The Book of Revelation -- Part 8 -- The Seals are Opened -- The Four Horsemen

Now I want to make a few observations about traditional evangelical interpretations here: 1) there is nothing in the beginning of chapter 6 that says -- 'The Great Tribulation Starts Here" All that really happens is that the Worthy Lamb before God's eternal throne begins to break seals on the scroll. Many say a new vision starts here because of the words and 'then I saw' but the fact remains that this is still part of the vision of the Lamb breaking seals. It does lead to John seeing something outside of God's throne. The Four Horsemen.

The Four Horsemen of Revelation have long fascinated people and conjured up all kinds of art and literature. They even have been the nicknames of certain sports and military groups over the centuries including a stable of wrasslers from the old WCW. The text however does not indicate a timetable -- that is each one of these is released every half year at the beginning of The Great Tribulation. In fact, it does not really say this is a future event. Christ, the Worthy Lamb is the one doing the releasing by breaking each seal. This shows his authority over the horsemen. he controls both their release and their actions. But what are they?

Each Horseman represents a force or power that does certain things.
1. The Rider on the White Horse is a conqueror. If he is the Anti-Christ, John does not say so and I find that strange seeing John has spoken of the Anti Christ before in his epistles. The power released is the desire to conquer the add on to conquests.
2. The Rider on the Red Horse is one that takes peace and brings war. He represents the forces of War the forces that cause people to desire to kill one another.
3. The Rider on the Black Horse is one that brings hunger and famine. He represents the forces that bring famine -- injustice, greed and the forces of nature beyond control.
4. The Rider of the Ashen Horse is actually given a name -- Death. Hades -- the grave -- follows in his wake. His power is killing people -- by murder, hunger, war, disease, and beasts of the field. His dominion is set as a forth of the earth. I would like to note that is is incorrect to say that he kills a fourth of the earth's population -- what is said is that his is given authority over a fourth of the earth to act.

I would like to make a few observations at this point:
1) All of these forces are alive and well on planet earth --RIGHT NOW!!!
2) The picture of Christ opening the seals and releasing them indicates His taking authority is over them.

My thoughts are these things is that they have already taken place and these forces are released right now and under the authority of the Lamb. They are already at work in our world and moving. They are however, under the authority of Christ. As we look at the other seals I think this theme plays out as well.

To those of the seven churches suffering under some of these forces it would be good to understand they are in Christ's control and to those at ease it would put fear into them to take action.

Next: The Seals are Broken -- Seals Five Through Seven