Are the Four Horsemen Riding This Very Moment?

By Michael D. Duty

War in Iraq and Afghanistan; record gas prices; Russia invades her neighbors and one of the worst stock plunges in history. An associate of mine said, “These are definitely scary times, doesn’t the Bible say something about the cost of everything going way up?” Well yes it does. Specifically, Revelation 6:6 says “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (NIV) Another way to look at this verse is to say that while the necessities of life (wheat and barley) become more expensive, the luxuries (wine and oil) still remain available for the rich.

What can be frustrating to the weary watchers for Christ’s return is that while we live in a time of wars and rumors of wars, the world has always been that way. Indeed, a quick look at American history will show that the United States has continually been involved in one form of conflict or another since its foundation (this is including the various frontier wars, Indian wars, Barbary Wars, Quasi Wars and a whole bunch of other minor skirmishes that have been forgotten by all but history buffs). .1

And as far as economic turmoil, the latest US economic stumble is by far not the greatest , 4 nor should we expect it to be the last. History shows that the US experiences a recession or economic slowing about once a decade 2. As for the future, economists are predicting that with the growth of the middle class in places like China and India, demand for certain goods will rise and drive prices higher. Those who once subsisted on diets primarily made of rice will soon be competing with other consumers for beef, milk and wheat. 3

Yet none of this signals the immediate tribulation. All of the things listed above are cyclical and as Jesus said that in the last days there will be marrying and giving in marriage, as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be again (Matt 24:38). So, will we be able to recognize the hoof beats of the Apocalypse when we hear it? Yes, there are some litmus tests we can use.

Sequence

When it comes to the four horsemen, the Bible has laid out their ride in a specific order as what comes first, second, third, and fourth. The first horseman will go out “conquering and to conquer”. This is no doubt the antichrist. While the Bible says that the first horseman, Conquest will be given a bow and a crown, he will be successful at conquering the world through his charm and conniving 5. So, the great economic collapse predicted in the Bible will come only after the antichrist is revealed.

Also, the conquest of the antichrist will be followed by an all-out war in which the second horseman is given power “to take peace from the earth and to kill with the sword” (Rev 6:4). Then will come economic collapse followed by plague. Though the Bible makes it sound as if these events all happen in a fairly quick succession, it is impossible for anyone to say exactly what type of time frame these events transpire in; however, the whole Tribulation takes place within seven years, with the Great Tribulation only covering the last three and a half years of that.

Scope

The other matter to consider when weighing world affairs in light of prophecy is scope. How big is the event? The ride of the four horsemen will be felt all over the world and will have drastic effects. They calamities strewn about the earth by the horsemen will not be easily remedied by quick legislative actions. They will be immediate and have a long-term world-wide impact.

Context

Finally, the releasing of the first horseman sets into motion a chain of events like dominoes falling. That the Bible puts these events in such close succession implies causality in each event. (E.g. the conquest triggers the war which triggers the famine which triggers plague). Moreover, the apocalyptic ride is only part of the seven seals that are opened which are the wrath of God, and after the horsemen ride, there will be other unmistakable events that follow.

Conclusion

While it is normal and prudent to be concerned during times of turmoil (jobs and homes are being lost), we must not give these times any more worry than is due to the situation. Surely Christ will return. The events leading up to that return will be tumultuous. We know the signs and should not let ourselves be carried off by panic. Everything happens in God’s good timing.

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_the_United_States

2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression

3 http://www.cfr.org/publication/16662/food_prices.html#5

4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recession#History_of_recessions

5 Are We Living In the End Times? Lahaye, Tim and Jerry B. Jenkins p 179

Tyndale, 1999