“They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” (Revelation 6:16)

What will happen in the moment when this age fades away and reality is exposed for those who have lived lives believing that they were their own rulers?  It is not hard to imagine that people such as these, and like some whom you know, will be terrified because they finally know the truth.  Our Lord has told us that the truth will set us free, but some want to remain captive to their own delusions.

Lord, where I am delusional, shatter the delusion.  Even in the moment of discovery, what good will it do to think I have enough power yet to run to the rocks and hide from You?  Oh, the vanity of pride!  Guide me to repent and believe so that I may live according to Your word of hope.  Lead me away from the vanity of this age to live into the truth of eternity.  Do not let me think I can hide my face from You, Lord.

My Lord and Savior, save me this day from the idea that I can run and hide on that day.  Lead me according to Your goodness to live into the hope You give according to Your word.  Help me, O Lord, so that I may ever be guided by You.  When that day comes that this age melts away into eternity, help me to look forward and rejoice in seeing You face to face.  Amen.

“Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains” (Revelation 6:15).

When one is faced with the reality of the Lord, where can they go to hide?  There is no place where the Lord is not able to see.  He who knows all things knows everyone.  But we run and scatter as though we still had power or authority.  That too belongs to the Lord.  Put the Lord on – that is, wear His righteousness and do not think you can flee.  He loves you and condemnation is only for those who refuse and reject His love.

Lord, I pretend to understand much more than I do.  What do I know?  I know that You are God, Creator of heaven and earth.  I know that You have come and died in my place so that I might have by Your grace the ability to live with You.  I know that You claimed me through the water of my baptism.  I know that You care for me and love me.  Lord, teach me to live with the things I know and stop pretending as the world does about the things I do not know.

Lord Jesus, You have made salvation possible.  There are times when I want to run and hide, but what good will that do?  Teach me to live into the life You have given me by grace.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You alone is life, hope, and a future.  The rulers of this age may rule for a time, but You are the true ruler of all times, ruling with love, mercy and true justice.  Help me trust You above all things.  Amen.

“The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place” (Revelation 6:14).

When we go from here to there, everything will change.  At the end of this age, everything will change.  Do you count on what is here but upon what the Lord has promised.  What you taste, touch and feel here is temporary.  Being with the Lord is forever.  When the moment being spoken of here comes to pass, it will be too late to make your choice.  The Lord has called and asked that you follow Him now.

Lord, You know where I am and the state of my heart.  Guide me, Lord, in the new way of life so that I live with the hope of forever in my heart.  Let this not be just hope for this age, but the hope that You give in the promise of salvation through the grace You purchased on the cross.  Guide me into the way of everlasting life.  Teach me how to prepare in this life for the life to come.  Thank You for providing all that I need.

Dear Lord Jesus, Judge and lover of my soul, guide me this day to humbly walk with You so that I may walk the path of salvation.  Lead me by Your goodness to know that in You alone rests all hope.  Keep me from making light of anything faith requires so that I may not fear what is coming.  Whether I live to the end of the age or not, my own end of this time will come.  Prepare me to be of good cheer.  Amen.

“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind” (Revelation 6:12-13)

Death.  It is the final part of the journey from this age to the next.  Is this talking about what is to come in this age, or about what happens in the moment of death?  We shall find out.  More important is whether you are in the grace of Jesus.  Are you walking with Him or still playing the game of the rebellion in this age?  Come, live into the promise of the Lord and look forward to what is coming rather than looking forward with dread.

Lord, people in this age play games, but in death one sees fear in those who do not believe.  Let me not avoid the reality of death but see that I too shall pass through and then find out what all of this means.  The most important thing is that I follow You and walk with You always.  Guide me. Lord. on the path of salvation. Guide me to always be walking with You, my Lord and my God.  Guide me to live this new life of faith which You have given me.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the grace and faith I need to not fear the little death.  I do not relish the idea, but I know it will come.  Help me to have great hope in what You have promised.  Lead me to live this life of faith boldly and to be guided by Your Spirit to grow into Your likeness.  Whether this verse refers to an end time prophecy, the end of my time, or both,  keep my eyes upon You above all things.  Amen.

“Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been” (Revelation 6:11)

The faithful will be martyred until Jesus returns.  Whether it is the literal death that comes in persecution or the many little deaths of the spirit that happen to one who is persecuted day after day, the wicked of this world seek to silence the voice of the Master.  They cannot and will not, but the attempts continue.  Look around and what do you see?  The hope of salvation in Christ is under constant attack.  Where will you stand? On the promises of God? Or with the persecutors?

Lord, give me that old-time religion.  I want to live and let live, but I find that this world is becoming increasingly hostile.  The world is pressing in, and it seems as though it does desire to still the voice which speaks the Gospel.  I need Your guidance to live faithfully amidst the wicked schemes of this world.  You have come to save.  Save me and those who will listen through the witness You provide through me.

Come, Holy Spirit, and reveal again the truth for all ages.  Help me to see clearly and not bow down to the idols of this age.  No matter the cost to me, for I know that You have born the true cost, help me to carry the cross You give me, for its burden is light.  Guide me in mercy and grace to be a bold witness amidst the hostility to the faith in my time.  No matter the cost to me, knowing it cost You everything, lead me to learn how to remain steadfast in faith according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”  (Revelation 6:10)

In each generation there are those who have been wronged by the wicked.  The righteous want vengeance.  But God says: vengeance is Mine. The Lord is not slow as some count slowness, but awaits the time when all things are complete.  This verse should be an encouragement to those who are persecuted.  The Lord knows and He will answer in His time.  All things are in His hand and He has promised to work them together for good for those who love Him.

Lord, in times of persecution, I want vengeance.  But do I know real persecution?  There are those whose lives have been taken in this age because of their faith.  I am still here, so do I know true persecution?  I should.  Standing firm in the faith will get me into trouble with those who want my voice stilled.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I walk humbly with You and stand firm in the faith You have given me, for blessed are those who ate persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

Lord Jesus, apart from You I can do nothing.  Fill me so that I am willing to hold fast and proclaim the faith no matter what.  I do not want to be a martyr but help me to be willing to pay that price if that is what it means to hold fast.  Whatever may come, lead me in Your goodness and mercy to know that in You alone is all hope and the only future worth living.  Lead me to learn what it means to be faithful.  Amen.

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained” (Revelation 6:9).

There are those who have witnessed first-hand the wickedness against the church.  Just because you have lived in relative safety does not mean the church has not been under attack.  Both within and from without, there are those who are not faithful to the Lord.  People seek their own desire and wrap it up in nice religious garments.  The souls of the saints cry out against the wicked.

Lord, grant that I be counted amongst the saints.  Let me not rely upon my own merits but look deeply within my own soul to have Your Spirit uncover any place that remains in rebellion against You.  This is a matter of eternal life and death, and I too often treat it as though it were just a Sunday thing.  Guide me Lord in the way of everlasting life so that I may be found wholly in You.

Thank You, dear Jesus, for the salvation You accomplished, which You have given me by Your precious death and resurrection.  Apart from You, it is hopeless.  But You give me hope and a future.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life and help me to search deep within.  Make of me a true saint who is a witness in this world, giving testimony of the hope I have because of Your grace.  Lead me always in the grace You give.  Amen.

“I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth” (Revelation 5:8).

This world is filled with terrors.  One of the certainties in this age is death.  We shall all die.  But there have been times when death seemed to have been even more prominent.  WWII and the years immediately following saw tens of millions slaughtered for political reasons.  The amount of slaughter in our time is on the increase.  Do not fear death, for it comes to us all, but fear the One who rescues us from the second death.

Lord, I have a natural fear of pain.  I recoil at the thought of painful things.  I do not like the death of loved ones who have gone on.  In the mystery of all these things, help me to see more clearly the reality of all that is going on around me.  Guide me through the mess of this world to know that in You, the author and finisher of my faith, there is true abiding and everlasting life.  Lead me in the right and good direction grace affords that I may always follow You.

My Savior, ever since Adam and Eve were banned from the garden, death has been a part of the human experience.  But You have told us that death is not the final answer.  Though I die, yet shall I live.  Guide me, Lord, in living the true life for which You died.  Help me work through my fears so that I live in the goodness of Your grace and mercy all the days of my life in this age.  Help me to look to You, Lord, and then help me to follow You.  Amen.

“When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!”  (Revelation 6:7)

Will you follow the Lord no matter what comes?  Many seem to be good-time followers.  While things are moving along smoothly, all is well and good.  As soon as trouble comes, they bail out and move elsewhere.  A fourth time, the Lord bids you, “come”.  Through all that this life may toss your way, come, and serve the Lord.  You were created by Him, and you are His.  But He created you to, and for, love.  Will you come?

Lord, You know the struggles I have in this age.  There are so many things that get in the way so that I am sometimes unsure of which direction to go.  Lead me, Lord, in the way You would have me go and grant, by Your grace, that I would have the fortitude to hold fast to the gifts You have given me.  Lord, You know where I am and where I need to be.  You know the path set before me.  Thank You for being there every step of the way.

Lord Jesus, You are the Savior, but also the judge.  You will pursue me to the ends of the earth.  Grant that I would learn from You and have the same fortitude and passion to follow You always and no matter what.  Guide me this day so that I stand firm against whatever may come my way that would lead me away from You.  Thank You, Lord, for being with me and showing me the way.  Lead me now and always in Your goodness.  Amen.

“Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (Revelation 6:6)

In war lives are considered dispensable.  The priority is killing enemies and life is given less value.  Vast swaths of ground are destroyed, and the people go hungry.  Less food and hungry people mean the ones who are in control profit.  This is the way of wickedness.  We too have profited, for we eat cheap food and pay poor wages.  Only the Lord can bring true balance to the insanity of this age.

Lord, I do not want to confess that I have benefitted from the inequities of this world.  Help me to see things as they are and where possible, to make amends.  Guide me to be fervent in Your way of living and not adopt any other cause that moves in any direction that is away from You.  Lead me to live at peace, be fair, and seek for the welfare of others, especially the helpless and those who are victimized.

Lord Jesus, You came to save us all.  Amidst circumstances I cannot fully fathom, help me to live into the life to which You have called me.  Let me not answer anger with anger, but with peaceful self-control.  Help me to love even when others are hating.  Let me share what I have with those who may not be able to obtain what they need.  The world is at war with itself.  Give Your peace to me amidst the ways of this world.  Amen.