What are the 4 Horsemen of the Apocolypse?

The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse are described in Revelation 6. They are part of the 7 Seals that are opened in the end times. Each rider is unique. Each rider has a specific role in preparing the way for the end of this age.

The 6th Trumpet is described in Revelation 9. It begins with 4 angels being released from where they were bound (the Euphrates river). These destructive angels are bound because they are evil. But at a specific time, they will be released to carry out their plans.

The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. (Revelation 9: 13-15) (NIV)

The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse appear to be the same as the 4 angels released at the beginning of the 6th Trumpet. Each of them play an important role in preparing the way for the 6th Trumpet war and the Great Tribulation.

Each of the 4 angels were released for a specific hour, day, month, and year. Once they have accomplished what they set out to do, they eventually succeed in killing one third of mankind (the 6th Trumpet war).

Just as the 7 Seals are opened one at a time, the 4 Horsemen are released one at a time… each on specific hour, day, month, and year.

Tips for Understanding End Times Prophecies

Because the Holy Bible is written from a Jerusalem-centric perspective, the prophecies would have a significant impact on that area. In addition, God gave the Jewish people a specific calendar to follow. God has used the Hebrew calendar to demonstrate to His chosen people that the major events are part of His prophecies.

For example, the 1st and 2nd Jewish Temple were destroyed hundreds of years apart but on the exact same day of the Hebrew calendar: the 9th of Av. Before destroying the Temple and sending His people into captivity, God warned His people what would happen if they did not observe His Shemitah (Sabbath years):

Then the land will enjoy its sabbath years all the time that it lies desolate and you are in the country of your enemies; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths. 35 All the time that it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not have during the sabbaths you lived in it. (Leviticus 26: 34-35) (NIV)

After the 1st Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, the Jewish people were in captivity for 70 years: one year for each Shemitah that they did not honor. Because God places a very high emphasis on the Shemitah, there is a strong possibility that God would utilize Shemitah cycles for the fulfillment of His final end times prophecies.

The 29th of Elul is the last day of the Hebrew calendar. During the Shemitah year, the 29th of Elul  marks the end of the Shemitah year – and it is the day that debts are reconciled.

The 1st Rider

I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. (Revelation 6: 1-2) (NIV)

The 1st rider is on a white horse holds a bow. He is bent on conquest and he is given a crown. This rider appears to be the spirit of world domination.

It appears that this rider was released during Shemitah year 5754. The 29th of Elul was on September 5, 1994. That is when the United Nations voted for and announced their plans for “the Future of the World” (Agenda 21). (See: When was the 1st Seal opened?)

Shortly before Agenda 21 was adopted by the United Nations, the Palestinian National Authority (PA) was formed. The PA was created as a vehicle for Palestine to self-govern (the Gaza Strip and Jericho in the West Bank).

The international community supported the division of God’s holy land (which the Bible expressly warns against) and pressured Israel to trade “land for peace” with their Islamic neighbors.

Emboldened by the achievement of Islam gaining a governing foothold in the land that God historically gave Israel, the Islamic fundamentalists have increasingly become aggressive, intolerant, and hate-filled toward non-Muslims (especially Jews and Christians).

The 2nd Rider

3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword. (Revelation 6: 3-4) (NIV)

The 2nd rider is on a red horse holds a large sword. It has the power to take peace from the earth and make people fight each other. This rider appears to be a spirit of war. (See: What is the 2nd Seal?)

It appears that this rider was released for the 23rd of Elul during Shemitah year 5761 (September 11, 2001) when Islamic terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Islamic fundamentalists officially declared a jihad war against the non-Muslim world. Since that time, terrorist attacks have spread throughout the world. Peace has been taken from the earth.

This 2nd rider also appears to be preparing the way for the unprecedented 6th Trumpet war that kills one third of mankind and the unprecedented 7-year treaty that establishes a global governance (possibly under the guise of securing world peace):

18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur… (Revelation 9: 18)

22 Then an overwhelming army will be swept away before him; both it and a prince of the covenant will be destroyed. 23 After coming to an agreement with him, he will act deceitfully, and with only a few people he will rise to power. 24 When the richest provinces feel secure, he will invade them and will achieve what neither his fathers nor his forefathers did. (Daniel 11: 22-24)

The 3rd Rider

5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (Revelation 6: 5-6) (NIV)

The 3rd rider is on a black horse holds a pair of scales. It presides over a time when people must work all day to buy 2 pounds of wheat. It also controls the oil and the wine. This rider appears to be a spirit of famine and economic power. (See: What is the 3rd Seal?)

It appears that this rider was released for the 29th of Elul during Shemitah year (September 29, 2008) when the Wall Street stock market experienced the biggest single-day point loss ever: 777 points. This event was the catalyst for a Global Financial Crisis and a Global Food Crisis. Since that time, world powers remain dangerously close to bankruptcy and the cost of food continues to increase.

This 3rd Rider also appears to be preparing the way for the Great Tribulation’s mark of the beast:

16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Revelation 13: 16-17) (NIV)

The 4th Rider

7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6: 7-8) (NIV)

The 4th rider is on a pale green (chloros) horse. The rider’s name is Death and Hell (Hades) follows close behind. It has power over one fourth of the earth. It is a spirit of death. (See: What is the 4th Seal?)

This rider has power over a fourth of the earth to kill people by the sword, famine, plague, and wild beasts. A sword is clearly a weapon of warfare but the other methods could be intentional (e.g. torture, persecution, murder) or unintentional (e.g. aftermath of a devastating war).

These methods of killing are described in Leviticus 26 as God’s punishment for being consistently hostile toward Him and refusing to repent. These methods also correlate with the archaic methods that Islamic-controlled nations have historically (and even recently) used to kill infidels (non-Muslims).

Please remember that although God may choose to use hardened hearts to fulfill His prophecies, God will never abandon His children.

It appears that this rider was released on the 29th of Elul during Shemitah year 5775 (September 13, 2015) when an unprecedented migration of Biblical proportions began.

According to the UNCHR, over a million Muslims migrated into Europe during the last 4 months of 2015. UNCHR statistics revealed that 95% of the migrants were Muslim and over 75% of the migrants were military-aged men.

Due to the massive numbers of migrants being allowed to flood into Europe, they were admitted without following long-established immigrant procedures. As a result, most of the migrants entered Europe without any documentation and the host countries have no way to know exactly who they allowed to enter their countries.

Instead of assimilating into the European countries they entered, most of the Islamic migrants have remained clustered and are in reality, occupying the those areas. Instead of honoring the laws of those countries, the migrants are enforcing Islamic law (Sharia law) in the areas they occupy. Freedom is quickly disappearing from Western Europe.

One fourth of the world’s population is Islamic. That means Islam has power over a fourth of mankind – but it does not yet have power over a fourth of the earth (geographically). The migration that began September 2015 has begun to change that balance. It appears that Islam will soon have power over a fourth of the earth.

21 “He will be succeeded by a contemptible person (the Antichrist) who has not been given the honor of royalty. He will invade the kingdom when its people feel secure, and he will seize it through intrigue. (Daniel 11: 21) (NIV)

The 4th Rider appears to prepare the way for the 4th kingdom that exists at the end of this age.

The 4th Kingdom

40 And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these. 41 And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. (Daniel 2: 40-43)

At the end of this age, there will be a 4th kingdom. It will be a divided kingdom. Just as iron does not mix with clay, this kingdom will not hold together.

The majority of the human world tries to assimilate, tolerate, and blend to some degree… but Islam is not compatible with anything but itself. Islam does not assimilate. Historically, Islam occupies an area and eventually attempts to conquer its neighbors when it is strong enough. A union between Islam and the rest of the world would be like iron mixed with clay.

The 4th kingdom of iron mixed with clay could potentially describe:

  • Islam vs Infidels (non-Muslims)
  • Trans-humanism (human/machine hybrid)
  • Artificial Intelligence vs humans
  • Nephilim vs humans (as in the days of Noah)

Based on other scriptures, this 4th kingdom will be include a union between 10 kings. The Bible describes this kingdom as a beast and that the Antichrist will eventually be the spokesperson of this beast.

The 4th Rider also appears to prepare the way for the Great Tribulation (the 5th Seal):

The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. (Daniel 9: 26-27) (NIV)

21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. 22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24: 21-22)

13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Mark 13: 13)

9 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 10 “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people. (Revelation 13: 9-10)

35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21: 35-36)

32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. (Daniel 11: 32-33)

The Remaining 3 Seals

The remaining 3 Seals describe specific events that will occur after the arrival of the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Possible Timing of the 5th Seal

It appears that each of the first 4 Seals were opened at intervals of 7 years and aligned with Shemitah years. IF God chooses to continue with that pattern, the 5th Seal would be opened on the last month of the next Shemitah year.

The 5th Seal refers to the beginning of the Great Tribulation: when a great multitude of God’s holy people will be martyred. Since the time of Great Tribulation begins halfway through the 7 year treaty, the 5th Seal could potentially align with the Shemitah cycle. IF so, the 7 year treaty might be established on the last day of the next Shemitah (September 25, 2022). Please remember that this date is hypothetical.

The event that precedes the 7 year treaty is the 6th Trumpet war. In order to fulfill the Bible prophecy’s death toll of a third of mankind, that war is likely to involve nuclear weapons. Once nuclear weapons are involved, the war is likely to end extremely quickly. People will demand peace at any cost in order to save the world from total destruction. IF the 7 year treaty is established on September 25, 2022 the climax of the 6th Trumpet war would take place shortly before that date. Again, please remember that this date is hypothetical.

God is in Control

God has chosen to warn His people in order to prepare them for what is to come:

9 Remember the former things, those of long ago;  I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ (Isaiah 46: 9-10)

God does not want anyone to perish but for all to be saved and spend eternity with Him:

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3: 9)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3: 16)

God also promises to be faithful to those who are faithful to Him:

9 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9: 9-10)

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13: 5-6)

Please pray for all people – especially for those who do not know Jesus Christ.

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