Lesson 6, Pale Rider

Revelation lesson 6, Pale Rider

This week we dive back into meat of things with the first of our Magnificent Sevens (click for a recap) with a look at Revelation Chapter 6, the opening of the seals.  I'm going to dip back into the archives a bit for some background information regarding the White, Red, and Black horsemen.  I would have an article on the Pale Horse too, but it was lost in the great hard drive crash of 2012, so you'll only get a surface view there (sorry).

Which reminds me, I think it was somewhere in Deuteronomy where it is written, "Thou shalt back up thy data, and do so often."

White Horse
Okay, back to the subject at hand...  Many times when we read or study Revelation, we can focus on the "physical" aspects of the Tribulation period.  But, more importantly than those is the Spritual warfare going on during the Tribulation.  As we study today, let's look at the seals from a more spiritual focused view.

Revelation chapter 6 starts with the Lamb (Jesus) opening up the first of the 6 seals.  When the seal is opened, John sees the first of the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse", the White Horse.

I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.  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.

There are several repeating patterns for the horsemen, the first being the "horse".  In the first century, the horse symbolized Strength, Conquest, and War.  You can imagine that in those days, a horse was much like a tank or some other mechanized war machine would be today.  This first symbol indicates that all the horsemen are performing some form of conquest or another.  But the White Horse in particular is given the role of Conqueror in the verse itself.  It is interesting to note, that the rider in this case was given his 'victor's crown' before he had actually completed his conquest.  The white horse in this instance would also symbolize the parade horse that a conquering general would ride back into town after a successful battle. The last bit too look at here is that this rider is carrying a bow, not the most symbolic choice for war.  The bow is more symbolic of 'hunting'.  We can also note that the Greek god Apollo's symbol was also the bow.  Later in Revelation, the Antichrist is referred to as "Apollos, or in Hebrew, Abaddon".  You can read more detail about the White Horse here.

It is my opinion that this rider represents the arrival of the Antichrist.  The Greek 'anti' can mean 'instead of'.  Remember Jesus telling us in Matthew not to be deceived by those claiming to be the savior.  The Antichrist will deceive and conquer, but it is possible it might not be as apparent as we expect.  I suspect he will do so deceptively in order to fool people into following him.  How might he do that you ask, well let's look at the other horsemen to find out.

Red Horse

Next, the second seal is opened and again the beast announces and John sees.

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

This is typically known as the War Rider.  The color red (pyros) in this instance symbolizes War, Fire, and Blood.  He also carries a sword, the more common symbol for war.  However, there is an interesting twist to the symbol in this case.  Here (in English) it is called a great sword.  But the Greek word for sword used here is different than what we'll see later with the Pale Horse.  This Greek word means "small sword or large knife".  So in essence, the translation is literally a "great small sword".  This could mean that the effects of this war are great, but the way it is implemented is not a grand "WW III" or nuclear holocaust, but something more deceptive and subversive.  To further illustrate that point, let's look at the line, "take the peace from the earth and that they should kill one another."  The "the peace" spoken of here could be the civil morality we have in the Holy Spirit, notice the definite article "the".  It isn't just peace, it is the peace.  If that is somehow withheld or pulled back, then it could be neighbor against neighbor.  Remember Jesus also said "many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other."  Now he did say "nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom", but he also said "wars and rumors of wars", so deceit will still be high during this time.

I think that because of "the peace" and the "kill one another" that in addition to what we would view as traditional warfare, there will be a great amount of civil anarchy as well, and the morality of many will be gone in the process.  (the second greatest commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself".

You can read more detail about the Red Horse here.

Black Horse

The third seal is opened and reveals another rider.  This one has an additional element in that after the rider is described, an unknown voice calls out another set of information.

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 Black Horse is traditionally viewed as famine.  I don't disagree with this, but I do want to point out a few things.  One, is that the famine is always coupled with the other things occurring in the world at this time (earthquakes, fires, blood water, etc.).  And I agree, this should cause a shortage of food.  But remember we are dealing with the great deceiver here, and it is possible that this could be a government imposed famine too.  Later we'll study about the mark of the beast.  A mark that one will not be able to buy or sell unless they possess.  So if you don't have the mark of the beast, you would be in a famine state, even if the crops are not all ruined.

Secondly, the use of the word "balances", while it seems very fitting to mean scales like used in the market (since later the unknown voice talks about measures of wheat) actually has a more common use that is something else.  The Greek word here is, "zygos", which in every other instance of the New Testament means "yoke".  So if you use that definition, then it appears that this rider is measuring the food, he is binding others in order to limit the access.

But let's take a detour for that unknown voice that speaks of wheat, barley, oil, and wine.  These items are very symbolic in other areas.  Wheat and barley make bread, oil and wine are tied to divinity.  In the last supper bread symbolizes the body of Christ.  Jesus is often referred to as the "Bread of Life".  if we look at these as symbols of Christ and perhaps the Gospel, then in keeping with our Spiritual theme, it may indicate that the famine spoken of here is a Spiritual famine.  Meaning the Gospel will be pushed aside for something else, something false.  So it is with this I tie the Black Horse with the "False Prophet".  Spreading his deceitfulness in a manner to get believers to go down the wrong path.  Violating the greatest commandment, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind".

You can read more about the Black Horse here.

Before we see what is in the fourth seal, let's recap using our "Spiritual" focus, rather than the physical focus.

• The Antichrist arrives.  Ready to conquer by deceiving people into thinking he is the savior.
• Civil and Moral Anarchy ensues taking the peace from the earth.
• The False Prophet comes to spread his fake religion to mislead people away from the true faith and hope.

Pale Horse

And then, the fourth seal is opened.

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.

Death arrives and Hell follows.  Everyone physically dies.  Even us sitting here today will die, regardless of whether the Tribulation happens in our lifetime or not.  And if we are believers, then Hell doesn't follow Death, Heaven does.  So we aren't talking about physical death here.  This is Spiritual Death.  Satan's ultimate goal.  Satan doesn't care if your body dies.  He wants your eternal soul.  That is his mission.  If he can convince people the Antichrist is the real savior, subject the world to chaos and killing and famine. And then have the False Prophet swoop in to give fake hope and worship.  Those who fall into those traps will be victims to the "second death".  Judgement and eternal damnation.

Jesus said the following to the Church in Smyrna (the persecuted). 

Revelation 2:10-11
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

During the Tribulation much focus will be on the "physical" needs.  Food, clothing, shelter, surviving natural disasters, wars, and the wrath of God.  We can not lose sight of the more important prize.  Standing firm in the faith till the end.  Satan is after your eternal soul, not your physical body.

A short summary of the fifth and sixth seals.  These will be covered more in later blogs.

The fifth seal reveals John seeing martyred Christians wanting to know when judgement will occur.  They are reassured with white robes and reminded of the promise that victory will be theirs.

The sixth seal gives a quick view of the wraths that are about to be unleashed when the seventh seal is opened and the Trumpets are sounded and the Bowls are poured.  The final line in those verses states this, "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"  Who will be able to stand before God on judgement day? Those who held the faith until the end.

Next week we will look at the 7 Histories outlined in Revelation 12-14.

Until next time,
God Bless you all,
Rob

Don't forget to check out my website, www.starvt.com.  And for those of you who have read my novel Providence, you can be assured that this journey through Revelation will show up in the next two books of the series, Purpose and Perseverance (hint, hint).