Revelation 6:7-8

Strauss-' Comments
SECTION 18

Text Revelation 6:7-8

7 And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, Come. 8 And I saw, and behold, a pale horse: and he that sat upon him, his name was Death; and Hades followed with him. And there was given unto them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with famine, and with death, and by the wild beasts the earth.

Initial Questions Revelation 6:7-8

1.

Who was the rider of the pale horse - Revelation 6:8?

2.

Who followed behind this rider?

3.

How extensive were his powers and how great his authority - Revelation 6:8?

4.

How is the devastation spoken of in Revelation 6:8 - related to the will and purpose of God?

Revelation 6:7

John was again commanded to come and see the content of the seal.

Revelation 6:8

He saw - A pale green horse, and the one sitting upon it, his name (was) Death, and hades (transcribed from the Greek term hadçs - this is not a translation of the term) followed with him,.. The name of this rider, following the Semitic pattern was called by his chief characteristic. Semitic names were always descriptive of a major attribute of the bearer. What follows war and famine? Plagues and pestilence are always hard on the heels of war and scarcity. This rider is described as pale, livid, corpse-like. The imagery is ghastly! And was given (pass. Voice someone else gave them this authority - it was not an intrinsic characteristic,) to them authority over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword, and with famine and with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth. (hupo instead of en indicating actual agents) See Ezekiel 14:21 and the judgments discussed there). John reveals this terrible situation which comes upon the Christian and unChristian alike. Does faith in Jesus Christ make any difference when intense evil is inflicted upon the earth? Our Faith must be the victory! The third verse of that grand old hymn is very much to the point.

Faith Is the Victory!

To him that overcomes the foe - white raiment shall be giv-'n;
Before the angels he shall know His name confessed in heav-'n;
Then onward from the hills of light, Our hearts with love aflame;
We-'ll vanquish all the hosts of night, In Jesus-' conqu-'ring name.

Faith is the Victory----Faith is the Victory----
Faith is the Victory that overcomes the world.

Review Questions

See Revelation 6:12-17.