Behold, a Pale Horse

Lord, make my heart ready for you message today.


"... 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 sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth." (Revelation 6:8).


It's doubtful anyone has ever seen a horse the color of this one that appears as the fourth seal is opened. The word pale doesn't quite capture the ghastly yellowish-green hue, indicative of the color of a decaying corpse. It is well-suited to its rider, Death. John continues to provide vivid imagery to help us grasp the awfulness of what is to come when the wrath of the Lamb is unleashed.


As the scroll unfurls and these horsemen ride, there is a chain reaction. First the antichrist comes with dominion; then war ensures because of division; then famine follows due to deprivation; then death comes from devastation. And the result is global decimation - one-fourth of the earth's population will die.


The Bible is not being redundant when it says some will be killed "with death." The word here can be translated "pestilence," which could easily be the product of some sort of biological warfare. "The beasts of the earth" mentioned here could also speak of creatures like rats that spread disease. Years of genetic engineering may produce any number of new strains of incurable sickness, spurring deadly epidemics.


During this terrifying time, there will be some who turn to Christ. But they will pay the ultimate price for choosing to follow Him during the reign of the antichrist. We see there martyrs as the fifth seal opens (Revelation 6:9). They are pictured under the later because they have just laid down their lives as a sacrifice unto the Lord. And God is resolved that they will3not have died in vain. He will avenge the blood of His servants once His plan on earth is complete (vv. 10_11).


In His holy determination, we see that nothing has gotten out of control. Even amidst all the horrors of the Great Tribulation, you can trust that God knows precisely what He is doing.


~Adrian Rogers~ - "Tapestry, Promises & Prophecy"