Revelation 6 The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Even the casual reader of the Bible knows something about The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. For some unknown reason the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse have ridden into our cultural consciousness. From the legendary linemen of Knute Rockne’s 1924 Norte Dame Football Team, to the professional wrestlers of 1980’s; we all seem to know the Four Horsemen.

But who are they and what are their origin?  We first meet the Four Horsemen in the Old Testament book of Zechariah, specifically chapters One and Six.  In Zechariah they are metaphorically sent out to find ‘peace and rest’ around the earth, while in Revelation they are shown to be forces of God operating throughout history.  

The first rider, who sits on a white horse while wearing a crown, is the most troublesome of the bunch.  Because Jesus is described as riding a white horse in Revelation 19, many have assumed that the first Horseman is actually Jesus.  Scholars credit 15th century woodcarver, Albrecht Durer, as being the first to realize that it couldn’t be Jesus.  Not only are there too many dissimilarities to Revelation 19, but Jesus is in heaven opening the scrolls, not riding on a horse throughout the earth!

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse represent Conquest, War, Famine and Death.  These forces have always been at work; in civilizations and nations, and in families and individuals.  They appear on the scene because one of the four living creatures calls them forth.  They are not to be viewed as God unleashing destruction upon the earth.  Rather they are to be seen as the natural results of humanity’s sin nature.

How about you?  When you think about the Four Horsemen, what are your thoughts and comments?