spiritual

1. 1
Revelation SeminarsRevelation Seminars
Lesson # 9:Lesson # 9:
The FourThe Four
Horsemen ofHorsemen of
RevelationRevelation
© April 2001 Battle Cry Ministry

2. 2
The four horsemen areThe four horsemen are part of the sevenpart of the seven
sealsseals of Revelation, chapters six andof Revelation, chapters six and
eight. These seals are seven symboliceight. These seals are seven symbolic
events which face the people of God,events which face the people of God,
from the ascension of Jesus until Hisfrom the ascension of Jesus until His
second coming.second coming. They cover the sameThey cover the same
time period as the seven churchestime period as the seven churches
of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3.of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3.

3. 3
The Symbols ExplainedThe Symbols Explained
1. What do horses and riders represent1. What do horses and riders represent
in prophecy?in prophecy?
a.a. Zech. 1:8 - 10Zech. 1:8 - 10: “These are they whom: “These are they whom
the Lord hath sent to walk to and frothe Lord hath sent to walk to and fro
through the earth.”through the earth.”
b.b. Zech. 6:2 - 5Zech. 6:2 - 5: “These are the four: “These are the four
spirits of the heavensspirits of the heavens, which go forth, which go forth
from standing before the Lord of all thefrom standing before the Lord of all the
earth.”earth.”

4. 4
Note:Note:
Hebrews 1:13,14Hebrews 1:13,14 states plainly thatstates plainly that
angels are ministering spirits sent byangels are ministering spirits sent by
God to minister to His people upon theGod to minister to His people upon the
earth. These spirits are angels whichearth. These spirits are angels which
minister over four very important timeminister over four very important time
periods and special events that God’speriods and special events that God’s
people must pass through, beginningpeople must pass through, beginning
with the New Testament Church.with the New Testament Church.

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2. Who announced the four mysterious2. Who announced the four mysterious
horsemen?horsemen? Rev. 6:1,3,5,7Rev. 6:1,3,5,7
Answer:Answer: The four beasts.The four beasts.
Note:Note:
These are called “four living creatures”These are called “four living creatures”
in some translations. They have specialin some translations. They have special
responsibilities in Heaven.responsibilities in Heaven.

6. 6
The Seven SealsThe Seven Seals
3. How is the rider of3. How is the rider of
the white horsethe white horse
described?described?
Rev. 6:2Rev. 6:2
“…“… he that sat on himhe that sat on him
had a bowhad a bow; and; and aa
crowncrown was given untowas given unto
him: and he went forthhim: and he went forth
conqueringconquering and toand to
conquer.conquer.

7. 7
Note:Note:
What a fitting symbol for the church ofWhat a fitting symbol for the church of
the first century! So successful wasthe first century! So successful was
God’s church that before Paul died, heGod’s church that before Paul died, he
said that the gospel had been preachedsaid that the gospel had been preached
to the entire world!to the entire world! Col. 1:5,6,23Col. 1:5,6,23..
WHITE symbolizes the purity of theWHITE symbolizes the purity of the
church (church (Ps. 51:7, Is. 1:18Ps. 51:7, Is. 1:18).).

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4. What did the rider of the red4. What did the rider of the red
horse do?horse do? Rev. 6:4Rev. 6:4
Answer:Answer:
““Power was given untoPower was given unto
him tohim to take peace fromtake peace from
the earththe earth, and that they, and that they
should kill oneshould kill one
another.”another.”

9. 9
Note:Note:
The red horse, under the second sealThe red horse, under the second seal
represents the Roman Government’srepresents the Roman Government’s
bloody persecution of the people of Godbloody persecution of the people of God
during the 2nd, 3rd & early part of theduring the 2nd, 3rd & early part of the
4th centuries, A.D. - The same period of4th centuries, A.D. - The same period of
time covered by the Smyrna Church.time covered by the Smyrna Church.
God uses the color red to depict war,God uses the color red to depict war,
slaughter and bloodshed. Seeslaughter and bloodshed. See
Eze. 32:6,11; Jer. 46:10 & Nahum 2:3.Eze. 32:6,11; Jer. 46:10 & Nahum 2:3.

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5. Why did God use a black5. Why did God use a black
horse under the third seal?horse under the third seal?
Acts 26:18:Acts 26:18:
““.. from darkness.. from darkness
to light”to light”
John 12:35:John 12:35:
““Walk while youWalk while you
have the light, lesthave the light, lest
darkness comedarkness come
upon you.”upon you.”

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Note:Note:
Spiritual darkness or blackness is sin,Spiritual darkness or blackness is sin,
apostasy and error - the very opposite of theapostasy and error - the very opposite of the
light of the gospel. The church during the 4th,light of the gospel. The church during the 4th,
5th and 1st part of the 6th century, became5th and 1st part of the 6th century, became
popular, worldly, and finally very corrupt whenpopular, worldly, and finally very corrupt when
church and state united. The BLACK horsechurch and state united. The BLACK horse
represents the same era as the Pergamosrepresents the same era as the Pergamos
church, a time when millions of pagans, withchurch, a time when millions of pagans, with
their false practices and teachings, came intotheir false practices and teachings, came into
the church. This resulted in the persecutionthe church. This resulted in the persecution
(represented by the sword) of true, Bible(represented by the sword) of true, Bible
-believing Christians.-believing Christians.

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6. What did the black horse rider have in6. What did the black horse rider have in
his hand?his hand? Rev. 6:5,6Rev. 6:5,6
Answer:Answer:
““A pair ofA pair of
balances.”balances.”

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Note:Note: The balances represent theThe balances represent the
union of church and state whenunion of church and state when
Christianity became the official religionChristianity became the official religion
of the Roman Empire underof the Roman Empire under
Constantine. A picture is given of foodConstantine. A picture is given of food
being weighed during a terrible famine.being weighed during a terrible famine.
The famine symbolizes an acuteThe famine symbolizes an acute
scarcity of the Word of God (scarcity of the Word of God (AmosAmos
8:11,128:11,12).).

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Martyrs for JesusMartyrs for Jesus
7. Who rode the pale horse? What7. Who rode the pale horse? What
followed?followed? Rev. 6:8Rev. 6:8
Answer:
His name was
death, and hell
followed him.

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Note:Note:
The pale horse with its riderThe pale horse with its rider
DEATH, followed by the graveDEATH, followed by the grave
(“Hades” in Greek), symbolizes the(“Hades” in Greek), symbolizes the
millions of God’s people destroyedmillions of God’s people destroyed
by sword, starvation, wild beasts,by sword, starvation, wild beasts,
and other cruel methods of tortureand other cruel methods of torture
and killing. This period is coveredand killing. This period is covered
by the Thyatira church from the 6thby the Thyatira church from the 6th
through the 15th centuriesthrough the 15th centuries
(known as the Dark Ages).(known as the Dark Ages).

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Now, instead of theNow, instead of the
GOVERNMENT persecuting Bible -GOVERNMENT persecuting Bible -
believing Christians, it was thebelieving Christians, it was the
churchchurch. This terrible time of. This terrible time of
persecution was prophesied bypersecution was prophesied by
Jesus (Jesus (Matt. 24:21Matt. 24:21); and by other); and by other
Bible writers (Bible writers (Dan. 7:21,25; Rev.Dan. 7:21,25; Rev.
13:5, 12:6,14, 17:613:5, 12:6,14, 17:6). Jesus plans). Jesus plans
for these martyrs to be closest tofor these martyrs to be closest to
Him in His new kingdom!Him in His new kingdom! Rev. 7:13Rev. 7:13
- 17- 17..

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8. What did John see and hear under the8. What did John see and hear under the
5th seal?5th seal?
Rev. 6:9,10Rev. 6:9,10
Answer:Answer:
a. Saw soulsa. Saw souls
“slain for the word“slain for the word
of God.”of God.”
b. Heard them cryb. Heard them cry
for God to avengefor God to avenge
their blood.their blood.

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Note:Note:
In the 5th seal the blood of theIn the 5th seal the blood of the
martyred saints cried outmartyred saints cried out
symbolically to God, like the bloodsymbolically to God, like the blood
of Abel did after he was slain by hisof Abel did after he was slain by his
brotherbrother (Gen.4:10)(Gen.4:10). It was a terrible. It was a terrible
time of persecution when true,time of persecution when true,
Bible - believing Christians wereBible - believing Christians were
put to the death by the millions forput to the death by the millions for
their faith.their faith.

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9. How long do they rest before9. How long do they rest before
receiving their rewards?receiving their rewards? Rev. 6:11Rev. 6:11
““And white robes were given unto everyAnd white robes were given unto every
one of them.”one of them.”
Answer:Answer:
““For a little season, until their fellow-For a little season, until their fellow-
servants also, and their brethren shouldservants also, and their brethren should
be … fulfilled.”be … fulfilled.”

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Note:Note:
The WHITE ROBES indicateThe WHITE ROBES indicate
victory for these martyrsvictory for these martyrs (Rev. 19:8,(Rev. 19:8,
3:5)3:5). Though their victory was. Though their victory was
already won, they were to rest oralready won, they were to rest or
sleep in the tomb a little season tillsleep in the tomb a little season till
Jesus returns and rewardsJesus returns and rewards allall HisHis
saints - together, at the same time!saints - together, at the same time!
(Heb. 11:39,40)(Heb. 11:39,40)

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Note:Note:
The 5th seal covers the same era asThe 5th seal covers the same era as
the 5th church, - Sardis - from the 16ththe 5th church, - Sardis - from the 16th
to the mid 18th century. So the horribleto the mid 18th century. So the horrible
persecution of the 4th seal continuedpersecution of the 4th seal continued
under the 5th seal. Jesus said this timeunder the 5th seal. Jesus said this time
of persecution would be shortenedof persecution would be shortened
(Matt. 24:21,22)(Matt. 24:21,22). It was drastically. It was drastically
shortened, and finally stopped by theshortened, and finally stopped by the
dynamic preaching of the greatdynamic preaching of the great
preachers of the Reformation.preachers of the Reformation.

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Signs in the HeavensSigns in the Heavens
10. What events take place10. What events take place
as the 6th seal opens?as the 6th seal opens?
Rev. 6:12,13Rev. 6:12,13

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a. “A greata. “A great
earthquake.”earthquake.”
b. “The starsb. “The stars
fell.”fell.”
c. “The moonc. “The moon
became asbecame as
blood.”blood.”
d. “The sund. “The sun
became black.”became black.”
Four Signs:

24. 24
Note:Note:
When God made the sun, moonWhen God made the sun, moon
and stars at Creation He said, “Letand stars at Creation He said, “Let
them be forthem be for signssigns, and for, and for
seasons, and for days and forseasons, and for days and for
years.”years.” Gen. 1:14Gen. 1:14. So these great. So these great
signssigns appeared in the heavens.appeared in the heavens.

25. 25
The Great Earthquake of Nov. 1, 1755:The Great Earthquake of Nov. 1, 1755:
This was the greatest catastropheThis was the greatest catastrophe
the world had seen since Noah’sthe world had seen since Noah’s
flood. It was felt over the greaterflood. It was felt over the greater
part of Europe, Africa andpart of Europe, Africa and
America. Since it centered inAmerica. Since it centered in
Portugal, it is commonly referredPortugal, it is commonly referred
to as The Lisbon Earthquake.to as The Lisbon Earthquake.

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The Dark Day of May 19,The Dark Day of May 19,
17801780
This caused great alarm, and manyThis caused great alarm, and many
thought the end of the world had come.thought the end of the world had come.
Beginning in mid - morning, it becameBeginning in mid - morning, it became
so dark that lamps had to be lighted inso dark that lamps had to be lighted in
the houses. The darkness covered athe houses. The darkness covered a
large part of North America, and causedlarge part of North America, and caused
serious - minded people to study theirserious - minded people to study their
Bible for an answer.Bible for an answer.

27. 27
The Moon Red as Blood, May 19, 1780The Moon Red as Blood, May 19, 1780
About midnight, the unusualAbout midnight, the unusual
darkness lifted and the moondarkness lifted and the moon
appeared, but it was as red asappeared, but it was as red as
blood. This represented theblood. This represented the
closing of an era when a trueclosing of an era when a true
knowledge of Jesus the Son ofknowledge of Jesus the Son of
Righteousness had beenRighteousness had been
obscured (during the Dark Ages),obscured (during the Dark Ages),
and the blood of millions of trueand the blood of millions of true
Bible - believing Christians wasBible - believing Christians was

28. 28
The Falling of the Stars,The Falling of the Stars,
November 13, 1833November 13, 1833
This was an exciting display ofThis was an exciting display of
heavenly fireworks, perhaps theheavenly fireworks, perhaps the
greatest ever witnessed on the face ofgreatest ever witnessed on the face of
the earth! It was seen across Norththe earth! It was seen across North
America, and it is estimated thatAmerica, and it is estimated that
200,000 stars an hour fell over a period200,000 stars an hour fell over a period
of 5 or 6 hours. People thought thatof 5 or 6 hours. People thought that
surely it was the Judgement Day. Sosurely it was the Judgement Day. So
when God’s prophetic clock struck - thewhen God’s prophetic clock struck - the
signs in the heavens appeared.signs in the heavens appeared.

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11. The next great event under the 6th seal is?11. The next great event under the 6th seal is?
Rev. 6:14 - 17Rev. 6:14 - 17
Answer:Answer:
The secondThe second
coming ofcoming of
Christ. ThenChrist. Then
the wicked willthe wicked will
cry, “The greatcry, “The great
day of Hisday of His
wrath iswrath is
come.”come.”

30. 30
Note:Note:
It is sobering indeed to realize that weIt is sobering indeed to realize that we
are now living betweenare now living between verses 13 & 14verses 13 & 14
of the 6th sealof the 6th seal of Revelation 6of Revelation 6. The next. The next
great sign will be the sudden appearinggreat sign will be the sudden appearing
of Jesus Christ coming in the clouds ofof Jesus Christ coming in the clouds of
gloryglory (Matt. 24:30)(Matt. 24:30)! The 6th seal covers! The 6th seal covers
the time periods of both the 6th & 7ththe time periods of both the 6th & 7th
Churches - Philadelphia & Laodicea -Churches - Philadelphia & Laodicea -
from about the middle of the 18thfrom about the middle of the 18th
century to the coming of Jesus.century to the coming of Jesus.

31. 31
Seal of GodSeal of God
12. Who will be12. Who will be
able to standable to stand
when Jesuswhen Jesus
returns?returns?
Rev. 7:2,3Rev. 7:2,3
Answer:Answer:
Those who areThose who are
sealed by God: “Hurtsealed by God: “Hurt
not the earth … till wenot the earth … till we
have sealed thehave sealed the
servants of our Godservants of our God
in their foreheads.”in their foreheads.”

32. 32
Note:Note:
The people who will be ready forThe people who will be ready for
Jesus’ coming must first receiveJesus’ coming must first receive
God’s seal - a sign in theirGod’s seal - a sign in their
foreheads. Our next seminarforeheads. Our next seminar
lessons explains what this verylessons explains what this very
important sign or seal is, and howimportant sign or seal is, and how
you may receive it.you may receive it.

33. 33
13. What happens when all have13. What happens when all have
heard the gospel?heard the gospel?
Rev. 14:6,14Rev. 14:6,14
Answer:Answer:
JesusJesus
comes incomes in
the clouds.the clouds.
The Gospel

34. 34
Note:Note:
The Everlasting Gospel and theThe Everlasting Gospel and the
Three Angels’ Messages ofThree Angels’ Messages of
Revelation 14:6 - 10, with God’sRevelation 14:6 - 10, with God’s
Sealing Truth is sweeping acrossSealing Truth is sweeping across
the earth like a prairie grass fire inthe earth like a prairie grass fire in
the wind! Get ready for the nextthe wind! Get ready for the next
lesson.lesson.

35. 35
14. How can I know when Jesus will14. How can I know when Jesus will
appear?appear? Matt. 24:33Matt. 24:33
Answer: When you see the signs,Answer: When you see the signs,
“Know that it is near even at the door.”“Know that it is near even at the door.”
Note:Note: It is very exciting to know theIt is very exciting to know the
second coming of Jesus is near!second coming of Jesus is near!
However, no man knows the exact dayHowever, no man knows the exact day
or hour of His returnor hour of His return (Matt. 24:36)(Matt. 24:36). The. The
all important question is, “Are youall important question is, “Are you
ready?”ready?”

36. 36
Silence in HeavenSilence in Heaven
15. What happens when the 7th15. What happens when the 7th
seal is opened?seal is opened? Rev. 8:1Rev. 8:1
““There was silence in Heaven for aboutThere was silence in Heaven for about
the space of half an hour.”the space of half an hour.”
Note:Note: This silence takes place at theThis silence takes place at the
time of Jesus’ coming. Heaven is silenttime of Jesus’ coming. Heaven is silent
because Heaven is empty. The Fatherbecause Heaven is empty. The Father
and all the holy angels will come withand all the holy angels will come with
Jesus when He returns for His saintsJesus when He returns for His saints
(Matt. 16:27, 25:31)(Matt. 16:27, 25:31)..

37. 37
16. How should we act during16. How should we act during
signs of Jesus’ return?signs of Jesus’ return? Luke 21:28Luke 21:28
““Look up and liftLook up and lift
up your heads forup your heads for
your redemptionyour redemption
draweth nigh.”draweth nigh.”
Note:Note: Our most excitingOur most exciting
thoughts should be of ourthoughts should be of our
Lord’s return. We mustLord’s return. We must
make our preparation formake our preparation for
this great event first in ourthis great event first in our
lives, and tell others solives, and tell others so
they too, may be ready.they too, may be ready.

38. 38
17. How does Jesus feel when17. How does Jesus feel when
we ask for His help?we ask for His help? JudeJude
24,2524,25
He will “keepHe will “keep
you from fallingyou from falling
and present youand present you
faultless beforefaultless before
the presence ofthe presence of
His glory withHis glory with
exceeding joy.”exceeding joy.”

39. 39
Remember:Remember:
1. No matter who1. No matter who
you are, or whatyou are, or what
your past hasyour past has
been, Jesus willbeen, Jesus will
accept you if youaccept you if you
really want to bereally want to be
saved.saved.
2. He will forgive2. He will forgive
your sins and helpyour sins and help
you to prepare foryou to prepare for
His great andHis great and
glorious coming, soglorious coming, so
you may take thatyou may take that
amazing spaceamazing space
journey from earthjourney from earth
to heaven.to heaven.

40. 40
18. Will you decide now to do18. Will you decide now to do
whatever Jesus wants you to do?whatever Jesus wants you to do?
Note:Note:
ReadRead Matt. 24Matt. 24 && LukeLuke
2121 for a more detailedfor a more detailed
study of the presentstudy of the present
day signs of Jesus’day signs of Jesus’
return. We are likelyreturn. We are likely
the last generation tothe last generation to
be living upon thebe living upon the
earth before Jesusearth before Jesus
comes!comes!