Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who believed he was destined to rule Iraq forever. He tortured and killed at will, including inflicting poisonous gases on his own countrymen. Defying warnings from the West, he continued atrocities, including invading neighboring countries. Ultimately, he was deposed by a worldwide coalition. Fleeing these troops and fellow Iraqis, he hid for eight months in tunnels until he was captured and executed by his own people. This once haughty and merciless man was humbled and then brought to justice by hanging.

John saw future martyrs from the Tribulation asking God to judge their persecutors, and “avenge our blood” (Revelation 6:10). As Christ opens the sixth seal of the book by His throne, it reveals divine cosmic judgments that will have a devastating impact on earth during the Tribulation. “A great earthquake” will be so profound, “every mountain and island were [or will be] moved out of their places” (vss. 12,14). The “sun became black as sackcloth” (vs. 12), indicating a darkness so intense day will be as dark as night. “And the moon [will become] as blood” (vs. 12). Beginning October 7-8, 2014, in separate six-month intervals, a phenomena occurred called “a blood moon,” because each full moon appeared very red. In the Tribulation it will be God’s warning to man that great loss of life lies ahead. Stars will fall from the sky and dynamic events occur in the heavens (vs. 14). No one, from kings to slaves will be able to escape (vs. 15). These catastrophes will be designed to draw men to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Stubbornly, rather than call on the Savior in faith, most will run from Him. They will call on the mountains to hide them “from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (vs. 16). The unsaved, some who were previously cruel and violent persecutors, will be humbled in God’s judgments upon the earth. But all will be given the opportunity to escape eternal judgment if they will turn in faith to the Lord Jesus. Many will not, but as we will later see, many will be saved during this time.

We today who know Christ as Savior are not to fear these future troubled times, because we have been “delivered from the wrath to come” (I Thessalonians 1:10). But we are to warn others so they can escape these future judgments on earth and eternal punishment by trusting now in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Warn someone today.

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John and Betty Stam were missionaries to China who proclaimed eternal life by God’s grace and faith in Christ Jesus. In 1934, they were arrested by the Communists and initially held for $20,000.00 ransom. They were marched 12 miles toward Miaoshou. While stopping for the night, Betty hid their baby, Helen, who was later rescued. The next day, John and Betty were both forced to kneel, and then they were beheaded. Their witness for Christ cost them their lives.

As the worthy Lamb of God opens the book with seven seals, from which John desired to learn, a scene from the coming first half of the Tribulation is revealed. As each seal is opened, a horseman is released into the world. The first is on a white horse, but this is NOT Christ, though He too will return to the earth on a white horse (Revelation 19:11). The rider in Revelation 6:2 is the Anti-Christ, who is an imitator of the Messiah, and will actually claim to be the Christ. He will go forth methodically conquering with promises of peace until the world choses him as their leader, indicated by “a crown” (vs. 2). The riders of the other horses are his agents, demonic angels, likely indwelling human hosts. The red horse symbolizes activity causing bloodshed and death (vs. 4). Humans will be convinced to “kill one another” (vs. 4), implying authority to carry out murders while under demonic influence. The black horse (vs. 5-6) represents death for multitudes, this time through famine. The “pair of balances” indicates that evil men will control the food supply for great sums of money and deny food to those who proclaim Christ as Savior. He that rides the pale horse is called “Death, and Hell followed with him” (vs. 8). This agent of Anti-Christ will wreak havoc over a quarter of the world through the sword, hunger, and beasts. His actions will be savage, particularly as there will be growing persecution of Christians. Verse nine describes “the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held” (vs. 10). Note, the truth of God’s Word, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, will be more important than anything, including their lives.

While not in the Tribulation, it is possible we in the Dispensation of Grace may one day face persecution, even unto death. If so, may we likewise hold Christ and His Word more important than our lives.

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At the Christian university I attended to prepare for the ministry, the primary means of communication between the men and women was letters gathered from and delivered to each dorm every night. When a date was arranged on campus, it was common for the ladies to be dressed nicely and wear a tasteful amount of perfume. That evening, letters were exchanged thanking one another for the time together, and if the lady was particularly interested, she would often spray the envelope with perfume. The sweet smell of that fragrance was a pleasing sign that would linger and remind the men of the one who sent it.

When the Apostle John describes the worthiness of the Lord Jesus Christ on His throne in heaven in Revelation Chapter Five, praise and worship are given to Him. The twenty-four elders fall down before Him having “golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints” (vs. 8). This description has a connection to Israel’s worship of the Lord in the tabernacle where they were to “make an altar to burn incense upon” (Exodus 30:1). “And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning; when he dresseth the lamps” and likewise “at even[ing], he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations” (vss. 7-8). The chief ingredient of this incense was frankincense, which along with other spices, produced a perfume that was to accompany Israel when they came to meet with the Lord (Exodus 30:34-36). David gives us further insight into this practice when he writes, “Lord, I cry unto thee… let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense” (Psalm 141:1-2). We see in these descriptions that God views the worship of His saints, through prayer, as a sweet-smelling incense, or perfume, that is to be offered every day, morning and evening, as a perpetual practice. It is noteworthy that the record of heavenly worship in Revelation 5:8 also includes the “prayers of the saints” being offered in golden vials, (gold always symbolizes great value), and that this is viewed by the Lord as a sweet odor.

The lesson to remember from these verses is that prayer is an important part of worship that pleases the Lord and is to be the constant practice of the saints. This basic principle is true even today. Make prayer a vital part of your daily walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. It will please the Lord like a sweet perfume.

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A Mormon leader asked a twenty-one-year-old man if he was considering going on a two-year missionary commitment. This man said, “I wanted to go, but I am not worthy.” The leader asked, “Who made that judgment?” He responded, “I did.” The leader also asked a mother if she would attend her daughter’s wedding being held in the temple. She responded, “I would like to, but I am unworthy.” He asked again, “Who made that judgment? She said, “I did.”

A majestic scene unfolds as John is ushered into heaven to view the throne of God. At the right hand of the throne is “a book written within and on the backside,…sealed with seven seals” (Revelation 5:1). “A strong angel” asks, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof”? (vs. 2). When no one is worthy to open the book, John weeps greatly because he longed to learn its contents. Then the elders tell John “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” has prevailed. The elders fall down before the “Lamb” saying, “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof” (vss. 5-6, 9). Verse 12 repeats, “Worthy is the Lamb.” But why is the Lord Jesus Christ worthy of such praise? His description as a Lion from Judah who descended from David all relate to His deity, identifying Him as the One promised by God the Father. But He is also called “a Lamb as it had been slain” (vs. 6). Isaiah 53 promised a divine Redeemer who would bear the sins of Israel so all Jews could be found acceptable to God the Father. Revelation 5:9 confirms, “for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us [Israel] to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” John witnesses the hosts of heaven, human and hundreds of thousands of angels, as a huge choir, worshipping the Savior by singing “a new song” (vs. 9). It gives praise and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ because He was worthy to open this mysterious book. He was, and is, worthy of all praise. Notice too, the focus is not on Christ in the manger, but as having died for mankind, yet triumphantly risen.

If the hosts of heaven exalt the Savior in songs of praise and worship, we should too! Go through today singing praises to your risen Savior for His payment for sins and majestic deity. He is worthy.

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