Ghost Riders

Revelation 6:1-8

Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures call out, as with a voice of thunder, "Come!" I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering and to conquer.

When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature call out, "Come!" And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another; and he was given a great sword.

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, "Come!" I looked, and there was a black horse! Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand, and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a day’s pay, and three quarts of barley for a day’s pay, but do not damage the olive oil and the wine!"

When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature call out, "Come!" I looked and there was a pale green horse! Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed with him; they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and pestilence, and by the wild animals of the earth.

As the riders loped on by him, he heard one call his name
If you wanta to save your soul from hell aridin' on our range,
Then cowboy change your ways today, or with us you will ride,
Tryin' to catch the devil's herd, across these endless skies

"Ghost Riders in the Sky" by Stan Jones. This recording by The Outlaws

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Anyone who can tell you what the Revelation of John truly absolutely means is either lying, delusional, or experiencing an apocalyptic dream themselves. Frankly, none of these options provides much reverence.

With the opening of the seals in Revelation Six, calamity, one greater than the next, rode across the face of the earth.The first four seals bring what are commonly known as "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." These horses, the white, red, black, and pale green horses bring bow, sword, scales, death and hades to meet creation. And they will have their way.

But imagine if you will, hearing this in the wind as they blow past, "Cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride." We have a word in English that isn't nearly as flowery but it means the same thing. Repent.

It is never too late to turn from the things that harm ourselves and others. It is never too late to turn toward things that benefit. It's never too late to turn from greed and turn to love. It's never too late to make amends. It's never too late, unless of course you hear the riders call your name. Repentance is the first step toward redemption.