In each blog, I often reference many different topics that I've already covered (or will soon cover), and maybe you've missed. Please review my blogs to read more...
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Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him [God the Father] that sat on the Throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with SEVEN SEALS.
Nowhere in Scripture are the seven seals referred to as God's wrath. I look at the seals as God warning us that His wrath is coming. The second half of Daniel's 70th week is referred to as "great tribulation". It is also the time of Satan's wrath (Rev 12:12). God's wrath begins at the conclusion of Satan's wrath.
Daniel and Revelation
Daniel 7:8-10 describes the scene prior to Yeshua taking the scroll with the seven seals which match the description found in the Revelation.
[1] Thrones for Elders (Dan 7:9; Rev 4:4)
[2] Throne for God (Dan 7:9; Rev 4:2)
[3] God's appearance (Dan 7:9; Dan 10:6; Rev 1:14; Rev 4:3)
[4] Throne's appearance (Dan 7:10; Rev 4:5)
[5] God's attendants (Dan 7:10; Rev 5:11)
[6] The Scroll (Dan 7:27; Rev 6:1)
[7] Transfer of the Kingdom (Dan 7:27; Rev 11:15)
[8] Extent of the Kingdom (Dan 7:14; Rev 11:15)
This will come about as a result of the events found in Daniel 8. Iran will lose influence over the Middle East, Turkey will become dominant and then this empire will be broken up into four nations ruled over by Turkey. Antichrist will arise out of one of these four... more about that in another blog.
Antichrist will not accomplish all of this on his own. He has his right-hand man, the false prophet:
Rev 13:12 And he [false prophet] exercises all the power of the first beast [Antichrist] before him...
Yeshua, alone is able to open the Seals. He takes the large scroll from our Father (Rev 5:7) and opens the First Seal:
First Seal - White Horse
[1] Rev 6:1-2 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. And I saw, and behold a WHITE HORSE: and he that sat on him had a bow [G5115 - toxon] ; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering [G3528 - nikao], and to conquer [G3528 - nikao].
To start with, there are many points we could dive into on just these two verses. I don't want to get too carried away in this blog. I may create new blogs to discuss the details of the riders and the horses later. They are not literal horses, or riders, but a force that has been released.
For now, I only want to show the comparisons with Yeshua's Olivet Discourse.
Some claim that the rider of this "white horse" is Yeshua Himself. They would be wrong. Yeshua does come on the scene until later, and He is riding a White Horse (Rev 19:11) but this is not our Lord.
Personally, I believe the rider of this white horse may be the Mahdi of Islam. In fact, Muslims themselves directly attribute the passage above to their Mahdi. More about that in another blog.
This is setting the stage for the coming Antichrist and his role of deception.
The first thing we notice is that this rider has a bow [G5115 - toxon]. It's Hebrew equivalent is [H7198 - qesheth].
The first use of this word is found in:
Gen 9:13 I [God] do set My bow [H7198 - qesheth, bow, archers, arrows] in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
This is a picture from Noah's flood of God hanging up His weapon and entering into a new covenant. We see the representation of His bow and His covenant when it rains... the rainbow (Gen 9:14).
The bow of the rider represents the same exact anti-thing. The rider of this horse will set his bow aside and create a covenant of deception... peace!
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [Daniel's 70th week]...
Next, we see that this rider is given a crown. (See Zec 6:11-13)
Remember when I said that Antichrist will be a mirror image of Christ? The rider of the white horse may deceptively appear as Yeshua, or a messiah figure and will be both the religious and political leader at that time.
Next we see that this rider will go forth conquering to conquer [G3528 - nikao].
This is not a military phrase. This is speaking of a Spiritual conquering. The Greek word nikao is usually translated in Scripture as "overcoming" (Rom 12:21; Joh 16:33; 1 Jn 5:4). Many will be Spiritually deceived by Antichrist!
One of the cool things about this passage is the use of the word nikao.
If you'll recall, Yeshua writes letters to the seven Churches. To most He says "to he who overcomes [G3528 - nikao]". That's not even the cool part!
Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
The Nicolaitans are only mentioned in the Revelation. Looking at the meaning of the two Greek words used in constructing the name "Nicolaitans" we find what may be a code word for those who follow Antichrist!
nikao (overcomes) + lao (people of God).
The Nicolaitans are those who overcome the people of God!
The picture is complete... the rider of this white horse is sent to deceive. He carries a false peace treaty, his crown and white horse show that he is trying to appear as a type of messiah in place of Yeshua, and he comes to spiritually overcome the people with the aid of the false prophet.
I don't intend to cover each of the other three riders in this much detail, but this is the one we are to be watching for.
First let's look at the false prophet:
Rev 13:13-14 And he [false prophet] does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast [Antichrist]; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Now... let's see how Yeshua answers the Disciples question concerning:
Mat 24:3 ... when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world [G165 - aion]? (Mar 13:4; Luk 21:7)
The first thing Yeshua says:
Mat 24:4-5 And Yeshua answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Mar 13:5-6; Luk 21:8)
Perfect match to the first seal.
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Second Seal - Red Horse
[2] Rev 6:3-4 And when He had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 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.
The purpose of the rider of the red horse is to cause war, bloodshed, and chaos. He is a peace-taker. "Taker" implies some sort of peace existing before he takes it.
Muslims will have an incredibly successful jihad. What is the purpose of this warfare?
Rev 13:4 And they worshiped the dragon [Satan] which gave power unto the beast [Antichrist]: and they worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?'
The power of Antichrist will be incredible, as will his military prowess. All of this will cause the broken will of the people to worship him in fear.
This is exactly why Yeshua specifically instructs us to "not be frightened" when the red horse rides! Luke uses the word [G4422 - ptoeo, terrified].
What are the next Words of Yeshua in the Olivet Discourse?
Mat 24:6-7a And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled [G2360 - throeo, frightened]: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: (Mar 13:7-8; Luk 21:9)
Perfect match to the second seal.
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Third Seal - Black Horse
[3] Rev 6:5-6 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. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny [G1220 - denarion, denarius], and three measures of barley for a penny [G1220 - denarion]; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
The purpose of the rider of the black horse is to cause famine and economic collapse. Both of which also usually follow war.
The false prophet will institute the mark of the beast. This mark will allow the inhabitants of the earth to provide for their families. You won't be allowed to buy or sell anything without this mark... including food, shelter, fuel, etc.
Not only that, but food prices will sky-rocket... notice the small amounts of food above and their pricing. The KJV translates the price as "penny" which is very unfortunate as it changes the intent of this verse.
A denarius was a common coin in the Roman world of John's day and was equivalent to a worker's wage for one days work. The amount of food able to be purchased for this price is barely enough to sustain one man, let alone his whole family.
Rev 13:16-17 And he [false prophet] causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
The purpose of this mark is to cause all who take it to worship the Antichrist. If you accept this mark, you accept the provision of the Antichrist.
What are the next Words of Yeshua in the Olivet Discourse?
Mat 24:7-8 ... and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Perfect match to the third seal.
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Fourth Seal - Green Horse
[4] Rev 6:7-8 And when He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a PALE [G5515 - chloros, green] HORSE: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell [G86 - hades] 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 [G2342 - therion] of the earth.
The purpose of the rider of the green horse is to cause death.
First note that "pale" is another unfortunate translation from our KJV. There is nothing "pale" about the color of this horse. The Greek word [G5515 - chloros] is where we get our English word chlorophyll which is the green pigment we find in plant life.
This is the only place that this word is translated as "pale" throughout Scripture. Elsewhere it is always translated as "green" and is used alongside "grass". This horse in NOT pale... it is GREEN.
Also note, that the Greek word [G2342 - therion] is used 30 times in the Revelation and is always used in reference to either the Antichrist or the false prophet. This green horse and rider will kill with the sword, famine, pestilence - "death under the authority of the "beasts" (plural)"... Antichrist and the false prophet.
Eze 14:21-22 For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?
Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it.
It's no small wonder the the rider of this horse is presented as death followed by hades. Isaiah tells us this concerning Israel:
Isa 28:15 Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol [hades] we have made a pact.
The covenant mentioned above is the covenant signed by Israel and the Antichrist. It is this covenant that Antichrist will break at the midpoint of Daniel's 70th week.
Notice that power is given to them over 25% of the earth. This will likely be first enforced in the Middle East which is center stage for all of this.
The false prophet will enforce all to accept the mark and worship the Antichrist before the image or be killed. There will be a "convert or die" policy put into place.
Rev 13:15 ... and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
All of these works are orchestrated by Satan. Satan cannot stop the scroll from being opened and he knows that his "time is short" (Rev 12:12) so he will take down as many Christians as he can.
All of these works will also play into the "falling away", or the "apostasy" that Paul speaks of:
2 Th 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day SHALL NOT COME, except there come a falling away [G646 - apostasia, defection, revolt, apostasy] FIRST, and that man of sin [Antichrist] be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
What are the next Words of Yeshua in the Olivet Discourse?
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for My Name's sake. (Mar 13:9; Luk 21:12-13)
Perfect match to the fourth seal.
Notice how Yeshua hasn't missed a beat, or a sentence of which would vary from the description, and order of these seals in Revelation.
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Purpose of the Four Horsemen
The purpose of the four horsemen are to get the inhabitants to worship Antichrist and serve as a warning of God's impending wrath.
You can see above how they will accomplish this.
First, the rider of the white horse will create doubt in the minds of Christians through Spiritual deception.
Second, the rider of the red horse will create "shock and awe" through military victories giving credence to the false idea that God must be on the side of Antichrist.
Third, the rider of the black horse will cause famine and economic collapse in order to provide. Any and all who worship the beast will find provision of food, clothing, shelter, etc.. Christians who refuse the mark must rely on God for their provision.
Fourth, the rider of the green horse will enforce "convert", or "comply or die". We will have to choose Antichrist, or death.
These won't be literal horses with literal riders... they are symbols of how Satan will attempt to accomplish his mission:
White horse - DECEPTION
Red horse - FEAR
Black horse - PROVISIONAL NEED
Green horse - DEATH
It is at this point, we find a difference in the remaining seals.
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I will cover those in Seven Seals - Part 2
Some of these excerpts are from my personal notes copied from 30+ years of studying... some of these notes are direct copies of various sources - I do not claim to have authored every word of this... it's just a mass collection I've tucked away over the years for my own personal studies... I didn't consider a bibliography at the time I directly copied small excerpts from various authors. Also, any emphasis (underlines, bold text, all CAPS, etc.) noted above was only meant to capture my personal attention as I studied...
CLICK HERE! for an index to previous blogs.
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Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of Him [God the Father] that sat on the Throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with SEVEN SEALS.
Nowhere in Scripture are the seven seals referred to as God's wrath. I look at the seals as God warning us that His wrath is coming. The second half of Daniel's 70th week is referred to as "great tribulation". It is also the time of Satan's wrath (Rev 12:12). God's wrath begins at the conclusion of Satan's wrath.
The seven seals divide into two groups of four and three. We will see later that this pattern repeats itself in the trumpet and bowl judgments.
I mention similarities below in Zechariah. However, in Zechariah the horses are sent out to patrol the earth, while in Revelation they bring disaster.
In an earlier blog, "The Day of The Lord" I briefly touched on what the church refers to as the rapture.
The intent of this blog is to show the absolute perfection of God's Word and how Yeshua, Himself spelled out the seven seals, in the perfect order in which they're found in the Revelation.
Yeshua did so in what theology refers to as His "Olivet Discourse" concerning the coming affliction.
Mat 24:3 And as He [Yeshua] sat upon the Mount of Olives, the Disciples came unto Him privately, saying:
Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming [parousia], and of the end of the world [G165 - aion]?
It was no coincidence that Yeshua spelled out the events in the exact order of the seven seals as found in His Unveiling (Revelation). Not only that, but later I'll write about how the letters to the seven Churches also follow along exactly.
This is the "beginning of birth pangs" as Yeshua described:
Mat 24:8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
This is referring to the first 3.5 years of Daniel's 70th week (see Isa 26:16-19).
Before starting, please note that the seven trumpets, and seven bowl Judgments do not occur until AFTER the seventh seal has been opened. I will cover those in another blog, but do not let that confuse you... these events found with the seven seals are all consecutive and occur BEFORE the remaining Judgments.
The seals represent what Satan is attempting to accomplish against mankind... the seals have nothing to do with God's wrath on mankind.
This is the "beginning of birth pangs" as Yeshua described:
Mat 24:8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
This is referring to the first 3.5 years of Daniel's 70th week (see Isa 26:16-19).
Before starting, please note that the seven trumpets, and seven bowl Judgments do not occur until AFTER the seventh seal has been opened. I will cover those in another blog, but do not let that confuse you... these events found with the seven seals are all consecutive and occur BEFORE the remaining Judgments.
The seals represent what Satan is attempting to accomplish against mankind... the seals have nothing to do with God's wrath on mankind.
Daniel and Revelation
Daniel 7:8-10 describes the scene prior to Yeshua taking the scroll with the seven seals which match the description found in the Revelation.
[1] Thrones for Elders (Dan 7:9; Rev 4:4)
[2] Throne for God (Dan 7:9; Rev 4:2)
[3] God's appearance (Dan 7:9; Dan 10:6; Rev 1:14; Rev 4:3)
[4] Throne's appearance (Dan 7:10; Rev 4:5)
[5] God's attendants (Dan 7:10; Rev 5:11)
[6] The Scroll (Dan 7:27; Rev 6:1)
[7] Transfer of the Kingdom (Dan 7:27; Rev 11:15)
[8] Extent of the Kingdom (Dan 7:14; Rev 11:15)
This will come about as a result of the events found in Daniel 8. Iran will lose influence over the Middle East, Turkey will become dominant and then this empire will be broken up into four nations ruled over by Turkey. Antichrist will arise out of one of these four... more about that in another blog.
Antichrist will not accomplish all of this on his own. He has his right-hand man, the false prophet:
Rev 13:12 And he [false prophet] exercises all the power of the first beast [Antichrist] before him...
Yeshua, alone is able to open the Seals. He takes the large scroll from our Father (Rev 5:7) and opens the First Seal:
First Seal - White Horse
[1] Rev 6:1-2 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. And I saw, and behold a WHITE HORSE: and he that sat on him had a bow [G5115 - toxon] ; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering [G3528 - nikao], and to conquer [G3528 - nikao].
To start with, there are many points we could dive into on just these two verses. I don't want to get too carried away in this blog. I may create new blogs to discuss the details of the riders and the horses later. They are not literal horses, or riders, but a force that has been released.
For now, I only want to show the comparisons with Yeshua's Olivet Discourse.
Some claim that the rider of this "white horse" is Yeshua Himself. They would be wrong. Yeshua does come on the scene until later, and He is riding a White Horse (Rev 19:11) but this is not our Lord.
Personally, I believe the rider of this white horse may be the Mahdi of Islam. In fact, Muslims themselves directly attribute the passage above to their Mahdi. More about that in another blog.
This is setting the stage for the coming Antichrist and his role of deception.
The first thing we notice is that this rider has a bow [G5115 - toxon]. It's Hebrew equivalent is [H7198 - qesheth].
The first use of this word is found in:
Gen 9:13 I [God] do set My bow [H7198 - qesheth, bow, archers, arrows] in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
This is a picture from Noah's flood of God hanging up His weapon and entering into a new covenant. We see the representation of His bow and His covenant when it rains... the rainbow (Gen 9:14).
The bow of the rider represents the same exact anti-thing. The rider of this horse will set his bow aside and create a covenant of deception... peace!
Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [Daniel's 70th week]...
Next, we see that this rider is given a crown. (See Zec 6:11-13)
Remember when I said that Antichrist will be a mirror image of Christ? The rider of the white horse may deceptively appear as Yeshua, or a messiah figure and will be both the religious and political leader at that time.
Next we see that this rider will go forth conquering to conquer [G3528 - nikao].
This is not a military phrase. This is speaking of a Spiritual conquering. The Greek word nikao is usually translated in Scripture as "overcoming" (Rom 12:21; Joh 16:33; 1 Jn 5:4). Many will be Spiritually deceived by Antichrist!
One of the cool things about this passage is the use of the word nikao.
If you'll recall, Yeshua writes letters to the seven Churches. To most He says "to he who overcomes [G3528 - nikao]". That's not even the cool part!
Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
The Nicolaitans are only mentioned in the Revelation. Looking at the meaning of the two Greek words used in constructing the name "Nicolaitans" we find what may be a code word for those who follow Antichrist!
nikao (overcomes) + lao (people of God).
The Nicolaitans are those who overcome the people of God!
The picture is complete... the rider of this white horse is sent to deceive. He carries a false peace treaty, his crown and white horse show that he is trying to appear as a type of messiah in place of Yeshua, and he comes to spiritually overcome the people with the aid of the false prophet.
I don't intend to cover each of the other three riders in this much detail, but this is the one we are to be watching for.
First let's look at the false prophet:
Rev 13:13-14 And he [false prophet] does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast [Antichrist]; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Now... let's see how Yeshua answers the Disciples question concerning:
Mat 24:3 ... when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world [G165 - aion]? (Mar 13:4; Luk 21:7)
The first thing Yeshua says:
Mat 24:4-5 And Yeshua answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Mar 13:5-6; Luk 21:8)
Perfect match to the first seal.
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Second Seal - Red Horse
[2] Rev 6:3-4 And when He had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 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.
The purpose of the rider of the red horse is to cause war, bloodshed, and chaos. He is a peace-taker. "Taker" implies some sort of peace existing before he takes it.
Muslims will have an incredibly successful jihad. What is the purpose of this warfare?
Rev 13:4 And they worshiped the dragon [Satan] which gave power unto the beast [Antichrist]: and they worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?'
The power of Antichrist will be incredible, as will his military prowess. All of this will cause the broken will of the people to worship him in fear.
This is exactly why Yeshua specifically instructs us to "not be frightened" when the red horse rides! Luke uses the word [G4422 - ptoeo, terrified].
What are the next Words of Yeshua in the Olivet Discourse?
Mat 24:6-7a And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled [G2360 - throeo, frightened]: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: (Mar 13:7-8; Luk 21:9)
Perfect match to the second seal.
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Third Seal - Black Horse
[3] Rev 6:5-6 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. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny [G1220 - denarion, denarius], and three measures of barley for a penny [G1220 - denarion]; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
The purpose of the rider of the black horse is to cause famine and economic collapse. Both of which also usually follow war.
The false prophet will institute the mark of the beast. This mark will allow the inhabitants of the earth to provide for their families. You won't be allowed to buy or sell anything without this mark... including food, shelter, fuel, etc.
Not only that, but food prices will sky-rocket... notice the small amounts of food above and their pricing. The KJV translates the price as "penny" which is very unfortunate as it changes the intent of this verse.
A denarius was a common coin in the Roman world of John's day and was equivalent to a worker's wage for one days work. The amount of food able to be purchased for this price is barely enough to sustain one man, let alone his whole family.
Rev 13:16-17 And he [false prophet] causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
The purpose of this mark is to cause all who take it to worship the Antichrist. If you accept this mark, you accept the provision of the Antichrist.
What are the next Words of Yeshua in the Olivet Discourse?
Mat 24:7-8 ... and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Perfect match to the third seal.
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Fourth Seal - Green Horse
[4] Rev 6:7-8 And when He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a PALE [G5515 - chloros, green] HORSE: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell [G86 - hades] 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 [G2342 - therion] of the earth.
The purpose of the rider of the green horse is to cause death.
First note that "pale" is another unfortunate translation from our KJV. There is nothing "pale" about the color of this horse. The Greek word [G5515 - chloros] is where we get our English word chlorophyll which is the green pigment we find in plant life.
This is the only place that this word is translated as "pale" throughout Scripture. Elsewhere it is always translated as "green" and is used alongside "grass". This horse in NOT pale... it is GREEN.
Also note, that the Greek word [G2342 - therion] is used 30 times in the Revelation and is always used in reference to either the Antichrist or the false prophet. This green horse and rider will kill with the sword, famine, pestilence - "death under the authority of the "beasts" (plural)"... Antichrist and the false prophet.
Eze 14:21-22 For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?
Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it.
It's no small wonder the the rider of this horse is presented as death followed by hades. Isaiah tells us this concerning Israel:
Isa 28:15 Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol [hades] we have made a pact.
The covenant mentioned above is the covenant signed by Israel and the Antichrist. It is this covenant that Antichrist will break at the midpoint of Daniel's 70th week.
Notice that power is given to them over 25% of the earth. This will likely be first enforced in the Middle East which is center stage for all of this.
The false prophet will enforce all to accept the mark and worship the Antichrist before the image or be killed. There will be a "convert or die" policy put into place.
Rev 13:15 ... and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
All of these works are orchestrated by Satan. Satan cannot stop the scroll from being opened and he knows that his "time is short" (Rev 12:12) so he will take down as many Christians as he can.
All of these works will also play into the "falling away", or the "apostasy" that Paul speaks of:
2 Th 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day SHALL NOT COME, except there come a falling away [G646 - apostasia, defection, revolt, apostasy] FIRST, and that man of sin [Antichrist] be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
What are the next Words of Yeshua in the Olivet Discourse?
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for My Name's sake. (Mar 13:9; Luk 21:12-13)
Perfect match to the fourth seal.
Notice how Yeshua hasn't missed a beat, or a sentence of which would vary from the description, and order of these seals in Revelation.
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Purpose of the Four Horsemen
The purpose of the four horsemen are to get the inhabitants to worship Antichrist and serve as a warning of God's impending wrath.
You can see above how they will accomplish this.
First, the rider of the white horse will create doubt in the minds of Christians through Spiritual deception.
Second, the rider of the red horse will create "shock and awe" through military victories giving credence to the false idea that God must be on the side of Antichrist.
Third, the rider of the black horse will cause famine and economic collapse in order to provide. Any and all who worship the beast will find provision of food, clothing, shelter, etc.. Christians who refuse the mark must rely on God for their provision.
Fourth, the rider of the green horse will enforce "convert", or "comply or die". We will have to choose Antichrist, or death.
These won't be literal horses with literal riders... they are symbols of how Satan will attempt to accomplish his mission:
White horse - DECEPTION
Red horse - FEAR
Black horse - PROVISIONAL NEED
Green horse - DEATH
It is at this point, we find a difference in the remaining seals.
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I will cover those in Seven Seals - Part 2
Some of these excerpts are from my personal notes copied from 30+ years of studying... some of these notes are direct copies of various sources - I do not claim to have authored every word of this... it's just a mass collection I've tucked away over the years for my own personal studies... I didn't consider a bibliography at the time I directly copied small excerpts from various authors. Also, any emphasis (underlines, bold text, all CAPS, etc.) noted above was only meant to capture my personal attention as I studied...
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