The Four Horsemen: Seals 1-4

THE FOUR HORSEMEN

Seals 1- 4

A Chart Presenting the basic Outline of the Revelation Events

Chapter   7:  the sealing of the 144,000 and the raptured saints before the throne

Chapters 8 & 9:  the trumpet judgments of God

Chapter 10:  the seven thunders and the “little book”

Chapter 11:  the two witnesses and the seventh trumpet (the reign of Christ

Revelation chapters 12 through 19 are highlights and explanations of the inner workings of the 7 seals

The 70th week of Daniel, generally referred to as the tribulation week, or last seven years, will deal primarily with the Jewish people but not exclusively with them, but will involve every person on the planet.  The AC will either be a Jew or pretend to be Jewish and therefore will be considered a Jew.  A person will have to worship an image or statue of the beast (as the so-called messiah of the Jews) or die, whether they be Christian, Muslim, or something else.  However it is my belief that God will concern himself with those professing Jesus.  Others may get some slack (I don’t really know), but those forsaking Jesus will not be blessed.

Seal 1:  The Man of Sin

(Revelation 6:2 KJV)

And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

The opening of the 1^st seal brings forth a white horse whose rider has a bow, was given a crown, and begins conquering.  Some commentaries identify this rider as Jesus Christ, due to the white horse which is the same color as the horse ridden by Jesus during the campaign of Armageddon as shown in Rev. 19:11.  This understanding of the 1^st seal is most likely incorrect since Christ would have no scriptural reason to be conquering at the very beginning of the 70^th week.

The scriptural figure who does start conquering at the beginning of the 70^th week is the beast (antichrist).  To rule over others by conquest is the goal of this rider.  A crown is given to him because he may have not been a ruler prior to the beginning of his campaign or he may receive it from the authoritative permission of God.  There is also the possibility that Satan may anoint (as in choose) him as his “man of sin.” 

In Daniel 11 a king will arise who will overwhelm the king of the south and the king of the north.  Afterwards, he will overthrow many countries including Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, and then go east to conquer and destroy.

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.  (Daniel 11:40-44 KJV)

Daniel 7 features a 4^th beast with 10 horns.  An 11^th horn emerges, known as the “little horn” which uproots or subdues 3 of the 10 prior horns.

I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.  (Daniel 7:8 KJV)

When the beast rises from the sea (Rev 13:1), it has 7 heads and ten horns.  In this image, the beast is already in possession of the ten horns.

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

(Revelation 13:1-2 KJV)

Therefore, in Daniel 7:8, the little horn (beast/antichrist) subdues 3 horns, but the remaining 7 horns bestow their power and strength to the beast as stated in Rev 17:13.

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.  (Revelation 17:12-13 KJV)

Seal 2:  The Red Horse

(Revelation 6:4 KJV)

And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

The rider of the red horse, the designation of bloodshed,  was given a massive (referring to both size and weight)  sword.  The word “sword” is defined as one of war and judicial judgment in several Greek dictionaries such as Strong’s & Thayer.  He was given the power (NET version reads ‘permission’) to take peace from the earth, his influence will be experienced worldwide, and also to cause or permit people to kill one another by brutal means. 

And another horse, fiery red, came out, and the one who rode it was granted permission to take peace from the earth, so that people would butcher one another, and he was given a huge sword.   (Revelation 6:4 NET)

[The following is strictly an opinion.]  The opening of this lawless seal could possibly be the slaughter of Christians, or any other group, who will not worship the image of the beast that has been placed in or near the newly constructed temple (see Rev 13). Because people are permitted (perhaps encouraged) to kill one another (perhaps for a reward), this may be related to Jesus’ words in Luke 21:  And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.  (Luke 21:16 KJV)   [end of opinion]

Seal 3:  The Black Horse

(Revelation 6:5-6 KJV)

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

The rider of the black horse is holding a pair of balances or scales.  This denotes the dire situation of famine, as a consequence of high prices, food rationing, and scarcity.  In the first two seals the words “authority” and “power given” are used to indicate that a permission of authority is given from either the four beasts around the throne of God or from God Himself.  During the revealing of the third seal, a voice from among the four beasts is giving instructions and authority, therefore, the command must be coming from God.

This seal causes considerable, if not extraordinary, inflation, particularly on the price of food.  The word translated as “penny” is the Greek word for a denarius, which was the ordinary pay for a day’s wages during most of the first century.  It has been commented that these prices of wheat and barley represent eight to sixteen times the average prices during the Roman Empire at the time this was written.  This could be caused by a shortage of food crops, an inability to transport food, or government chaos of such a proportion that places to buy food are not readily available.  These scenarios could be produced by a number of circumstances.

And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.  (Matthew 20:2 KJV)

Olives, as olive oil, and grapes, as food and wine, are not to be harmed.  Some commentators perceive this as no harm to the rich and powerful, however, since these two items were part of the second harvest in the middle-east, perhaps it is a timing factor of some type.

During the 2^nd half of the 70^th week, the beast (antichrist) will give a mark, on the right hand or forehead, of all who worship him or his image.  This action will give the beast considerable control over the price of food and all other goods and services.

Seal 4:  The Pale Horse

(Revelation 6:8 KJV)

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

The Greek word for “pale” is “chloros” from which we get the English words, chloroform and chlorophyll, which are literally a pale green color.

Power was given to the first four seals over a fourth of the earth’s population.  They could kill with the sword (weapon), with starvation, with death (probably disease and pestilence), and with beasts. Thayer Definition:  1) an animal  2) a wild animal, wild beast, beast  3) metaphorically a brutal, bestial man, savage, ferocious. 

Some commentators suggest that the translation as “wild animals” used in some versions is not in the original text but implied by the Greek dictionaries as one can see in the Thayer example given above.

Others have suggested that the “beasts” of the earth refer to the beasts of Revelation 13, which would be the beast from the sea (antichrist) and the beast from the earth (false prophet).  The Greek word (thērion) is translated as “beast” thirty-nine times in the book of Revelation. In every case except this particular one, it refers to the Antichrist or his image, his practice, or the false prophet.  It is also preceded by the definite article “the” so that it is implying specific beasts.  This is the first instance that (thērion) is used in the Revelation, which makes it very likely that it is referring to the same topic as the other thirty-eight, which is, of the beast (antichrist) and the false prophet.

The judgments of: sword; famine; pestilence; and beasts were spoken of by God to Ezekiel in Babylon.  Ezekiel was to repeat these words to the elders of Israel who sat before him.  This is not a parallel judgment to Revelation. 

Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;   (Ezekiel 14:4 KJV)

For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?    (Ezekiel 14:21 KJV)

Summary

The first four seals outline the rise of the beast (antichrist) and the resultant consequences of his actions and, of course, those of his confederates. He will begin his reign of subduing three leaders with the seven remaining leaders conceding their authority to him, thus declaring the beast (antichrist) as the dictator of the world.  According to Daniel 11, he will establishment his palace (headquarters) in or near Jerusalem, where he will confirm the Mosaic covenant with the people of Israel allowing the renewing of the daily sacrifice.

It is my opinion that seals 1, 2, 3, and 4 will all commence rather quickly at or very close to the beginning of the first 3 ½ years of the so-called tribulation period.