First Seal
When the first seal is opened, John sees a white horse having a rider with a bow in his hand. The rider is given a crown and goes forth "...conquering and to conquer." The "white horse" may symbolize hope and security for the future. Unlike the hope and security brought by the rider of the white horses in Rev. 19; 12 (Jesus); this rider brings a false hope and sense of security to the world, which will end in total disaster for those who embrace it.
Here we see one who comes in the spirit of Nimrod, the mighty hunter/ king (Gen. 10: 8 - 12), who is reputed to be the inventor of archery and a master of breaking horses. Verses 10 - 12 of that chapter state that Nimrod was the builder of eight great cities including Babel (Babylon) where the tower of Babel was built.
Ironically, the one who comes in the spirit of Babylon's founder (the Antichrist), will ultimately be the one who leads the forces which will destroy that rebuilt city (17:16).
The name, Nimrod, means "subdue the leopard". This points to the Antichrist of Rev. 13, as the body of the kingdom which he will control is likened to that of a leopard (13:2). The Book of Daniel (chapter 7) makes it clear that the Antichrist will indeed subdue that kingdom.
"...crown was given unto him..."
The crown given to this rider is not a kingly crown (dee-ad'-ay-mah), but rather a garland or wreath (stef '-an-os) which was worn upon the head.
As stated earlier in this study, in ancient times, a garland of this sort was given to the victor in public games which were usually played before the King. The garland was a symbol of excellence and signified that the person who wore it had prevailed over all of the competition. A modern day example of this type of commendation would be the winner of gold medal in the Olympics. The Apostle Paul made mention of this type of crown in I Cor. 9:24 - 25. In that passage, the race (game) was ran with the understanding that only one received the prize (the crown). The crown there is the garland of victory (stef '-an-os), not the diadem of a ruler.
This point is consistent with the idea put forth by Jesus stating, that at the beginning of the tribulation period many false christ would appear (Matt: 24:5). There is however, one coming among them who is so skilled in his craft that all competitors are paled by comparison. Though not specifically stated, it is implied that a kingly crown (diadem) will be presented to the Antichrist in Rev. 13: 2, when the dragon gives him the throne upon which he himself had previously sat.
Because the rider of this horse has proven himself to be the undisputed master of certain crafts, he is properly fitted to go forth "...conquering and to conquer." Of what crafts is he the master? Deception and Warfare.
One of the principal tenants of military tactics is to probe for the weaknesses of the enemy. Once a weakness is detected, then things are set in motion to draw the enemy into that place of vulnerability so he can be succesfully attacked.
One attacks his enemy at his weak point, not his strong point. These are referred to as "flanking maneuvers". The more you successfully attack the weak points of the enemy, the more you erode his strong points.
Divide and conquer is also a primary point in military tactics. If the enemy you are facing is too big or strong to meet head on, then isolate the weaker parts and attack that. By attacking the peripheral elements of the enemy, which serve as a sort of barrier of protection; one can strike at, and weaken the core of the enemy's power, because the enemy is forced to draw out of that power to compensate for his losses. When his losses become substantial enough, and the core strength has diminished sufficiently, he can be attacked successfully head on.
The beseiged are usually at a disadvantage with those who lay seige, unless those who lay seige miscalculate their enemies strengths, resolve, ect. Jesus stated that believers should be "...wise as serpents." (Matt. 10:16). In other words, we are to be aware of the tactics which Satan employs against us. The Antichrist will be the undisputed master of these tactics.
The picture of such a rider and his army of horsemen is also portrayed in chapter 38 of the Book of Ezekiel; with the invasion of Israel by one known as "Gog". In chapter 39:3, God states that He will knock the bow out of Gog's left hand. In chapter 12 of this study, the possible connection between the rider of this white horse, Gog and the Antichrist will be futher examined.
Second Seal
"...take peace from the earth..."
The opening of the second seal, by no means, ends the mission of the first horseman. To the contrary, the successes which he is enjoying leads to strong opposition arising in the earth. "Wars and rumours of wars" (Matt. 24:6) are an immediate consequence or response to the one who goes forth "...conquering and to conquer." The "red horse" denotes anger and jealousy towards those who challenge the status quo with success. The opening of this seal also appears to refute the notion, of many, that the first half of the tribulation period, under the presence of the false prince of peace (the Antichrist), will be one of relative peace and safety. It's the beginning of sorrows, not the beginning of peace that's portrayed here.
"...that they should kill one another..."
When Jesus said, "... nation shall rise against nation..." at the beginnning of the tribulation period (Matt. 24:7), He wasn't saying that immediately one country would fight against another. The word "nation", as used there, comes from the Greek word "ethnos" from which we get the word ethnic. Every country is comprised of certain ethnic groups. This is more pronounced is some countries than in others. The situation in Bosnia, or the Kurds of northern Iraq are perfect examples of this.
Jesus was saying that in that day, ethnic groups within the countries will begin to fight with each other. Ethnic groups, as a rule, are very sensitive to any attack or perceived attack made upon their culture, custom, traditions or right to exist. When one group, usually a traditional rival, insults or belittles the other, tensions arise. The longer the tensions exist, the more likely it is that it will escalate into violence.
Groups or communities who had formerly lived in peace, with their neighbors, will begin to fight and kill each other. This, in turn, will lead to a polarization of kingdoms (countries) out of which the various ethnic groups came forth. So what had began as a local or regional conflict, will escalate into a global problem. Now, countries too which previously had friendly ties, will be at odds with each other. The strife going on between the nations (unleashed by the rider of the red horse), appears to set the stage for the Antichrist to come in and quickly gain control of the peoples involved.
In that day, ethnic unrest and violence will rise to unprecedented levels, resulting in serious threats to global security itself.
As we get deeper into this study, it will become quite apparent that there shall also be an economic polarization among the countries during most of the tribulation period. The world will be divided into two primary camps, neither of which are righteous before God. These two opposing parties will be: the Beast (Antichrist) with ten kings {17:12} ; and Babylon and the "Kings of the Earth" {18:9}.
Contrary to what many think, Scripture does not teach that there shall be a single world economic system during the tribulation period: at least not for the greater part of it.
Babylon will control the wealth of the world during most of the period (Rev. 18). She will be exhalted and protected by the kings of the earth. This is the barrier which the Antichrist must overcome before he can have full unchallenged control of the earth. With the destruction of Babylon, near the end of the tribulation, the bewildered kings of the earth will be easily deceived (16: 13-14), and fall into line with his plan for the world.
The superficial notion of a Utopian world with him as its king (and Satan as its benevolent god), is simply a deceptive cover for the real plan: eternal enslavement of mankind with forced servitude and worship. This is the total opposite of God's plan for the peoples of the world.
Third Seal
With the opening of this seal, the ravages of war are manifested. Not only does it wreak havoc with peoples lives, but it interrupts the agricultural cycle of food production. This results in widespread scarcity of basic food stuffs, causing rampant inflation and poverty to ensue. A days wages (a denarius) buys only one a quart of wheat or three quarts of barley. Manufactured goods (i.e. oil and wine) however, are still in adequate stock. Money will be virtually worthless, at this point.
The black hoses represents a time of uncertainty and despair. Hopes and aspirations, which may have been pinned on the appearance of the white horse, seem far removed. Now there is no sense of security concerning the future. It is also a time when the economic boundaries of the tribulation period begin to take shape. Babylon, Nimrod's mighty city of old (17:5,18), is again on the rise to establish her dominance in the world; and the beastly Antichrist (yet unrevealed) is concurrently adding the finishing touches for his economic control system (the mark: 13:16-17).
Fourth Seal
In I Cor. 15:26, death is personified as our enemy, and is the last enemy which will be destroyed. The death spoken of there is the same death spoken of here in Revelation (the physical death of individuals). In the future, all individuals, in the grave, will be resurrected from this death, whether they be righteous or wicked. The righteous will inherit eternal life, the wicked however, will be subjected to "the second death" (Rev. 20:6) from which there is no resurrection or hope.
In Rev. 1:18, Jesus stated that He has the "...keys of hell and of death." With the opening of the fourth seal, we see a pale (yellowish-green color) horse appear, upon which sits a rider identified as Death.
Here, death is presented as a sort of conquering king who goes forth seeking and selecting subjects to fill his kingdom, which is called Hell (Hades, or the grave).
In looking back at chapter 1 however, it becomes clear that while death has power to put mortals of the earth in the grave, Jesus has the power to open the graves and bring them forth again. Scripture states, that "...it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27).
At the appointed time, Jesus will give the call which shall open every grave, and all of the dead in them will arise. Some will rise to eternal life, but most will rise to eternal damnation.
Some interpret this to mean that there will be a common resurrection in which both righteous and wicked are raised simultaneously. Scripture however, gives more evidence that there shall be seperate resurrections for the two groups; with multiple resurrections occuring in the group of the righteous; just as there are multiple harvest in the Jewish agricultural cycle, which is a Scriptural type of the resurrection {John 12:24}.
The one who sits upon this horse, will have no power or authority to hold captive those who have been summoned forth by Jesus Christ: not even the wicked can be restrained, by him, from the resurrection.
Death may be reckoned as a dark restraining force, or vacumn, from which one cannot, of his own power, break free. Here it appears to be personified as an angelic being, who is given extensive power over mortality.
Scripture however, makes it very clear that in the future, after the great white throne judgment (Chapter 20), death itself will be cast into the lake of fire. Then, it will be given total dominion over all those who are found there, because they were judged worthy of damnation by God.
This condition is called "the second death", from which there will be no escaping its eternal grip. This is the fearful thing which all mortals are faced with considering. There is however, good news concerning this: Jesus, who submitted Himself to its control, succeeded, from the other side, in showing that He has total dominion over it; and posesses the key of deliverance for every one who puts their trust in Him. The greatest accompolishment of history: death has been conquererd! He, who raised the dead, subjected Himself to it, that He might show that He has total power over it. What a great and mighty friend, and Saviour, we have! For us, He did that!
"...the fourth part of the earth..."
In verse 8 we are told that Death and Hell are given power over the fourth part of the earth. Their normal authority in this matter has now been increased and the death rate dramatically rises, at this time, in that part of the earth.
Killing by the sword (war), hunger (starvation resulting from war), death (probably the accompanying diseases that are generated by insufficient food and poor sanitation), and by the beast of the earth (increased attacks upon people who have destroyed their natural habitat through warfare).
It will be a horrific time in the history of the world, all generated by unrepentant sinners, who have excluded God, and made the affairs of this world the whole of their life.
