the fourth Seal of the Seven Seals in the book of Revelation (the Apocalypse) is also the fourth of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse: death from a variety of causes. These deaths are from the first three Seals and horsemen — WW3, severe civil disorder, famine — as well as from other causes, such as “the creatures of the earth” (i.e. diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, etc.).

{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 affliction of the pale horse, whose name is Death, includes the fear of death and its effect on society: disruption of work, school, recreation, religious gatherings, etc. Such disruptions effect people’s emotional and physical well-being as well as burdening the economy and the supply chain of necessary goods. Fear makes some people behave irrationally, violently, or selfishly. This can have very negative effects on society when it is severe and widespread.

Hell follows Death because the persons who die are judged by God and subject to the possibility of condemnation to Hell. The good and the bad die in these afflictions of the End Times. But everyone should fear the judgment of God.

[Luke]
The Blessed Virgin Mary:
{1:48} “For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed.
{1:49} For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
{1:50} And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him.”

The Lord Jesus Christ:
{12:4} “So I say to you, my friends: Do not be fearful of those who kill the body, and afterwards have no more that they can do.
{12:5} But I will reveal to you whom you should fear. Fear him who, after he will have killed, has the power to cast into Hell. So I say to you: Fear him.
{12:6} Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? And yet not one of these is forgotten in the sight of God.”

Even the sinless Virgin Mary fears God. Jesus recommends the fear of God even to “you, my friends”.

But the fear of God is holy, while the fear of death during the End Times is largely from a lack of faith in God and a lack of prayer and humility.

Ronald L Conte Jr