The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse (Rev 6:1-8); The 144,000 (Rev 7:4-8; 14:1-5); Babylon the Great

The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse (Rev 6:1-8)

            The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse represent four “cavaliers”[1] as it were, each with a specific function in judgment eschatology. The Four Horsemen ride on four different color horses: White, Red, Black, and Pale Green. The fist horsemen described according to John R. Yeatts, may be interpreted in one of three ways, 1) The rider may represent war, 2) The rider may be the Antichrist as some futurist believe, or 3) The rider may be Christ or the proclaiming of Christ’s gospel. The first interpretation (symbolism of war) seems to fit best based on the symbolism of the other three riders.[2] The second Horseman is on a Red horse (red as fire) and it represents the dragon / bloodshed. It is the “wars and rumors of wars” says Resseguie connoting the removal of peace on earth.[3] The third Horseman is on a Black horse and it represents famine, the “natural aftermath of war and civil strife” says Yeatts.[4] The last Horseman is on a Pale Green horse, and it represents death. Pale greenish color interpreted as rotting flesh. This rider is the only one that has a name – Death. This rider kills with a sword, famine, and plagues, and beasts.[5]

The 144,000 (Rev 7:4-8; 14:1-5)

            The 144,000 as outlined in chapter seven of Revelation can apparently be interpreted in two forms, 1) The 144,000 represent a literal 144,000 Israelites (12 Tribes of Israel), 2) The 144,000 are symbolic of all peoples, Jews and Gentiles alike. Edward Hindson states, “it is clear that the 144,000 are literal Israelites.”[6] He goes on to say that we can find a specific list of 12,000 coming from each of the twelve tribes.[7] Yeatts and Resseguie however see the 144,000 as representative of all peoples Jews and Gentiles alike based on Revelation 7:9 and that it includes the Old and New Testament Church. Yeatts states,

The number 144,000 is clearly symbolic. Twelve is the number both of the patriarchs who gave their names to the tribes of Israel, and of the apostles of Christ the Lamb. When multiplied together to equal 144, they represent the entire people of God under the old and new covenants.[8]

Resseguie says,

John sees a multitude from every tribe and nation and language and people (7:9). This is the outward reality. The Israel of God (the 144,000) includes all people, both Jews and Gentiles, from the entire world— the fourfold listing in 7:9 represents all peoples of the earth.[9]

There are other scholars that embrace the symbolic view of the 144,000 and the author leans towards that end.

Babylon the Great

            Babylon the Great is a city described as a great harlot, “an alluring prostitute” says E. M. Boring.[10] Boring goes on to say that “Picturing a city as a woman was common in the prophetic Jewish tradition in which John lives and from which he draws.”[11] Hindson says the city is a picture of a “drunken harlot who is about to fall into judgment.”[12] Both Hindson and Boring state that this city, this harlot, is the city of Rome. Hindson says there is debate as to whether or not this city refers to Babylon of ancient times brought back to its glory days or if it is a symbol of Rome being revived in the last days.[13] Most agree that it is not Babylon literally that will be rebuilt. The goal of this harlot is simple – to bring the people of God to a place where they can be thrust back into the hands of the evil one. To prevent those who would receive Christ from doing so, and to cause many to be destroyed as she herself will in the end.

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[1]James L. Resseguie. Revelation of John: A Narrative Commentary. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009), http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/lib/liberty/docDetail.action?docID=10595435, (accessed May 1, 2013).

[2] John R. Yeatts. Revelation. (Scottdale, PA: Health Press, 2003), http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/nlebk_83782_AN?sid=5bef8d67-1e59-4c1a-9e07-0ec620973657@sessionmgr115&vid=1&format=EB&lpid=lp_121, (accessed May 1, 2013).

[3] Resseguie, 127.

[4] Yeatts, 126.

[5] Resseguie, 129.

[6] Edward Hindson. The Book of Revelation: Unlocking the Future. (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2002), 89.

[7] Ibid, 90.

[8] Yeatts, 142.

[9] Resseguie, 137.

[10] Eugene M. Boring. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. (Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1989), 179.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Hindson, 173.

[13] Hindson, 174.