Ah! The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse! At chapter 6 we begin to view the things that will take place at the end – which is now. For our purposes as we read Revelation, we must keep in mind that view of the book is not a short period of time later on that we will call the End Times, but the End Times are now, beginning with Jesus’ ascension into heaven and ending when he returns. The things described here take place – and have been taking place – since Jesus returned to Glory, and they will continue to happen until the Day he returns.
So the Lamb, Jesus, begins opening the seals and with each of the first four seals comes forth a horseman, each on a horse of a different color.
First comes a white horse, with a rider who has a bow and a crown. Some have said this is Jesus. It is not. This horse represents mankind’s lust for power and aggressive pursuit of it. That is the way of this world, and people will hurt others to get and hold power and authority until Jesus returns.
Second comes a red horse, with a rider who takes peace from the world. This horse and rider represent war and man’s propensity for violence. While many have searched for and tried to create peaceful Utopias, in this world people will fight and kill one another, and we must live in fear of violence until the end.
Third comes a black horse, with his rider who carried a pair of scales. This rider represents man’s unjust dealing with one another in business. As with many of the Old Testament prophets, this rider points out that people love money and will hurt others with their economic practices. Rising costs of food (a days wages will a quart of wheat, or three quarts of barley – not very much!) elicits no compassion for the poor here, but only concern for other markets (oil and wine). Have you noticed anything like this in the world?
Fourth comes a pale horse. The original language says it is sickly green in color. It’s rider is Death. He comes to pay the wages of sin, and sadly death hunts and haunts us in many ways. He uses the other three horsemen’s injustices – governmental power, violence and war, famine and hunger – along with even the wild animals (including germs) to bring death. Sadly, this, too, will be the way of the world until Jesus sets all things right.
When Jesus opens the fifth seal, we see the saints who have died and are waiting for the Judgment Day. They are with God, and they worship him – after all they are resting under the altar. They long for the Last Day and for God to judge the world and avenge his servants, punishing the wicked. They also await the Resurrection. They’re given a white robe to cover their nakedness – their lack of flesh – until the full number of saints who will die by violence is complete. Much like Jesus’ Parable of the Vineyard (Mark 12), God keeps sending his servants to bring his message to the people of this world, and the people of this world mistreat and kill them/us. But God does not desire their destruction, he wants them to turn, to be forgiven in Christ, and to be saved, so He is patient. However, at some point their wickedness is complete, and He will end it all.
Then the sixth seal is opened. The sixth seal is the Judgment Day. Note the terror of those who hate the Lamb. None may stand before him – just as John could not in chapter 1. Chapter 7 continues the vision of the sixth seal, and we will see more of the last day there. Until then, much of what God has revealed to us here makes me think of John 16:33: “In this world, you will have trouble. Take heart! I have overcome the World.”
Be near me, Lord Jesus, and as a shepherd guide me through the things that must happen in the Last Days. Help me to be a faithful witness like those beneath the altar by sharing the hope you have given me in the midst of trials and struggles. In Your name I pray. Amen.
So the Lamb, Jesus, begins opening the seals and with each of the first four seals comes forth a horseman, each on a horse of a different color.
First comes a white horse, with a rider who has a bow and a crown. Some have said this is Jesus. It is not. This horse represents mankind’s lust for power and aggressive pursuit of it. That is the way of this world, and people will hurt others to get and hold power and authority until Jesus returns.
Second comes a red horse, with a rider who takes peace from the world. This horse and rider represent war and man’s propensity for violence. While many have searched for and tried to create peaceful Utopias, in this world people will fight and kill one another, and we must live in fear of violence until the end.
Third comes a black horse, with his rider who carried a pair of scales. This rider represents man’s unjust dealing with one another in business. As with many of the Old Testament prophets, this rider points out that people love money and will hurt others with their economic practices. Rising costs of food (a days wages will a quart of wheat, or three quarts of barley – not very much!) elicits no compassion for the poor here, but only concern for other markets (oil and wine). Have you noticed anything like this in the world?
Fourth comes a pale horse. The original language says it is sickly green in color. It’s rider is Death. He comes to pay the wages of sin, and sadly death hunts and haunts us in many ways. He uses the other three horsemen’s injustices – governmental power, violence and war, famine and hunger – along with even the wild animals (including germs) to bring death. Sadly, this, too, will be the way of the world until Jesus sets all things right.
When Jesus opens the fifth seal, we see the saints who have died and are waiting for the Judgment Day. They are with God, and they worship him – after all they are resting under the altar. They long for the Last Day and for God to judge the world and avenge his servants, punishing the wicked. They also await the Resurrection. They’re given a white robe to cover their nakedness – their lack of flesh – until the full number of saints who will die by violence is complete. Much like Jesus’ Parable of the Vineyard (Mark 12), God keeps sending his servants to bring his message to the people of this world, and the people of this world mistreat and kill them/us. But God does not desire their destruction, he wants them to turn, to be forgiven in Christ, and to be saved, so He is patient. However, at some point their wickedness is complete, and He will end it all.
Then the sixth seal is opened. The sixth seal is the Judgment Day. Note the terror of those who hate the Lamb. None may stand before him – just as John could not in chapter 1. Chapter 7 continues the vision of the sixth seal, and we will see more of the last day there. Until then, much of what God has revealed to us here makes me think of John 16:33: “In this world, you will have trouble. Take heart! I have overcome the World.”
Be near me, Lord Jesus, and as a shepherd guide me through the things that must happen in the Last Days. Help me to be a faithful witness like those beneath the altar by sharing the hope you have given me in the midst of trials and struggles. In Your name I pray. Amen.
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