1. God Unleashes Powerful, Rapid, & Global Forces
First, we note that this is the first of the Four Horsemen (or symbols of power) that launch the Apocalypse. “And I looked, and behold” (Rev. 6:2a).
John looks and sees a scene unfold that involves what most Bible teachers describe as “the four horsemen of the Apocalypse”. As each seal is broken a horse is unleashed onto the earth. Each horse is a different color. Each horse has a different rider. Each horse symbolizes a powerful, global impact. As John sees the first, second, third, and fourth of the seven seals broken, he relates to us that each seal launches into the earth, a horseman: the fastest known means of travel in the First Century.
Horses for us today are beautiful creatures that have become somewhat of a hobby animal, or a form of sports. They are expensive to maintain and not really vital for life in modern times. How unlike are our times, to those of the Bible.
In Biblical times horses were vital for travel, vital for communications, and vital for warfare. Horses are always associated in the Scriptures with power (Job 39:19-25). They were the fastest known means of transportation. They also were the most powerful means of warfare when they pulled chariots and carried swordsmen and archers. A charging cavalry was always seen as a symbol of power and conquest.
Each of these horsemen are not revealing an individual person as the rider, but a powerful force that God unleashes to rapidly (fastest known travel of the day) sweep through the Earth. Each of the horsemen symbolizes, and communicates a powerful force, rapidly unleashed by God, into the Tribulation:
• In v.2 white is for the rapid global spread of false, temporary, and deceptive peace;
• In v.4 red is for a rapid global spread of warfare and bloodshed;
• In v.5 black is for a rapid global spread of famine and scarcity;
• And in v. 8 pale green is for the gangrenous color of death through a rapid global spread of pestilence and death.
So first, the Tribulation starts with God unleashing some powerful, rapid, global forces.