John, one of the twelve disciples and the author of The Revelation, has a vision in which he is taken up to the temple in heaven.

I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.' At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. Revelation 4:1-2

The Four Living Creatures:

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Revelation 4:6-7

I include the four living creatures in this discussion because they are instrumental in bringing to John's attention what is revealed when the first four seals on the scroll are opened. This part of the scroll deals with the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

They are not called angels, neither are they akin to the 24 elders that surround the throne, so what are they? Each living creature in turn calls out to John literally saying, "Come here and have a look at this." They seem to possess some kind of audio-visual function. When the third seal is opened John not only sees the black horse and its rider but hears a voice coming from among the four living creatures.

I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. He [The Lamb] went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Revelation 5:1,7

Unrolling the Scroll:

1. When the first seal is opened a white horse appeared. Its rider was holding a bow and was given a crown. He rode forth on a mission of conquest.
2. When the second seal is opened a red horse rode forth. Its rider was given a large sword and the power to make war and take peace from the earth.
3. When the third seal is opened a black horse rode forth. Its rider held a pair of scales and John hears a voice speaking about the rising cost of basic commodities.
4. When the fourth seal is opened a pale horse rode forth. Its rider was named Death and the grave followed close behind. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague.
5. When the fifth seal is opened John sees, under the altar of incense, the souls of those who became martyrs on account of their testimony. They cried out, "How long, Lord, until you judge the people of earth?" They were given white robes and told to wait a little longer.
6. When the sixth seal is opened there came a terrible earthquake, the sun went black, the moon turned red, the stars fell, the sky rolled up, mountains and islands relocated, and the unrepentant hide from the face of God.
7. When the seventh seal is opened "the seven angels who stand before God" are given seven trumpets. The seven trumpets is the next series in the revelation and expands on the information begun with the scroll sealed with seven seals.

1. The four horsemen can be briefly summed up as 1) A Conqueror, 2) War, 3) Famine, and 4) Death. The four horsemen symbolize a change in events on earth on a global scale. The scenario presented is highly suggestive of a time when things go from bad to worse. Could this be the great tribulation, the time of trouble foretold in the Bible? (Daniel 12:1, Revelation 13:7)
2. The significance of the horse's colors and the items the riders hold:
   • White = Purity & righteousness. Psalm 51:7
   • Red = Sinful nature of man. Isaiah 1:18
   • Black = Distress, catastrophe & death. Joel 2:2, Zephaniah 1:15
   • Pale = Frightful alarm, the color of death. Daniel 5:6, Daniel 10:8, Nahum 2:10
   • Bow = Weapon of war, fires a projectile.
   • Sword = Weapon of war, a slashing / stabbing weapon.
   • Scales = Devices for measuring weights.

1. The rider on the white horse presents a dilemma. The color white suggests one thing as stated above but the rider wears a crown and holds a weapon of war. It is possible this horseman is a deceiver instrumental in advancing the course of the succeeding horsemen.
2. War has been around as long as humanity has been. Therefore the red horse and its rider suggest a conflict far worse, perhaps on a global scale and the use of horrific new weapons. This may be what is indicated by the large sword given to the rider.
3. The black horse and its rider represent the natural consequence of war which is famine. The scales and the prices of commodities suggest a scarcity of food items. Many who survive the war become the victims of deprivation.
4. The image of the one who rides the pale horse with Hades in his wake depicts the total collapse of civilization as a result of the three preceding horsemen. The world as we know it is near its end and the second advent is near. Revelation 11:16-18

The souls under the altar of incense are a metaphorical image of God's faithful witnesses who were specifically targeted and gave their lives during the horrific events previously described for the four horsemen.

I prefer to believe the horrible events revealed under the sixth seal are not real but are symbolic of the utter chaos on earth that will occur at the time of the end just prior to Jesus' second coming.

The seventh seal introduces the seven trumpets series of events which will expand more fully on those revealed by the seven seals. As an indicator of what is to come, the angel at the altar first offers up incense with prayers for God's people then casts the fire-filled censer to earth.