The various colors of the horse represent in symbolical
language the nature of the human agencies employed in the
execution of these judgments. However, it is important to
keep in mind, that the hand moving these instruments is the
Lamb who, as sovereign Lord, opens the seven seals. The
opening of each seal begins with the words, “the Lamb” or
“He broke.” Note also the words, “to him was granted” or
“given to him.”
While the white horse was symbolic, of a victorious
conqueror and one who primarily gained his supremacy by cold
war and diplomatic tactics, red is a symbol of bloodshed or
warfare and the rest of the verse clearly shows this to be
the case. The red horse rider will break the short-lived
peace inaugurated by the rider on the white horse.
International conflicts will begin to erupt all over the
earth. Until this point there would undoubtedly be “rumors
of wars” (Matthew 24:6), but then nation will rise against
nation and kingdom against kingdom (Matthew 24:7).
