Revelation 6:1-8

‘And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Go!”. And I saw and behold a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow, and a crown was given to him and he went out conquering and to conquer. And when he opened the second seal I heard the second living creature say, “Go!”. And another horse went out, a red horse, and it was given to him who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another, and a great sword was given to him. And when he opened the third seal I heard the third living creature say “Go!”. And I saw and behold a black horse, and the one who sat on it had a balance in his hand. And I heard as it were a voice among the four living creatures saying “A small measure (a choenix) of wheat for a day's wages (a denarius), and three measures of barley for a day's wages, and do not hurt the oil and the wine”. And when he opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say “Go!”. And I saw and behold a pale horse, and the Name of the one who sat on him was Death, and Hades followed with him. And authority was given to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with death, and by the wild beast of the earth.'

It is significant that the four horses are under the control of the four living creatures. As representatives of the whole creation, and preservers of the holy nature of God, the living creatures show their concern for creation and for God's holiness in this act. If creation is to be restored and God's holiness established then the going forth of the horsemen is inevitable. And so as guardians of God's throne they give their commands.

The translation ‘go' is used as being more vivid, and because the four horsemen then ‘went' (the same verb) to the earth to fulfil their destiny. It is not so much a command as a granting of permission. God does not make them ride, He allows them to ride.

The meaning of the horses is not really in doubt (in spite of many varied interpretations) when we compare Scripture with Scripture, for the apocalyptic discourse of Jesus began with (1). The rising of false prophets and Messiahs (Matthew 24:5; Matthew 24:11), (2). Wars and rumours of wars and international violence (3). Famines and (4). Earthquakes (Matthew 24:5). And the first three are paralleled here, with the earthquakes later (e.g. Revelation 6:12). Furthermore each of the four horsemen must surely be seen as being similar in intent, as they are all commanded by the four living creatures.

As the meaning of the last three is clear to see, they are bearers of tribulation and judgment, this must surely also apply to the first. Thus the white horse too must represent the same unless we have good reason to think the contrary. In line then with the apocalyptic discourse of Jesus we must see it as representing false Messiahs and prophets, antichrist rather than Christ, an attempt to ape the white horseman in Revelation 19:11. (Red and white horses are in parallel in Zechariah 1:8, although for another purpose, and black, red, white and bay chariot horses are mentioned in Zechariah 6:2 showing that they are seen as acting in parallel). To suggest that Christ Himself would be under the command of the living creatures must be considered extremely doubtful. He was sent by His Father.