The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
The first
horseman of the apocalypse is seen riding a white
horse. Immediately the mind races to a white
horse signifying “the righteousness of Christ”, “going forth” with a crown, which denotes sovereignty, and a
“bow” to conquer, which lead most to
think of the first horseman as Christ himself.[1]
However, Tim Lahaye would argue that the first horseman is the Antichrist. He
puts Emperors on white horses like Napoleon and Alexander the Great who are
characterized by a wanna-be mentality like the Antichrist who will never rise
to that greatness of our King and will always be relegated to something less.
Additionally, Lahaye states that the Antichrist will conquer which is his
ultimate purpose. The bow in his hand symbolizes that of an aggressive warfare
that is won through diplomacy rather than by the force of war by the absence of
arrows and the crown that is seen on his head would indicate his success in
deceiving the nations. [2]
The second
horseman as depicted in Rev. 6:3-4 is riding a fiery red horse and is given a great sword. This horseman will take
peace from the earth and turn one against the other causing people to kill one
another. The red horse and the sword can be seen as a symbol of war. Nations
are revolting against the antichrist and his schemes inaugurating a “world
war.” However, it will be too late there will be wide destruction and a bloody
war. Preston Taylor describes this period of the Great Tribulation as a time of
great bloodshed and misery on a planet-wide scale that will blanket the earth
as the “Wicked Antichrist begins his ugly work.”[3]
The third
horseman is riding a black horse. The
rider carried a set of scales in his hand symbolizing famine and the scarcity
of food. However the rich will still be able to afford the “wine and oil” which
depicts that this famine will affect the common man not the wealthy. A denarius
was equivalent to a days’ wage and barley was considered a lower quality grain
when compared to wheat. Three measures of barley would sustain a person for a
day not including family or relatives. Times will be so rough that a man will
not be able to support his family.
The fourth
and final horseman is riding a pale
horse. The name of the rider is Death and Hades (Rev 6:7-8). One quarter of the
population on earth will be killed by the sword, hunger, death, or by beasts of
the earth. At the present time, that would equate to 600-700 million people.
Hades follows the pale horse of
death, which could symbolize that those who die are non-believers. A believer
who receives Christ during the Tribulation period will not go to Hades, which
is reserved for unbelievers as they await the Great White Throne judgment (Rev
20).[4]
The 144,000
Tim Lahaye
calls it “the greatest revival the world has ever known.[5]
One hundred forty-four thousand people comprised of 12,000 Jews from each of
the 12 tribes of Israel will be sealed to evangelize those left behind (Rev
7:4). Since the Scripture identifies these people as the “children of Israel”,
there is no other view that can prove that these people are not who the Bible
says they are. Seventh-Day Adventists apply the 144,000 to the faithful
followers who will be found observing the Jewish Sabbath at the Lord’s return.
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that the 144,000 include only the “overcomers” of
their persuasion who continue faithful to the end.[6]
I’d rather stick with the literal interpretation of scripture and let it speak
for itself.
Babylon the Great
The
Antichrist will rule the world from a city called Babylon.[7]
The exact identity of Babylon is not known. People have speculated over the
course of centuries what city might rise to be called Babylon the Great. I’d
rather take the more symbolic approach. John calls it a “mystery” (Rev 17:5).
The early church viewed Babylon as a symbolic representation of Rome. Reformers
and Puritans also held this view but extended it to the “apostate church of the
last days.”[8]
Most experts agree that John does not intend for us to take “Babylon” as the
city literally. Babylon the Great is futuristic in thinking and this city will
be “epitome of the kingdom of Satan.”[9]
The “Babylon of the Apocalypse is the New Rome of the future” as Dr. Hindson,
points out in his book.[10]
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