Many Christians do not like to read or study The Revelation because of the terrible events described in this revelation from our Lord Jesus. May I quickly add that this book promises a blessing to those who “read the words of this prophecy” (Revelation 1:3) and “keep the words of the prophecy in this book.” (Revelation 22:7)

Brother David Bayliss has written about this wonderful book of prophecy from a different perspective. Using scripture, Brother Bayliss shows that many of the dreadful events described are not from the Lord, but from man.

Beginning with the Four Seals of chapter six, the rider on the white horse is not Jesus, but a false Christ. He is given a crown of exaltation (stefanos - Strong’s G4735), not a royal crown (diadema – Strong’s G1238) The rider is a man. The fourth rider, Death, is clearly not from the Lord. Scripture tells us that Death is the enemy. (First Corinthians 15:26) “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” are men, allowed to rampage by the Lord, but not from the Lord.

The makes perfect sense when you read Paul’s explanation of the sequence of events to the Church at Thessalonica. He told the Church that the “man of sin” will not be revealed until the Restrainer is taken out of the way, along with the Church, praise God. (Second Thessalonians 2:3-7) When the Restrainer steps aside, the evil of mankind will know no restraint. The result is the events of chapter six of the Revelation, and more.

The first Four Trumpets curiously parallel the first Four Vials or Bowls of Wrath. Brother Bayliss describes them as “warning shots” from the Lord, which do not directly harm mankind. The Fifth Trumpet introduces a demonic invasion in which man is tormented but does not die. The Fifth Vial of Wrath is poured on the throne of the Beast; men are in pain, but do not die. The Sixth Trumpet introduces the Trans-Euphrates army, while the Sixth Vial allows the Kings of the East to cross the Euphrates River. Again, many believe this is an army of men; mankind, unrestrained and on a murderous rampage.

When the Seventh, and final, Trumpet is blown the twenty-four elders bow before the Lord and say, “The nations were angry, and your wrath has come.” Paralleling this is the Seventh Vial. There is a pause just before the Seventh Vial in which the kings of the earth are gathered at a place called Armageddon. At this apocalyptic location, the world will see the Wrath of God.

After the Restrainer steps aside, and the Church is removed from the earth, the rebellion of mankind, evident today, will be unrestrained. The world will be a jungle where the strongest and fittest survive. Mankind will kill mankind. But the Wrath of God, the Creator, is totally justified. In the End, the World will see His Wrath.

We must pray for the lost, NOW. If we sense that the Day of the Lord is near, then we must pray all the more earnestly. May the Lord have mercy on the lost sheep of this world.