eschatology, First Seal: Antichrist & Cold War (Rev.6:1-2)

I feel like I should now take this very slowly, step by step, as the contents in this book are quite heavy, and I don't want it to get confusing!

Jesus breaks the first seal of the book, which is the first seal judgment. 

This is the Antichrist revealed. 

Along with this will come a deluding spirit, which produces a worldwide cold war.  It will be a cold war way more intense than any we have or will ever see in the Church Age...

(Revelation 6:1-2)  Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” 2 I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Today's takeaway:  as the Tribulation continues, I'm sure the physical disturbances will disrupt many, many modern conveniences;  but I do believe that right in the beginning, there will still be internet and instant communication.  I can only imagine the civil unrest, suspicions and anger at governments during that time period.  We just have to look at what is happening around us today in politics, and how the internet is used. 

"Enemy countries" don't even have to spend money to cause civil unrest somewhere else.  They can so easily post things in our countries to cause divisions among people groups.  This is a tactic used by some, who do not even care which "side" wins or looks bad.  All they want is for the people in a particular country to become discontent, angry, suspicious, disruptive, criminal, etc. so that government officials have a more difficult time dealing with the bigger matters at hand.  Then they can just sit back and watch, and laugh, and plot, and wait for a good time to strike...

I pray that believers do not become part of the problem, but part of the solution.  God comes first and we should obey God above all else, but as long as governments do not have us doing something against God's will...

(1 Peter 2:13-17)  Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

(1 Timothy 2:1-8)  First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

(Romans 13:1-8)  Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.