Revelation, 6:1-8, tells us of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse symbolizing what modern thinkers interpret as today's four great disruptors, namely famine, natural disasters, pestilence, and war or terrorism. This was written by John of Palmos who told of a scroll in God's right hand with seven seals. Indeed, nowadays, there are multiple threats and disruptors. There is an impending global famine and food crisis, war in Ukraine, rumors of war between China and Taiwan, the threat of nuclear war between Russia and NATO, and relentless flood, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
Each horseman’s horse had a different color; white, red, black, and pale. Many believe they respectively represent pestilence, war, famine, and disasters. Of pestilences, like the COVID-19 pandemic we are currently being troubled with, man is amply warned, the Bible foretold all these but with assurances of hope: In Psalm 91: “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.” In 1 Kings 8:37: “If there is famine in the land, or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemies besiege them at their gates, whatever plagues, whatever sickness cannot prevail.”
The Bible also warned us about wars. In Ecclesiastes 3:8, the prophets told us of a time of war and a time for peace. In Deuteronomy 20:1-4: "When you go out against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army larger than yours, you shall not be afraid of them for the Lord your God is with you." Matthew, 10:3-4 told of Jesus saying: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have come not to bring peace but a sword.” Matthew 24: 6-7: “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars for nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places."
Of famine, we had been amply warned by the scriptures. Amos 8:11: “Behold, the days are coming, declared the Lord, God: "I will send famine to the land." Revelations 6:8: “I looked and behold an ashen horse, and he who sat on it had the name Death and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth: to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.” Revelation18:8: “For this reason, in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine.” Ezequiel 30:12: “I will make the Nile canals dry and give the land to evil men, and I will make the land desolate and all that is in it. Hosea 13:15, the scriptures warned of fountains and springs drying up and plundering in the treasury and destruction of all things.
Concerning disasters, humanity has been sufficiently warned. Deuteronomy 28:23-24: “The heaven which is over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you, iron. The Lord will make the rain of your land powder and dust, from heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed.” Genesis 6:17: “Behold, I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, everything that is on the earth shall perish.” Amos 3:6: “If calamity occurs in a city, has not the Lord done it.” Revelation 8:7: “And there came hail and fire, mixed with blood and they were thrown into the earth and a third of the earth was burned up, the trees and the grass were burned up.” Matthew 24:29: “The sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
All these are warnings that the sin of man will yield the wrath of God. Now, this moment and not any minute later, is therefore time for all of us to ponder deep. We should stop all corruption, social injustice, self-righteousness, condescension, pride, arrogance, envy, anger, and desire for revenge. We should come back to the straight and narrow path and walk towards the city built on the hill, prepare for our day of judgment by purifying our hearts, souls, and conscience by protecting and respecting our bodies, the temple of the Spirit, and prepare to meet the Lord.
Unless we do these, we shall perish by the swords of anyone among the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. And may God have mercy on our souls.