Question: What is the meaning of the fourth horseman in Revelation? What does it mean for us today, if anything at all?
Note:
It needs to be repeated here that many teachers and commentators think and teach that the following events and most of Revelation applies to Israel only. Upon repeated prayerful study, that is not the view of the writers.
Although much of the narrative is clearly Jewish, and the focal point and subject of O.T. (Old Testament) prophecy fulfilment; and in our opinion a continuation of the O.T., Gospels and Acts, there are two major events.
1) Israel's Jacob's Trouble (Jer. 30:7);
2) The retribution of Jehovah God on the Gentile Nations of the world, as described in Joel, and many parts of the O.T. which is for their treatment of Israel, and rejection of Christ Jesus Messiah. The latter seems to be subsequent to the rescue of 'remnant Israel', but which may also have an overlapping, into early Kingdom Age (Millennial) (Micah 5:15).
The scene here set, is the beginning of Almighty God's actions in 'power' to undo and reclaim what Satan has stolen from humankind via. Eve and Adam's will since Eden, and the 'Inheritance' that Israel lost by their rebellion against their Jehovah as witnessed in the Old Testament.
For an overview of the four horsemen in this Chapter, Zech. 6:1-5 may give understanding that these are Jehovah Zebaoth's actions, and are preparatory to all that is to follow, and that they are under His control.
It is interesting to note that the first 6 Seals seem quickly sequential; but the seventh is separated by time and certain events.
V.7 And when He opened the 4th Seal, I heard the voice of the fourth Zoa say “Go”.
V.8 And I saw, and behold, a pale green/livid horse, and his name that sat on him (a)Death, and (b)Haydes followed with him. And authority was given to them over the (c)fourth part of the Earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the wild beasts of the Earth.
(a) "Death"; straightforward symbol, Heavenly authority given to the rider to kill by the methods mentioned, but are not able to kill the PSUCHE (individual life).
(b) "HAYDES"; this is mistranslated HELL, see: Hell;
The Greek is Hades which means grave, but by much misuse and confusion is confused with the Hell of myth and legend. The Bible is the only authority on the subject, which states that in this present time (Dispensation), all who truly believe in Christ when they die await His resurrection call, (1Thess. 4:16). Those that die not believing in Christ, are resurrected at the time of the Great White Throne Judgement (Rev. 20:11-15). Our Lord said to His Disciples (Matt. 10:28), "Fear not those that kill the body, but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both PSUCHE and body in GEENNA". (Lake of Fire i.e. Second Death Rev. 20:14).
(c) “ ¼ of the Earth" (population). We stand at present (2018) at approx. 7.5 billion (7,000 500,000) people on Earth. (The Global 2000 report to the President) on an exponential basis, this population would double in 20-30 years. On the assumption that the population does double in 20 years’ time (2038), and that these events of Chapter 6 are then current, then from approx.15,000,000,000 people 3,750,000,000, will die; and the pressure of death alone will be enormous, just in this 4th Seal, with much more to follow.
Note: This relates to Matt. 24:7. As of the present date (2018), the world's population is over 7 billion! Projections vary from Think Tank to various Universities; but the pressure on all the world’s resources is too great to sustain the present world population growth for many more years! The world’s Economists state that approx. 3% GDP is needed to sustain the present (2018) world population in comfort. The world’s resources are already too depleted for continuity; so the future is bleak for a growing population!
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