The Four Horsemen Ride
Rev 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white
horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given
unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Though these figures are perhaps the most widely recognized of all prophetic figures, they continue to be a great enigma. But if we compare scripture with scripture in light of modern history the puzzle is easily solved. First we must look back to the prophet Zechariah.
Zec 6:1-4 And I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass. In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses. Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?
The angel goes on to explain to Zechariah their meaning and what part of the world wherin they ride. Zechariah 6:6 "The one with the black horses is going toward the north country, the one with the white horses toward the west, and the one with the dappled horses toward the south." If we now look back at Revelation we see their attributes. The White Horse is said to conquer and have a crown, the Red Horse takes away peace, the Black Horse economic collapse, the Pale Horse plagues, starvation, and death. Starting to see a pattern?
The White Horse, the western world, ruling through the might of democratic capitalism. The Red Horse, to the east, creating war through marxist totalitarianism(China). The Black Horse, to the north, bringing economic collapse on the Soviet Union. The Pale Horse pouring famine, plagues, and death to the south (Africa). But these riders don't just ride in their limited spheres, once they go forth in the specified direction they spread world wide.
Thus the political and economic stage is set for the coming of the Beast. "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." Revelation 6:9-11 This is the foreshadow of the Great Tribulation period, the next event looming on the horizon. From this we see that the ominous Four Horesmen have ridden and the Tribulation of the Church is therefore just around the corner.
Comparing Scripture with Scripture
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.