- Aftermath Of War: Famine And Death

When the third living creature issues his thunderous invitation to “Come!” a black horse charges into the world arena. The description of the rider of the black horse is clearly famine.

It should not be surprising to us that famine and hunger will follow quickly on the heels of war and the disdain for human life. We have seen it happen too many times. When vast sections of humanity are affected by war, the dislocated masses begin to starve.
Inevitably, the fourth horseman rides abroad on his pale steed. There is no mistaking his identity. Death is his name. John records that the forces of Hades —hell—come along closely behind him. To the power of death by sword is added the power of death by famine, plague and wild beast.

We really have no idea what world conditions will be in that day. Biological warfare will be added to the destructive elements already in use. Plague is the name for it: diseases that quickly break forth from the rotting corpses that no one has time to mourn or to bury. And when these four seals have been broken by the victorious Lamb, judgment and tribulation, pain and death will overflow our earth.

You may be accusing me of extreme pessimism. So be it. But I must agree with what John foretells, for it is a part of the Bible, and the Bible is wholly true. We live in the midst of an ungodly society—a world that rebels against our God and His Christ. I do not find anything in the Word of God to encourage this generation in its present godless lifestyle. It resolves no problems for men and women to say to each other, “Cheer up! Things will get better!” All is not well. Things will not get better while the horses of the apocalypse are pawing the ground and champing at the bit, awaiting the signal to gallop forth. As I close this chapter, I want to tie in the loosing of these four horsemen with John’s vision of the souls of the martyrs beneath the altar (Revelation 6:9-11) when the fifth seal is broken. John says he immediately heard the “loud call” of these souls” under the altar.” Their appeal: “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

I think it is beautiful how God answers them as a mother might comfort her children. John says, “Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.” It is as if God says, “Hush, My dear children. Do not be impatient. We are waiting a little longer until the souls of the other faithful martyrs are gathered in. They are giving up their lives even as you have given yours. Meanwhile, here are shining robes to wear until the time is ripe!”