What Do the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Signify?

The Book of Revelation describes end time judgements through a tripartite structure: seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls of God’s wrath. Every next category escalates in severity compared to the previous one. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as illustrated in Revelation chapter 6, verses 1-8, serve as symbols for different events predicted to occur in the end times. The four horsemen are linked to the first four seals that the Lamb opens as he reveals the heavenly scroll of judgment (Revelation 5).

First Seal opening

What does the first seal in the Book of Revelation mean? This seal, when broken, reveals a vision to John of a rider on a white horse, crowned and armed with a bow, as described in Revelation 6:2. This figure is a symbol of the Roman Empire at its zenith, a period from 96 to 180 A.D., marked by extraordinary military conquests and the spread of Christianity.

The crowned rider with the bow embodies the Roman emperors of that era. Importantly, the prophecy of the first seal has already been fulfilled with the rise and expansion of the Roman Empire, and thus, it does not pertain to future events. It's worth noting that certain futurist teachings may attempt to shift focus towards future events, potentially causing some to become complacent.

The Roman Empire is also represented in Nebuchadnezzar's dreams as iron, an element linked to demonic forces. Daniel's visions further revealed this empire uses power from the Antichrist to disrupt and destroy, particularly God's order, design, and laws (Daniel 8:24:25). It's the same empire that was responsible for the crucifixion of Christ and the death of numerous martyrs.

The Revelation was given to John in 96 A.D., and in Revelation 1:1, Jesus told him that these events would occur shortly. From 96 to 180 A.D., the Roman Empire fulfilled the prophecy of the first seal, a time of unprecedented expansion for the empire. Their conquests led them to occupy vast territories previously held by the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, and Greek empires.

Furthermore, as this seal represents a kingdom intent on continual conquest, it is expected to endure until the end times. This is the same kingdom that extended into iron and clay, a metaphor for the current United Nations which inherited the Roman Empire's legacy. It is predicted to revive, leading to the emergence of the Antichrist.

Apostle John himself mentioned in his letters (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7) that the Antichrist was already present in the world, further highlighting the immediate relevance of the first seal's prophecy during the Roman Empire era.

Second Seal

The second horseman's introduction occurs when the Lamb opens the second seal, with the second living creature exclaiming, “Come!” (Revelation 6:3). John documents the vision he experiences: “Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword” (Revelation 6:4).

The fiery red horseman represents the global disruption of peace, giving rise to widespread warfare. The large sword symbolizes the devastating potential of war in disrupting peace and causing mass destruction. This seal appears to align with the devastating upheavals witnessed during the first and second World Wars. These catastrophic events, believed to be masterminded by covert societies like the Freemasons and the Illuminati, were part of a broader agenda to establish a New World Order. The anticipation of a third world war as a precursor to the emergence of the Antichrist, as planned by these sinister groups, is a concerning aspect linked to this seal, which further underscores the presence of the antichrist spirit in the world.

In fact, the second horseman, armed with the power to disrupt peace and incite violence, serves as a symbolic representation of both past and future warfare till the end. Jesus Himself prophesied about such conflicts and wars in Matthew 24:6-7, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom." This prophecy, along with the second horseman's symbolism, underscores the continuous presence of conflicts until the end.

Third Seal Opening

The Revelation's symbolic narrative continues as the Lamb opens the third seal. The third living creature then beckons John with the invitation, “Come!” (Revelation 6:5). Following this call, the third Horseman of the Apocalypse makes his appearance. John describes the vision: “There before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!’” (Revelation 6:5–6).

This prophetic image, rich in symbolism, depicts the significant global issues of food insecurity and rampant inflation. The rider on the black horse, with his scales in hand, is a haunting representation of the imbalance in food distribution and escalating prices, particularly poignant after the Second World War. This conflict took a severe toll on worldwide agriculture and food production, leading to food shortages and hunger on an unprecedented scale. The creation of the World Food Program in response to these challenges testifies to the severity of the food crisis.

However, the Book of Revelation predicts that these issues will not merely remain in the past. They will intensify as we approach the end, a prophecy that seems to resonate with our current global situation. In recent times, we have witnessed an alarming rise in food prices and growing concerns about food security. The rider on the black horse seems to be a stark symbol of our times, with his scales indicating the imbalance between supply and demand that drives inflation.

Nevertheless, amidst this bleak portrayal, the voice among the living creatures also speaks of oil and wine being spared. This detail can be interpreted as a sign of God's mercy amidst hardship. Despite the scarcity symbolized by the black horse and its rider, the preservation of oil and wine suggests that there will be means for survival. This aspect of the prophecy reminds us of God's promise in Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Fourth Seal Opening

The fourth living creature issues the command, “Come!” (Revelation 6:7). John then shares his vision: “I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth” (Revelation 6:8).

This fourth Horseman is a chilling representation of a harrowing combination of war, famine, and widespread disasters. It amplifies the preceding judgement seals and introduces calamities of modern times, including diseases and disasters. The horse's pale color, translated from the original language as “pale green” or “yellowish green,” symbolizes sickness and decay, intensifying the image of widespread death and destruction that this horseman brings.

The fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse, with its ghastly symbolism, is associated with further warfare, severe famines, dreadful plagues, diseases, and attacks by wild animals. It's worth noting the relevance of this prophecy in the context of man-made viruses such as HIV, Ebola, Covid-19, and others. These modern plagues resonate with the destructive power handed to the rider of the pale horse, further suggesting that the fourth seal has indeed been opened.

The implications of the fourth seal's opening extend beyond physical ailments and death. The spiritual death, symbolized by Hades following close behind Death, signifies the eternal separation from God that those who reject Him will face (Revelation 21:8). This grim prospect underscores the urgency of heeding the Gospel message and turning to Christ for salvation (John 3:16).

Despite the grim imagery of the fourth horseman, we find hope in the Bible's assurance that those who trust in God will find refuge in Him. Psalm 91:5-7 states, "You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you."

Concluding Remarks

It is crucial to understand that the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, as severe as their judgments may be, are merely forerunners of even graver tribulations to come. As described in the book of Revelation chapters 8—9 and 16, these future tribulations, potentially occurring during the tribulation period, are of significant concern. Despite the terror induced by the Four Horsemen, we must brace ourselves for even more daunting trials ahead.

It clear that we are entering the era of the trumpet judgments. These judgments, as Revelation suggests, are associated with calamities that appear to be caused by weather weapons and nuclear warfare. The effects of these weapons are terrifyingly destructive, causing floods, earthquakes, hailstones, wind, storms, cyclones, and more. They have the potential to pollute our water, damage our soil, and result in the loss of countless lives.

It's vital to recognize that the so-called 'natural disasters' we see in recent years are not as natural as they might seem. There is a growing awareness that these disasters are human-engineered, designed and piloted by individuals operating behind the scenes. As we transition from the piloting phase to the actual implementation phase, we'll witness the materialization of the seven trumpets and vials of God's wrath.

Revelation 8:7, for instance, predicts, "The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down on the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up." Could this be referring to the devastating impact of modern weaponry and warfare?

The most comforting aspect of this bleak prophecy is that Christ will remove His church before these events unfold fully. The Rapture, as it is commonly known, will see the faithful lifted from the earth. However, the pressing question is: how many of us are truly aware and prepared for this imminent event? As 1 Thessalonians 5:2 warns, "For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."

Therefore, while the future may seem daunting, it is a call to Christians everywhere to remain steadfast in faith, aware of the signs, and ready for the return of our Savior. We must remember the blessed hope we possess in Christ, the promise that regardless of the trials and tribulations we face, our Lord is faithful, and He will return for His people.

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