The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse and Why They Matter

Who Are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

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The Book of Revelation—the last book in your Bible—is full of deep mystery and meaning.

Revelation explains that there is a scroll with seven seals that is held in the right hand of God. When Jesus breaks the seals, it will set off the sequence of events that are supposed to happen in the end times. The Second Coming of Christ concludes the seven seals.

The first four seals are referred to as the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Each horseman is a harbinger of the death, destruction and disorder that will take place in the last days. The events of the first four seals will occur just before the Great Tribulation—the last three and a half years of this age.

Some interpret the significance of the four horsemen as events that have been ongoing since this prophecy was given, but will intensify before the rapture. Some theologians believe that the end times is already in motion due to the level of violence, immorality, and disorder in the world today.

Are we in the end times? Let's take a look at how the prophecy says the apocalypse will unfold as it is ushered in by the four horsemen, as the four seals are broken by Jesus.

The White Horse: A Symbol of the Antichrist

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White represents purity, light, holiness, and righteousness within Christianity. But the white horseman described in Revelation 6:2 is none of those things.

The white horseman of the apocalypse will be the first to appear. Many misinterpret the white horse as the coming of Christ, but don't be deceived. Underneath this unsuspecting cloak will be the Antichrist, a counterfeit Christ who will be invisible to unsuspecting eyes. A figure of evil, the Antichrist will be a false prophet who will conquer all who oppose him.

Essentially, this first horseman to appear will act as a "trojan horse"—he will secretly infiltrate our world before taking hold of it. The identity of the rider is subject to much controversy. Revelation states: “I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.”

Because the rider is wearing a crown, we can assume that the Antichrist may be a prominent leader because the crown is a symbol of leadership or authority. Because he is shown with a bow, but no arrows, it is believed that he will not conquer by force but through other means.

The Red Horse: A Symbol of War

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When the second seal breaks, a red horse with a sword-wielding rider will appear. His mission will be to take peace from the entire Earth.

Revelation 6:4 says: “Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.” It is believed that the second horseman refers to the terrible warfare that will break out in the end times.

In the 20th century alone, 180 million men, women and children were killed in wars. It seems every day brings more horrible news of mass murders, terrorism, and conflicts taking place all over the world. Matthew 24:21 says: "For then shall be Great Tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."

This verse in Matthew leads many to believe that the worst warfare is yet to come—that the dark time this horseman will usher in will follow a time of turmoil on a global scale that humanity has never seen or can imagine.

The Black Horse: A Symbol of Famine

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Most societies throughout the world have struggled with devastating famine at one point in history or another. Those of us who are fortunate byway of geography or economics don't have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. But when the black horse of the apocalypse comes, starvation will become a reality even for the richest and resourceful nations in the world.

Revelation 6:5-6 says: “...and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, ‘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!’”

We know this horseman will bring famine due to the pair of balances or weighing scales he is carrying, which refers to the way bread would have been weighed during times of scarcity in ancient times. What is particularly interesting about the black horseman is that he is the only one whose appearance is accompanied by a voice that speaks about the prices of wheat and barley. He also says "and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine." This statement might foreshadow a time when a minimum sustenance diet will cost an entire day's pay. It also might suggest that this famine will not affect the rich, as wine and oil were seen as luxury items when this prophecy was written.

Scarcity of food and inflation of the prices of goods often follow war, so it makes sense that this horseman comes third in the succession. What we don't know is whether factors such as extreme weather conditions and drought will also play a role in creating this widespread famine.

The Pale Horse: A Symbol of Death

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By the time the first three seals are completed, many lives will have been lost due to the war and starvation that has swept the world. However, the death toll will only rise when the fourth and final horseman of the apocalypse appears.

The only horseman with a name—aptly called "Death"—will ride in on a pale, greenish horse that resembles the sickly pallor color of a corpse. He is the only horseman who does not carry a weapon or object when he appears. However, he is followed by Hades—the resting place of the dead. Hades will follow the fourth horseman wherever he goes as he is on his quest to claim lives. As the horseman stampedes across the Earth, he will have the authority to claim a fourth of the world's population.

Revelation 6:7-8 says: "And I looked up and saw a horse whose color was pale green like a corpse. And Death was the name of its rider, who was followed around by the grave. They were given authority over one-fourth the earth, to kill with the sword and famine and disease and wild animals."

When their work is done, Death and Hades ultimately are cast into the lake of fire. But this is only the beginning—the conclusion of the four horsemen brings about the Great Tribulation, a time of Satan's wrath followed by a time of suffering before Jesus Christ returns to Earth.