Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse or the Four Horsemen of the Revelation are a vision in the sixth chapter of the Book of Revelation. They emerge as the first four of the seven seals are opened.

• When the first seal is opened, out comes a rider on a white horse carrying a bow and wearing a crown. He is said to go forth "conquering and to conquer". This has been interpreted as being a reference to Jesus, who is described later on in chapter 19 as descending to the earth on a white horse and wearing many crowns.
• When the second seal is opened, out comes a rider on a red horse carrying a sword. He is given power to take peace on the earth, that people should kill each other.
• When the third seal is opened, out comes a rider on a black horse carrying weighing scales. A voice is heard paraphrasing 2 Kings 7:1, suggesting a great famine.
• When the fourth seal is opened, out comes a rider on a pale horse. He is named death and it is said that "hell followed with him".