Revelation 6:3-4
In verse 4 the next rider is riding on a red horse. This rider is given a great sword and takes peace from the earth. In the day in which we live, peace being taken away is not foreign to us, however this will be at ‘Tribulation Period’ level not at ‘Perilous Times’ level according to 2 Timothy 3:1.
The color red for this horse has been described from Communism represented as Russia or Red China to “blood” flowing up to the horses bridle as stated later in this book.
I tend to lean toward the blood idea for war causes much blood to flow. Interestingly though, the Greek word used here for red is not the usual word. This one is a word for a great fire or fiery red color. This may give us the indication something fierce is taking place with these wars.
Another peculiar note is the Greek word for sword being used in this text; it is describing something of a dagger or large knife used for cutting up animal sacrifices. So the word great can also mean powerful. This gives us an image of something very vicious taking place.
Another controversial subject in regards to this particular rider is the timing of the war or wars. However, the idea has been conveyed by the book that this rider represents war and takes peace from the earth.
Don’t get hung up on how he does it, just know that he does it. That is the way with each one of these seals that Jesus is opening, we just need to know that these things are coming and as long as we are ready for His return, we will not be here to experience them!
Let’s examine some possibilities of what wars are being eluded to here. There are two major schools of thought by Prophecy Teachers. One is the war of Ezekiel 38 and 39, and the other is the war of Armageddon.
There are many reliable scholars that are knowledgeable about the book of Revelation that differ on whether these wars are one and the same or two separate happenings. Due to the placement in the book, they also may differ on the timing of when they will occur.
We will examine each theory briefly.
The war found in Ezekiel 38 and 39 and the war of Armageddon can seem like the same war with many similarities, yet there are many differences as well. I will attempt to give just a few here.
In the Ezekiel war up one sixth of mankind is destroyed, in Armageddon, they are all destroyed. In the Ezekiel war the description is of hail stones and fire raining down on mankind as well as cataclysmic events happening, in Armageddon a sword proceeds out of the mouth of Jesus and destroys them. In addition, the saints of God will return with Jesus for this war.
The Ezekiel war points to the war coming from the north; Armageddon points to the east. Does that mean the oriental nations? Well, that is meant for a deeper study.
The rider on the red horse is the second seal which gives the indication he is riding throughout the seven year period. Additionally Ezekiel 39:9 indicates Israel will live off the resources of the war for seven years. If that is the case, this war would have to take place at the beginning of the seven year period. Armageddon is clearly at the end of the Tribulation Period as Jesus returns with His Saints for this war.
Since the war of Armageddon is clearly at the end of the Tribulation Period and if these wars are one and the same, then according to Ezekiel 39:9 that would mean Israel’s use of the resources from this war for seven years would begin in the millennial reign of Christ, but if the Ezekiel war is at the beginning of the Tribulation, then the seven years would be a match. This is one of the stronger points concerning when this war will take place, however more and more revelation is coming to the Church concerning this.
There is question as to whether the Ezekiel war would happen while the Church is still here prior to the Rapture. If that is the case then we will know these two wars are not one and the same. At this given time I lean to the two war theory.
