You may have heard of “the four horses of the apocalypse”. These are the four horses which John saw in visions as recorded in Revelation 6:1-8.

These visions of the four horses were the first John saw after the scenes in heaven, which we studied in our previous lesson. You will recall that the Lamb was the only one found worthy to open the book and break its seals (Rev 5:1-14). You will also recall that four living creatures — one like a lion, one like a calf, one like a man, and one like an eagle — were among those who worshipped God and the Lamb (Rev 4:7).

Now, in chapter six, the Lamb begins to open the seals of the book. Remember this book represents the gospel of Christ. The seals represent the fact that the gospel is "the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for ages past" (Rom 16:25 cf 1Co 2:6-10),

Since each creature in turn calls John to see a particular horse and its rider, we would expect some correlation between what a living creature represents, and what the horse and horseman represents that he calls John to see. On that simple basis, we can now develop the four visions as below. (If you are teaching this material, you might take each horse as a separate lesson.).

First The White Horse

Rev 6:1-2

• The Lamb Opens the first seal. The first living creature calls to John, “Come!”. John sees the first horseman on a white horse carrying a bow with which to conquer and a crown with which to rule (Rev 6:1-2).

The first creature was like a lion (Rev 4:7). The lion is a royal and kingly symbol and represents the fact that Jesus is "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Rev 19:6).

The rider with bow and crown represents the rule of kings and lords on earth, such as the Roman Caesars. The bow symbolises conquering and the crown symbolises dominion. So the white horse and its rider stands for earthly rule and authority and dominion. Jesus told us that "nation shall rise against nation" (Mtt 24:7). This is a tribulation common throughout human history, and it shall continue for the entire gospel age until Jesus comes.

The following scripture chain will show how Christians should consider the problem of their subjection to earthly power and rule and authority, especially when it is oppressive and usurped by conquest...

Tit 3:1, Mtt 5:10-11, Eph 1:19-21, 1Co 15:24, Jhn 18:36, Eph 6:12, Acts 5:27-32.

Second The Red Horse

Rev 6:3-4

• The Lamb Opens the second seal. The second living creature calls to John, “Come!”. John sees the second horseman on a red horse carrying a sword with which to slaughter (Rev 6:3-4).

The second creature was like a calf (Rev 4:7). This, like the lamb, is a symbol of sacrifice and represents the fact that Jesus, our great high priest, made the perfect sacrifice when he let himself be slain, and let his blood be shed, for our sins (Heb 9:11-12, 1Jn 2:1-2).

The rider with the sword represents slaughter and bloodshed, people killing people. This too is a tribulation common throughout human history, and shall be so for the entire gospel age until Jesus comes.

The following scripture chain will show how Christians should consider the problem of people murdering and slaying their fellow man, especially killing people because of their faith...

Gen 4:6-7, Rom 1:28-29, Rev 21:8, Jas 4:2, Rev 6:9, Mtt 10:28, Mtt 24:9, Lke 9:22-24.

Third The Black Horse

Rev 6:5-6

• The Lamb Opens the third seal. The third living creature calls to John, “Come!”. John sees the third horseman on a black horse carrying a pair of scales with which to merchandise.

The third creature had a face like a man (Rev 4:7). This symbolises that Jesus was a human being, "the Son of Man". A significant feature of Jesus's life on earth was that he lived lowly without earthly wealth (Mtt 8:20).

The rider with the scales represents commerce and the economic system with all of its problems such as corruption, poverty, debt, inflation, boom and bust, unemployment, financial loss, etc. The scene in the vision represents economic calamity by the voice of a merchant selling small amounts of grain for a denarius (a day's wage), and witholding oil and wine from sale. Economic crisis is a another tribulation common throughout human history, and will continue for the entire gospel age until Jesus comes.

The following scripture chain will show how Christians should consider the love of money and how they should fit in to the world of commerce and react to financial troubles...

Prv 11:1, 1Tm 3:3, 6:9-10, Mtt 6:19-20, Php 4:11, Rom 13:8, Eph 1:18, Rom 8:16-18.

Fourth The Pale Horse

Rev 6:7-8

• The Lamb Opens the fourth seal. The fourth living creature calls to John, “Come!”. John sees the fourth horseman on a pale horse leading Hades with which to capture the dead.

The fourth creature was like an eagle (Rev 4:7). This symbolizes that Jesus is a divine being, "the Son of God" (1Jn 5:20). He arose from the dead, and ascended on high, exalted to the right hand of God where he lives forever (Acts 2:31-33, Eph 4:10).

The rider leading Hades (the realm of the dead) represents death. Every human being is subject to death. People die of disease, famine, war, accident, natural disaster, and if not something of that sort, then old age. Death, like other tribulations common to man, will continue for the entire gospel age until Jesus comes.

The following scripture chain will show how Christians should consider the problem of death and look forward in hope of resurrection and ascension into heaven...

Acts 2:24, Jhn 5:28, 1Co 15:51-55, 1Th 4:13-18, Php 1:21-24, Dan 12:13.

Summation

The “four horses of the apocalypse” and the four horsemen who rode them, represent typical tribulations that human beings must continue to suffer until the end of the world. One human being, because he is the very Son of God, can lead us through all tribulations, even death. In him we can endure and have victory no matter what ills befall us. His gospel is the revelation (Greek apokalupsis the apocalypse), that shows us the way. It is written in his book (Greek biblion bible) which is now unsealed and all the mysteries revealed. We can have perfect confidence in its message and instruction, and in the power and glory that Jesus Christ the Lamb and the Lion imparts to all who believe in him and follow his words until death.

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