When John saw Jesus opening the fourth seal of the seven-sealed scroll the fourth cherubim showed him a vision of a fourth horse proceeding from the presence of God. “When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ So, I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:7-8).
Most bible translations use the word “pale” to describe the color of this horse, but the Greek word used here is “chloros” which is used elsewhere as greenish such as new grass shoots. It can also mean light gray-yellowish brown as used in the Septuagint (ancient Greek version of the Old Testament) to describe wind-blown dust. So, pale might be a good choice. I would characterize it as sickly yellowish green that seems to fit well with the rider’s description. Not a very pretty horse or rider for that matter.
The rider on this pale horse is given the name “Death”. He is literally death personified. And this horseman has someone following him called, in the above NKJ version, “Hades”. Hades is the traditional Greek term for the abode of the dead. It is also translated “hell” or the “grave” elsewhere. Here, this follower of the pale horse is the personification of the grave. In a figurative sense it seems Death is the executioner, and Grave follows to scoop up the bodies. Death and Hades are used together as proper names elsewhere in Revelation. Jesus Himself told John: “I am He who lives, and I was dead, and behold. I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”(Revelation 1:18). Also: “The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:13-14). There is little question as to the final destiny of Death and Hades. Jesus has the keys to both of them; He is in complete control.
This spirit on the pale horse and his follower are given power (by God) over one fourth of the earth to kill by several methods. This potentially means death for over two billion people based on today’s world population. Staggering! They are to carry out their mission by use of the sword (wars and other murders), hunger (famine from many causes), death (pestilence caused diseases), and beasts of the earth (everything from snakes to rats and large carnivores). This is not the first time God has used death in judgment of His creation. The bible gives many instances of wide-spread death from the flood to judgments on His chosen for deserting His commandments. This last-days judgment carried out by His horsemen will prove larger in scale than ever before and yet comes before His final wrath is poured out wiping out the remaining evil on the earth. We need to remember that death is the inevitable consequence of sin and that we are all sinners. Our only escape is through Jesus Christ who conquered death for us.
No question, this release of Death and Hades is unprecedented in human history. It will happen when Jesus completely opens the seven-sealed scroll authorizing the beginning of Daniel’s seventieth week. I believe we are very close to this key event. Be alert and ready. Above all, cling to Jesus Who gave His all that we might not come under judgment but be accounted worthy to escape all these things coming on the earth.
In my next post, I’ll sum up the total impact the four horsemen will have on the earth.
Maranatha, Jim