This will be, hopefully, a series of posts on the last book of the New Testament, the Book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse of John. The term “apocalypse” means “revelation”. The material in these posts are my speculative interpretation, in the realm of eschatology. You are free to disagree, and I certainly can be wrong on almost any point. I won’t go through every verse, but will cover certain highlights.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

[Revelation 6]
{6:1} And I saw that the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals. And I heard one of the four living creatures saying, in a voice like thunder: “Draw near and see.”
{6:2} And I saw, and behold, a white horse. And he who was sitting upon it was holding a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering, so that he might prevail.
{6:3} And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying: “Draw near and see.”
{6:4} And another horse went forth, which was red. And it was granted to him who was sitting upon it that he would take peace from the earth, and that they would kill one another. And a great sword was given to him.
{6:5} And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying: “Draw near and see.” And behold, a black horse. And he who was sitting upon it was holding a balance in his hand.
{6:6} And I heard something like a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A double measure of wheat for a denarius, and three double measures of barley for a denarius, but do no harm to wine and oil.”
{6:7} And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying: “Draw near and see.”
{6:8} And behold, a pale horse. And he who was sitting upon it, his name was Death, and Hell was following him. And authority was given to him over the four parts of the earth, to destroy by the sword, by famine, and by death, and by the creatures of the earth.

This is the passage describing the four horsemen of the apocalypse. These are figures describing four sets of inter-related events. They are not literal horses, nor literal individual men riding those horses. The interpretation given by some persons that the rider on the white horse is Jesus is false. Jesus does not begin the apocalypse by going forth with a bow, conquering and prevailing. Also, since this figure presents four similar things, horsemen riding horses, they are to be interpreted in the same general way — as events, not individual persons.

The first horse is white, and its rider has a bow, which symbolizes conquering with weapons launched through the air. The rider of the white horse has a crown, indicating the conquering of nations to establish a kingdom with broad political and military power. This horseman symbolizes World War 3, which will establish a kingdom by violence over many nations.

The second horse is red, and its rider carries a great sword. The meaning is stated clearly, to “take peace from the earth, and that they would kill one another.” This second horse symbolizes civil disorder and violence. So World War 3 is accompanied by the violence of War (first horseman) and at the same time by severe civil disruptions, violent crimes, violent protests, and the break down of law and order (second horseman).

The third horse is black, and its rider holds a balance. This symbolizes a great famine, even in wealthy nations. Food is rationed, including wheat — food of the wealthy during the time Revelation was written — and barley, food of the poor. Three times as much barley is rationed out than of wheat, indicating a famine that is much worse in wealthy nations, than developing nations. No harm is done to oil and wine, symbolizing expensive goods. The wealthy nations will have luxury goods, as compared to the developing nations, but not enough food.

The fourth horse is pale: “And he who was sitting upon it, his name was Death, and Hell was following him. And authority was given to him over the four parts of the earth, to destroy by the sword, by famine, and by death, and by the creatures of the earth.” This horse indicates death by a variety of causes and the severe effects on society of the fear of death. The creatures of the earth include viruses and bacteria, i.e. deaths from various diseases.

more in future posts

Ronald L Conte Jr