(3) And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. (4) 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.
Here we have the immediate effect of the opening of the second seal. And let not the Reader overlook, who it is that opened everyone of them. None but Christ could be found worthy. Oh! precious thought! All power is our Lord's, in heaven, and in earth. He reigns, and rules over all. By a red horse, seems to imply blood. And, as power was given to him that sat thereon, to take peace from the earth, and there was given unto him a great sword; the matter seems plain enough, that where on his white horse, in the meekness and mildness of his Gospel-grace is not received, the judgments of peace are taken away, and blood-shedding shall succeed. And, in the history of the Church, as recorded from the time of Christ's return to glory, to about the year of our Lord God 140, there were great slaughters took place in the empire. John, the beloved Apostle, died, it is supposed, about ten years after writing this Book of the Revelation. And if this book be dated, as is generally done, Anno 94, then it will follow, that John died Anno 104. Reader! pause over this seal, just to remark the plan of divine government. Christ on his white horse, if not redeemed, hath his judgments on others that follow. All must bend to his sceptre. He hath sworn to it with an oath. Isaiah 45:23. How strong the words of the Psalmist. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him, Psalms 2:12.