REVELATION 6: WAR DEATH FAMINE PESTILENCE - THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE

Revelation 6/1-8 describes the Tribulation that will come upon the whole earth in the seven year period before the return of Christ. The four horsemen are released when the Lamb (Jesus Christ) chronologically opens the seven seals.

And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

· The rider on the white horse is the Antichrist, the counterfeit Messiah who has a bow - a weapon of war which represents might and conquest. The white façade is a deception which conceals a deadly, unholy purpose. Nimrod the first type of the antichrist was a ‘mighty hunter before (against) the Lord’ (Genesis 10/9). Daniel says: ‘By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many.’ (Daniel 8/25). Initially the Antichrist brings false peace. He goes "out conquering and to conquer" which implies that his entire purpose is to conquer, to dominate, to subjugate the peoples of the earth. His crown is a stephanos i.e. a victor’s crown and not the diadem or royal crown worn by Jesus Christ in Revelation 19.

And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.

· The red horse is red like blood and its rider carries a ‘great sword’ representing bloodshed, war and destruction.

I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”

· The rider on the black horse represents scarcity, famine and economic chaos. Injustice is also suggested. It will literally cost one days wages (a denarius) to purchase a loaf of bread. Ironically there will be luxuries available (oil and wine), though probably only for the rich.

And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

· The rider on the pale horse represents death. ‘‘Pale’ is a mistranslation. The Greek word is chloros = pale green, the colour of death in every other culture.This is the pale sickly green of someone who has just died and represents fear, sickness, decay, death and also pestilence. Death and hell are actually two riders if you notice the plural they. They will destroy a quarter of humanity by the sword, famine and pestilence. Wild beasts may multiply due to depopulation and become predators of humans.

Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly,like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.

(Luke 21/34-36)

Jesus said: You will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8/32).