The Second Seal Unleashed: The Red Horse of Revelation and the Birth of Global Conflict
Bible Study Guide
It was only a few days before He would face death. They were barely a mile east of the temple of Jerusalem. Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives. The very same place He will first appear at His Second Coming. Here He gave a glimpse of the second seal judgment.
He stood among His disciples and the thousands that came to hear Him teach. This would be one of His last pubic teachings. He would tell them of the things to come in the last days. A time at the end of this age of the coming tribulation that would take place before His Second Coming.
This teaching has come to be known as the Olivet Discourse.
Immediately after He warned them to be cautious and not to be deceived because there will be much deception in the last days, he said.
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (Matthew 24:6)
He’s telling the Jews around them that the earth will be plagued with wars in the last days. The red horse of Revelation is echoing Jesus’ own words from that day on the Mount of Olives.
(Verse 3) With the swipe of Jesus’ finger, He opens the second seal on the scroll. This causes a different living creature to call out to the red horse, “Come!”
(Verse 4) John sees a fiery red horse come streaking across the universe in front of him. This rider of the red horse of Revelation represents war across all nations. The earth will be filled with wars. In fact, Scripture speaks of no less that seven wars that will take place in the last days during the tribulation.
The Second Seal Will Replace Peace for War
Lets’ go back to the Mount of Olives to hear what else Jesus said about this. Jesus continued and said.
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” (Matthew 24:7)
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,”
(Matthew 24:12)
Let’s stop for a moment to remember this important fact of what’s going to take place. The rapture of the church (believers) has just taken place. All that represents what was good on earth has been removed.
The arrival of the antichrist represented by the rider on the white horse will introduce a new level of evil on the earth. At this point, the natural sinful nature of mankind will leave them with the inclination to war against one another.
The rider of the red horse of Revelation will remove peace from the earth.
In fact, the prophet Daniel was told thousands of years ago about wars and rumors of war that would lead up and into the seven year Tribulation period.
“The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.” (Daniel 9:26)
How Will the Red Horse of Revelation Cause War?
We only need to go back about twenty five hundred years ago to learn why all this war is going to take place in the last days. It’s God’s Word through His prophet Jeremiah that gives us the answer.
“The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
This is our sin nature and why we do, think and feel the things we do. Many years later, Jesus’ brother James echoed the same words from a different perspective.
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:1-3)
War in the Tribulation will not be a sporadic event. It will be a daily battle to survive–evident in the billions of people that will perish during these seven years.
What Will the Red Horse of Revelation Reveal About he Human Heart?
Our human heart has been raging with war from the beginning of creation. The first war ever to occur on earth was between Cain and Abel. One brother killing another. From the smallest of quarrels to the largest of battles. War has been a thread in the fabric of mankind’s heart.
Look around! It continues to this day.
The Lutz Peace Research Laboratory in Oslo, Norway estimates that in all wars conducted since 3000 BC, somewhere between one and two billion people have died.
In 2003, Chris Hedges wrote an article for the New York Times titled, “What Every Person Should Know About War.” In it, an expert claimed over the past 3400 years, humanity has been at peace for only 268 of those years.
Eric Hobsbawm wrote and published a book in 2002 titled, “War and Peace in the 20th Century.” He stated that the 20th Century was the deadliest period in human history. It’s estimated that 187 million people died in the wars during this last century.
War has been raging in the human heart for thousands of years. This has all been a foreshadowing of the worst wars that will culminate in the end of this age.
The Sword of the Rider of the Red Horse of Revelation
John records that the red rider has a large sword. There may be some significance to the size of the sword. It’s important to keep in mind that the rider of the red horse will bring additional division among mankind. More than already exists.
War will rage at the personal and family level and will trickle up to the kingdom and national level as Christ spoke of on the Mount of Olives.
Key Points to Remember
Here are a few of things to consider when thinking about the meaning of the rider on the red horse of Revelation.
- The rider on the red horse of Revelation is not coming to flip some proverbial switch that will begin a time period of great war. Wars and rumors of wars will lead us into this period of tribulation. Christ told us that these would be just the beginning of the birth pains. Listen carefully, today the drumbeat of war is getting louder across the globe. Notice this: No one is running to try and stop it. Rather, nations are taking a stand against one another.
- Just like the first rider of the white horse represents the arrival of the antichrist. This white horse will bring war against God, His Son and all the believers. This second red horse will bring war among all people by dividing people and families. This war will be carried through and up to the nations of the world. We all know of families that have become divided. So many have allowed the ideas of the world to drive a stake between loved ones within the family.
- When we look at these horses symbolizing actual events that will take place during the tribulation from the standpoint of the rapture, it becomes a bit clearer. It’s natural to see these things begin to take place when all that represents true peace and love (believers) is removed from the planet, really bad things will occur. This great event (rapture) will bring confusion and chaos across the entire planet.
Rapture vs. Second Coming of Christ (Comparison Chart)
What’s Next…
I can hear the stomping of hooves from the third of the four horsemen. Let’s look at what type of judgment he is going to bring to earth.
Closing Reflection on the Red Horse of Revelation
The opening of the second seal pulls back the veil on a world consumed by violence. Peace is stripped away, restraint is removed, and humanity is left to experience the full consequence of rejecting God’s authority. War, bloodshed, and chaos will no longer be distant headlines or isolated conflicts—they will define daily life on the earth. Families torn apart, nations rising against one another, and fear becoming a constant companion. These will be the darkest days mankind has ever known.
And yet, in the midst of this terrifying reality, there is a breathtaking contrast for those who belong to Christ.
Those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus will not witness this judgment unfold. They will not endure the roar of global war or the crushing weight of God’s wrath. Before the red horse ever rides, the Church will be called home. While the world descends into chaos, believers will be standing in the presence of the Prince of Peace.
This truth is not meant to create pride, but gratitude—and urgency. Gratitude that salvation is secure in Christ alone. Urgency because countless others are racing toward these days unprepared. The second seal is a warning written in advance, a mercy before judgment, and a reminder that now is the time to choose where you will stand when history reaches its final hour.
The red horse of Revelation will ride. War will come. But those who are in Christ will already be gone—safe, secure, and forever with Him.
Continue Studying: Book of Revelation Chapters 1–11 Study Guides
Closing Prayer
Father in Heaven,
We stand in awe of Your sovereignty and humbled by Your mercy. As we read of the judgments to come, awaken our hearts to the urgency of the hour. Thank You for the salvation found in Jesus Christ and the promise that those who belong to Him will be spared from the wrath to come. Strengthen our faith, sharpen our watchfulness, and burden our hearts for those who do not yet know You. Help us to walk faithfully, speak boldly, and live ready—for Your Son’s return is near.
In the name of Jesus, our Prince of Peace,
Amen.
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