Topical Bible: Red Horse

◄ Red Horse ►

Jump to: ISBE • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Red Horse is one of the symbolic figures described in the Book of Revelation, specifically in Revelation 6:3-4. It is the second of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, each of whom is associated with a different aspect of the end times. The Red Horse is often interpreted as representing war and bloodshed.

Biblical Reference:

Revelation 6:3-4 : "And when the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, 'Come!' Then another horse went forth. It was bright red, and its rider was granted permission to take peace from the earth, so that men would slay one another. And he was given a great sword."

Symbolism and Interpretation:

1. Color and Symbolism:
· The color red in the Bible often symbolizes blood, violence, and warfare. The Red Horse's vivid color is indicative of the bloodshed and conflict that it brings upon the earth.

2. Role of the Rider:
· The rider of the Red Horse is granted the power to take peace from the earth, leading to widespread violence and conflict. This suggests a divinely permitted escalation of human strife, where the natural state of peace is disrupted, resulting in chaos and warfare.

3. The Great Sword:
· The great sword given to the rider symbolizes the authority and power to incite war. In biblical times, the sword was a common weapon of war, and its mention here underscores the severity and scale of the conflict that the Red Horse brings.

4. Theological Implications:
· The Red Horse is often seen as a representation of the inevitable conflicts that arise as part of the divine judgment during the end times. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of human sin and the ultimate sovereignty of God over the affairs of the world.

5. Historical Context:
· Throughout history, periods of intense warfare and bloodshed have been seen as manifestations of the Red Horse's influence. Many theologians and scholars have drawn parallels between the Red Horse and various historical events marked by significant conflict and loss of life.

6. Eschatological Significance:
· In eschatological studies, the Red Horse is a key figure in understanding the sequence of events leading to the final judgment. It is part of the broader narrative of the Four Horsemen, each contributing to the unfolding of God's plan for the end times.

Related Themes:

· War and Peace: The Red Horse's role in taking peace from the earth highlights the fragile nature of human peace and the ever-present potential for conflict.
· Divine Judgment: The appearance of the Red Horse is a component of the divine judgment that unfolds in the Book of Revelation, emphasizing the moral and spiritual dimensions of warfare.
· Human Sinfulness: The violence and bloodshed associated with the Red Horse serve as a reflection of humanity's propensity for sin and the resulting consequences.

The Red Horse remains a powerful symbol within Christian eschatology, representing the destructive power of war and the divine orchestration of end-time events. Its presence in the Book of Revelation continues to inspire reflection on the nature of conflict and the ultimate hope for peace through divine intervention.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Red Horse

RED HORSE

See HORSE, RED; REVELATION OF JOHN.

Library

From the Sixth Chapter.
... And there went out another horse that was red, and to him that sat upon him was
given a great sword."] The red horse, and he that sat upon him, having a sword ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the sixth chapter.htm

God's Dealings with the Earth During the Tribulation Period.
... 6:4). The symbolism here is easily interpreted. The "red horse" denotes
blood-shed and slaughter. Peace is taken "from the earth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 gods dealings with the.htm

The Morning Breaketh
... And again in the first chapter of Zechariah the eighth to the eleventh verses,
"I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the morning breaketh.htm

The Incarnation and Birth of Christ
... There is a passage in Zechariah which teaches us a lesson:"lt is said that
the man on the red horse stood among the myrtle-trees. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the incarnation and birth of.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the ...
... It is to this the second seal brings us. Here the Antichrist is seen no
longer upon a white horse, but upon a red horse. And in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the scope of the apocalypse.htm

The Career of the Antichrist
... A "red horse" will go forth, and then "peace shall be taken from the earth"
(Rev.6). At the very time the world is congratulating itself that all is well, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the career of the antichrist.htm

The Apocalypse.
... Thus, the white horse of the first seal (chap.6:2) denotes in general the conquests
of Christ through his gospel; the red horse of the second seal (chap 6:4 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxii the apocalypse.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... The rider with bow in hand. (Matthew 24:5). b vi.3, 4. The Second Seal. Red Horse.
War (Matthew 24:6, 7-). a vi.5, 6. The Third Seal. Black Horse. Famine. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

The Red King
... The turf it squelched where the Red King fell; And the fiends they carried his soul
to ... rain; The waters were out, and over the sward: He swam his horse like a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the red king.htm

The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes
... Should he beckon the man on the red horse to return, and say, "Sword, go
through this land;" can we complain he gave us no warning? ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 129 the cause and.htm