My Study
Going into this study things were not making sense but maybe there is a solution to the way I'm thinking.
My original issue was that if the Four Horsemen and the Four Winds are basically the same thing then how could they be let loose in Revelation Six when it looks like that it is happening before the close of probation.
We know this happens after the close of probation.
I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus' work was done in the sanctuary, then the seven last plagues will be poured out. (1EGWLM 141.)
My solution to this problem is that while Jesus is still in the sanctuary in heaven the plans for the four horsemen are put in place before the horsemen could ride off into battle.
They are told to hold (Rev 7) so that the sealing can take place first.
So as the book is unsealed plans or instructions are given first (Rev 6) for the destruction of the lost.
This will not start though until the trumpets sound (Rev 8).
The book in Revelation five contains the history of this world but it also holds the future.
There in His open hand lay the book, the roll of the history of God's providences, the prophetic history of nations and the church. Herein was contained the divine utterances, His authority, His commandments, His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and the history of all ruling powers in the nations. In symbolic language was contained in that roll the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of earth's history to its close. {9MR 7.2}
As the seals are opened I don't see a timeline like most teach, much like the churches were conditions for his church, the seals for the most part are showing judgments for the lost.
This leads into my next question.
Are the seals directed to the lost or to the righteous or both?
Are these only destroying angels or do they also come with a message of salvation to those who will listen?
Again I think these horsemen are the winds and the winds are to be let loose after the close of probation.
These are more like warnings for what will come as the book is being read and since these bring destruction and death I would say these are going out to the wicked.
White Horse
Rev 6:2 "And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see."
As I heard one man say the seven thunders (Rev 10:4) are the voice of God and after looking at this verse maybe that is true but that's a lesson for another time.
But it is interesting that we if the thunders are the voice of God this happens right before the White Horse or Jesus comes.
"And I saw, and behold a white horse:"
Yes, I believe the rider on the white horse is Jesus Christ.
The main argument here is that Christ can't be the rider on the white horse because he is still in the sanctuary above opening the book.
But if these are future events being read from a book then it could very well be after Jesus' leaves the sanctuary.
"And he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."
We see in Mat 13:30 that he will gather the tares first to be burned hence the bow in his hand to conquer (Ps 7:11-13).
As you see in Rev 6:2 a crown was given to Jesus who had recently been anointed from Priest to King (Dan 7:13-14). In Rev 14:14 he has his sickle to begin his harvest.
I don't know if there is any meaning to the directions of the winds or the horses but the white horse goes to the north according to Zech 6:6.
Red Horse
Rev 6:3-4 "And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword."
Zechariah 6 does not tell which way the red horse went.
I often wonder if the horses or winds sent out different directions mean anything other than they will be sent out across the whole world.
I do think the four horses are coming from God, so I don't think this would be Satan like David Gates is saying.
As you can see lot of killing happens at this time.
Does this goes along with 1 Thes 5:3 or maybe even Rev 2:23.
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place. Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. (Jeremiah 14:13-15)
The Majesty of heaven in tears! That scene shows how hard a task it is to save the guilty from the consequence of transgressing the law of God. Jesus saw the world involved in deception similar to that which caused the destruction of Jerusalem. The great sin of the Jews was their rejection of Christ; the great sin of the world would be their rejection of the law of God, the foundation of His government in heaven and earth. Millions in bondage to sin, doomed to suffer the second death, would refuse to listen to words of truth in their day of visitation. {HF 19.2}
I have often had in the back in my mind but never really addressed this issue many are calling the Character of God.
Some say that God does not kill nor does he send his angels to kill.
I have often heard people say "let God be the judge" but if he can't kill than how will he judge?
At the time I was going through this study and not being very good about staying in the word or even listening to videos I came across this one that really went well with this lesson and my questions on does God kill.
Yes, you can see throughout the Bible that at times God did have to kill but since he is God to me this is not killing but executing judgment.
Black Horse
Rev 6:5-6 "And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine."
The oil and the wine is the spirit of God which sounds much like the time of the wise and foolish virgins.
If you are not ready after the close of probation than you will be lost.
Make sure you have the oil or the spirit of God with you now, make ready for the wedding the supper.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
(Matthew 25:1-4)
Pale Horse
Rev 6:7-8 "And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. "
I was shown the inhabitants of the earth in the utmost confusion. War, bloodshed, privation, want, famine, and pestilence were abroad in the land.... My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Once more the inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere. Other nations were engaged in this war and confusion. War caused famine. Want and bloodshed caused pestilence. And then men's hearts failed them for fear, "and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." Testimonies for the Church 1:268. {ChS 55.1}
Fifth Seal
Rev 6:9-11 "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."
As God opens the book and shows judgments to come upon the wicked he also comes to a portion in the book where the blood is crying out for judgments.
Plasms is full of David and others crying for judgments for all the wickedness they do.
God hears these cries and lets them know he will save them but he also shows that many more will be persecuted before he comes.
God speaks to the blood of the saints, be patient, wait a little longer, judgment is coming.
It is a good question as to why God would show the judgments first and then show the blood crying out for judgment afterwards, but again like my belief in the churches being a list of conditions for the church I think this is not an order of events but a list of judgments including as this seal shows also a cry for judgment for all the persecution of the saints.
The rum seller takes the same position as did Cain, and says, "Am I my brother's keeper?" and God says to him as He said to Cain, "The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground." Rum sellers will be held accountable for the wretchedness that has been brought into the homes of those who were weak in moral power, and who fall through temptation to drink. They will be charged with the misery, the suffering, the hopelessness, brought into the world through the liquor traffic. They will have to answer for the woe and want of the mothers and children who have suffered for food and clothing and shelter, who have buried all hope and joy. He that has a care for the sparrow, and notes its fall to the ground, who clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, will not pass by those who have been formed in His own image, purchased with His own blood, and pay no heed to their suffering cries. God cares for all this wickedness that perpetuates misery and crime. He charges it all up to those whose influence helps to open the door of temptation to the soul. Manuscript 90, 1894. {Te 41.1}
Sixth Seal
Rev 6:12-17 "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
Adventists yes uses the first part of this seal to show the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, the Dark Day of May 18, 1780, and the Nov 12, 1833 Leonid Meteor Storm.
Yes I believe this does apply but this was only a small taste of what will happen after the close of probation.
I did not realize that I was unfaithful in thus questioning and doubting, and did not see the danger and sin of such a course, until in vision I was taken into the presence of Jesus. He looked upon me with a frown, and turned His face from me. It is not possible to describe the terror and agony I then felt. I fell upon my face before Him, but had no power to utter a word. Oh, how I longed to be covered and hid from that dreadful frown! Then could I realize, in some degree, what the feelings of the lost will be when they cry to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." Revelation 6:16. {CET 79.1} Presently an angel bade me rise, and the sight that met my eyes can hardly be described. Before me was a company whose hair and garments were torn, and whose countenances were the very picture of despair and horror. They came close to me, and rubbed their garments upon mine. As I looked at my garments, I saw that they were stained with blood. Again I fell like one dead, at the feet of my accompanying angel. I could not plead one excuse, and longed to be away from that holy place. {CET 79.2} The angel raised me to my feet, and said: "This is not your case now, but this scene has passed before you to let you know what your situation must be if you neglect to declare to others what the Lord has revealed to you. But if you are faithful to the end, you shall eat of the tree of life, and shall drink of the river of the water of life. You will have to suffer much, but the grace of God is sufficient." {CET 79.3} I then felt willing to do all that the Lord might require me to do, that I might have His approbation, and not feel His dreadful frown. {CET 80.1}
Start of Revelation 7
Rev 7:1-3 "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."
I'm not going into Revelation 7 yet, just showing the process through the seals.
So after showing John all what was written in the book and the plagues to come it now shows the winds or horses to be let loose.
But before the winds can be let loose the sealing must happen first.
Seventh Seal
Rev 8:1-6 "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. "
The first thing to note is the the first trumpet does not sound till after the opening of the seventh seal.
Meaning the seals and the trumpets can't be parallel like most teach.
Solemn events before us are yet to transpire. Trumpet after trumpet is to be sounded, vial after vial poured out one after another upon the inhabitants of the earth. Scenes of stupendous interest are right upon us, and these things will be sure indications of the presence of Him who has directed in every aggressive movement, who has accompanied the march of His cause through all the ages, and who has graciously pledged Himself to be with His people in all their conflicts to the end of the world. He will vindicate His truth. He will cause it to triumph. He is ready to supply His faithful ones with motives and power of purpose, inspiring them with hope and courage and valor in increased activity as the time is at hand. {Lt 112, 1890, par. 13}
I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer's inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the ten commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, "It is done." And all the angelic host laid off their crowns as Jesus made the solemn declaration, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." {EW 279.2}
If you want to know when the close of probation is in Revelation it is at the start of Revelation 8 where it says "And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth".
This is when Jesus throws down the censer, this is when Jesus is done in the Sanctuary above, plagues are now going to come upon the earth.
The trumpets take you through the plagues and then we back up and go over the end time events from a different angle and show the judgment on the Beast, Whore and Satan.
Left Overs
Here are a few more quotes I did not use for this study that I was going through this study.
He gave His angels charge over things on the earth, and that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go, and while they had started to let the four winds go the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant who were not all sealed, then He raised His hands to the Father, and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels, and bid them hold until the servants of God were sealed in their foreheads. {1EGWLM 143.4}
Concerning the sequence of final events. {1EGWLM 140.3} At the commencement of the holy Sabbath (Jan. 5) I was taken off in vision to the most holy place, where I saw Jesus still interceding for Israel.1 On the bottom of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate.2 Then I saw that Jesus would not leave the most holy place until every case was decided, either for salvation or destruction. I saw that the wrath of God3 could not come until Jesus had finished His work in the most holy place, laid off His priestly attire, and clothed Himself with the garments of vengeance. Then Jesus will step out from between the Father and man, and God will keep silent no longer, but pour out His wrath on those who have rejected His truth. I saw that the anger of the nations, the wrath of God, and the time to judge the dead, were separate events, one following the other. I saw that Michael4 had not stood up, and that the time of trouble,5 such as never was, had not yet commenced. I saw that the nations are now getting angry, but when our High Priest has finished His work in the sanctuary, then He will stand up, put on the garments of vengeance, and then will the seven last plagues6 be poured out.7 {1EGWLM 140.4} I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus' work was done in the sanctuary, then the seven last plagues will be poured out. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous, and they thought that we had brought the plagues down upon them, and if they could rid the earth of us, then the plagues would be stayed. {1EGWLM 141.1} A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob's trouble.9 Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. Then the 144,00010 triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God. Then I was shown a company who were howling in agony. On their garments was written in large characters thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting. I asked who this company were, and the angel said, these are they who have once kept the Sabbath, and have given it up. I heard them cry with a loud voice we have believed in Thy coming and taught it with energy. And then while they were speaking, their eyes would fall upon their garments, and see the writing thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting. Then they would wail aloud. I saw they had drunk of the deep waters, and fouled the residue with their feet trodden the Sabbath underfoot, and that is why they were weighed in the balance and found wanting. {1EGWLM 141.2} Then my attending angel11 directed me to the City again where I saw four angels winging their way to the gate of the City, and were just presenting the golden card12 to the angel at the gate. Then I saw another angel swiftly flying from the direction of the most excellent glory; and crying with a loud voice to the other four angels and waving something up and down in his hand. I asked my attending angel for an explanation of what I saw. He told me that I could see no more then, but he would shortly show me what those things that I then saw meant. {1EGWLM 142.1} Sabbath afternoon one of our number was sick and requested prayers that he might be healed. We all united in applying to the Physician who never lost a case and while healing power came down, and the sick was healed, the power fell upon me and I was taken off in vision. {1EGWLM 142.2} I saw the state of some who professed to stand on present truth, but disregarded the visions the way God had chosen to teach, in some cases, those who erred from Bible truth. I saw that in striking against the visions, they did not strike against the worm, the feeble instrument that God spoke through, but against the Holy Ghost. I saw it was a small thing to speak against the instrument, but it was dangerous to slight the words of God. I saw if they were in error and God chose to show them their errors through visions, and they disregarded the teachings of God through visions, they would be left to take their own way, and run in the way of error, and think they were right until they would find it out too late. Then in the time of trouble I heard them cry to God in agony why did'st Thou not show us our wrong, that we might have gotten right, and ready for this time? Then an angel pointed to them, and said my Father taught but you would not be instructed. He spoke through visions but you disregarded His voice, and He gave you up to your own ways to be filled with your own doings. {1EGWLM 143.1} Then I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it. I saw Jesus clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant then raised His hands upward, and with a voice of deep pity cried "My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood." {1EGWLM 143.2} Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God who sat on the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice, "Hold, Hold, Hold, Hold until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads."13 {1EGWLM 143.3} I asked my attending angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers,14 and that He gave His angels charge over things on the earth, and that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go, and while they had started to let the four winds go the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant who were not all sealed, then He raised His hands to the Father, and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels, and bid them hold until the servants of God were sealed in their foreheads. {1EGWLM 143.4} I saw that the nations had not power to hold themselves. I also saw that we were not to cry to God to hold the four winds, nor to the nations, but one angel was to cry to other angels equal in power, to hold until the servants of God were sealed in their foreheads. {1EGWLM 144.1} In hope of being one of the 144,000. {1EGWLM 144.2} Ms 3, 1849 January 18, 1849, Topsham, Maine {1EGWLM 145.1} Our Duty in View of the Time of Trouble. {1EGWLM 145.2} Portions of this manuscript are published in Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, p. 200, and compare to the broadside "To Those Who Are Receiving the Seal of the Living God" (Ms 4, 1849 [Jan. 31]). See also Ellen G. White, Early Writings, pp. 56-58. Guidance on financial sacrifice before the time of trouble. {1EGWLM 145.3} Dear Brethren & Sisters: The Lord has shown me in vision that it is contrary to the Bible to make any preparations for our temporal wants in the time of trouble.1 I saw that if the saints have food laid up by them, or in the fields in that time of trouble, when sword, famine and pestilence is in the land, it will be taken from them by violent hands. {1EGWLM 145.4} Then will be the time for us to trust in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water would be sure at that time and we shall not lack or suffer hunger. The Lord has shown me that some of His children would fear when they see the price of food rising, and they would buy food and lay it by for the time of trouble. Then in the time of need I saw them go to their food and look at it and it had bred worms, and was full of living creatures and not fit for use. {1EGWLM 145.5} About one week since the Lord showed me in vision that houses and lands will be of no use in the time of trouble; and that in that time they could not be disposed of. I saw that it was the will of God that the saints should cut loose from every encumbrance, dispose of their houses and lands before the time of trouble comes, and thus make a covenant with God by sacrifice. I saw they would sell if they laid their property on the altar and earnestly inquired for duty. God will teach them when to dispose of these things. Then they will be free in the time of trouble and have no clogs to weigh them down. {1EGWLM 145.6} I saw if any held on to their property and did not inquire duty of God, He would not make duty plain and they would be left to keep their property, and then in the time of trouble their property would come up before them like a mountain to crush them. Then they tried to get rid of it, but could not. I heard them mourn like this: God's people were suffering for truth, the cause was languishing; but we made no effort to supply the lack, and now our property is useless. Oh! that we had let it go, and laid up treasure in heaven. I saw that a sacrifice did not increase, but decreased, and was consumed. {1EGWLM 145.7} I also saw that God had not required all of His people to dispose of their property at the same time, but in a time of need He would teach them, if they desired to be taught, when to sell, and how much to sell. I saw that some had been required to dispose of their property in past time to sustain the Advent cause; while He had permitted others to keep theirs until a time of need. Then as the cause needs it their duty is to sell.2 {1EGWLM 146.1} To the church of God who keep the Sabbath the seal of the living God.3 {1EGWLM 146.2} Ms 4, 1849 January 31, 1849, Topsham, Maine {1EGWLM 147.1} "To Those Who Are Receiving the Seal of the Living God." {1EGWLM 147.2} Broadside.1 See Ellen G. White, Early Writings, pp. 36-41, 56-58. {1EGWLM 147.3} This last of the early Ellen White broadsides emphasized such various practical and theological issues as: Mercy is still available while Jesus is interceding; time continuing until all the remnant are sealed; the availability of divine healing; the danger of not heeding the visions; incorrect views on the "shaking of the powers of the heavens"; what to do with property at the end of time; confirmation that the Sabbath was the seal of God; and to not be discouraged that time has continued longer than expected. What follows is an unmodified transcription of the published text. {1EGWLM 147.4} ***** "This is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants, and on my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy."2 {1EGWLM 147.5} ***** At the commencement of the Holy Sabbat
As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old. {GC88 614.1}
Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old. The Great Controversy, 614 (1911). {LDE 239.3}
If such scenes as this are to come, such tremendous judgments on a guilty world, where will be the refuge for God's people? How will they be sheltered until the indignation be overpast? John sees the elements of nature earthquake, tempest, and political strife represented as being held by four angels. These winds are under control until God gives the word to let them go. There is the safety of God's church. The angels of God do His bidding, holding back the winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree, until the servants of God should be sealed in their foreheads. The mighty angel is seen ascending from the east (or sunrising). This mightiest of angels has in his hand the seal of the living God, or of Him who alone can give life, who can inscribe upon the foreheads the mark or inscription, to whom shall be granted immortality, eternal life. It is the voice of this highest angel that had authority to command the four angels to keep in check the four winds until this work was performed, and until he should give the summons to let them loose. {TM 444.3} Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God. Those whose hands are not clean, whose hearts are not pure, will not have the seal of the living God. Those who are planning sin and acting it will be passed by. Only those who, in their attitude before God, are filling the position of those who are repenting and confessing their sins in the great anti-typical day of atonement, will be recognized and marked as worthy of God's protection. The names of those who are steadfastly looking and waiting and watching for the appearing of their Saviour more earnestly and wishfully than they who wait for the morning will be numbered with those who are sealed. Those who, while having all the light of truth flashing upon their souls, should have works corresponding to their avowed faith, but are allured by sin, setting up idols in their hearts, corrupting their souls before God, and polluting those who unite with them in sin, will have their names blotted out of the book of life, and be left in midnight darkness, having no oil in their vessels with their lamps. "Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings." {TM 445.1} This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision. John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation. He saw the sea and the waves roaring, and men's hearts failing them for fear. He beheld the earth moved, and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea (which is literally taking place), the water thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He was shown plagues, pestilence, famine, and death performing their terrible mission. {TM 445.2}
Frequently we hear of earthquakes, of tempests and tornadoes, accompanied with thunder and lightning. Apparently these are capricious outbreaks of seemingly disorganized, unregulated forces. But God has a purpose in permitting these calamities to occur. They are one of His means of calling men and women to their senses. By unusual workings through nature God will express to doubting human agencies that which He clearly reveals in His Word. He will answer the question, "Who hath gathered the wind in His fists?" He will reveal Himself as the One who "maketh the clouds His chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind." "He bringeth the wind out of His treasuries." "The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever." "He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not pass His commandment: when He appointed the foundations of the earth." "He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: He toucheth the hills, and they smoke." {19MR 279.3} Local disturbances in nature are permitted to take place as symbols of that which may be expected all over the world when the angels loose the four winds of the earth. The forces of nature are under the direction of an Eternal Agency. Science, in her pride, may seek to explain strange happenings on land and on sea; but science fails of tracing in these things the workings of Providence. Science fails of perceiving that intemperance is the cause of most of the frequent accidents so terrible in their results. {19MR 280.1}