How many horses are mentioned in the book of revelation?

Answer 1

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You asked for an explanation of the meaning of the images of the horses in the visions. There have been many private interpretations and speculations about what these four horsemen are. This has resulted in much confusion and disagreement. This is most unfortunate because, when you put he pieces of The Bible all together, the answer is abundantly clear.

In their most abbreviated form, the "Four Horsemen" are:

1. Religious Deception -- the White horse (Rev 6:2) (also referred to as False Christ's, antichrist; conquest).

2. War -- the Red horse (Rev 6:4).

3. Famine-- the Black horse (Rev 6:5--6) (Sometimes referred to as "the Horseman of Commerce." The example here is of selling quarts of barley for a whole day's wages).

4. Death-- the Pale horse (Rev 6:8--9).

The Bible does indeed interpret its own symbols but not always in the same chapter or even in the same book. The identity of the four horsemen is found in the "Olivet Prophecy" found in Matthew 24. Jesus informs us of the end time signs to watch for in our watch for His return. The same "mysterious" events outlined in Revelation six are plainly explained chronologically in Matthew 24.

In a more expanded form, we see that the four horsemen of the Apocalypse are the first four of the seven symbolic seals on the scroll in Revelation 6, which Jesus strips away to reveal the prophecies they represent.

But, unlike the book of Revelation, Matthew 24 is not a "mysterious" parable. It is Jesus' own"private interpretation" of the Revelation parable concerning the last days. Jesus always explained His parables to His disciples in private---to be properly understood only by His true followers. Notice:

For example, in explaining the parable of the Mustard Seed, "...Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field." (Matthew 13:36)

In the sermon on the Mount of Olives: "...the disciples came unto Him PRIVATELY, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be..." (Matt.24:3).

Jesus told them plainly in private what Revelation's parable hides from the minds and hearts of the masses who read it. The two different accounts tell of the same "end time" events (there can be only one end time). And only Jesus is worthy to interpret the parable:

"...Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof..." (Revelation 5:9).

The first four seals of Revelation 6---the four horsemen of the Apocalypse---according to Matthew 24 are false religion(specifically false Christianity, false ministers, false prophets, etc.), wars, famines, pestilences, diseases, earthquakes---in other words all the things that have always been with man since the beginning.

"Take heed that no man deceive you. For many [the Greek implies most] shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ [not necessarily saying that they who are saying these words are the Christ---although there have been a few---but by misapplying that message---that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, to their own traditions, tenants, and beliefs] deceive many [most]. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrow" (Matt.24:4--8).

These are the chronological meanings of the four horsemen [seals] of Revelation 6. These are everyday things that we have learned to "live with" down through history. These same things will grow and increase in frequency and intensity, until they finally erupt into the Great Tribulation [seal 5 in Revelation 6]... which Jesus clearly describes for us in private in Matthew 24, verses 9 through 29.

The four horsemen are "the beginning of sorrows (or woes, or tribulation). Sooner or later, these "woes" man lives with will nearly take mankind to utter destruction, when: "...except those days should be shortened there should no flesh be saved (alive): but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened [or limited]" (Matt.24:22).

The increasing suffering and misery of these global conditions (likened to destructive horsemen) will eventually develop into the Great Tribulation, which would end all life on earth if Jesus doesn't limit it and return as He says He will, to prevent it.

I hope this helps.

Lloyd W. Cary

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Answer 2

The four horses of the book of Revelation appear with the opening or breaking of the first four seals in chapter six.

the first seal...the white horse

the second seal...the red horse

the third seal...the black horse

the fourth seal...the pale horse

Answer 3

The rider on the white horse could be interpreted as Conquest.

The rider on the red horse tends to be interpreted as war (more of a civil war or a war of persecution as opposed to Conquest).

The rider on the black horse is generally understood to represent Famine.

The rider on the pale horse is directly referred to as Death.

Answer 4

There are four horses mentioned in the Book of Revelation. They are known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and represent Conquest, War, Famine, and Death respectively.