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I. THE DESCRIPTION GIVEN US OF DEATH.

1. Death is under a seal. It has a commission to execute, and cannot go beyond it: limits are fixed to it by the purpose and power of God, and it cannot break through them. Death is inevitable, because the Divine decree is unalterable. We fear death, and we fear hell; but he is more to be feared who has the keys of both. We are immortal till our time is come, and our work is done. The king of terrors, before he can level his dart so as to do any execution, must have a warrant from the King of heaven.

2. It is represented as riding: not creeping, walking, or running, but riding; which intimates that he moves swiftly, and often comes unexpectedly. It may also denote something of state and majesty: for it may be said of him, as of the other horseman, that he goeth forth conquering and to conquer. No wisdom can deliver, no strength can rescue, no wealth can ransom from this victorious enemy.

3. Death rides on a pale horse, and this colour may denote the general appearance of mortality.

4. It is represented in our text as having hell following after it. The page is more dreadful than the master; death would not be so terrible, were it not for that which follows it. Death to a wicked man is but the beginning of sorrows: to make use of it, then, as a remedy for other griefs, is but like leaping out of the smoke into the flame. We may make a mock of sin; but can we make a mock of hell?

II. OUR DUTY WITH RESPECT TO DEATH.

1. That we render the thoughts of death familiar to ourselves.

2. That we exercise faith in the providence and grace of God, both with respect to death and its consequences.

3. That we patiently wait and cheerfully submit to it.

(B. Beddome, M. A.)

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KJV: And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

WEB: When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see!"