riders, “And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.  In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses” (Zechariah 6:1-3).   It was noted that these go forth from God and are instrumental for judgment on the earth.  In every act of redemption there is its counterpart of judgment.  You can have judgment without redemption, but you can never have redemption without judgment.

The White Horse and its rider cannot represent Jesus Christ or the Antichrist.  If the rider of the first horse was a noted personality, then the other riders would by necessity represent someone equal.  All of the activities of these horses and horsemen are a redemptive and judgmental process right out of the seven sealed scroll.  The Son of God turns these forces loose and they are going forth throughout the earth.  The Antichrist is part of the action but on the defense.  He cannot come out of God’s redemption plan which is recorded in this scroll.  Rather, he fights to defeat the process.

Those who see the Antichrist in connection with this White Horse are not altogether wrong.  This horse and rider represent the ultimate face-off between light and darkness, truth and error, Christ in His glory, and the Antichrist in his masquerade.  This action will continue for the entire seven years as will the whole process of the seven seals.

Every inch of territory taken from Satan’s forces will be hard won.  It is clear that God’s uses truth and righteousness to win, not sheer power. The Lord Jesus does not seek to overwhelm Satan with His supernatural strength but with the power of His blood and the triumph of His resurrection.   This is why the identity of Jesus Christ during the entire Seven Tribulation years is the “Lamb of God.”

This rider is depicted as having a bow but no arrows.  There is no relationship between this weapon and the Antichrist but a powerful picture relating to the triumphant powers of a Lamb slain.  It is neither the person of Jesus Christ nor the Antichrist that is connected to this Great White Stallion.  It is the going forth of righteous judgment, face-to-face with every design of the fallen prince.  The entire Seven Years of the Tribulation will be one conquest after another.  Every realm where Satan has reigned and defiled will be conquered and purified.  When the Great Tribulation is over and the saints return with Christ, we will rule a world where paradise has been restored and the principles of His holiness will fill the earth.  The Book of Revelation is perfect restoration of all things.  That Great White Stallion is pawing the ground to ride.
Joseph R. Chambers, DD, DSL
 jrc@pawcreek.org

Satan is on the move. The fiery darts of his evil workings are capturing an unsuspecting multitude and taking them captive. Our churches are full of good people that are bound and shackled. The unchurched world is equally blind, fettered, and unable to see or hear the saving Gospel. We hear much about praying, but I fear that most praying today is as empty as a desert. Please do not think I am being critical or down on the good saints that are striving hard to see results in spiritual matters. My effort is to answer this desperate need and see the devil defeated. Please read every word of this article.

Stealth is the first design of Satan. He hides his every move. Most of the church world and almost the entire secular world deny that Satan even exists. Satan has basically made himself a non-entity and the only people that believe he is around are his worshippers. He loves his obscurity. The truth is that he is a fallen angel and as powerful as the strongest of angels. He is not supernatural, but he is paranormal and can accomplish some wild things when unhindered by the power of God. Apostle Paul wrote Timothy and warned him of Satan’s design to ensnare the saints. He stated, “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (II Timothy 2:26). We live in the ultimate day of his dark deeds.

There are many ways that good people are brought under his control. The Spirit said to the Hebrews or converted Jews, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright” (Hebrews 12:15-16). By the same Holy Spirit Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Satan and his army of fallen spirits have every person on this earth in their sight. They are out to buttonhole you and put you in their straitjacket.

It is impossible to name every bondage or stronghold. Certainly, roots of bitterness – something or someone offends you and you hold onto that offence – are a type of bondage. Jealousy, anger, resentment, and unforgiveness are emotions that easily become strongholds. If you disobey a truth in the Bible and do not repent, it will become a stronghold. Many fleshly habits, such as tobacco, drugs, or alcohol quickly become a bondage or stronghold. Worldly entertainment, immorality, and immodest dress will capture your very soul. Many people are bound with the decoration of the body and the passion of looking like the models in the latest Vogue Magazine.

The Spirit warns us about being captured by this world. Peter stated,“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (II Peter 2:19-20). The normal state of an unbeliever or the person that has not been born again is bondage to this world.“Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world” (Galatians 4:3).

Every power or bondage and every spiritual stronghold is empowered by demons or fallen angels. A person bound with tobacco has a spirit of uncleanness. The worldly lifestyle is an unclean bondage. Anything that holds you captive is the work of Satan. Jesus came to give you liberty, to set you free, and to fill you “with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Peter 1:8). He wants you to be free like a bird, to soar in Spiritual things, and to be full of His Holy Spirit. He wants to plant you in His Church and make you faithful to the House of God.

Now, it’s time to learn powerful praying so we can see deliverance from strongholds. I have wasted much of my prayer life, but thank God that has changed. The Son of God was the master teacher on prayer. First, He warned us that Satan had to be bound before any victory was possible. Here are His words, “Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house”(Matthew 12:29). It does not matter what you are praying about – someone being saved, healed, or delivered from drugs or immorality – you must first defeat the spirits. Every life that is not free in Jesus Christ is bound by the enemy of Jesus Christ. There is not a “no man’s zone” in the spiritual world. You are either in or you are out.

Unsaved people are blinded by Satan, who the Bible called “the god of this world.” “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (II Corinthians 4:4). If you intend to be a soul-winner, you must first be a prayer warrior. That blindness in the sinner’s mind is their stronghold. Without the work of the Holy Ghost, it is impossible for that sinner to be converted. You may lead them to make a religious decision, but they will be just as lost as before. Praying the sinner’s prayer is powerless without conviction by the Spirit that breaks the stronghold of sin. Our churches are full of unconverted religious church members.

Mighty, anointed prayer is God’s design for victory in His Church. Man did not institute prayer. The Father Himself made prayer and communion with Himself our first line of victory. Forget your preaching, singing, or church worship if you have not learned to pray. Souls are saved in prayer closets before the first song in the House of God. When Zion travails, souls are saved, men are delivered, and the Kingdom of God comes to town. Read what the Spirit says,“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled” (II Corinthians 1:3-6). Jesus has won this victory and we live in it by prayer.

Pentecost came after ten days – ordained and required by Jesus Christ – of soul-surrendered and unified praying. The early church leaders refused to become the Red Cross Brigade, but gave themselves to the Word of God and prayer. As the church shook the world, the saints of God prayed. “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). By the power of the Spirit it is about to happen again!
Joseph R. Chambers, DD, DSL
 jrc@pawcreek.org