Garrick Augustus (April 19, 2020)
In Revelation 6: 1-8, the proverbial “four In Revelation 6:1-8, the proverbial “four horsemen emerge” on the world stage, each heading up a specific work of “conquering” to be accomplished on earth. The key to understand this enigmatic prophecy in the seven seals is to acknowledge the internal evidence of Scripture, which declares of “the second rider,” that “power was given to him … to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another.” Since this rider takes peace from the earth, then the origins of these four horsemen extend back to the time when there was “peace” on this earth, thus back to the days of Eden. With this knowledge, we shall examine each discretely:
The first rider, having a crown and a bow, riding upon a white horse, is a clear sign of Adam and Eve, for we are told that “he went forth conquering, and to conquer,” for so it was commanded them of God to have “dominion” over the whole earth—the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every creeping thing.
The Second rider, having a peace-destroying sword, clearly represents the civilization that emerged after Adam’s, one in which great violence and bloodshed marred the face of the earth. The color red, is identical with our “sins” which are as “red as crimson,” and the sword in this context, is a weapon of war, for with it they should “kill” one another. Thus the earth changed from its edenic purity to ruby-red under sin.
The Third rider, on a black horse represents the era after the flood and extending through the entire Temple-sacrificial system, till the First Advent of Christ, when He was presented as the Lamb of God on Calvary’s hill. This third rider with the scales in his hands shows the time when the Law of God was given at the hand of Moses, and when the Word of God was being written. For this reason, God preserved His Word through the command, “see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” These articles of Levitical worship were absolutely necessary in Israel’s presenting their offering to God, (see Num. 15: 4-7), and represent “Spirit” and “Life”—salvation through the inerrant Word of God.
The Fourth rider, bearing the name of “death”, and having “hell” (the grave) following in his wake, is indicative of the Roman period, following the death of Christ. It was during this time that the Church of God was severely persecuted by both Pagan and papal Rome, and the fires of this tyranny lasted for more than 1,500 years, having obtained temporary respite during the Protestant Reformation. To this the Bible confirms: “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.” Having a lifespan of 6000 years under sin, we see that Rome should rule for ¼ this time or 1500 years, a fact confirmed by sacred history. These tyrannical methods have all been employed by Rome and by extension the Roman Catholic Church against the true worshippers of God! The Historian preserved this record of the Roman Catholic Inquisition against Christians:
The Catholic Inquisition: “Compared with the persecution of heresy in Europe from 1227 to 1492, the persecution of Christians by Romans in the first three centuries after Christ was a mild and humane procedure. Making every allowance required of an historian and permitted to a Christian, we must rank the Inquisition, along with the wars and persecutions of our time, as among the darkest blots on the record of mankind, revealing a ferocity unknown in any beast.” Will Durant, 1950, The Age of Faith, Simon and Schuster, p. 784.
For a more comprehensive treatment on the Seven Seals, contact the author, Garrick Augustus: gaugustus336@gmail.com
The Adventist's Understanding of Prophecy 
You have left out the seventh seal which opens and a great earthquake and every mountain was moved and the sun and Moon darkened and the star fell as figs which are shaken by mighty wind.
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This interpretation does not make sense. If the writer (John on the Island of Patmos in around 80-90AD) after Christ’s death and resurrection is first instructed to write letters to the churches (Ch 1-3) and in Chapter four you have this statement that indicates something that WiLL TAKE PLACE IN THE FUTURE:
“After this, I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me…. (vision begins). (Rev 4:1-2a)
This vision starts in chapter 4 and Jesus Christ is telling him, “I will show you what must take place after this.” (After the present time in John’s life on the Island of Patmos.) This same vision continues on through chapter 6, with the Lamb breaking the seals. Hence, clearly, an interpretation of the seals beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden is WAY OFF given Christ’s own words to John announcing the whole timing point of the vision he was showing him!
Also, the idea that the earth does not have peace at all because of sin in the world does not make sense at all. God describes times where His people experienced “peace” in relation to their land not being invaded by gentile nations surrounding them as a result of their living with unatoned for sin in their lives as a nation, as a whole, or as a result of their leaders choosing wickedness over that of following God’s commandments. So, to summarize that the 2nd horseman in chapter 6 sent to “take peace from the earth” must imply that it is describing a time prior to the fall fo mankind into sin is way off. Way, way off, simply by the fact, Christ is announcing that he is prophesying about the future using a vision.
Kevin W Ford, West Sacramento, CA
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Thanks for your thoughtful response, Kevin.
I understand your perspective that these things were to to materialize “HEREAFTER”, which is after the 1st Century, generally. Let me suggest, however, that the things that were to transact were indeed to have commenced “hereafter”, but we must carefully realize what is being said. Look below:
“4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.” Rev. 4: 4-6.
You will immediately realize that this is a judgment scenery being “set up” complete with the Judge (God the Father), the Jury (24 Elders), the Advocate (Lawyer, the Lamb of God–Jesus Christ), and the witnesses (the “four beasts”). This scenery is also recorded by Daniel in chapter 7. Look at this:
“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. 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…13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.” Dan. 7: 9-13
It should now be clear that both Daniel and John spoke of the SAME judgment. This being true, we hasten to share that the “four beasts” are symbolical of “kingdoms” (Dan. 7: 17, 23). Realize too, that kingdoms contain people, humans of many races and dispositions.
Now, it quite common in every earthly tribunal that the Court Case (trial) comes AFTER the crime is committed, sometimes it begins years later! The same is true with the court of heaven. As a quick example, look at this statement of Christ’s against the Pharisees in His days and pointing them FORWARD to the Judgment when both they and the people of Sodom would be judged in the SAME “future” judgment:
“15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” Matt. 10: 15.
Respecting that you do see that this judgment to which Christ pointed is “hereafter”, it places my interpretation on to SUREST of foundations! So, that which was to come “hereafter” in Rev. 4-7 was the JUGDEMENT of God, an event which has an investigative/administrative phase, a sentencing phase, and an execution of punishment phase. Since the wages for sin is death, it follows that the punishment phase is a death sentence upon the unrepentant and ungodly.
I am trusting that the Holy Spirit is now allowing you to see that the FUTURE judgment to 100 AD, consists of peoples and nations who have lived in the past of 100 AD, to that first century, and all those thereafter! Further, since God is a God of order, he logically commences His judgment with those who FIRST lived upon the earth, and closes with the living.
“35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.” Matt. 23: 35
In this charge, did you notice how Christ began with “righteous Abel” and ended with the living in His days? Well, the same in true in the judgment!
While I could provide a larger response, I believe you can now plot the points to see that the Seals were not speaking of ALL the events which were yet future, but of the the Judgment which will contain things before the First Century, During the First Century, and finally those After.
I shall be grateful to hear your appreciation of what has been shared thus far. God bless…
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Please check your facts again, the Seventh seal opened with “silence” about the space of half an hour, whereas the sixth seal (Rev. 6: 12-17) opened with a Great Earthquake and other geo-celestial exhibitions.
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