THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE

As we reach chapter 6, we encounter the notorious four horsemen of the Apocalypse. These riders are actual beings that would better be understood as spiritual or angelic beings going out with authority to execute God’s wrath upon the wicked. Obviously, some of these judgments will be accomplished through the actions of men as motivated and empowered by these beings. I hadn’t really thought about the first seal in this context before. Again, preconceived ideas raise their ugly head to prevent gaining a better understanding within the context. It would seem that to be consistent, the first rider would probably better be described as representing Satan going forth to exert his power and influence on the world through the being we call Antichrist. It stands to reason that all of these “riders” are fallen angelic beings that have aligned themselves with Satan.

The second rider is given empowerment to destroy peace and stir up war among the inhabitants on earth. He is obviously going to utilize several wicked men in accomplishing his objective.

The third rider is empowered to destroy the world’s economy and promote worldwide poverty; again, this will require that he influence wicked men to accomplish his objective.

The fourth rider and his companion, called Death and Hell respectively, go forth with an objective to bring about death through violence, hunger/famine, disease, and wild animals. The scripture indicates that ¼ of the world’s population will die as a result of the actions of these two. Death could not ride alone; more than just our physical body is affected by one’s death. The soul of unbelievers, one’s eternal nature, is taken to Hell/Hades, the temporary abode of these souls until the final judgment. We know that the bodies of believers are “absent from the body, present with the Lord.” (2Corinthians 5:8)

The next angels identified in Revelation are introduced at the beginning of chapter 7. John sees four angels “standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth.” Though certainly not conclusive, one could surmise that there are angels positioned in authority over other phenomena attributed to nature on earth. Then again, maybe this authority is temporary for this particular point in time. Significant to our study is how God is involving the angelic creation in accomplishing His purposes—both in judgment against the wicked and in protection of His servants.

As these four angels maintain control of the winds, another angel appears with instructions for them to withhold judgment in the form of strong winds until the servants of God are sealed for protection. This angel appears to be the lead angel of a contingent of angels assigned to this purpose.

Revelation 7:3 “Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.”

The following verses go on to detail that these servants will be comprised of a group of 144,000 Jews—12,000 each from the twelve tribes of Israel.

Next John sees a “great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb.” I believe this is a picture of the raptured church. Then John goes on to describe this multitude as participating in another huge time of praise and worship with the angels joining in.