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What are we to understand by these symbols? What volumes have been written in the
attempt to interpret them! We do not intend wasting out limited space in refuting the
interpretations of the "historic school" (the various writers do that so completely
themselves), but we would most humbly and sincerely seek to follow the inspired rule,
and "explain spiritual things by spiritual words". Keeping within the covers of the book
for all the material necessary for the interpretation. What help can we get regarding these
four horses? Every one acquainted with the Minor Prophets (and such only can hope to
begin to understand the imagery of the Apocalypse) will immediately turn to the
prophecy of Zechariah. In chapter 1: of his prophecy Zechariah says:--
"I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the
myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled and
white. Then said I, O my lord, what are these? . . . . These are they whom the Lord
hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth, and they answered the angel of the Lord
that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth,
and behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest" (verses 8-11).
Before reading on further, we will turn to the corresponding vision described in
chapter 6::--
"And I turned and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold there came four
chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of brass.
In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses; and in the
third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses; then I
answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my Lord? And the
angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go
forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth" (verses 1-5).
Coming back to chapter 1: we find that the narrative continues with a prayer for
mercy upon Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah upon which the Lord had indignation for
threescore and ten years: the Lord answered, using good and comfortable words. God
reveals His jealousy for Zion, and His sore displeasure with the nations who had gone
beyond the little displeasure of the Lord, and had "helped forward the affliction"; the
vision finishes with the promise that the Lord shall yet comfort Zion and shall yet choose
Jerusalem. The vision of chapter 6: is preceded by the prophecy concerning the
building of a house for the ephah in the land of Shinar (Babylon), and is followed by the
prophecy concerning Christ who shall build the temple of the Lord.
We can now return to Rev. 6: and understand that the four horses and their riders are
also "the four spirits of the heavens". By comparing chapter 6: and 7: and onwards
we find the following:--
A | 6: 1-8. Four horses; commissioned to let loose God's four sore judgments on the earth.
B | 6: 9-11. The martyrs; the cry for vengeance;
their fellow-servants to be killed; white robes to be given them.
C | 6: 12-17. Signs in heaven; the great day of wrath.
A | 7: 1-3. Four angels; commissioned to hurt the earth, the sea, and the trees.
B | 7: 4-17. The 144,000 sealed; the great multitude out of the great tribulation;
white robes.
C | 8: - 19: The seven trumpets and vials; the wrath of Almighty God.