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4. The Fourth Seal: A Rider on a Pale Horse (Revelation 6:7-8)
Pestilence, the Third Whip of God: In medieval times pestilence spread in Europe from 1347 to 1351 AD. Most people blamed the devil and the Jews for it. A wave of murder of Jews swept through all towns of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation except Regensburg and Vienna. 60 large and 150 small Jewish communities were eradicated, 350 Jewish communities were badly damaged. In panic Jews ran for shelter to the nobility or flew to East Europe. Even though Pope Clemens VI. objected to the false accusations officially, in those days more than a fourth (!) of the Jews in Europe was killed or expelled. The expellees called themselves in the countries of East Europe Aschkenazim (the Germans*).
Pestilence flared up several times until the time of Reformation and depopulated whole areas in Europe.
Nowadays this epidemic plague seems to be eradicated or defunct. Yet pestilence may flare up especially in those areas where rats can live unhindered. So, in North India a short outburst of pestilence occurred so that all air lines cancelled their flights to this area immediately. Some Hindu does not kill rats as he thinks that the soul of his grandmother may live in it.
Old and New Epidemic Pestilences: Worldwide there are many diseases which do not make headlines in spite of their devastating effect.
There are blind or visually handicapped people everywhere, in India more than 10 million, in China 8 million, in Pakistan one million, in Nigeria 500,000, in Sudan 300,000. In most cases they live in permanent night – yet they may be enlightened through the gospel.
Leprosy is spread more than we may know. In India there are 4 million who suffer from leprosy, in China 3 million, in Nigeria 900,000, in Bangladesh 500,000, in Sudan 100,000. They vegetate, feared and isolated from the society, even though this disease can be cured or is at least manageable.
There are 9 million insane people in India, 5 million in China, 800,000 in Indonesia, 500,000 in Pakistan, 450,000 in Bangladesh, 450,000 in Nigeria, 300,000 in Turkey, 200,000 in Iran.
Aids is still spreading and feared everywhere as whip of mankind. In Kenya whole villages became depopulated as most of the adults died of aids. The remained orphans are already infected by the virus of this disease.
Recently tuberculosis has been driving an increasing number of malnourished people into the arms of death. More people die of tuberculosis than of Aids!
Heart attacks and cancer are well known diseases. However, due to the manufacture of refined carbohydrates both diseases have been taking its toll since the last hundred years, killing abruptly more victims. Radio BBC advised against three modern poisons: white sugar, white flour and white rice. When these foods are refined, all vitamins are stripped away and used in molasses or chaff for fodder.
Additionally, sweet juices, in particular coke, if consumed to excess, may cause death, more than alcohol or coffee. May be that we should study more carefully the dietary laws of the Old Testament, not as to get righteous, because our justification has been accomplished on the cross, but as to maintain our health.
PRAYER: Merciful Lamb of God, Be merciful to us. The scourges of Your holiness are right because the multitudes left you and they do what You don't want them to do, so You delivered them to destroy one another and be clothed in diseases, epidemics and poisons, and they do not repent. Grant us wisdom and courage to preach those whom You lead us to that the light of heaven may never be turned off in our days.
QUESTION:
- What are the epidemics which the Lord uses to lead us into repentance?