Why do the four living creatures introduce the four horsemen in Revelation? What relationship do they have with these horsemen? What is their work?

Question

In Revelation 4 & 5 we see the four living creatures leading the praises to God, and ceaselessly singing "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God almighty.

But then we see these creatures introducing the four horsemen in Revelation six. (Rev. 6:1,3,5,7) Later one of the four living creatures gives the seven bowls full of plagues to the seven angels who go out and pour them upon the earth. (Rev.15:7)

I'm just wondering how this all ties together? What is the work or mission of the living creatures all about, based on these connections?

Answer 1

I am not sure it is possible to give a final and definitive answer to this question because we are not told. However, here is a suggestion.

Four Living Creatures

The four living creatures of Rev 4-6 are parallel and an allusion to the four living creatures, cherubim, of Eze 1. The purpose of these Ezekiel cherubim was:

• to do the bidding of God on the throne
• to transport the throne
• deliver messages from the throne to other parts of the creation (see Eze 1-10)

If the parallels between the two visions is valid (the parallels are quite striking - see appendix below) then the four living creatures in Rev 4-6 appear to be the four cherubim closest to the throne of God; these are the ones to do God's bidding and convey messages to others. For examples, it is the four living creatures that initiate worship (eg, "Holy Holy Holy") and instruct John to "come and see".

Four Horsemen

The Four horsemen of Rev 6 appear to be parallel and an allusion to the four horsemen of Zech 1 and 6. As such these Zechariah horsemen were messengers to the earth, in a similar fashion and function to the four horsemen of Rev 6.

Therefore, it is quite natural that since the four living creatures convey messages from the throne and the four horsemen convey them to the inhabitants of earth, that the two should be associated.

APPENDIX - Parallels between the Four living Creatures in Eze 1 and Rev 4-6

• both have faces like an ox, lion, human, eagle
• four in number
• have multitudinous eyes
• have multiple sets of wings (6 in Ezekeil and 4 in Rev)
• associated with lightning
• creatures that are closest to the throne of God
• both associated with a rainbow

Answer 2

It is hardly possible to be authoritative on the symbolism of Revelation, but these are the connections which I traced in my own book;

The premise (my own guess) that one of the factors in the original concept of the "four living things" in Ezekiel and Revelation was the idea that they represented the "four winds", notionally associated with God's throne in the clouds.

God's threat to scatter Elam by unleashing upon them "the four winds from the four corners of heaven". (Jeremiah ch49 v30, RSV)

In Zechariah ch6, the judgemental forces of God against the world are pictured as four chariots, pulled by horses of different colours.

In Revelation ch6, the judgemental forces of God against the world are pictured as four horses of different colours.

In Revelation ch7 v1, four angels are holding back "the four winds of heaven" to prevent them blowing on the earth. In v2, another angel orders them not to harm the earth, sea, or trees. That order is given aloud so that we may know what's happening. The other angels are obeying it already; holding back the [destructive] winds has the effect of delaying the campaign of harm to the earth, postponing it to the next chapter.

In fact what is happening in ch7 v1 is the suspension of the "four horses" campaign of ch6. That is why the martyrs were told they would have to wait before their vindication could be completed (ch6 v11). In other words, the "four horses" and the "four winds of heaven" are two different images for the same judgemental process.

If the four living creatures represent the four winds, and the four horsemen represent "the four winds of heaven" in judgement mode, then that is the connection between them.

The seven bowls are the climax of the judgemental process.

Answer 3

Jesus has just finished judging the churches in Rev chapters 2-3 (judgment begins at the house of God: 1st Peter 4:17). Now judgment is being exercised upon the "world" systems (beginning with the throne/court room scene in Rev. chapters 4-5). The number "4," is also the number of the world government, or systems. The 4 living creatures would initiate the judgment of God upon the world. Being the closest to the throne of God, these creatures would represent the voice of God as He begins to judge the "world." The "4" living creatures appear to carry more authority than all other created beings in the throne/court scene. As such, they represent the absolute sovereign power of the only true God, and His sovereign authority to judge in righteousness and equity (Psalm 9:8). The "4" horsemen seem to represent the beginning of the judgment upon the "world" systems as they are called out by the 4 living creatures to begin the judgments, thus, it is appropriate that the "4" living creatures call them forth. This implies total judgment upon the whole non-Christian world, as seen in chapters 6-20 of Revelation. Interestingly, the earth itself, which is still under "the curse," is also judged (a new heaven and a new earth Rev. chapters 21-22)!

Answer 4

The vision of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, described in Revelation 6:1-8, is rich in symbolism. The interpretation divides the horses into two groups, with a special focus on the white horse as a representation of Jesus Christ and the events culminating in His crucifixion and judgment.

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The First Group: The White Horse

1. Biblical Description:
   The white horse is ridden by someone who has a bow, is crowned, and goes out "conquering and to conquer" (Revelation 6:2).

2. Interpretation:

   • The white horse symbolizes Jesus Christ, identified as victorious from the start of His mission. He "follows the direction of the sun," which symbolizes the light of justice and truth emanating from Christ, who is "the light of the world" (John 8:12).
   • Its white color reflects purity and victory over sin. However, as the righteous Judge, His purity symbolically turns "the color of blood," representing His crucifixion and the judgment upon the earth. This parallels Isaiah 63:1-6, where the Messiah is described with garments stained with blood, having tread the winepress of God’s wrath.

3. Connection to Judgment:

   • The symbolic transformation of the white horse to "the color of blood" occurs because Jesus is the "righteous Judge" (2 Timothy 4:8) and the one who treads the "winepress of the fury of God’s wrath" (Revelation 19:15). His victorious mission includes not only His sacrifice to save humanity but also His role as the Judge of those who reject the truth.

The Second Group: The Black Horse and the Pale Horse (Death)

1. Black Horse:

   • Biblical Description: The black horse is ridden by someone carrying a pair of scales, symbolizing famine and economic injustice, as reflected in the inflated prices of wheat and barley (Revelation 6:5-6).
   • Interpretation: This horse symbolizes spiritual darkness covering the north, a region often associated with judgment and adversity in the Bible (Jeremiah 1:14). It represents the absence of divine light, as opposed to the white horse.

2. Pale Horse (Death):

   • Biblical Description: The pale horse, whose rider is Death and is followed by Hades, brings widespread destruction and death upon the earth (Revelation 6:7-8).
   • Interpretation: This horse completes the cycle of judgment upon the earth, symbolizing the physical and spiritual condemnation of those who remain in the darkness of sin.

The Crossing of the Horses: The Crucifixion

• The central event is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, symbolizing the moment when the white and black horses cross paths.
• During the crucifixion, Christ's light (the white horse) seems to be extinguished by the reign of darkness (the black horse), as reflected in the "total darkness over the earth" (Matthew 27:45). This darkness represents the apparent triumph of sin and death.
• However, the crucifixion is also the act by which Christ decisively defeats sin and death, transforming the white horse into a symbol of redemption through His blood (Ephesians 1:7).

Theological Synthesis The interaction between the white and black horses at the crucifixion reveals the conflict between light and darkness, life and death. Jesus, the Prince of Life (Acts 3:15), confronts the forces of evil and emerges victorious, fulfilling the prophecy of Genesis 3:15, where the seed of the woman crushes the serpent's head.

Ultimately, the white horse prevails, as Christ is exalted and declared King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-16), bringing eternal justice and peace to the earth.