It Is NOT a Big War That's Coming, But A BIG Deception

“When the Lamb broke one of the seven seals. . .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” (Rev. 6:1-2).

For many years and even on to today, we have been told that the next thing to worry about is World War 3.  We are heading for the mother of all wars that is not too far from the horizon. We have all been told that we are headed for Armageddon, and that we perhaps are headed for a nuclear holocaust. The world, we've been told, is going to fall into deeper and deeper chaos, confusion, disaster and death.  We have all heard the gloom and doom message, the message of escalating war, crime, financial collapse, etc. 

We look at the world around us and we see people concerned about the character of society, concerned about finance, concerned about famine and the food supply, concerned about fuel and the economy, concerned about pollution and the environment.

We all have been told to expect doom’s day. We face insurmountable dilemmas that will drive the globe into an ultimately living hell.  We're on the slide to destruction.

But is this really true? According to the Bible, it is NOT true.  While we can say, yes, ultimately we are heading for final war and doom and gloom, such things are not what is going to occur next.  You see, before bad times, there has to be the good times.

In a nutshell, expect this:  Don’t expect a Big War, expect a Big Deception.

When the seven year tribulation begins, the first thing that occurs is that there is PEACE. This is what we are told in Revelation 6.  The rider on the white horse brings peace to the world or least, much of it.

We are heading for worldwide peace, prosperity, safety and security.  Things are going to get better.

Now and then, you’ll be hearing of wars and rumors of wars, but Jesus said, “don’t be afraid.  Those things must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matt. 24:6).  Nations will rise against nations; there will be various earthquakes and famines, but such things are only the beginning of birth pangs (vv. 7-8).

You see, it is critical that you understand this.  Things in the world have to – now watch this – APPEAR to be getting worse and out of hand. This sets the stage for the biggest deception to come – “a false peace.”

This is what the rider on the white horse will do. He will promise what he is not able to sustain. The peace he does deliver by means of his persuasive charismatic political ideologies will only last a few years. People all over the world will buy into it. They will think that this man riding on the white horse (figuratively) is the greatest leader that ever was.  Just when we thought that there is no end to the spread of terrorism, homelessness, disease, famine, economic ruin, and a better tomorrow, this man shows us there is. He brings peace and utopia to the nations. The world accepts it and all he offers.

This man is so good and persuasive that the Bible says he has a bow, but no arrows (Rev. 6:2).  In other words, he does not use force, but persuasion.  He is likable, charismatic and charming. He is our man!

BUT WAIT!  The Bible says, “while they are saying, ‘Peace and Safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thess. 5:3).

So many will be deceived by accepting this peace. And because of having been deceived, they will soon be destroyed.

Hey, do not be looking for the next war. That is not what’s coming.  Be looking instead for signs of global peace. Remember, Satan will seek to get us to believe that events around the world and even in our own country are getting worse and there seems to be no solution.

Right when we are at our lowest and in dire need of a leader, so much so that we cry out for one, that the Antichrist, Satan’s man will come on the scene and wow us with his awesome personality and political brilliance.

The first seal that Jesus breaks upon this world is a false peace that the world will embrace. Those who embrace it and let down their guard will be the ones who will be destroyed.

We’re not heading for a big war, but a big deception.

Keep your spiritual eyes wide open.