There’s always a temptation for me, when I listen to the horrific news, to consider the verses in Revelation 6. We have experienced war, famine and plagues. The wild animals mentioned in verse 8 are a bit of a confusion, but part of me wonders. Is this it? Is this so bad that Jesus is finally coming to set things right? My soul cries out for that day as much as my body fears what precedes it.
Yet, I am torn. Were Jesus to come back now, I think of all the opportunities we might have missed to be used by God to make things better. I read the verse describing a member of every tribe in heaven and think – we have the opportunity yet to strive and help grow God’s kingdom. To help and heal. To partner with God and improve the world that He is coming to save.
And I read verses 9-11 with hope. It is right and just to be crying out for a release, for judgement, for Jesus’ return. And equally right to wait for God’s timing.
The really troubling question is not when Jesus will return. It is not for us to know that. But what we can do to help this world prepare for Him. What we can give. Of our prayers. Of our time. Of all of our resources. But most of all, what can we give of ourselves to God. How we can be perfected by Him that bit more, so our prayers can be more effective. Our investment in others wiser. Our walk, closer to Jesus’ example.
In this light, the East African crisis looms large. Here is an opportunity to walk closer to God, to help others live a better life. Here is a real opportunity to partner with God in prayer and supplication for the plight of the world. Here is an opportunity to be part of God’s love in action.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for saving me. That you for revealing yourself to me.
Forgive me for all the times I see the world as it affects me.
Help me to grow, to see the world through your eyes. To hear its cries through Your ears. To react to its need with Your heart.
Bless those in East Africa, Lord.
Protect and shelter them from the world’s harm and the famine that threatens to crush them.
Hold those outside the camps especially close, O Lord.
And show me what Your reaction for me should be.
Speak loudly, Lord, so that even I can hear your will.
Send your Spirit to give me the strength to follow the example of Your son, Jesus.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
Revelation 6
The Lamb Breaks the First Six Seals
1 As I watched, the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals on the scroll.[a] Then I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked up and saw a white horse standing there. Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.
3 When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the second living being say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse appeared, a red one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere.
5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay.[b] And don’t waste[c] the olive oil and wine.”
7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come!” 8 I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green. Its rider was named Death, and his companion was the Grave.[d] These two were given authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease[e] and wild animals.
9 When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters[f]—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.
12 I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. 13 Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places.
15 Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”