The four horsemen of the Apocalypse refer to a passage in the Bible’s book of Revelation where God reveals a scroll sealed with seven seals.  Only Jesus Christ his son is worthy enough to open these seals. As Jesus Christ (the Lamb) opens the first four of these seals, the four heavenly living creatures summon forth the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.  The apostle John describes this scene in revelations 6:1-8.

The four horsemen of the apocalypse ride on white, red, black, and pale green horses which signify pestilence, war, famine and death.  They’re to bring forth this apocalypse on the earth and the end of it as we know it as part of the final judgement before God.

The first of four horsemen of the apocalypse: Some people believe the rider of the white horse represents the plague as he yields a bow and arrow which is believed to bring illness onto the people of the earth.  The white horseman is also believed by many to be the antichrist.  He is also given a crown and he will ride out as a conquer hell bent on conquest.

The second of four horsemen of the apocalypse: The rider of the second fiery red horse many believe represents war.  He carries a sword suggesting blood will be spilled on the battlefield.  He is given the power to make men slay each other in pure hatred.  Some also believe he represents the spiritual war brought by Christ in the end times.

The third of four horsemen of the apocalypse: The rider of the third black horse is generally referred to as the horse of famine.  Its rider carries a scale used to weight bread in a famine.  This is the only one of the four horsemen that speaks and he says “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”

Some believe that this means the price of grain will go up while oil and wine do not and that the rich will not be affected while the poor suffer and food is in low supply to them.  Some also believe that the preservation of oil and wine could symbolise God’s faithful servants and the fact that they use oil and wine in their sacraments.

The final of four horsemen of the apocalypse: The fourth rider of the pale green horse is named death. He is given power over a quarter of the earth to kill by sword, famine, plague and by the wild beasts of the earth.  This horseman has no weapon but is followed by hell.  (Alternately some people have depicted this horseman as carrying a scythe or a sword)  The pale colour of this horse is to represent sickness and death.

When the fifth seal is opened it is followed by a “vision” of those that were “slain for the word of God”. Each is given a white robe and told to wait and God will avenge them.

When the sixth seal is opened, a great earthquake is seen as well as signs in heaven.  The sun turns black, the moon turns red and the stars fall to the earth, the sky recedes and every mountain and island is removed from its place.  No one can hide from the judgement of the Lord. Also 144,000 of God’s own will be “sealed in their foreheads”.

Then the final of the seven seals is opened and is followed by silence. Then seven angels stand before God and are each given a trumpet, sounding them one by one.

If you understand nothing about revelation, understand this: that God is sovereign. Despite the four horsemen of the apocalypse, all God’s enemies will be fought, defeated and punished; all of his followers will be rewarded and vindicated; following that, there will be a new world with no pain, sorrow or death; peace and happiness will prevail forever – feel free to view more World Events articles.