Horsemen of the Apocalypse

In Revelation 6, John describes four horsemen as introducing God's judgment on the world. The first rides a white horse; the second, a fiery red horse; the third, a black horse; and the fourth, a pale horse. Each one has a mission related to Christ's breaking of the first four seals of judgment. (Revelation 6:1-8).

Opening the first seal releases a rider with a bow on a white horse. This is the only rider who doesn't cause some kind of catastrophe on earth. He merely rides out to win battles. There is debate over who or what this horsemen represents. Some say he reprises the good news, others say he represent the rise of the false Christ.(Revelation 6:2)

And the breaking of the second seal, the rider of the red horse is given a large sword to provoke warfare and slaughter on the earth. (Revelation 6:3-4).

The third seal unleashes a black horse, whose rider holds a scale symbolizing economic hard times and sorrow (Revelation 6:5-6, 12). A voice declares that the cost of barley and wheat or 12 to 15 times the normal price, suggesting inflation and famine. But this famine is not extreme since other staples like olive oil and wine are not affected.

The fourth seal unleashes a pale horse, ridden by "Death", who was given the power to kill a quarter of the earth's population through war and famine plagues and wild animals. (Revelation 6:7-8) the horse is pale color suggests fear as well as impending death. Hell follows this horse grimly devouring the dead.