Revelation 6 begins with the Lamb opening the seals. The
first four seals release horses, each differing in what will be accomplished by
their riders. Now we will look at the four horsemen. They set the stage for
things that will happen during the great tribulation.
The first horseman is on a white horse with a crown on his head. We see similar symbolism in Rev 19:11–12 referring to Jesus. The first horseman is sent by the Lord to strengthen the hearts of the believers during the crises to come. He will teach our hands to war (Ps 18:34) the spiritual forces that come against our faith, and our very lives. God’s intention is that we become “more than conquerors”; “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (see Rom 8:31-39). Because of the harsh events that follow, it is most important that we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Those who feel separated will lose their grip on faith. But the conquerors will defeat their accuser because they have learned how to war against him.
The second horseman rides a fiery red horse and has a large sword. He takes peace from the earth so that men slay each other. Jesus spoke about this to His disciples when talking about the end times. Because of wickedness the love of most people will grow cold, resulting in great hatred on the earth (Mt 24:12). This is the setting in which betrayal takes place. The love of God will cause discord with those who love sin. Those who stand with Jesus will become hated by those who require them to compromise their position. The more firmly believers stand with Jesus, the less peace there will be in the world. This is the sword Jesus spoke of that will be brought into families (Mt 10:34-35).
The third horseman rides a black horse and has scales in his hand. Scales represent justice. Whenever greedy men are not held accountable for cheating and stealing, the world suffers. Because of the corruption of those who are to maintain justice, a great inflation will occur, and men’s poverty will become oppressive. Both wine and oil are produced through great pressure, but yield life-sustaining nutrients. The good results of pressure, or oppression, will not be damaged. However, this is the setting in which love of God and fellow man is greatly tested, and the purposes of many ministries will turn towards generating income, even to falsifying the accounts of their works (2 Thes 2:9; 2 Pet 2:3).
The forth horseman rides a pale horse named “Death” and Hades is close behind him. They are given the power to take life through sword, famine, plague, and by wild beasts. Lives will be cut short: lives that are not saved. In Hades rests the souls of the unsaved, and in Paradise rests the souls of the saved. No longer will a man expect to live out his days and be buried before his children, for death will come to 1/4th of mankind. Though this will strike fear into men’s hearts, we see that the result of the great tribulation is that a great multitude turn to Christ for salvation (Rev 7:9 & 14).
Because of the release of the four horseman, the ease and security by which many enjoy their lives will be shattered. This is a wake-up call. Men must take account of the love in their hearts, and the steadfastness of their faith. The Lord has equipped us to stand, and be more than conquerors. Let us war hatred, dishonesty and love of money. Our security is in He who sits on the throne. Amen.
The first horseman is on a white horse with a crown on his head. We see similar symbolism in Rev 19:11–12 referring to Jesus. The first horseman is sent by the Lord to strengthen the hearts of the believers during the crises to come. He will teach our hands to war (Ps 18:34) the spiritual forces that come against our faith, and our very lives. God’s intention is that we become “more than conquerors”; “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (see Rom 8:31-39). Because of the harsh events that follow, it is most important that we know that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Those who feel separated will lose their grip on faith. But the conquerors will defeat their accuser because they have learned how to war against him.
The second horseman rides a fiery red horse and has a large sword. He takes peace from the earth so that men slay each other. Jesus spoke about this to His disciples when talking about the end times. Because of wickedness the love of most people will grow cold, resulting in great hatred on the earth (Mt 24:12). This is the setting in which betrayal takes place. The love of God will cause discord with those who love sin. Those who stand with Jesus will become hated by those who require them to compromise their position. The more firmly believers stand with Jesus, the less peace there will be in the world. This is the sword Jesus spoke of that will be brought into families (Mt 10:34-35).
The third horseman rides a black horse and has scales in his hand. Scales represent justice. Whenever greedy men are not held accountable for cheating and stealing, the world suffers. Because of the corruption of those who are to maintain justice, a great inflation will occur, and men’s poverty will become oppressive. Both wine and oil are produced through great pressure, but yield life-sustaining nutrients. The good results of pressure, or oppression, will not be damaged. However, this is the setting in which love of God and fellow man is greatly tested, and the purposes of many ministries will turn towards generating income, even to falsifying the accounts of their works (2 Thes 2:9; 2 Pet 2:3).
The forth horseman rides a pale horse named “Death” and Hades is close behind him. They are given the power to take life through sword, famine, plague, and by wild beasts. Lives will be cut short: lives that are not saved. In Hades rests the souls of the unsaved, and in Paradise rests the souls of the saved. No longer will a man expect to live out his days and be buried before his children, for death will come to 1/4th of mankind. Though this will strike fear into men’s hearts, we see that the result of the great tribulation is that a great multitude turn to Christ for salvation (Rev 7:9 & 14).
Because of the release of the four horseman, the ease and security by which many enjoy their lives will be shattered. This is a wake-up call. Men must take account of the love in their hearts, and the steadfastness of their faith. The Lord has equipped us to stand, and be more than conquerors. Let us war hatred, dishonesty and love of money. Our security is in He who sits on the throne. Amen.
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