The 4 Horsemen Series

March 16, 2024

After having the privilege of watching the coronation of Christ in heaven, John was now prepared to witness the great spiritual conflict on earth between those who love God and those who do not. That brings us to Revelation chapter 6.

After Christ assumed his place on the throne, He began to, one by one, break the seals of the scroll. As each seal was broken, something occurred on earth.

Reminder: the scenes you are about to witness are symbolic in nature……………….

At the breaking of each of the 1st Four Seals, a horse and rider appeared. Each horse is a different color and each rider is holding something different in his hand. Zechariah’s vision helps unlock the symbolism of Revelation 6:

Zechariah 1:7–11 (LEB) - On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahweh came to Zechariah the prophet, son of Berekiah, son of Iddo, saying, I had a vision in the night, and look, a man riding on a red horse. And he was standing between the myrtle shrubs that were in the ravine, and behind him were red, reddish-tan, and white horses. And I asked, “What are these, my lord?” And the angel who was talking with me said, “I will show you what these are.” And the man standing between the myrtle shrubs answered and said, “These are those whom Yahweh has sent to patrol the earth.” And they answered the angel of Yahweh who was standing between the myrtle shrubs, and they said, “We have patrolled the earth, and look, all the earth is dwelling in peace.”

So, in essence, heavenly horsemen are responsible for monitoring events on earth and reporting back.

• 1st Seal – White Horse (6:1-2)

As Jesus breaks the 1st seal a Rider on a White Horse appears. The Rider is holding a bow is and wearing the Stephanos crown.

In John’s day, Roman generals would go on parade riding a white horse in celebration of a great victory.

In the Old Testament, God is sometimes pictured as mighty general, riding a horse and carrying a bow, conquering the enemies of His people.

o Habakkuk 3:8-13

o Psalm 45:4-5

In the New Testament, Christ is portrayed as riding a white horse, leading the heavenly armies in the final battle of earth’s history.

o Revelation 19:11-16

White is a symbol of purity (Revelation 3:4-5, 18; 4:4; 7:13-14) and the Stephanos Crown is regularly associated with the victorious saved (1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).

This rider is a conqueror and his mission is to engage in spiritual warfare against the forces of evil and win people for God.

Through the powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit, that began at Pentecost, 31 AD, the gospel spread rapidly and thousands were converted in a short period of time. Heaven had begun to shake the foundations of evil!

o Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

o Acts 2:41 - Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

o Acts 2:47 - … praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved

• 2nd Seal – Fiery Red Horse (6:3-4)

As Jesus breaks the 2nd seal a Rider on a Red Horse appears. The Rider is carrying a sword and has been given authority to take away peace from the earth.

How is peace taken away?

Even though Christ is now the legitimate ruler of earth, his rule is not unchallenged. There are still rebellious people who do not accept His authority.

The Gospel always divides people because some accept it (peace), while others reject it (loss of peace) and with this comes conflict.

o Matthew 10:34-36 - Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.

Satan and his minions fight back against the spreading of the Gospel and they rally those who have rejected the Gospel against those who have accepted it.

o Matthew 7:15-16a - "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.” …..

o Matthew 24:10-11 - At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.