by Ptr. Art Calaguas
Shalom.
We saw earlier that the Lord Jesus in his Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:4-8 (also in Mark 13:5-8 and Luke 21:8-11) foretold that there would be false messiahs; wars and rumors of war between nations and kingdoms; and famines and earthquakes in some places. He also tells the disciples that these things must come first and the end does not come immediately. Things get worse before the end when redemption comes with the Messiah. The Lord uses the metaphor of beginning of childbirth/labor pains.
This theme of the beginning of birth pains with the specific sequence of eschatological events points to parallels in Revelation 6 and Zechariah 6.
The first mentioned event in the sequence is about false Christs (and false prophets). Aside from echoing Jeremiah 29:8-9, its parallels are given as follows:
Matthew Mark Luke Revelation Zechariah
24:4-5, 13:5-6, 21:8 6:1-2 6:1-2
24:23-24 13:21-23.
As I wrote earlier, in Matthew 24:4-5 the Lord warns his disciples of false messiahs who will come in his name and says that many will be misled by those emphatically claiming “Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ χριστός” (I AM the Christ/Messiah). This is paralleled by Mark 13:5-6 where the false messiahs emphatically claim “Ἐγώ εἰμι” (I AM [he]). Luke 21:8 parallels both Matthew’s and Mark’s accounts and adds a bit more. Luke also has the false messiahs coming in the Lord’s name emphatically claiming “Ἐγώ εἰμι” (I AM [he]) and “Ὁ καιρὸς ἤγγικεν” (The time has drawn near/close). Luke further adds the Lord’s admonition to his disciples not to go after these false messiahs.
Now in Revelation 6 we have what is the well-known opening of the 7 seals of the scroll of God’s judgments handed over to the Lamb; the only one worthy of breaking the seals and opening the scroll. Revelation 6:1-2 narrates that when the Apostle John saw the Lamb break one of the scroll’s seals, he heard one of the 4 living beings (God’s throne room attendants) saying with a thunder- like loud voice: “Go!” And he saw a white horse with a rider with a bow. The rider on the white horse was given a crown and he came forth conquering and that he may conquer.
We know that Revelation 6:1-8 talks about the vision of 4 different-colored horses. This part of John’s revelation pints to a parallel in Zechariah. In Zechariah 1:7-11 there is already a mention of a man riding a red horse and 3 other horses in view (red, spotted/dappled, and white). But another parallel is Zechariah 6 where 4 chariots are seen by the prophet. Zechariah 6 narrates the 8th and last vision given to the prophet (all in one night). In Zechariah 6:1 the prophet saw 4 chariots were coming forth from 2 bronze mountains. Then Zechariah 6:2 says the first chariot had red-colored horses and the second chariot had black horses. Zechariah 6:3 says the third chariot has white horses and the fourth chariot had spotted dappled horses. The 4 chariots are 4 spirits of heaven that patrol the earth and serve to appease God’s wrath over the nations (see Zechariah 6:4-8).
Thus, if we now align and compare these parallel images from Matthew (and Mark and Luke) with Revelation 6 and Zechariah 6, we may conclude that all of these images speak of judgment (or some sort of punishment). Together with Jeremiah 29:8-9, we can then say that the warning about false messiahs (and prophets) in the Olivet Discourse is backed up by the breaking of the first seal of the scroll of judgement in Revelation 6:1-2 (the rider on a white horse) and one of the chariots in Zechariah 6:1-8.
The second event in the sequence is about wars and rumors of wars.
Matthew Mark Luke Revelation Zechariah
24:6-7 13:7-8 21:9-10 6:3-4 6:2.
In Matthew 24:6 the Lord Jesus says the disciples are about to hear of wars and rumors/reports of wars. Mark 13:7 is a very close parallel. The parallel in Luke 21:9 follows and even adds or chooses words for his Gentile audience. The Lord continues in Matthew 24:7 and says that ἔθνος, nation will rise against nation, and βασιλεία, kingdom against kingdom.
Revelation 6:3-4 continues with the testimony of the Apostle John describing his vision of the Lamb breaking the second seal of God’s scroll of judgment. He now hears the second of the 4 living beings saying: “Go!” And he saw a red horse with a rider granted to take away peace from the earth; even that they will slay one another. And a huge sword was given to this rider. This is clearly a picture of war.
Zechariah 6:1-3, speaking about the vision of the 4 chariots, parallels Revelation 6:3-4. So once again, the mental images found in the Olivet Discourse are matched by the visions found in Revelation 6 (the breaking of the second seal) and Zechariah 6 (one of the other chariots).
The third event in the sequence is about Earthquakes, Famines (and Plagues).
Matthew Mark Luke Revelation Zechariah
24:7-8 13:8 21:11 6:5-8 6:3.
Matthew 24:7 ends with a warning that there will be λιμοὶ, famines and σεισμοὶ, earthquakes in some places/locations. Matthew 24:8 ends the unit/paragraph in the Greek with the Lord’s declaration that all these things are the ἀρχή, beginning of ὠδίνων, childbirth/labor pains.
As we have previously seen, the account in Mark 13:8 is a very close parallel. There is but a minor reversal of word order: Mark 13:8 mentions σεισμοὶ, earthquakes ahead of λιμοὶ, famines. Luke 21:10-11 likewise contains all of the revelations given by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:7-8 and adds some other ideas found in other places. Luke uses the adjective μεγάλοι, great as a descriptor for the earthquakes (Luke 21:11). Aside from earthquakes and famines, Luke adds that there will be λοιμοὶ, pestilence or plague; φόβητρά, fearful sight/cause of terror; and also great signs from the heavens.
Revelation 6:5-6 continues with the Lamb opening the third seal and the Apostle John hearing the third living being saying: “Go!” And he saw a black horse with a rider having a ζυγός (“zugos” meaning balance/pair of scales) on his hand. He also heard like a voice in the midst of the 4 living beings saying: “a χοῖνιξ (“choinix” meaning dry measure) of wheat for a denarius, and 3 measures of barley for a denarius. And the olive oil and the wine you should not damage.” During that time period, a denarius was a day’s wage. So a whole day’s wages payment for a (small) measure (about a quart) of wheat or for 3 (small) measures of (cheaper) barley indicated scarcity of these staple grains. Hence, the price is very expensive. Keeping the olive oil and wine from being damaged can also indicate scarcity of these goods. Taken together, this seems to paint a picture of famine.
A parallel for this section of Revelation would be Zechariah 6 with the third chariot. While the warning of famine in the Olivet Discourse is consistently matched in Revelation 6:5-6; earthquakes and other shakings are not included in this third seal part of Revelation (but see Revelation 6:14). Thus, with the exception of earthquakes, Revelation 6:5-6 and Zechariah 6:3 back up and align with Matthew 24:7-8.
While the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:4-8 aligns well with Revelation 6:1-6, the fourth seal opening in Revelation 6:7-8 ties in well with the version in Luke 21:11 as both famines and plagues are mentioned. Revelation 6:7-8 has the Lamb breaking the fourth seal and the Apostle John hearing the voice of the fourth living being saying: “Go!” And he saw a χλωρός (“chlóros” meaning pale) horse with a rider named θάνατος (“Thanatos” meaning Death) and ᾍδης (“Hades” meaning the grave) was following with him. Authority was given to them for over the fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, plague/pestilence and by wild beasts. The corresponding parallel here is in Zechariah 6:3 with the last of the 4 chariots.
At this point, we can see that the first few verses of the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:4-8; Mark 13:5-8; and Luke 21:8-11) are matched up quite well regarding the sequence of eschatological events with the first 4 seals of the scroll of God’s judgment broken open in Revelation 6:1-8 and the vision in Zechariah 6:1-8.
We will continue next week.
God bless us all.