What are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The English a pocalypse comes from the Greek apokalypsis , which refers to “an uncovering” or "unveiling." This Greek word is used in Revelation 1:1, introducing the vision given to the apostle John by God. In a sense God "unveiled" to John what will occur in the future. One of the things God disclosed to John was that a triune series of judgments will occur at some point that will bring great destruction upon the world. These are described in Revelation 6—18 and consist of what are called the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments (see also Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21).

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse appear in Revelation 6 as part of the seal judgments that bring devastation upon the earth. The first horseman, riding a white horse, represents the Antichrist, who will initially conquer through deception and false peace (Revelation 6:1–2; Daniel 9:27). The second, on a red horse, symbolizes war and bloodshed as peace is taken from the earth (Revelation 6:3–4; Matthew 24:6–7). The third, on a black horse, brings severe famine, making basic necessities scarce and expensive (Revelation 6:5–6). The fourth, on a pale horse, represents widespread death through war, famine, disease, and wild beasts, claiming a quarter of the world’s population (Revelation 6:7–8; Matthew 24:21). Revelation is a message of hope for believers, assuring them that Jesus has taken God's wrath upon Himself, but it is also a message of warning for unbelievers. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse warn unbelievers of coming judgment, urging them to repent before it is too late.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Horses in Scripture are typically associated with triumph, majesty, power, and conquest (Proverbs 21:31; Job 39:19–25; Zechariah 10:3).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The term "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" comes from the Bible's book of Revelation (Revelation 6). The first series of judgments that are revealed are the seal judgments. In Revelation 5, John sees God the Father holding a scroll that is sealed with seven seals. Only Jesus is worthy to open the scroll, and with each seal that is broken, a corresponding judgment occurs. The first four seals are portrayed as four different horses and riders. Four “living creatures” sequentially call the horses and their riders to “Come!”
• The first horseman is described in this manner: "Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, 'Come!' And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer" (Revelation 6:1–2). The first horse is white, which is what a conquering king would use to ride into a nation or city that he had just successfully defeated. The horse's rider wears a special crown, which in the first century was made of foliage and signified extremely high status. The rider carries a bow, but no arrows are mentioned, which communicates that the rider is a warrior, but that he will initially conquer not through force, but by peace.
• Most theologians agree that the first horseman represents the Antichrist, who will be "given" his crown by a world that elects him to bring about the peace and safety they desperately crave. The Antichrist will promise peace and make a peace treaty with Israel (cf. Daniel 9:27), but in the end it proves to be a false peace that he uses to entrap an unsuspecting world. This fact is described by the prophet Daniel: "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many" (see Daniel 8:25 KJV, emphasis added). It will not be long before that peace is shattered, but by then it will be too late—a truth described by the apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
• War is unleashed upon the earth with the coming of the second horseman (Revelation 6:3–4). The second rider, on a red horse, specifically takes the false peace from the world that the Antichrist established. No doubt the Antichrist himself will be involved in war and bloodshed, which the red horseman depicts, although other wars will break out apart from the Antichrist. The adjective "great" that describes the sword given to the rider of the red horse illustrates the exceedingly great carnage that will result from this judgment, while the term used for the sword itself refers to a short, dagger-like sword used by assassins and those involved in close fighting.
• The third horseman represents horrible famines that will come upon the earth (Revelation 6:5–6). A denarius represented a day's wage back in the first century, and a quart of wheat was about the portion for one person's meal. Barley was normally used to feed animals but was sometimes eaten by the very poor. Oil and wine were typically used for cooking. The scales carried by the black horse's rider represent a measuring system that will give a person barely enough to eat for a full day's labor. These verses reveal food costing eight to ten times its normal price and famine affecting the earth.
• The fourth horse and rider are the natural culmination of the first three: "When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, 'Come!' And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth" (Revelation 6:7–8). The original Greek translated in English as "pale" or "ashen" is chloros, from which the English word chlorophyll is derived. The yellowish-green horse is the color of a corpse. Death is the natural result of war and famine. Hades, which is said to follow the rider, represents the grave.
• One quarter of the earth's population will perish from the four horsemen, which showcases why Jesus says in Matthew 24:21 that the time of tribulation will be something that the world has not seen up to that point.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

For those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, the book of Revelation is not a message of fear but of hope. We do not have to dread God's wrath because Jesus has already taken it upon Himself for us (1 Thessalonians 1:10). This truth should lead us to live with urgency—both in our own faithfulness and in sharing the gospel with others. If we truly believe that salvation is found only in Christ, then we must not neglect our own walk with Him or ignore the need to proclaim His grace to those who are still lost (2 Corinthians 5:20). The reality of coming judgment should not paralyze us with fear but motivate us to stand firm in our faith, live holy lives, and point others to the only escape—Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:11–12).

For those who have not put their trust in God, the warnings in Revelation serve as a sobering call to repentance. God's judgment is certain, and those who reject Christ will face His wrath with no escape (John 3:36; Revelation 20:15). Yet, even now, His grace is extended, offering salvation to all who turn to Him in faith (2 Peter 3:9). The door remains open, but it will not stay open forever. Instead of waiting until it is too late, now is the time to surrender to Christ, receive His mercy, and find security in His promises (Romans 10:9–10). The end is coming, but for those who belong to Jesus, it is not an end to be feared—it is the culmination of His redemptive plan, which ultimately leads to all things being made new and eternal life in His presence (Revelation 21:3–5).

UNDERSTAND

• The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse symbolize false peace, war, famine, and mass death.
• The Four Horsemen are part of God's end-times judgments in Revelation 6.
• The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse bring destruction as part of the seal judgments in the early part of the tribulation.

REFLECT

• How does the reality of God's judgment motivate you to live with urgency and share the gospel with others?
• How does the promise of Jesus taking God's wrath upon Himself bring you peace and assurance?
• How can you respond to God's grace in light of the warnings given in Revelation?

ENGAGE

• How do the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse symbolize the consequences of rejecting God's peace and grace?
• What role does the idea of false peace play in our current world, and how does it relate to the Antichrist's deception?
• How can we encourage others to seek salvation now, knowing that God's judgment is certain and that the door to repentance will not stay open forever?