Revelation on Four Horsemen

I’ll repeat my encouragement in Revelation upon Revelation to explore every doctrine and postulation of any Bible teacher as a possibility until proven or rejected by the Bible itself. Maintain a healthy skepticism as well as an openness to some new insights.

What are the Four Horsemen?

There have been countless movies, stories and myths about the four horsemen of the apocalypse, and they all originate from chapter 6 of Revelation. Do these four horsemen ride out together in cinematic pageantry to unite their powers towards some ominous apocalyptic purpose? We should go directly to the Book of Revelation to understand. The fact is that with all the spectacle of Hollywood and imaginative musings authors often visualize about these symbolic characters, it is almost always a complete re-imagining of who they are as described in the Bible. 

Each horseman rides out after a seal to a scroll is opened. (See Revelation upon Revelation for context) These are the first four seals of a scroll which I believe to be the deed of ownership for the earth being opened by Jesus, the Lamb of God. This is the same Jesus Who is known as the Lion of Judah, and Who is established in Revelation 5 as the only Being worthy to open the scroll. Each seal sets the stage for Jesus to come and claim what is rightfully His, and while John is seeing this occur in the throne room of heaven, his vision prophetically and symbolically describes earthly events. Each of these horsemen has a distinct mission. There’s no reason to believe that these missions are dependent upon other horsemen, but they do appear to occur as part of a sequence of events. 

So assuming these are sequential events in both heaven and earth, opening the first seal results in some earthly victory achieved by the first horseman. He rides a white horse, wears a crown, carries a bow and is commanded to win battles. It’s interesting that this first horseman does not have any arrows, or at least none that are mentioned. Neither does he carry a sword like the second horseman. Victory in battle appears to come without firing a shot. I’ve read speculations that this character could represent Christ, the Antichrist, or the Spirit of the Antichrist. I believe it’s the latter of these three options, a world system that is opposed to God and His Kingdom, committed to establishing a counterfeit, humanist, global kingdom.

I’ve pondered the question: what would it take to have absolute control over a world-wide society? First, there would need to be a centralization of power that is reinforced internationally. The control would have to span across every different aspect of society, something I’ll refer to as international power centers, or more succinctly as power centers. What would these power centers be? I’d suggest the following:

  1. Government 
  2. Religion 
  3. Economy
  4. Military / Law Enforcement
  5. Business
  6. Education
  7. Arts / Entertainment
  8. Technology
  9. Media / Communications
  10. Transportation

I considered as well if Healthcare, Agriculture, and Land Ownership communities should be added to the above list, but decided that control of Government, Business and the Economy would be sufficient to negate any opposition that might arise from within those communities. Healthcare and Agriculture have essentially become big business with governmental oversight. Land Ownership is only possible with the approval of the reigning Governmental authority. 

By contrast, the other power centers can destabilize each other if the control of all ten isn't centralized. For example: governments have been overthrown by military coups and through economic unrest. Business, Technology and Transportation logistics can easily steer an economy, whereas the hearts and minds of people groups are guided through Religion, Education, Communications and the Arts. So if you could control all of these power centers, what would be the impact to a global society? I suspect controlling all ten areas of influence would be enough to lead the world in any direction, as much as is humanly possible. 

I have also wondered if the first horseman may be an event in recent history rather than a future prophecy? In many ways since 2020, the world has already been conquered. While it may be unclear who controls each of the above power centers, there appears to be some level of centralized control. Similar tactics have been applied internationally to draw the entire world toward a global system of governance. As just one example, starting in 2020, people in every free country relinquished rights in deference to COVID-19 public health policies. And while the specifics may be different from one country to another, similar displays of societal unrest and biased media coverage have been applied across nations, especially in countries with popular, nationalist political personalities. Finally, in many ways, a world-wide alignment of public and private sectors has achieved and is continuing to build a global order that is less vulnerable to individual political personalities and is becoming increasingly resistant to democratic processes. 

In short, the world is being conquered, or perhaps has already been conquered by 10 power centers, 10 kingdoms that have no geographical boundary. This reminds me of Daniel 7 and Revelation 17. They describe a kingdom different from all others as well as ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom. Who is to say that these are geographical kingdoms? Will they be ten physical regions as some have anticipated or could they be functional areas as seen within corporate hierarchies? 

Again, all of this is my conjecture, wondering how it may fit with current events if at all. But supposing the first seal has been opened and the first horseman has ridden out, then what do the next 3 horsemen portend? Does the first horseman need to fulfill his mission of conquest for the next horseman to ride out, or can there be some overlap?

There’s so much I see that says we’re heading toward world war, economic changes and privation

Review the headlines of 2023 to date and you’ll see many pessimistic indicators. These headlines seem to align with the next 3 seals of the scroll and the horsemen that will ride out. The 2nd horseman rides a fiery red horse and carries a sword to take peace from the earth. Could the growing conflict in Ukraine be the start of a world war? The second horseman will be followed by a third, bringing a Famine that will be experienced by the common man while elites and party members continue to enjoy their luxurious privileges. Entire books are devoted to the fragile global economy and the impact upon the mass availability of food and supplies.  Then a fourth horseman will carry out Pestilence, a disease which I believe will be much more virulent than COVID-19. Again, entire books have been written of COVID's man-made origins and predictions on the next pandemic. 

But with all this happening, it is not a time to despair! These troubles are all temporary, and while sadly the plans of wicked men to oppress others appears to be going in their favor, we are called to wait patiently for God (see Ps 37:3-7). It’s a time to remember that God is still in control, and that He told us about the end from the beginning (Isa 46:10). And it’s time to recall that the end of this age is just the start of a better one, an age where Christ shall reign visibly without the current lawless rebellion of angels and wicked men, a power struggle against God’s good and perfect ways!

So what are the horsemen? They are the first four events that should encourage believers that Jesus is taking ownership of the earth. Matthew 24 compares the transition to birth pangs, and we should take heart that a new life, a better life, is approaching: the millennial reign of King Jesus! Hang on to everything you know that is true, that is right and that is noble. Remain strong, courageous and faithful through the temporary trials of this Age because: Victory belongs to the Lord!

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copyright ©2023 Mitchell Malloy (http://mitchellmalloyblogspot.com/) 



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