Cont. of Horses of Revelation and the Seals (Day 12)

Continuing our study in the Book of Revelation...

Revelation 6:7-8 ⁽⁷⁾When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” ⁽⁸⁾I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. (NIV)

 

John was shown the rider of the pale horse whose name was Death; Hades (Hell) followed close by. Many

 

Bible versions use the color “pale” to describe the third horse. However, in the Greek, pale is written as Chloros (kloros), which is also translated as green. This means that the horse could have been a pale green in color. Green in the Bible normally represents life. However, it also had an opposite meaning as well. Leviticus 13:47-49 ⁽⁴⁷⁾As for any fabric that is spoiled with a defiling mold—any woolen or linen clothing, ⁽⁴⁸⁾any woven or knitted material of linen or wool, any leather or anything made of leather—⁽⁴⁹⁾if the affected area in the fabric, the leather, the woven or knitted material, or any leather article, is greenish or reddish, it is a defiling mold and must be shown to the priest. (NIV) Due to the nature of this rider, it is safe to say that this horse does not represent life, but on the contrary…death.

 

 

 

The rider of this horse was given the power to kill and Hades rode close by. Now the Bible doesn’t say that Hades had its own horse, but it does describe it as also riding alongside Death. There is much death in the world today. People are killing one another without giving any consideration to the harm they are doing or the hurt they are causing those loved ones who are left behind. 1 John 3:12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. (NIV)

 

The rider of this horse also caused famine and plagues just like the rider of the red horse. Once again there are people in various countries throughout the world who barely get any food and don’t have adequate shelter.

 

 

        Children are often left to fend for themselves and many die without any sense of hope. However, something was different about this particular horse. It had not only one rider, but two riders, which seems to mean that they are very closely connected. Why is this? Many people are going to die in their sins. Unfortunately, their final destination will be Hell if they fail to turn from their wicked ways. Daniel 12:2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. (NIV) Death and Hades are very closely connected due to the face that once someone dies, there is no chance of redemption. There is no purgatory for them to go to with the hope that they will be able to barter their way to Heaven. No, this may be the belief of many, but unfortunately, they are sadly mistaken.

 

 

 

Another important fact about the riders of this horse is that they were given power to kill a fourth of the earth and by the wild beasts. Now the killing of the sword could be killing by way of war. However, it is important to understand that the Bible does not say that this would all take place at one time. There can be a number of events leading to the killing of a fourth of the earth. Many people may ask the question, “How is it that beasts or animals will be able to kill humans?” That’s a good question. Should there be a famine, animals would also need resources such as food and water. However, if they are unable to get the resources they need in their own natural habitat, it could lead them to search elsewhere. This could cause humans to become the prey where they were once the hunter. Amos 9:3 Though they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, there I will hunt them down and seize them. Though they hide from my eyes at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. (NIV)

 

 

 

 

 

One may wonder if the riders of these 4 horses are already riding due to what is taking place on the earth. For many people across the world, this could very well be the case because they are experiencing many if not all of the things that these horses represent. However, the pace of the riders may be at a trot for the time present, but if they are already riding, they will soon begin to increase in pace and with incredible speed like we have never seen before.  Daniel 12:1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered.” (NIV)

 

Revelation 6:9-11 ⁽⁹⁾When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. ⁽¹⁰⁾They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” ⁽¹¹⁾Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to  wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters were killed just as they had been. (NIV)

 

 

John witnessed the fifth seal being opened and he saw the souls of the martyrs. They asked how long before they would be avenged, but they were told that more would die just as they had. One does not have to wonder long about the meaning of this. All one has to do is turn on the news, radio or internet and view the reports about thousands of Christians who are dying in various parts of the world because of their faith. Numerous terrorist organizations, who are trying to promote their demonic agenda of an Islamic Caliphate, is using the disguise of religion to kill, torture, rape, and swindle funds of those who stand for Christ. There have been countless beheadings, shootings, Christians buried and burned alive in the name of Allah and his false prophet Mohammad. Many Christians have died for the sake of Christ and many more will die prior to Jesus’ return. Luke 17:33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. (NIV)

 

 

 

However, Jesus gave His word that whoever stays faithful to the end will receive their reward in Heaven. All who died for the sake of Christ will not have died in vain, but will receive a white robe, which represents the purity and righteousness of God Almighty. Isaiah 61:10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (NIV)

 

We will continue our study in the book of Revelation on tomorrow. May you be blessed as you continue to read and understand this series. Revelation: Removing the Prophetic Veil Bible Lesson Series 1-10 is available on Amazon.com.