THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF REVELATION



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THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF REVELATION

There are numerous thoughts and commentaries regarding the four horses of Revelation 6. The Book itself, Revelation, means to reveal or an unveiling. It is written for those who study the text to understand without confusion. Thus those with ears to hear and eyes to see would find understanding and knowledge in the text. One does not need high forms of education to understand the word of God. What one does need is a relationship with God. You may have a close friend that you have spent time with. You often know what your friend is going to do in a situation prior to them doing it or perhaps the same with a son or daughter. Why, because you know them. To understand God's word you first must get acquainted with God. It truly was not meant for all to know but for all to understand who study the text and seek God. Few commentaries are in total agreement and some are totally false teachings that Paul warned us about. It is not my intention to say this is so, or that is so. It is my intention to plant a seed. Everything else is between you and the Holy Spirit.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ as shown to John.

THE FOUR HORSES

Prior to seeing the release of the Four Horses, (The first four of the seven seals) John saw the following vision:

And I (John) saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Rev. 5: 1-5 KJV)

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Who steps up that is the only one worthy? It is Jesus. No one else was found worthy to open the seals or to even look thereon furthermore who else could go to the right hand of the almighty "I AM". This is extremely important to understand because in Revelation 6, it is Jesus who opens the seven seals. This is not to say Jesus is behind what is to take place only that he allows Satin and ungodly men to behave as they choose. Remember the Book of Job, where God allowed Satin to basically do as he chose with Job but not kill him. Regarding the four horses, you will see how God allows evil to unfold however uses evil to bring forth and fulfill his overall plan.

The first 4 seals in Revelation 6 are about 4 unique horses. To help us understand lets go to the Old Testament. In many ways most of Revelation can be found in the Old Testament prophecy thus lets see what we can find regarding horses/spirits.

And I (Zechariah) turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; and in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my Lord? And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country. And the bay went forth, and sought to go that they might walk to and fro through the earth: and I said, Get you hence, walk to and fro through the earth. So they walked to and fro through the earth. Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me, saying, Behold, these that go toward the north country have quieted my spirit in the north country (Zech 6: 1-8 KJV)

The Bible has made it clear that a horse can be symbolic of a spirit as stated above (These are the four spirits of the heavens which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth). Thus the 4 horses of Revelation 6 could represent a type of

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spirit. Do not forget that the black horse goes to the north country for we will see this latter in our study.

Prior to starting this study regarding the term the "The Four Horsemen" we need to clarify what a horse represents from a Biblical perspective. Zech 6: 1-8, tells us a horse is a type of spirit, however a biblical symbolic horse also represents power. In biblical times a horse equaled power. Did Jesus ride into town on a horse? No, because a horse represents earthly power. Often in the Bible and in this case a horse is synonymous with power, a lot of power. It still is today. Have you ever been around some gear heads and hearing talk as; how many horses is she, 454 pushing 600 horses, stock 327 with 300 horse, etc. If you haven't stop in at one of the local car shows in your area this summer. This is common talk. HORSEPOWER! Where does the word come from? Prior the combustion and steam engine that's what power was. Horses! This is where many have gotten confused. Referring to the first verses of Revelation 6 as "The Four Horsemen" is some what misleading. It's about POWER, Spiritual Power. Four specific forms of power. Prior to continuation we need to verify what has been stated above.

Forces of War: Throughout the course of Biblical history, horses were the mounts of kings, conquerors, princes and soldiers. Riding a horse implied war, doom and victory. Men of peace did not ride horses but rode donkeys or drove oxen. Horses were such a symbol of army strength in Bible times God charged the Israelite Kings not to keep many horses. The Lord did not want the Israelites to trust in their resources of power, but he wanted them to rely on Himself for deliverance and victory from their enemies.

Ps 20: 7 (NIV) Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Dt 17: 16a (NIV) The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself.

Ps 33: 17 (NIV) A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

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Isa 31: 1 (NIV) Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.

Horses were etched into the Hebraic mindset early on as representing the worldly power of Egypt and its armies. There are many examples in the Bible where a horse represents power.

Hopefully at this point we can move away from the idea of horsemen and focus on the symbolism of the horse. This symbolism (horse) as we found in the Old Testament represents POWER, also a type of Spirit, which can lead to forms of government, conquerors, famine, pestilence, death and war. If we start the study with symbolical meanings of the text we should continue throughout the study with symbolism and not take things literally. Most all prophecy is symbolical. John was in prison physically when he recorded what was shown to him that resulted with the book of Revelation. John probably did not understand what the Four Horses of Revelation were. John simply recorded what was shown to him.

We are given characteristics of each horse, thus allowing us to verify and discern the probability of our assumptions. Each horse/POWER, must fit its characteristics. We cannot go off on a tangent thinking we have an explanation for one, but not the other. Very much like a puzzle, all pieces must fit or it is not complete or, possibly not correct. Our Fathers Word often teaches with opposites, light verses dark etc. We might also utilize this thought process when we continue this study.

Ezekiel 14: 12-23 is also helpful when studying Revelation chapter 6 for it states: God speaking (when a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it, and break its staff of bread and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast. Verse 21: How much more when I send upon Jerusalem my four sore acts of judgment.

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Are the four sore acts of judgment synonymous with the four horses of Revelation 6? Maybe, we should also be knowledgeable regarding anytime God stretches out his arm or hand it usually is referring to Jesus. Jesus is God's right hand prophetically thus matching Revelation 6 when Jesus opens the seals.

Many religious sectors will not be able to accept the prophecy regarding the white horse in Revelation 6. However we must remember prior to going forward in this study that the Pharisees in Jesus time were very religious. They read the Bible daily however Jesus called them on the carpet many times. Jesus stated that a tax collector would enter into the kingdom of heaven before some of the religious Pharisees would.

Jesus and the Apostles warned us continually throughout the New Testament regarding false teachings. Look at the 7 churches noted in Revelation, what Jesus found against them often pertained to false teachings. In Revelation chapter 2: 9 it clearly states there will be tribulation even in the church. We know from history that religious sectors have persecuted the spiritual church sense its inception, (Jesus time). Millions have died in the name of religion. The inquisition killed millions of people in the name of religion.

Do not read over what Jesus stated in the first verses of Revelation (what must soon take place) these things were to soon take place prior his return. Thus we should be able to see prophecy unfolding as stated (soon) after Jesus made this statement. If we are in fact in the end of days we should be able to see the signs.

There are numerous books about the end times and the world coming to an end. Be very careful when reading such teachings. If its not mentioned in the Old Testament its probably not true. The best tool for understanding prophecy is the Bible itself.

Luke 17: 26-30 And as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day

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