THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE AND THE BLOOD MOON
Suggested Reading: Revelation 6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The moon over a northern Ontario lake. Today's chapter refers to the moon turning blood red (6:12).
Key Verses: Revelation 6:12b, 16-17
The moon became like blood… And said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ “Day Unto Day” devotional series)…
The Lamb opens the first seal, releasing the first of seven plagues upon the earth. The imagery of the first four is powerfully vivid: horses of different colours and their riders, all symbolizing war and its tragic results. A white horse appears, its crowned rider holding a bow, and he rides out to conquer (probably representing an invader). Then a red horse follows, whose rider holds a large sword and the power to take peace from the earth. Next, a black horse, its rider holding scales in his hand, enters. This rider announces an exorbitant price for wheat, indicating famine prices, the sorrowful result of war. The fourth is a pale horse, ridden by Death itself, symbolizing the disease and casualties of war and famine.
The fifth seal reveals the multitudes slain in war because of their “testimony” (verse 9). They call loudly for vengeance and are told to be patient.
The opening of the sixth seal introduces ominous cosmic disaster: a great earthquake, a blackened sun, a blood-red moon, falling stars, and a vanishing sky (verses 12-14). Every human being on earth is so terrified that all of them seek sudden death…not for fear of the disasters but for fear of Him who precipitates them: the One “who sits on the throne…and the Lamb.” The issue is not the apparent anger of nature. The issue is the very real wrath of the Father and the Lamb at all unrighteousness and injustice. The “great day of their wrath has come,” and in light of their judgments and man’s accountability, “who can stand?”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
In the Day Unto Day eight-book series, Norma-Jean and I (David) wrote the prayers for each day of that two-year journey. This was our prayer to go with the Revelation 6 reading…We invite everyone reading this to pray with us. “Lord, we realize that You are a God of perfect love, but also perfect justice, and You punish all sin. We repent of all sin and evil in our lives and ask that we will be cleansed through the shed blood of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I promised to write a brief word about each of Jim’s and Kathy Cantelon’s children. Here’s Jess! Jess and Erika have three children. Both Jess and Erika are graduates of Bishops University in Lennoxville, Quebec. Jess is an ordained minister in the Anglican Church, and he has pioneered a new church in Lennoxville called St. James, an Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) congregation (here is a link to the church website…and here is a short blog by Jess). Jess also has a graduate degree from a Jerusalem, Israel, college affiliated with Hebrew University in Old Testament Studies and Archeology.
Lennoxville brings back memories to me. I was 25 years old (June 1961) and was asked by Rev. George Ewald to conduct a week of evangelistic services there. As far as I can recall, there were no people in attendance the first evening who were not already believers in Jesus. I prayed about this fervently. The next morning I did something which might bring disapproval from some reading this. I went into Sherbrooke to the store that sells suits and clerical garb to priests, and I purchased a clerical collar. I already had a black suit. That afternoon and every afternoon for the week, I was decked out in my high collar and knocked on doors throughout Lennoxville. At least the people knew I was not a JW or a Mormon. I was invited often into the homes and sometimes was sitting on the living room couch before they knew why I was there. “Please come in, Father.” I have not worn clerical symbols over the years except on unusual occasions. My Father always wore his high collar, so I was comfortable as an ordained minister wearing one. Night after night new faces were seen in the congregation, and quite a few made first-time decisions to give their lives to Christ. Hey, Rev. Jess Cantelon, need any help?
Yours to fulfill the final Words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels, and yours believing that I would be the most selfish person on earth if I kept the good news of Jesus to myself!,
David
P.S. Below is picture of two other helpers I had that week in Lennoxville…Caspar and Jasper. At about 4 p.m. with their help, I would play my trumpet standing on the sidewalk while the children were heading home from school, and I’d give them a note to take home to their parents, inviting the kids to come to the church at 5 p.m. I guaranteed the parents that the children would be home by 6 p.m. Many parents came to the church with their children and some invited Jesus into their hearts. I’m aware this all sounds crazy to many modern ears, but I’m convinced Jesus approved, and I know Rev. Ewald approved.
P.P.S. Throughout June, the 100 Huntley Street daily telecast will feature Dr. Mark Hitchcock and his latest book, Blood Moons Rising! I plan, God willing, to quote from his book later this month in my 100 Personal Words section. Here is a link to a USA Today video report about the Blood Moons phenomenon (click here).
Ron took this picture when I spoke to the Crossroads staff in Chapel a few months back. Caspar and Jasper would help me play the trumpet seen on the podium along with my Loyalist's hat. There are lots of ways to have fun while sharing Jesus with children!
Thank you Jim for explaining what the seven scrolls mean so I can imagine
picture in my mind I like to visualize things. It reminds me of the book
” Heaven os Real” I read it twice, but could not get to see the movie. David
I did not see the Blood Moon and it was very interesting to read and watch
I like your picture but I cannot imagine you blowing a trumpet
God bless you and your families and everyone at 100 Huntley st
Lianne
On a recent episode of Blacklist, an insane professor quoted twice of five horses in Revelation and was twice encountered with the correct response of four. I was impressed by the knowledgeable reply. Reference and added perspective to these four horses and horsemen by Jim and Cathy Cantalone was helpful. One can certainly imagine how the terrifying events can play out in our world today, coupled with the importance of repentance for sin and forgiveness by the Lamb, Christ Jesus. In referrence to the high collar, I suppose many people see this as a competent level of education and ordination, however I think most of us know what really matters is the commitment and integrity of the person wearing this that truly matters. Have a great day, everyone!
God bless you, fine sir!! 🙂 I can just picture you on the corner with the trumpet, Caspar and Jasper. Praise God for all the hearts you brought to Jesus–we are all so grateful. God is smiling down on you!! 🙂
Thanks for the breakdown on Revelations 6, Jim and Kathy! God’s continued blessings to all saints, on this stormy day!
One Thing Remains, Brian Johnson, Bethel Music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGnpWo9SLuk&hd=1
It satisfies my soul, amen!!!
Thank you DM for today’s Revelation study. Revelations come in various forms, like you impersonating a priest as a young man. Very ingenious. What matters most is that God would surely love you for trying to bring souls to His attention. Man’s laws and God’s laws are totally different matters.
How beautiful is the pic of the northern Ontario moon!!
I appreciated your prayer for today, Amen.
Casper and Jasper are such cute ideas that children could so relate to. My first grandchild (Nov. 20/14) is going to know Jesus, love Him and have Him for a guiding light all his/her life. Will be wanting you and your blessed kind to help. Thank you DM et al for your great love of children and mankind.
Love to all in Jesus name.
From what is happening these days, would it be fair to say that probably the red horse has already been released? I personally do not disapprove of any of your actions sir. You demonstrated your love for Jesus and your desire to win souls for Him in a way most ministers will consider degrading these days. May the favour of our Good Lord always rest upon you and your family sir and also on us all…Amen!
Thanks for helping us to understand Revelation, David and Jim and Kathy Cantelon. Blessings everyone!
Amen!
Dear Rev. David M.
Thank you so much to you and the Cantelones for bringing clarity on Revelation . I am convinced that the Lord is so pleased with the wonderful work you have done all these years bringing Jesus our Saviour , our Messiah , our precious lamb to those young and old who do not know Him.
Have a blessed day everyone .
xxxx Carole.
Many thanks for the insight that God has given Jim and Kathy as they teach on Revelations… Praise You Father God!
In The Lord’s Prayer we pray to bring Heaven to Earth. There is no pain or suffering in Heaven. The following passage is a quote from Bill Johnson in his co-authored book “The Essential Guide to Healing”:
“Heaven invading Earth is both simple and complex. It is simple in that every time someone is healed, converted, or delivered, a piece of Heaven has come upon them, destroying the devil’s work. It is complex in the sense that the total ruling of Heaven on Earth is not accomplished through a moment of sincere petition. The diligent, relentless, focused prayer of a surrendered generation is what will accomplish this assignment.”
It is the start of another amazing and beautiful day here on the west coast… Have an amazing and joy filled day everyone…
Thank you DL, I have the book coming.
How amazing to hear that you had a Throne room experience on Sunday. I, too, had the sense that our whole congregation had entered the Throne room as we sang “Worthy is the Lamb” and “Holy is the Lord”. I was on my knees and could feel His presence. It felt as if He had turned His face toward us and given us His attention. He was pleased with our worship. How beautiful it was. I shook with His presence and my legs felt like rubber for about two hours after. How awesome is our Lord Jesus.
Incredibly, I realized that not everybody knew that we had entered the Throne room. How different would our worship be if we understood that we have an audience with the King. Be blessed as you worship Him. Krista Hargrave
What ever it takes to bring Christ to the lost , David you are an ambassator
for HIM……R…
Thank you for bringing the Word to my computer each morning.
Thanks for the “Blood Moon” photo and explanation …I so wanted to see it the night it was to appear “April 15” but I live in a Condo and the sky was obscured.
The saints robed in white that were martyred.for their faith..my understanding is that it may have been during the “tribulation” period…but they were told to wait for the others that are coming that will be martyred as they were…so maybe not…
Thanks Jim and Kathy Cantelon for the illustration of this chapter!! How blessed you are that your children are serving the Lord:)
What a blessing it is Rev. David to join with you in pray each day.