The Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 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. Rev 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. Rev 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
Rev 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. Rev 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
The meaning of the second, third and fourth riders is explained to us, namely war and the resulting effects, hunger and death.
Since these three riders are not persons but personified symbols of war, hunger and death, it is likely that the first rider is also a personified symbol. By riding a white horse (white in the color of righteousness) he has a bow in his hand (bow symbolizing war, as he will win, indicating a fight) and a crown on his head ( Crown a symbol of power), it is likely that these four horsemen represent the righteous war of God.
The symbols of Revelation are usually explained in the Old Testament Similar horses meet us in the Bible book Zechariah
Zec 6:2 In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;
Zec 6:3 And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses.
An angel explains to Zechariah the meaning of this vision
Zec 6:4 Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord? Zec 6:5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
The horses of Zechariah stood before the Lord of the earth, before God.
Daniel sees the throne in the Bible book Daniel and sees how many stand before the throne of God.
Dan 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Accordingly, the charioteers of horses in the Bible book are Sachharja angels, which are also called winds.
In Revelation, we have both visions that, like the Apocalyptic Riders, have been associated with war. In Revelation 7 the winds and angels, and in Revelation 9 the angels of the same number as the angels in the Bible book Daniel stand before the throne of God, namely 200 million. Both visions of revelation are associated with war.
Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
Rev 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
Rev 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. Rev 9:15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
Rev 9:16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
So we can assume that the apocalyptic riders are the symbol of the just war of God.
Since in Zechariah horses, with the same colors, are called winds and come from God, it is likely that the Apocalyptic Riders can also be called winds. Also, that they are angels sent by God. These winds are still recorded in Revelation 7, and then released in Revelation 9 to bring the war of God to the earth.
But before that, things still have to happen, which we will consider next in the article „and stars falling from the sky“.
Joe 2:11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?