Most of us have heard the phrase, “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." But where does it come from? It comes from the book of the apocalypse, which is the last book in the Bible, the book of Revelation. In the sixth chapter, the Apostle John describes his vision of a Lamb, opening a scroll which had seven seals on it. Only the Lamb was worthy to open these seals. The first seal is opened, and one of the four living creatures cries out with a thunderous voice, “Come!” He introduces the first horse, a white horse with its rider carrying a bow and wearing a crown. Then the second seal is opened and the second living creature announces the second horse, a flaming red horse, whose rider is given a huge sword. The third seal is broken and the third living creature, calls the third horse, a black horse with its rider holding a pair of scales (a balance). When the Lamb broke open the fourth seal, the fourth living creature presents the fourth horse; the most gruesome of the four! It is an ashy pale horse (a greyish green livid colour, the ashen, discoloured appearance of the dead). Its rider’s name is Death, and Hades. “And they were given authority and power over a fourth part of the earth to kill with the sword and with famine and with plague and with wild beasts of the earth” vs 8.
It is important to understand that the book of Revelation is full of symbolism. Pastor Perry Stone explains the reason why symbolism was used; it was to preserve the writings of John from the authorities at that time, the Romans, as it would not be understood or considered political or a threat.
So let us investigate the symbols in this chapter. First, it is interesting to note, that in dream symbolism, the horse is considered a messenger of death! Each colour of the horses is a symbol of death in different areas. White and red represent death through war. Black is a symbol of death through famine and starvation. It is also a play on words – “the Black Market, the fire that fuels inflation”. The pale horse is the worse of all four, as it represents death in four areas - with the sword (war), with famine (starvation), with plague (disease and sickness) and with wild beasts.
Even the four living creatures play an important role in this rendition! In chapter four (vs 7; Ezek. 1:10) it reveals that each of the living creatures has a different face. The first, like a lion, the second, like an ox, the third, the face of a man, and the fourth like a flying eagle. Each of the four horses represent different parts or areas of the earth, the symbols of the faces of the four living creatures reveals which parts!
So, the worst areas of war will be the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and U.S.A. The severest area for famine and the “black market” (inflation) will be Europe (but famine will also be on every continent). And as I have explained the greatest destruction of all horses is the fourth pale horse, which represents the fourth area, being the United States of America! That area will also be exclusive to the plague and attacks from wild animals (as well as an attack from the “north” and uncontrollable fires)!
I hope you have found this quick overview and study of the four horsemen interesting and informative, even though it is also terrifying, to say the least! During this time, God’s hand of protection, provision and healing, will be mightily strong over His children, those that are safe in the ark of Salvation!
S.J.
Also see previous post on 28 Feb 2021 - The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
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