The four horsemen represent four important time periods for God's people beginning with the New Testament church. They symbolize: 1) The successful early church (white horse) 2) Roman persecution of Christians (red horse) 3) Spiritual darkness and apostasy during the Middle Ages (black horse) 4) Martyrdom of Christians during the Dark Ages (pale horse). The signs in the heavens under the sixth seal point to the imminent second coming of Jesus. When Christ returns, only those who are sealed by God will be able to stand.