The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Revelation 6

  Chapter summary. Jesus, the Lamb, now begins to open the seals on the scroll. As the first four are opened: terrible horsemen representing conquest (6:1–2), devastating warfare (vv. 3–4), famine (vv. 5–6), and plague (vv. 7–8). These bear a striking resemblance to signs spoken of by Christ in Matthew 24:1–35, Mark 13:1–37, and Luke 21:5–33. The fifth seal reveals martyrs, crying out for God to judge and avenge them (6:9–11).

  When the sixth seal is opened earth and even the heavens are shaken, as if by a great earthquake (vv. 12–14). Humanity then realizes that this is divine judgment. Rather than repent, king and peasant alike seek to hide from God’s wrath (vv. 15–17).

  Key verse. 6:17: Too late!

  Personal application. Those who reject grace now will not repent when judgment comes.

INSIGHT

Two interpretations. The premillennialist links this passage with Matt. 24:5–8 and sees it as describing events preceding the appearance of the Antichrist. These preliminary judgments are thought to continue from Rev. 6 through 12. A millennialists take this as a symbolic representation of the struggle of the Gospel in a hostile world, to culminate in God’s final judgment over sin. The chapter thus is a “nutshell” view of history from the Cross to the Second Coming.

“A white horse” (6:2). Because the horse is “white” some take this rider to be Christ. Others see the rider as the Antichrist, whose instruments are war, plague, and famine.

Food prices (6:5–6). The prices reported show an inflation rate of 1,200 percent over the 1st-century norm. Famine is driving up the cost of staples needed for survival by the poor, while the rich still enjoy their wine and other luxuries.

The souls under the altar (6:9). Some take these as martyrs who lose their lives in the Tribulation period, while others see them as martyrs from the very beginning of sacred history. “Souls” here means “persons,” the normal meaning of the Gk. psyche. Why are they “under” the altar? Perhaps because they are covered by the sacrificial blood of heaven’s Lamb.

“The sixth seal” (6:12–14). The O.T. “Day of the Lord” is frequently characterized as a time of earthquake, falling stars, and terror on earth. This imagery is very familiar to readers of such passages as Isa. 2:10, 19, 21; 13:10; 34:4; Jer. 4:29; Ezek. 32:7–8; Joel 2:31; 3:15; Zeph. 1:14–18; Matt. 24:29; etc.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.