by:
11/18/2024
0
“Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks” (15). In John’s vision, four horses and riders (including Death) “were given power” (8) to unleash war, famine, and catastrophe on the earth. John’s audience knew that disasters usually fall heavily on the poor, but in this case, “the rich and privileged” also hid from divine judgment (16). In the end, when God appears, everyone faces Him.
John saw “under the altar” the souls of martyrs (9), waiting for God to make things right. One day, the world’s list of winners and losers will be turned upside down, as Christ returns to judge, comfort, and renew His creation.