---

The Scriptures give a view to the future. Likewise,this window provides a view toward a vision that is forward looking. Beyond mere speculation there are signs revealing humanity's current direction in time. John's (New Covenant writer) view to a revelation of Messiah in a time yet to come meshes well with what Daniel (Old Covenant writer) recorded centuries earlier.

Today in the twenty-first century there is a convergence of conditions that declare we are facing the events described in the prophetic writings of John and Daniel. The image is initially of horsemen we may see only figuratively, but the result associated with each of four horsemen to come in succession is literal.

Before we come to verse 6 of John's account, three horses have galloped into our presence. Each bears an instrument of God's wrath and each has ridden off to bring terror and judgment on the earth. Now in verse 7, one of God's appointed emissaries steps forward at the command, "Come!" A new page is thrown open to reveal the fourth horse and its grim rider. In the verses that follow John writes, "I looked, and there before me was a pale horse!" (Revelation 6:8). The word in Greek is chloros. William Barclay, the late great Scottish professor at Glasgow University, calls it is the color of a face "blanched with terror." Moffatt says the horse was the bloodless color of a corpse. We use the root of this ancient Greek word when we describe the color of chlorine gas, a pale, sickly green. At the moment John's eyes were confronted with a terrifying sight. Seated on the pale horse was a rider "named Death, and Hades was following close behind him" (Revelation 6:8). Graham, Storm Warning, page 228

Photo of storm by Mike Hollingshead, copyrighted image used here with permission granted by Mr. Hollingshead and formerly by www.extremeinstability.com.

So often the media portray the biblical end time in grandiose terms. Utter destruction of everything ... all is laid to waste. But frankly, the horsemen come at the beginning of the last seven year period written into Daniel's time line (link to PDF file). The horsemen are a sign and a storm. They execute God's judgment, but they come at a time when humans still have choice. It's in terms of crisis made literal by these horsemen that we may choose to recognize God is real, He is here.

Global Changes Bring In The End Time Era

As the horses ride, the events may appear simply as a consequence to humanity's prior inability to counter worrisome global problems. Now problems are compounded!

It is important to realize that horrors unleashed by the four horsemen have a compounding effect. The first horse is not replaced by the second and so on; rather, the first is joined by the second, then by the third, and then the fourth. The rider who brings pestilence and death is accompanied by each of the others we have already observed. The combined effect of the four horsemen is devastating. Graham, Storm Warning, page 229

The progression of global events may also help some people to see the validity of the biblical text. Match the text and nature of events to see convergence—as problems compound . To discern or clearly see the relationship paves a way to open a relationship with God. The present timeline is going to meet an end of sorts—an interruption or transition—before the entire earth stage is reset (and time restarts again).

God's Allowance and Righteousness

The plagues, diseases, famines, and wars of our day should arouse the world not only to righteous action but to repent of their sins and turn to God while there is still time. John's words make it clear that they exist to awaken humanity to obedience. The Bible teaches that peoples and nations are bringing this pain upon themselves by their secular outlook, hatred, and violence. God has chosen to allow men and women to reap what they sow, to help them learn the lesson that sin brings pain. God does not condone abortion; He deplores it, but He allows it to happen. God does not infect people with herpes, AIDS, or other diseases. They do it to themselves; God only allows it. Graham, Storm Warning, page 245

When the timeline is reset, the conditions stated above may still be possible, but so much will have changed that, as the Bible indicates, a true peace will prevail. The woes of the past age will be gone. But until such a time arrives, we see all the conditions mounting—those fitting what Yeshua (Jesus) described in Matthew 24 and 25 (see related article on Global Problems for additional details concerning these conditions).

Hope For The World

Almost every headline, every television news report, and every radio bulletin these days proclaims one essential truth: The modern world is in chaos and no one has a realistic solution. Wherever you look today there are storm clouds of anger and outrage. There is violence, abuse, and unhappiness swirling about us. We see crime and unrest in the inner city, and the economy is dangerously out of control. The whole world is crying out for some word of hope, but all we hear is the babble of wishful thinkers and charlatans. Psychologists, educators, social scientists, physicians, and media wizards of every stripe offer pronouncements and preachments, but even the best ideas generally collapse under closer scrutiny. So far, our modern secular society has produced no positive answers; yet we continue to reach out in hope.

Today's headlines are God's warning to a sinful world. The television news flashes are a shadow of His loving hand at work, pushing for the world's redemption. The radio bulletins are a reminder that in spite of our compulsive determination to ruin the earth and destroy God's program of salvation, He has not given up on us completely. Until that day when God's final judgment affixes each of us into place for eternity, there is a chance to begin again. Jesus said, "You must be born again" (John 3:7). That is the last best hope for this world. Ultimately it is our only hope. Graham, Storm Warning, page 249

The term 'born again' seems a mystery to so many people. But in reality the moment of rebirth is very much like the cartoon character who "gets the idea" and that little "light goes on" in the mind. A spiritual link is made between what one sees in the world and the truth and context of the Scriptures. Being self absorbed, self centered, or simply immersed in sinful life style prevents such a rebirth. Working on an objective view on life and exploring who and what we are opens the window and makes rebirth possible. But there is only so much time to "get it" and to see truth within the big picture (i.e., the holistic view).

Being Separate From God

Death is tragic but inevitable. The Bible tells us that what we must fear is the second death, which is eternal judgment and separation from God. That is the ultimate tragedy. If we were two-dimensional beings who had total mortality but no immortality, death would simply end our earthly existence. But the everlasting separation from God is a penalty far worse than the most tortured physical death and something no man, woman, or child should ever have to experience. Graham, Storm Warning, page 251

The proposition in—and purpose to—life is making a choice. Choosing to make a relationship with God is making a decision with an eternal consequence. Not making any decision is in itself a default choice for eternal separation from God. Death terminates the opportunity for choice. Death locks you into what ever disposition you've placed yourself in. No one, no one, can choose for you, no one can change the disposition once you are gone.

---

[Editorial Note: A faith based on Mormonism would say one can be baptized or even married for eternity's sake after death. As Norman Geisler makes clear, Mormons make an improper interpretation of the Scriptures to arrive at this conclusion. See Geisler and Howe's book: When Critics Ask page 464 for appropriate discussion.]

What is the future?

Do you see the signs?

Do you see the storms coming?

---

---

The importance to global change is in looking at how social, biological, and physical sciences all reveal data and signs for more ominous changes in the near future. This is change in every aspect of human and earthly affairs ... globally. The Window looks further to see change as a backdrop to a biblical timeline. Driving forces for change force us to ask the most important questions about our true origin, who we are, why we are here, and what the Scriptures tell us about the future. Change forces us to look deeper to face choice or crisis. Life is an opportunity to look for the answers.

---

Billy Graham is well known the world over for his work in spreading the biblical message of salvation.(www.billygraham.org)

---

Please Note! We are presenting a number of quotations in the "Signs of the Times" series that are taken from their original context. So Be Aware ... the impact of these statements is only heightened and intensified by a reading of the original text cited below. WindowView serves to reflect many original sources and in this case we highly recommend a reading of the entire book used as a source here! The 'Signs' are woefully important to revealing humanity's future, reading these quotations in their original context makes this point all the more clear!

Quotations attributed to Graham are from: Billy Graham. 1992. Storm Warning. Published by: W Publishing Group (formerly Word Publishing) 

---

return to top