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Revelation SeminarsRevelation Seminars

Lesson # 9: Lesson # 9:

The Four The Four Horsemen of Horsemen of RevelationRevelation

© April 2001 Battle Cry Ministry

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The four horsemen are The four horsemen are part of the part of the seven sealsseven seals of Revelation, chapters six of Revelation, chapters six and eight. These seals are seven and eight. These seals are seven symbolic events which face the people symbolic events which face the people of God, from the ascension of Jesus of God, from the ascension of Jesus until His second coming. until His second coming. They cover They cover the same time period as the seven the same time period as the seven churcheschurches of Revelation, chapters 2 of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3.and 3.

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The Symbols ExplainedThe Symbols Explained 1. What do horses and riders 1. What do horses and riders

represent in prophecy? represent in prophecy? a. a. Zech. 1:8 - 10Zech. 1:8 - 10: “These are they : “These are they

whom the Lord hath sent to walk whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.”to and fro through the earth.”

b. b. Zech. 6:2 - 5Zech. 6:2 - 5: “These are the : “These are the four four spirits of the heavensspirits of the heavens, which , which go forth from standing before the go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.”Lord of all the earth.”

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Note:Note: Hebrews 1:13,14Hebrews 1:13,14 states plainly that states plainly that

angels are ministering spirits sent by angels are ministering spirits sent by God to minister to His people upon the God to minister to His people upon the earth. These spirits are angels which earth. These spirits are angels which minister over four very important time minister over four very important time periods and special events that God’s periods and special events that God’s people must pass through, beginning people must pass through, beginning with the New Testament Church.with the New Testament Church.

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2. Who announced the four 2. Who announced the four mysterious horsemen? mysterious 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 These are called “four living

creatures” in some translations. They creatures” in some translations. They have special responsibilities in have special responsibilities in

Heaven.Heaven.

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The Seven SealsThe Seven Seals 3. How is the 3. How is the

rider of the white rider of the white horse described?horse described?

Rev. 6:2Rev. 6:2 “… “… he that sat on he that sat on

him him had a bowhad a bow; and ; and a crowna crown was given was given unto him: and he unto him: and he went forth went forth conqueringconquering and to and to conquer.conquer.

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Note:Note: What a fitting symbol for the church of What a fitting symbol for the church of

the first century! So successful was the first century! So successful was God’s church that before Paul died, he God’s church that before Paul died, he said that the gospel had been said that the gospel had been preached to the entire world! preached to the entire world! Col. Col. 1:5,6,231:5,6,23. WHITE symbolizes the purity . WHITE symbolizes the purity of the church (of the church (Ps. 51:7, Is. 1:18Ps. 51:7, Is. 1:18). ).

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4. What did the rider of the 4. What did the rider of the red horse do?red horse do? Rev. 6:4Rev. 6:4

Answer: Answer: ““Power was given Power was given

unto him to unto him to take take peace from the peace from the earthearth, and that , and that they should kill they should kill one another.”one another.”

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Note: Note: The red horse, under the second seal The red horse, under the second seal

represents the Roman Government’s represents the Roman Government’s bloody persecution of the people of bloody persecution of the people of God during the 2nd, 3rd & early part God during the 2nd, 3rd & early part of the 4th centuries, A.D. - The same of the 4th centuries, A.D. - The same period of time covered by the Smyrna period of time covered by the Smyrna Church. God uses the color red to Church. God uses the color red to depict war, slaughter and bloodshed. depict war, slaughter and bloodshed. See 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 5. Why did God use a black horse under the black horse under the

third seal?third seal? Acts 26:18: Acts 26:18:

““.. from darkness .. from darkness to light”to light” John 12:35: John 12:35:

““Walk while you Walk while you have the light, have the light, lest darkness lest darkness come upon you.” come 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 apostasy and error - the very opposite of the light of the gospel. The church during the light of the gospel. The church during the 4th, 5th and 1st part of the 6th century, the 4th, 5th and 1st part of the 6th century, became popular, worldly, and finally very became popular, worldly, and finally very corrupt when church and state united. The corrupt when church and state united. The BLACK horse represents the same era as BLACK horse represents the same era as the Pergamos church, a time when millions the Pergamos church, a time when millions of pagans, with their false practices and of pagans, with their false practices and teachings, came into the church. This teachings, came into the church. This resulted in the persecution (represented by resulted in the persecution (represented by the sword) of true, Bible -believing the sword) of true, Bible -believing Christians. Christians.

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6. What did the black horse rider 6. What did the black horse rider have in his hand?have in his hand? Rev. 6:5,6Rev. 6:5,6

Answer:Answer: ““A pair of A pair of balances.”balances.”

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

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Martyrs for JesusMartyrs for Jesus 7. Who rode the pale horse? 7. Who rode the pale horse?

What followed?What 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 rider The pale horse with its rider DEATH, followed by the grave DEATH, followed by the grave

(“Hades” in Greek), symbolizes the (“Hades” in Greek), symbolizes the millions of God’s people destroyed millions of God’s people destroyed by sword, starvation, wild beasts, by sword, starvation, wild beasts, and other cruel methods of torture and other cruel methods of torture and killing. This period is covered and killing. This period is covered by the Thyatira church from the by the Thyatira church from the 6th through the 15th centuries 6th through the 15th centuries (known as the Dark Ages).(known as the Dark Ages).

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Now, instead of the Now, instead of the GOVERNMENT persecuting Bible - GOVERNMENT persecuting Bible -

believing Christians, it was the believing Christians, it was the churchchurch. This terrible time of . This terrible time of

persecution was prophesied by persecution 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 to for these martyrs to be closest to

Him in His new kingdom! Him in His new kingdom! Rev. Rev. 7:13 - 177:13 - 17..

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8. What did John see and hear under 8. What did John see and hear under the the 5th seal? 5th seal? Rev. 6:9,10Rev. 6:9,10

Answer: Answer: a. Saw souls a. Saw souls

“slain for the “slain for the word of God.”word of God.”

b. Heard them b. Heard them cry for God to cry for God to avenge their avenge their blood.blood.

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Note:Note: In the 5th seal the blood of the In the 5th seal the blood of the

martyred saints cried out martyred saints cried out symbolically to God, like the symbolically to God, like the

blood of Abel did after he was blood of Abel did after he was slain by his brother slain by his brother (Gen.4:10)(Gen.4:10). It . It was a terrible time of persecution was a terrible time of persecution

when true, Bible - believing when true, Bible - believing Christians were put to the death Christians were put to the death

by the millions for their faith.by the millions for their faith.

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9. How long do they rest before 9. How long do they rest before receiving their rewards?receiving their rewards? Rev. Rev.

6:116:11 ““And white robes were given unto And white robes were given unto

every one of them.”every one of them.” Answer:Answer:

““For a little season, until their For a little season, until their fellow-servants also, and their fellow-servants also, and their brethren should be … fulfilled.” brethren should be … fulfilled.”

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Note: Note: The WHITE ROBES indicate victory The WHITE ROBES indicate victory

for these martyrs for these martyrs (Rev. 19:8, 3:5)(Rev. 19:8, 3:5). . Though their victory was already Though their victory was already won, they were to rest or sleep in won, they were to rest or sleep in the tomb a little season till Jesus the tomb a little season till Jesus

returns and rewards returns and rewards allall His saints His saints - together, at the same time! - 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 as The 5th seal covers the same era as

the 5th church, - Sardis - from the the 5th church, - Sardis - from the 16th to the mid 18th century. So the 16th to the mid 18th century. So the horrible persecution of the 4th seal horrible persecution of the 4th seal continued under the 5th seal. Jesus continued under the 5th seal. Jesus said this time of persecution would said this time of persecution would

be shortened be shortened (Matt. 24:21,22)(Matt. 24:21,22). It was . It was drastically shortened, and finally drastically shortened, and finally

stopped by the dynamic preaching of stopped by the dynamic preaching of the great preachers of the the great preachers of the

Reformation.Reformation.

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Signs in the HeavensSigns in the Heavens

10. What events take place 10. 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 great a. “A great earthquake.”earthquake.”

b. “The stars b. “The stars fell.”fell.”

c. “The moon c. “The moon became as became as blood.”blood.”

d. “The sun d. “The sun became became black.”black.”

Four Signs:

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Note:Note:

When God made the sun, moon When God made the sun, moon and stars at Creation He said, and stars at Creation He said,

“Let them be for “Let them be for signssigns, and for , and for seasons, and for days and for seasons, and for days and for years.” years.” Gen. 1:14Gen. 1:14. So these . So these great great signssigns appeared in the appeared in the

heavens. heavens.

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The Great Earthquake of Nov. 1, The Great Earthquake of Nov. 1, 1755:1755:

This was the greatest catastrophe This was the greatest catastrophe the world had seen since Noah’s the world had seen since Noah’s flood. It was felt over the greater flood. It was felt over the greater

part of Europe, Africa and part of Europe, Africa and America. Since it centered in America. Since it centered in

Portugal, it is commonly referred Portugal, 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 many This caused great alarm, and many thought the end of the world had thought the end of the world had come. Beginning in mid - morning, it come. Beginning in mid - morning, it became so dark that lamps had to be became so dark that lamps had to be lighted in the houses. The darkness lighted in the houses. The darkness covered a large part of North America, covered a large part of North America, and caused serious - minded people and caused serious - minded people to study their Bible for an answer. to study their Bible for an answer.

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The Moon Red as Blood, May 19, The Moon Red as Blood, May 19, 17801780

About midnight, the unusual About midnight, the unusual darkness lifted and the moon darkness lifted and the moon appeared, but it was as red as appeared, but it was as red as

blood. This represented the blood. This represented the closing of an era when a true closing of an era when a true knowledge of Jesus the Son of knowledge of Jesus the Son of

Righteousness had been obscured Righteousness had been obscured (during the Dark Ages), and the (during the Dark Ages), and the blood of millions of true Bible - blood of millions of true Bible -

believing Christians was spilled. believing Christians was spilled.

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The Falling of the Stars, The Falling of the Stars, November 13, 1833November 13, 1833

This was an exciting display of This was an exciting display of heavenly fireworks, perhaps the heavenly fireworks, perhaps the

greatest ever witnessed on the face of greatest ever witnessed on the face of the earth! It was seen across North the earth! It was seen across North America, and it is estimated that America, and it is estimated that 200,000 stars an hour fell over a 200,000 stars an hour fell over a

period of 5 or 6 hours. People thought period of 5 or 6 hours. People thought that surely it was the Judgement Day. that surely it was the Judgement Day. So when God’s prophetic clock struck So when God’s prophetic clock struck - the signs in the heavens appeared.- the signs in the heavens appeared.

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11. The next great event under the 6th 11. The next great event under the 6th seal is? seal is?

Rev. 6:14 - 17Rev. 6:14 - 17 Answer:Answer:

The second The second coming of coming of

Christ. Then Christ. Then the wicked the wicked

will cry, “The will cry, “The great day of great day of His wrath is His wrath is

come.”come.”

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Note:Note: It is sobering indeed to realize that It is sobering indeed to realize that

we are now living between we are now living between verses 13 verses 13 & 14& 14 of the 6th seal of the 6th seal of Revelation 6of Revelation 6. . The next great sign will be the The next great sign will be the sudden appearing of Jesus Christ sudden appearing of Jesus Christ coming in the clouds of glory coming in the clouds of glory (Matt. (Matt. 24:30)24:30)! The 6th seal covers the time ! The 6th seal covers the time periods of both the 6th & 7th periods of both the 6th & 7th Churches - Philadelphia & Laodicea - Churches - Philadelphia & Laodicea - from about the middle of the 18th from about the middle of the 18th century to the coming of Jesus.century to the coming of Jesus.

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Seal of GodSeal of God 12. Who will be 12. Who will be

able to stand able to stand when Jesus when Jesus returns?returns?

Rev. 7:2,3Rev. 7:2,3 Answer:Answer:

Those who are Those who are sealed by God: sealed by God:

“Hurt not the earth “Hurt not the earth … till we have … till we have

sealed the servants sealed the servants of our God in their of our God in their

foreheads.”foreheads.”

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Note:Note: The people who will be ready The people who will be ready

for Jesus’ coming must first for Jesus’ coming must first receive God’s seal - a sign in receive God’s seal - a sign in

their foreheads. Our next their foreheads. Our next seminar lessons explains what seminar lessons explains what this very important sign or seal this very important sign or seal is, and how you may receive it.is, and how you may receive it.

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13. What happens when all 13. What happens when all have heard the gospel?have heard the gospel? Rev. 14:6,14Rev. 14:6,14

Answer:Answer: Jesus Jesus comes in comes in

the clouds.the clouds.

The Gospel

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Note:Note: The Everlasting Gospel and the The Everlasting Gospel and the

Three Angels’ Messages of Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14:6 - 10, with Revelation 14:6 - 10, with

God’s Sealing Truth is God’s Sealing Truth is sweeping across the earth like sweeping across the earth like a prairie grass fire in the wind! a prairie grass fire in the wind! Get ready for the next lesson.Get ready for the next lesson.

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14. How can I know when Jesus will 14. 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 the It is very exciting to know the second coming of Jesus is near! second coming of Jesus is near! However, no man knows the exact day However, no man knows the exact day or hour of His return or hour of His return (Matt. 24:36)(Matt. 24:36). The . The all important question is, “Are you all important question is, “Are you ready?” ready?”

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Silence in HeavenSilence in Heaven 15. What happens when the 7th 15. What happens when the 7th

seal is opened?seal is opened? Rev. 8:1Rev. 8:1 ““There was silence in Heaven for There was silence in Heaven for

about the space of half an hour.”about the space of half an hour.” Note:Note: This silence takes place at the This silence takes place at the

time of Jesus’ coming. Heaven is time of Jesus’ coming. Heaven is silent because Heaven is empty. The silent because Heaven is empty. The

Father and all the holy angels will Father and all the holy angels will come with Jesus when He returns for come with Jesus when He returns for

His saints His saints (Matt. 16:27, 25:31)(Matt. 16:27, 25:31)..

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16. How should we act during 16. How should we act during signs of Jesus’ return?signs of Jesus’ return? Luke Luke

21:2821:28 ““Look up and lift Look up and lift

up your heads for up your heads for your redemption your redemption draweth nigh.”draweth nigh.”

Note:Note: Our most Our most exciting thoughts exciting thoughts should be of our Lord’s should be of our Lord’s return. We must make return. We must make our preparation for this our preparation for this great event first in our great event first in our lives, and tell others so lives, and tell others so they too, may be ready.they too, may be ready.

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17. How does Jesus feel 17. How does Jesus feel when we ask for His help?when we ask for His help?

Jude 24,25Jude 24,25 He will “keep He will “keep

you from you from falling and falling and present you present you faultless faultless before the before the presence of presence of His glory with His glory with exceeding exceeding joy.”joy.”

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Remember:Remember: 1. No matter 1. No matter

who you are, or who you are, or what your past what your past has been, Jesus has been, Jesus will accept you will accept you if you really if you really want to be want to be saved. saved.

2. He will forgive 2. He will forgive your sins and help your sins and help you to prepare for you to prepare for His great and His great and glorious coming, so glorious coming, so you may take that you may take that amazing space amazing space journey from earth journey from earth to heaven.to heaven.

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18. Will you decide now to do 18. Will you decide now to do whatever Jesus wants you to do?whatever Jesus wants you to do?

Note:Note: Read Read Matt. 24Matt. 24 & &

Luke 21Luke 21 for a more for a more detailed study of the detailed study of the present day signs of present day signs of Jesus’ return. We are Jesus’ return. We are likely the last likely the last generation to be generation to be living upon the earth living upon the earth before Jesus comes!before Jesus comes!