The concert in heaven has been glorious around the throne of God. When we return to the Earth the terrible time of the Great Tribulation has started. See Matthew 24:22 for what Jesus had to say about this terrible time. There have been terrible tragedies throughout history such as that which hit New Orleans. They will all into significance compared to the Great Tribulation. If it was not cut short to seven years then no one would survive. Judgment is not something that we like to discuss but it cannot be ignored. There are four horses that are mentioned.

1 – A white horse (vs. 1-2)

This white horse represents domination. The Lamb has opened the seal and here comes the rider upon the white horse. Who is the rider of this white horse? It cannot be Jesus for a few reasons:-

• He has opened the seal to allow the rider to come forth.
• The activity of this rider. He causes war, bloodshed and misery. He comes under the pretence of peace and brings war.
• The rider is given a victor crown. Jesus later comes with a kingly crown (diadem).
• The chronology is at the opening of the Tribulation period. Jesus will come at the end of the Tribulation period.

What do we know about this person upon the white horse? He has a bow (vs. 2) – He has a bow but no arrow. It is symbolic that he will conquer without bloodshed. He will use diplomatic means. This fits the picture of an imitation Christ – the Antichrist. He is Satan’s superman. People will follow him as he imitates much of Jesus. He will conquer with the promise of a lasting peace. Hitler will be nothing compared to this man. He will be the greatest orator and diplomatic the world has ever seen. He will be able to broker peace in the Middle East. He will get his power from the Devil himself. The world will fall at his feet. See Revelation 13.

2 – A red horse (vs. 3-4)

This red horse represents division. The world’s desire for peace will not last and will lead to war. There is the shedding of blood. Jesus warned of war and rumours of war in the future. This happens in the middle of the Tribulation period. The Antichrist will show his true colours. The rider on the red horse is another of the same kind. He is like the rider on the white horse. The world has always been at war. There are fights among political parties, families, racial groups, etc.

3 – A black horse (vs. 5-6)

This black horse represents deprivation (Starvation or famine). It is usual for famine to follow war. In 1946, more people died of starvation than those that died in the Second World War. The food supply is disrupted by economic disaster. Today, two and half billion people go hungry to bed each night.

In the Great Tribulation there will only be the poor and the rich. There will be no middle class. If you don’t have the mark of the beast you will not be able to buy or sell. See Revelation 13:15-18. Food rationing will be centralised and controlled by the Antichrist. People will be themselves be marked like a barcode. People laughed at this notion in the past but it is entirely possible today. It will be hard for children and mothers. See Matthew 24:19.

4 – A pale horse (vs. 7-8)

This pale horse represents death. With the Antichrist’s domination and then division it is not surprising that deprivation and now death follows. After death comes hell. A fourth part of the Earth’s population will be killed. There is the means to do this today with nerve gas and atomic weapons for example. In the past millions have been killed by diseases killed by rats and mosquitoes.

Now is the time to escape this judgment. It may too late for you if you wait too long. Today is the day of salvation. You don’t want to fall into the hands of God when He comes in judgment. See Hebrews 10:31.

Categories: Revelation