eschatology, Fourth Seal: Death (Rev.6:7-8)

Jesus breaks the fourth seal, which releases the Ashen Horse.  This means worldwide death, by every sort of method, including diseases.  One fourth of the population will die.  (Except for the great flood) this is catastrophic and has never been seen on earth before.

The one who sits on this horse is named "Death" - and Hades will follow with him.  This is dark.  We can only imagine that there will not be any "peaceful passing away" in this scenario...

(Revelation 6:7-8)  When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come.” 8 I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.

Today's takeaway: I'm thinking of these verses...

 (Ecclesiastes 7:1-4)  )  A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.
2 It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for when a face is sad a heart may be happy.
4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, while the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure.

The day of our death is only better than the day of our birth - IF - we are believers and know that we are going to heaven to be with our Lord and Savior!

When babies are born, we are encouraged as we see that new life can come into our lives.  Birthdays are celebrated as we see the evidence of growth.  But when someone dies - it makes us stop and think!  REALLY think!  It reminds us that at any time, any one of us could pass away, no matter our age.

Funerals of fellow believers SHOULD BE a time of celebration, because they will suffer no longer, and we will see them again in heaven for all eternity!  Although, yes, we will still mourn because we will miss them for a short time while here on earth.

Let's remember though that life continues on.  There are other people around us - still alive - still wanting and needing our attention.  The length or amount of our mourning does not equate to how much we loved that person.  And we have to know that that person would have wanted us to continue on living and experiencing joy!

Now, funerals of unbelievers are sad and devoid of hope, as we see a lost soul gone, without any more chances.  Although we do not know what happened in the very last few seconds of that person's life.  MAYBE they had a change of heart.  We will not know that until we reach heaven.  But "the house of mourning" should pique our desire to share the good news with anyone, as God gives us the opportunity.

This should be our ultimate comfort and encouragement:  that God is fair, and God is love...

(2 Peter 3:9)  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

(John 3:16)  For God so loved the world, that He gave His [e]only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.