Bible Discussion Thread

I may have a bit of a "revelation" here, no pun intended. I've been studying the End Times for around 30 years as a layperson off and on. I've always found the 1st Seal's White Horseman to be a bit puzzling. If he represents Conquest, then why is War the 2nd Seal? Wouldn't War typically be used to Conquer. Well, there is a difference between the White Horseman's Bow and the Red Horseman's Sword. The Bow is a Silent Weapon, far-reaching, and it is airborne, and can launch attacks in Secret. The world has been Conquered by the Coronavirus, and without War. It's name-sake "Corona" means Crown. Corona has 6 letters, and if you add them together they equal 66. And we are already hearing about plans to mark/track/vaccinate/implant the people for the sake of this virus, correct? And if you hear Trump refer to our Invisible Enemy, and the Q Anon people refer to a global Satanic Cabal... are we seeing the 1st Seal - A Silent Weapon for a Secret War, unleashed to Conquer the World?

As I understand it, the seals are still PRE-Tribulational, is that right? The corona/crown being the first seal seems extremely plausible.

The Seven Seals I've always seen as considered to be the beginning of the Tribulation, often covering the first 3.5 years. What follows is the Great Tribulation with much worse Judgements (Trumpets, Vials/Bowls). I see this Corona/First Seal as having many layers, as it appears to be setting the stage for the Mark of the Beast in at least an initial form, but what I forgot to mention, is that due to this virus, elections around the world may be changed... allowing the One World Government to move key players into position through fraud and deception... hence the Conquest.

I agree at least somewhat with what Sean said here a week ago. About two weeks ago I woke up early and almost from the moment I woke up my thoughts were that this Corona virus could be the First Seal opening. As Sean said, he felt the First Seal may have layers to its effects. I tend to think this could be true. I woke up thinking "corona" does actually mean a form of a crown. The rider on the first horse when the First Seal is opened as a crown. The only one of the four riders to have a crown. This rider conquers the whole world with a bow....but no arrows. So is the weapon not a conventional weapon or does he conquer just by threats and fear. So far this virus has the whole world bowing to its call and demands. I can't believe God would think this insignificant or trivial. Especially as Sean stated, that this seems to be leading to the digital currency, some kind of advanced surveillance ability such as some kind of digital tracking under our skin. I am not saying the vaccine will be the mark of the beast, but it could certainly be its precursor. I may be wrong, but I think in the worlds attempts to "normalize" the events of the last few months, many people have been blinded to the fact how much our world has changed, how many freedoms hang by a thread. Also, how close are we to Christians being demonized somehow. Either through the crazed, insane, madness involved with the response to the Corona virus. Or, through something, some other world wide perceived evil that will be blamed on Christians. I think we are extremely close to potential widespread persecution that the media and corporations and governments will justify as "necessary" to save the planet. Keep looking up, stay in the word, keep strong in your faith. As James Lester said here too, I have struggled a bit in the last week. I have felt rejection from those closest to me because I think the reaction to this virus is more evil than any virus itself. But we need to get use to the rejection. Jesus did.

Thanks, and I understand that the mainstream view was that the seals were the beginning of the trib, however in this climate that we find ourselves in, being dogmatic seems dangerous. There are some pastors who believe the Seals are PRIOR to the GREAT tribulation... Seems very plausible.