Who Are On the Pale Horse of Revelation Behind the Fourth Seal?
Bible Study Guide
Introduction to the Fourth Seal (Revelation 6:7-8)
(Verses 7-8) As we arrive at the fourth horseman, the tone of the narrative grows unmistakably darker. When the fourth seal is opened, the rider who emerges is unlike the others before him. This is not merely another escalation of conflict—it is the culmination of everything the previous seals have unleashed. The pale horse of Revelation rides forth as the embodiment of mass death on a scale the world has never witnessed.
Up to this point, the first three riders have prepared the earth for devastation. Deception, war, and famine have destabilized nations, fractured societies, and weakened humanity. Now, the fourth seal brings the inevitable result of those judgments. This rider does not merely cause suffering—he brings death itself.
John tells us that the rider’s name is Death, and following closely behind him is Hades. These are not two riders on two horses, but two distinct realities working together. Death represents the physical end of life—the moment breath leaves the body. Hades, on the other hand, represents the realm of the dead, the place that receives souls after death. Death claims the body; Hades claims the soul. Together, they form a terrifying partnership that sweeps across the earth.
What’s In a Color?
The pale color of the horse reflects sickness, decay, and death. It is the color of a world drained of hope. Authority is given to this rider over a fourth of the earth, and the methods of destruction—war, famine, plague, and wild beasts—reveal that no corner of human existence will be untouched by the death.
Chloros is the Greek word for pale. It’s from chloros where we get our English word, chlorophyl. Thereby, this is referring to a pale green color
The pale horse of Revelation reminds us that the judgments of the fourth seal are not random acts of chaos. They are measured, deliberate, and permitted by God. What humanity has sown through rebellion, violence, and rejection of truth now comes to full harvest.
This is not symbolism meant to entertain—it is prophecy meant to warn.
Many Will Die, Some Will Be Saved After the Fourth Seal is Broken
The rider named Hades will not capture every soul. As we’re about to learn in the upcoming seal judgments, the Tribulation period will be a time where people on earth will still be able to give their life to Christ. Unfortunately, they’re going to do it in the midst of His wrath upon the earth. Thus, the effects of His wrath will consume many of them but their souls will be saved.
That’s right! If you’re still alive going into the Tribulation period, there’s still a chance to give yourself to Christ. But this is not a recommended path to take. If you’re unsure, now is the time to give your life to Christ. Now is the time to repent of your sins, acknowledge you’re a sinner and ask for forgiveness. Then put all of your trust and faith in Christ accept Him as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved.
The Pale Horse of Revelation Ushers in Unprecedented Death
Look carefully at the last sentence of verse 8.
“They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:8)
According to several websites that track the current global population, they all come in around 8.2 billion. Let’s make this easy math and round it down to 8 billion people on the planet.
The pale horse of Revelation is going to represent the death of a quarter of that population. This means that the events that will take place upon the earth at the beginning of God’s wrath, also known as the Tribulation Period will cause 2 billion people to perish.
“I will punish the world for its evil,
the wicked for their sins.
I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty
and will humble the pride of the ruthless.
I will make people scarcer than pure gold,
more rare than the gold of Ophir.” (Isaiah 13:11-12)
According to the World Health Organization, 14.9 million people died during the Covid pandemic. This pales in comparison to what will occur at the beginning of the wrath upon the earth. Keep in mind, this is only the beginning. Remember, the judgments, as they unfold intensify greatly upon the inhabitants of the earth.
All deaths across history due to war, plagues, pestilence and famine will pale in comparison to what these riders of the pale horse of Revelation have planned.
This brings us to one very important question. How will all these people perish? The short answer is in the second half of verse 8. Let’s also take a look at the long answer so we can understand what’s truly happening here.
How Will the Rider of the Pale Horse Bring Death Upon the Earth?
The short answer: people will “die by the sword, famine and plague, and the wild beasts of the earth.” But what exactly does this mean? Remember, war will cover the earth in the Tribulation.
This is not just symbolic imagery. These images represent real world end of days events. In other words, when this time period of the Tribulation comes to the world, there isn’t going to be horsemen galloping across the earth killing people.
When we examine this verse more closely, “sword, famine and plague, and the wild beasts of the earth” here’s what we find.
Each one of these methods of death are found in the the first three riders of the white, red, and black horses.
The white horse will bring an increase of evil upon the earth from the revealing of the antichrist and the increase in deception among the people of the earth.
The red horse will bring division and war among people. This will range from family and friends up to nations and kingdoms. This division and war will be at a level never seen in the history of our planet. This is evident by the number of people that will perish during this time period.
The black horse will bring famine and pestilence upon the earth unequal to any other time period in history. When grocery stores shelves are empty, hungry people will do anything and everything to find ways to eat. They will go as far as murder and cannibalism.
The smell of death and blood in the air will drive wild animals into a feeding frenzy killing the depraved people that roam the streets. People will be forced to stay inside to protect themselves.
It Will Be a Time of Great Distress When the Pale Horse of Revelation Comes
Jesus spoke specifically of this time in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25).
“For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”
(Matthew 24:21-22)
In summary, while all four horsemen appear to John separately and in separate colors, they will all together usher in a distressful time period. A period of days that had to be shortened to seven years otherwise no one would survive.
They are all together a culmination of the events that will take place on earth at the beginning of God’s wrath upon sinful and unrepentant mankind.
If we take an even closer look, we can see clearly the events of today unfolding and pointing to the events of the meaning of the four horsemen of the apocalypse of the book of Revelation.
This is the reason many people call them the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Because the events that will occur on earth will be nothing short of apocalyptic.
Closing Reflection: Beyond the Image, Into the Reality
Friends, The pale horse of Revelation is not meant to captivate our imagination—it is meant to confront our conscience. Behind the imagery of Death and Hades lies a sobering reality: unprecedented loss of life, total societal collapse, and the removal of restraint from a world that has rejected God. These are not poetic metaphors. They are the real consequences of humanity choosing rebellion over repentance.
The fourth seal reveals why these years are the earth’s worst days. Death rides openly, and Hades follows closely behind, claiming souls on a scale never seen before. War, famine, disease, and violence converge, stripping away every illusion of control. What humanity once trusted for security—governments, economies, technology, and strength—will utterly fail.
Yet even here, God remains sovereign. These judgments do not erupt randomly; they are released by divine authority. They serve as both judgment and warning, revealing the cost of sin and the urgency of salvation. God is not absent in these days—He is revealing the truth humanity refused to hear.
For believers, this passage should not produce fear but clarity. It reminds us why the gospel matters now. These are the days no one should have to endure—and they are the days Christ offers deliverance from. While the pale horse rides in judgment, Jesus stands as the only refuge of life.
The question is not whether these days are coming.
The question is whether we are ready—and whether we are helping others be ready too.
Continue Studying: Book of Revelation Chapters 1–11 Study Guides
Closing Prayer
Lord God Almighty,
As we read these sobering truths, remind us that Your warnings are acts of mercy. Awaken our hearts while there is still time. Anchor our faith in Christ alone and strengthen us to live with urgency, humility, and obedience. Use our lives as lights in a darkening world, and draw those who are still searching into the safety of Your grace before these days come upon the earth.
We place our hope not in this world, but in You alone.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
<< Rev. 6:7-8 “Who’s on the Black Horse of the Apocalypse?” | “Meaning of the Fifth Seal of Revelation” Rev. 6:9-11 >>