February 1 - The Second Seal

February 1 – The Second Seal
Revelation 6:3-4

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

The Lamb breaks the second seal on the scroll, the second living creature says “Come” and the rider on the red horse comes out. He is given the power to take peace from the world and he was given a large sword.

This is NOT specifically a rider who brings war. This rider removes peace. If all constraints are removed and no one has any moral obligation to be peaceful – war may occur, but anarchy and chaos will also prevail.

Isaiah 19:2 tells us that God will stir up “Egyptian against Egyptian – brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.”

The sword that the rider carried was a Roman short sword which was perfect for hand to hand combat.

Isaiah 27:1 “In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword, his fierce, great and powerful sword.”

Isaiah 65:12, “I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter.”

The color red describes bloodshed. Internal strife on earth has begun.