Four horseman in Revelation

[CTK]

Does anyone have a fairly good understanding of who these 4 horseman represent?

Do they take place during / at the end times or are they affecting us today (and by today I mean during the past XXX years after the cross)?

Thanks.

 

[TrevorHL]

Greetings CTK,

Does anyone have a fairly good understanding of who these 4 horseman represent?

My general understanding of the Six Seals is that in line with the Continuous Historic view of the Seals, Trumpets and Vials. The Seals cover the period of the decline and judgements on the Pagan Roman Empire from the time of John in AD 96 to the time of Constantine in AD 312. The First Seal is a time of peace, security and strength in the period from AD 96 to 183 while the Second Seal is the period AD 183-211 where there was bloodshed among the rulers. The Third Seal AD 212-235 was widespread famine and distress and the 4th Seal AD 235-303 widespread violence and death.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[Marty fox]

Does anyone have a fairly good understanding of who these 4 horseman represent?

Do they take place during / at the end times or are they affecting us today (and by today I mean during the past XXX years after the cross)?

Thanks.

I believe that the four horsemen representEd the events in the Roman Jewish war leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in the first century.

God sent these spirts from heaven from Zechariah chapter 6 to judge apostate Israel

The six seals in revelation chapter six line up with the events Jesus predicted leading up to the destruction of the temple in Matthew chapter 24

The white horse represents Rome the concurring nation

The red horse represents the deadly war that came to Israel

The black horse represents the great famine that happened within the walls of Jerusalem

The pale horse represents the death and judgment that came on the people of Jerusalem during the great siege

 

[ewq1938]

Does anyone have a fairly good understanding of who these 4 horseman represent?

Do they take place during / at the end times or are they affecting us today (and by today I mean during the past XXX years after the cross)?

Thanks.

They are in the seals, and the seals describe events that happen in the trumpets, all of which are end times events ie: events arounds the timeframe of the tribulation which IMO happens in the few years prior to the second coming.

 

[CTK]

They are in the seals, and the seals describe events that happen in the trumpets, all of which are end times events ie: events arounds the timeframe of the tribulation which IMO happens in the few years prior to the second coming.

Thanks, but who are they and what is your interpretation?

 

[Rockerduck]

Revelation 1:1 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,

How long is soon? 90% happened quickly in a couple of years. A lot is not written in the bible of events since Revelation. By the way, only the Roman empire existed in John's time, so many world events are not recorded. That is why John said "Soon must take place".

So, I researched this over the years, just taking notes. Napoleon is the only leader in world who rode a white horse. The black horse could have been the fall of the Roman empire, but Lloyd's of London had a black horse as symbol in 1914, during the great depression. The red horse is found in many, many paintings in Russia. Now the Pale or green horse; In WW1 a "Pall" horse was used in military funerals.

 

[SavedInHim]

Does anyone have a fairly good understanding of who these 4 horseman represent?

Do they take place during / at the end times or are they affecting us today (and by today I mean during the past XXX years after the cross)?

Thanks.

Most of them are pretty self-explanatory except the white horse, which I believe represents strong deception. If you compare the four horsemen with Jesus' statements about the end of the age (Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21), they're pretty consistent with the four horsemen, so I believe He's describing the same things. The first thing he says is "Take heed that no one deceives you." So I think this is the first major sign; it points to the great apostasy and the beginning of the end. But notice what else Jesus says, these are only the beginning of sorrows; the end is still a ways off. The other three, war, famine, and death will grow increasingly worse over time.

Honestly, I believe the white horse is already riding, but we aren't at the end just yet. Deception is the catalyst for everything else.

 

[Taken]

Does anyone have a fairly good understanding of who these 4 horseman represent?

Do they take place during / at the end times or are they affecting us today (and by today I mean during the past XXX years after the cross)?

Thanks.

Demons are present on this Earth today. They have power to trick and manipulate the weak in GOD.

During the beginning of the Trib., their Power (for a little while) is increased to Force or Kill, they who reject Satan.

My perspective based on Scripture.
There is much in the “Background”… that has occurred and leads up to your question…

In brief:
All Spiritual POWER is given, limited, taken away, Of, By, God.

Great Tribulation days Beginning…

The Lamb of God… opens the 7 seals one by one.

The opening of the 1st Seal Begins Gods foretold 2nd Great Tribulations sent from Heaven upon the whole Earth and its inhabitants.

The Release of the Four Horsemen, IS God “Increasing”, Satan’s Power upon the Earth and its inhabitants.

Note…Revelations begins with a preparatory Warning to all Churches, (that which are members of Christs Church)…

Then… Rev 6

[1] And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
[2] 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.

[3] And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
[4] 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.

[5] 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.
[6] 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.

[7] And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
[8] 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.

Increased Powers given “Satan”…his fallen angels…over the Earth and its inhabitants.

1) white horse, rider … crown of authority.
2) red horse, rider … take peace, stir conflict.
3) black horse, rider … manipulate / control buying / selling
4) Pale horse, rider … uncontested authority to kill 1/4 of the Earths inhabitants…. who …
ARE, with “God” and Against Satan.

^^ (these are Jews, with God, (believers in Jesus, but unconvinced JESUS is The Christ)..
They killed, their soul saved, ( but their soul does not rise to heaven…(just yet)…
…more shall transpire…ie. 7 Trumps Judgements

… more souls, Jews and Gentiles, shall reject Satan, his Power, his Authority, and stand in Belief in God, and be killed, FOR rejecting Satan and Standing with God…
They called martyred.
Then shall…the collective “saved souls” rise to Heaven.

Thereafter…the Trumpets…7 Judgements…
Individuals deciding…their standing / allegiance…to whom.

Soul saving, God Rejecting, Satan Accepting…(All Saved souls and a Remnant of Believing mortals Secure)…

Then begins the 7 bowls/ vials Judgements..
OF Gods Power…Against…
Fallen Angels (removal from Earth) bondage.
Mortals, Against God, killed…

Thereafter… Christ Jesus 1,000 yr reign with…His Holy Angels, His Converted saved souls, Believing Mortals that survived Death, during the Trib.

Over the generational course of 1,000 years, towns, cities, kings, people/ mortals at peace, prosper in all needs, comfort…
AND…slowly the mortals Over generations, distance from Christ Jesus.

End of 1,000 year reign.

After 1,000 years…SATAN & his angels Loosed, allow to once again roam the Earth, convince the mortals, Christ Jesus is their Enemy.

This begins the Prophecy fulfillment… That ALL Nations Will come Against ISRAEL…
(Christ Jesus’ Earthly Nation, Throne, Kingdom.)

The Ultimate Armageddon …
All Nations (mortals)…All fallen Angels… (demons)…at Christ Jesus’ doorstep of His Earthly Kingdom with their challenge and readiness to Fight.

Uh oh…
In the air…Holy Angels battle and defeat Demonic angels… and the defeated demons, cast into the LOF.
The mortals, killed, with Fire that rains down from heaven, their unsaved souls, cast into hell.

Judgement Day, Sentencing, Follows thereafter…
AND…
The Refreshed new heavens and new earth are joined (without a dividing barrier)… with ONLY, Holy, Inhabitants.

Glory to God,
With Him, Without Him…all decide, all choose, all get what they chose.

 

[Zao is life]

Thanks, but who are they and what is your interpretation?

I agree with @ewq1938

- but the first horseman is on a white horse. Go search for "white" in the Revelation and see if the deception many believe he represents is not a deception they are under.

Jesus' head and hair appear white like wool (Rev 1:14).
A white stone with a saint's name written on it (Rev 2:17).
The white raiment of the saints (Rev.3:5 & 18; 6:11; 7:9, 13 & 14).
The white clothing of the 24 elders (Rev 4:4).
The white clothing of angels (Rev 15:6).
The white raiment of the bride of Christ (Rev 19:8).
The Great White Throne (Rev 20:11).
Christ seated on a white cloud (Rev 14:14).
Christ returns on a white horse, leading His armies (Rev 19:11 & 14).
Christ's armies are riding white horses (Rev 19:14).

The first horseman of the first seal in the Apocalypse is also riding a white horse (Revelation 6:2).

But there is more to it - another witness regarding the first horseman: The type of crown he is wearing, and the fact that he is given a bow, but no arrows.

In contrast to the first one, the second horseman is riding a red (Greek: pyrrhós) horse (which is the exact same color of the dragon in Revelation 12:3). These two verses (Revelation 6:4: the red horse; and Revelation 12:3: the red dragon) are the only two verses in the entire New Testament where the same word (pyrrhós) is used to describe that shade of red.

The rider on the red horse is not given a crown - but he is given a great sword and "power was given to him sitting on it, to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another" (Revelation 6:4).

Following this are the horses that are carrying sky-high inflation (hunger), and death.

The 5th seal is telling us that the final number of Christian martyrs is now about to be added to the book of martyrs.

The 6th seal is linked to Armageddon - they see Christ appearing in the clouds.

The 7th seal allows the scroll to unroll so that what was written in the scroll before it was sealed with 7 seals, can be seen.

Note: The things that were hidden are the things that were written in the scroll. The seals sealed it from us.

Jesus loosed the seals so that what is written in the scroll is no longer hidden from our sight.

* The type of crown the1st horseman was given (stephanos) represents the crown of righteousness (of saints, of Jesus, of the woman who gave birth to the Messiah, etc) everywhere else in the New Testament and the Revelation where it appears - except when it comes to the locusts - who are wearing stephanos crowns that look like the real thing, but are fake.

The dragon and beast are not wearing the same type of crown - they are wearing royal diadems (diadema).

* Christ is wearing many royal diadema when He comes as "King of (all) kings and Lord of (all) lords - on a white horse.
* Christ is wearing the crown of righteousness (stephanos) which has been given Him when He comes to gather His harvest.
* Christ is the only one who is seen wearing both types of crown in the Revelation.

Everything from Revelation Chapter 4 is talking about the final years / months of this age - and so the horsemen and seals parallel what Jesus said in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 about the final events of this age.

* Luke 24:12-24 is describing events that took place during the 1st century AD - we can see that from the fact that everything Luke said in Luke 21:12-24, was a record of what Jesus said would happen BEFORE the birth-pain signs.
* Matthew 24 and Mark 13 are talking about things that Jesus said will occur FOLLOWING the birth-pain signs.

 

[Wrangler]

According to Pastor Steve from Discover Church:

1. White Horse = COVID pandemic
2. Red Horse = War in Ukraine & Gaza (and now Iran) (Oct 11 2023)
3. Black Horse = Oil, which world economy is based but due to debt will collapse financial markets. DUE THIS FALL
4. Pale Green Horse = Result of financial collapse

Each one lasts about 27 months.

 

[CTK]

Over the generational course of 1,000 years, towns, cities, kings, people/ mortals at peace, prosper in all needs, comfort…
AND…slowly the mortals Over generations, distance from Christ Jesus.

End of 1,000 year reign.

After 1,000 years…SATAN & his angels Loosed, allow to once again roam the Earth, convince the mortals, Christ Jesus is their Enemy.

This begins the Prophecy fulfillment… That ALL Nations Will come Against ISRAEL…
(Christ Jesus’ Earthly Nation, Throne, Kingdom.)

The Ultimate Armageddon …
All Nations (mortals)…All fallen Angels… (demons)…at Christ Jesus’ doorstep of His Earthly Kingdom with their challenge and readiness to Fight.

Uh oh…
In the air…Holy Angels battle and defeat Demonic angels… and the defeated demons, cast into the LOF.
The mortals, killed, with Fire that rains down from heaven, their unsaved souls, cast into hell.

Judgement Day, Sentencing, Follows thereafter…
AND…
The Refreshed new heavens and new earth are joined (without a dividing barrier)… with ONLY, Holy, Inhabitants.

Glory to God,
With Him, Without Him…all decide, all choose, all get what they chose.

Thank you for your thoughts!!!!

I have recently started to study Revelation, now that Daniel is finished, so I would like to hear some thoughts on some early interpretations that I think I see (and of course, this is due to the patterns and ways God has revealed the Book of Daniel).


Have you ever considered that the seven churches in the Book of Revelation might serve more than one purpose? They were clearly real, historical churches at the time John wrote. But does it seem possible that each one also reflects patterns—strengths, weaknesses, and spiritual conditions—that extend beyond that first-century setting and unfold across the history of the church? Does it seem that there appears to be a deliberate order to these churches—one that mirrors the spiritual progression of the church over time?

For example, Ephesus—strong in doctrine, yet having left its first love—can be seen in the early church, roughly from the first century to the early second century, where truth was carefully preserved and defended, yet the simplicity and passion of its original devotion began to fade. Then Smyrna, the persecuted church, fits naturally with the period of intense Roman opposition, roughly from the second century into the early fourth century (about 120–313 AD), when believers faced severe persecution under pagan Rome while remaining spiritually rich despite suffering and hardship. Pergamum may then reflect the next major shift, from about the early fourth century into the sixth century (roughly 313–538 AD), when the church moved from persecution into compromise. As Christianity became accepted during and after the time of Constantine, the danger was no longer only external pressure, but internal mixture, as the church began aligning with worldly power. And to jump to the final church, Laodicea’s condition—neither hot nor cold, but self-sufficient and unaware of its true state—closely resembles aspects of the modern church, especially from about the nineteenth century to the present, in an age marked by comfort, material strength, and spiritual complacency.

However, this is not saying these are strict or rigid timelines for each church. The characteristics of each church can appear in any generation, and even within individual believers. Rather, it may be that God is revealing distinct spiritual conditions that become more prominent in certain periods, while still remaining present throughout the entire history of His church. So are these letters only historical, or are they also meant to help us recognize the recurring spiritual patterns that define the church across time—and within ourselves?

Following that same line of thought, I’m curious whether a similar pattern might also apply to the four horsemen in Book of Revelation. If the seven churches can be understood not only as historical congregations but also as revealing different spiritual conditions across the life of the church, could it be possible that the four horsemen are presented in a similar way—showing distinct characteristics or phases that unfold across time? In other words, rather than viewing the four horsemen only as isolated events, could they also reflect a progression? Not necessarily as rigid or strictly defined time periods, but as recognizable phases in which certain conditions become more prominent—each horseman emphasizing a different type of influence, activity, or judgment.

Just as there is one church expressed in seven distinct ways, perhaps there is also a unified movement being shown through the four horsemen, revealed in four different forms. Each one would not stand completely alone, but would highlight a particular characteristic that becomes more visible during certain periods, while still being present throughout the whole. So I’m wondering if that same method—of revealing a unified reality through distinct expressions—might also apply here. Not forcing a timeline, but recognizing a progression in how these conditions unfold. What do you think?

So, this would / might mean there is one church that does change during the coming 2000 years and there is one horseman that also changes or progresses during the peiod in which he lives. So, then the question becomes just who is this horseman, what or when are the 4 periods where he would be found to display more prominately each of the 4 characteristics? This would mean that he is not an end time character but one that begins witin one of the 7 church periods and continues for at least the final four periods of the church.... What do you think?

 

[Taken]

@CTK

The early “Church”… was “a congregation” of the curious showing up in fields or the outer court of the Temple.
People listened to Jesus speak, and remained interested or walked away.

Jesus spent time teaching his Disciples, preparing them to carry on His Works / teaching … then sending them forth TO…
First teach the Jews…

As in History, the Hebrews / Tribes were to First Teach there Own… that They would teach the Gentiles…

The disciples were sent to Synagogue's, where they were allowed to Preach Jesus’ Messages..and unlike Temple, women were allowed to enter and hear first hand…( and had to be taught to hush, not speak, but open theirs ears and listen…Same protocol as men learned in Temple… One speaker, everyone in attendance, close mouth, open ears.

The Early Building…Churches, primarily… in today, Turkey… rather far away from Rome and seat of Gentile governance.

Jesus’ Death… the Temple gone…The disciples aging, some put to death, dying off… the Synagogue's…under pressure, no Disciple guides…shortly after went back to old OT laws.

The Churches mentioned…started with strong disciples input…and letter contact…
But the Disciples…/ Apostles did not “become” the Bishops of those Churches..

And the appointed Preachers having just learning themselves…. Were not “fully” skilled (IMO)
to teach all things or ANSWER curious congregates.

Rev. Points out particular issues…. In the old Churches…And IMO, those similar issues …
Have Trickled into Churches to this Day.

Same today… people WANT “answers FOR Understanding”… BEFORE they have been patient to learn the Knowledge.

And “Some” Churches HAVE… for centuries… been willing… to appease the Illiterate People for their request to “Give me understanding”… with their own Brand of understanding…
<—- MY POV.

So, Inanutshell… the same issues the Early Identified Churches had… IMO, are issues todays churches have.

People change Churches all the time… when they notice pretty much the same things as mentioned in those Revelations Churches… as if They ARE the blueprint for what to watch out for…and rethink participation.

Regarding the Horsemen…They represent the beginning of the Trib sent from Heaven… and Satan given “his little season” of Increased Power.

God bless you.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[Wick Stick]

Does anyone have a fairly good understanding of who these 4 horseman represent?

It's in the names, isn't it?

War
Famine
Pestilence
Death

Do they take place during / at the end times or are they affecting us today (and by today I mean during the past XXX years after the cross)?

Thanks.

Both. All. Always.

These are tools of God's judgment. He's used them since before recorded history to judge among nations of men, and there's no indication that He's going to stop doing so.

 

[CTK]

@CTK

The early “Church”… was “a congregation” of the curious showing up in fields or the outer court of the Temple.
People listened to Jesus speak, and remained interested or walked away.

Jesus spent time teaching his Disciples, preparing them to carry on His Works / teaching … then sending them forth TO…
First teach the Jews…

As in History, the Hebrews / Tribes were to First Teach there Own… that They would teach the Gentiles…

The disciples were sent to Synagogue's, where they were allowed to Preach Jesus’ Messages..and unlike Temple, women were allowed to enter and hear first hand…( and had to be taught to hush, not speak, but open theirs ears and listen…Same protocol as men learned in Temple… One speaker, everyone in attendance, close mouth, open ears.

The Early Building…Churches, primarily… in today, Turkey… rather far away from Rome and seat of Gentile governance.

Jesus’ Death… the Temple gone…The disciples aging, some put to death, dying off… the Synagogue's…under pressure, no Disciple guides…shortly after went back to old OT laws.

The Churches mentioned…started with strong disciples input…and letter contact…
But the Disciples…/ Apostles did not “become” the Bishops of those Churches..

And the appointed Preachers having just learning themselves…. Were not “fully” skilled (IMO)
to teach all things or ANSWER curious congregates.

Rev. Points out particular issues…. In the old Churches…And IMO, those similar issues …
Have Trickled into Churches to this Day.

Same today… people WANT “answers FOR Understanding”… BEFORE they have been patient to learn the Knowledge.

And “Some” Churches HAVE… for centuries… been willing… to appease the Illiterate People for their request to “Give me understanding”… with their own Brand of understanding…
<—- MY POV.

So, Inanutshell… the same issues the Early Identified Churches had… IMO, are issues todays churches have.

People change Churches all the time… when they notice pretty much the same things as mentioned in those Revelations Churches… as if They ARE the blueprint for what to watch out for…and rethink participation.

Regarding the Horsemen…They represent the beginning of the Trib sent from Heaven… and Satan given “his little season” of Increased Power.

God bless you.

Glory to God,
Taken

Thank you for your thoughts!!!!!

 

[CTK]

It's in the names, isn't it?

War
Famine
Pestilence
Death

Both. All. Always.

These are tools of God's judgment. He's used them since before recorded history to judge among nations of men, and there's no indication that He's going to stop doing so.

So, the 4 horseman do not represent a literal figure or figures that display these horrible characteristics against His church? Do you see there might be those 7 churches being found over the 2000 year period?

 

[Wick Stick]

So, the 4 horseman do not represent a literal figure or figures that display these horrible characteristics against His church? Do you see there might be those 7 churches being found over the 2000 year period?

God doesn't use weapons against His own church. He uses them to judge nations.

Churches do reside among the nations. God has usually given warning to His church when judgment against a particular nation is impending, and told them to flee. That's what happened when He judged 1st-century Israel, and we can see it as a pattern throughout history.

 

[CTK]

God doesn't use weapons against His own church. He uses them to judge nations.

Churches do reside among the nations. God has usually given warning to His church when judgment against a particular nation is impending, and told them to flee. That's what happened when He judged 1st-century Israel, and we can see it as a pattern throughout history.

Yes, I understand but didn't He also reveal in Daniel 7, 8 and 11 there would come the little horn who would go against His church, His commandments, His people and even speak blasphemous things against Him? Could not this evil one represent the 4 horseman that inflicts these 4 types of harm to His church over a certain period (s) of His church during the 2000 years?

 

[Wick Stick]

Yes, I understand but didn't He also reveal in Daniel 7, 8 and 11 there would come the little horn who would go against His church, His commandments, His people and even speak blasphemous things against Him? Could not this evil one represent the 4 horseman that inflicts these 4 types of harm to His church over a certain period (s) of His church during the 2000 years?

No. The 4 horsemen are at God's command. They aren't agents of a persecutor.

 

[CTK]

No. The 4 horsemen are at God's command. They aren't agents of a persecutor.

Thank you, but what tells you that?

 

[Taken]

@CTK - you will find differing opinions on this forum…

I believe…
Revelations is …a past recap, present, future.

I believe…
The “Rapture” ie The Lord Redeems HIS Church… “the already saved souls and reborn…” Before the first Seal is Opened.
They above the Earth…

I do not believe “the four horsemen, are following a Command of God”… Rather are being ALLOWED to Be released on Earth, to do The Devils Works….of Havoc and Killing.

God Controls the Weather… First Great Trib. God allowed the Weather to destroy the People with the Earth.

Gen 6:
[13] And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Earth is dry land…complete water coverage destroyed the Dry land… and they (people) Not Above the Earth… on the face of the water…all drown.

Last Great Trib. God Allows Satan to go forth and Conquer, Destroy, kill.

Remembering…Gods Promise to Save ISRAEL… begins… with the Seals… they who reject Satan killed…(primarily Jews).

Trumps enter in… Two witnesses preaching in JERUSALEM… (primarily historically city of Jews.)

Then Jews summoned to Mt ZION… Prepared Virgin JEWS, 144,000 ( 12.000 ) of each Tribe is sent to Teach JEWS the Gospel… they who choose to Believe… is so they can be soul saved… the moment they die.

Remember… actual Salvation of ones soul is Because of Belief, before a man dies… and Actual Salvation Received is after their body is “accounted DEAD”.

Glory to God,
Taken