Daily Devotional

One need only skim through the book of Acts to see the tremendous power with which the gospel church exploded onto the battlefield of this world. Truly was fulfilled the prophecy of our Savior, “These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; … they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17, 18).

The Old Testament reveals that the horse is not a new symbol for representing God’s church. “For the LORD of hosts will visit His flock … and will make them as His royal horse in the battle” (Zechariah 10:3). In the Bible, horses are an animal associated with war (Proverbs 21:31; Psalm 33:17; Isaiah 43:17). In the controversy between good and evil, God’s people are the messengers who carry the Word of God to defeat the lies of the enemy (Zechariah 1:10; 6:4, 5).

The church of Ephesus was commended for their works, their labor, and their patience (Revelation 2:2). They went to war, like this rider, with their weapon in hand, and the gospel made rapid conquest such that the Ephesians themselves could only admit “through almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying they are not gods which are made with hands” (Acts 19:26). Paul was not acting alone, of course, but this shows that idolatry was in severe distress “under the attack” of the gospel.

The fact that this rider wore white is also of significance, in that this early gospel went forth in purity. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same as we continue through the seals and see what happened to the faithful believers as the battle waxed hot. Just as Israel entered the Promised Land under Joshua, conquering Jericho with a “bang!” but after a time fizzling out, so also did the Christian church suffer significant blows from the enemy of souls.

Lord Jesus, we look back on the lives of the apostles and those early believers with longing to see such victories today. Prepare us for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in these last days and for Your soon coming!

For Further Study: Daniel 5:19; Zechariah 1:8; Matthew 10:34