Fourth Horseman and Pestilence

In the sixth chapter of the Book of Revelation, the ride of four horsemen are described. The passages about the fourth horseman are as follows:

So, the opening of the fourth seal is the time that the pale horse of death is apparently increasing death by war, hunger, and pestilences (the beasts of the earth).

Pestilences are Part of the Sorrows that Begin Prior to the Start of the Great Tribulation

With all of the natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, related food shortages, recessions, and emerging pestilences in the past few years, perhaps this would be a good time to show people that these are to begin PRIOR to the “great tribulation” (which starts with the opening of the fifth seal in Revelation 6:9).

Perhaps it should be pointed out that the fourth sorrow, like the fourth horseman, involves pestilence.

What Can Be Expected During This Time?

Bible prophecies about the end of the age employ sobering images of four horsemen to describe terrible events that will sweep over the earth just before the return of Jesus Christ. The Fourth Horseman (Revelation 6:7–8) pictures the outbreak of pestilences and troubles (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11) that will ravage one quarter of the earth by violence, hunger and "the beasts of the earth"—including viruses and bacteria (Revelation 6:8)...

Our Vulnerable World

In the past century, the development of antibiotics—the "magic bullets" of modern medicine—has fostered a false sense of security in which many assume that we are no longer threatened by infectious diseases. However, the appearance of microbes resistant to powerful drugs reveals that there are limits to what antibiotics can do. In just a few hours, thanks to international jet travel, disease carriers can come into contact with thousands of people at airports half a world away, greatly aiding the spread of disease. The rise of mega-cities, where millions of people live in close contact, also facilitates the spread of disease. In the developing world—where millions crowd together in slums with little access to clean water, medical services or the sanitary disposal of human wastes and garbage—these infectious diseases thrive. Social disruptions caused by war and political turmoil that plague Africa, the Middle East and other areas of the world create fertile conditions for the spread of infectious disease. All these factors are present and growing in our world today. The threat of biochemical terrorism—the deliberate release of toxic microbes or chemical agents in large urban centers—offers a scary scenario capable of killing large numbers of people in very little time. In the last decade, our world has clearly become more vulnerable to the outbreak of global epidemics that have the potential of claiming millions of lives—which is exactly what the Fourth Horseman pictures!

The Forgotten Past

A quick glance at history reveals that "epidemics have crumbled empires, defeated armies and forever changed the way we live" (Fourth Horseman, Nikiforuk, p. xv). Epidemics in the past arrived unexpectedly, and spread death and devastation over wide areas of the world. In the Middle Ages leprosy, tuberculosis, cholera and typhoid thrived in the filth and crowded living conditions of medieval cities. In 1348 an epidemic of plague—the "Black Death"—killed one third of the population of Europe (some 30 million) in just two years! The plague spread along medieval trade routes. Columbus' sailors brought syphilis from the Americas, and the disease spread rapidly through Europe, aided by promiscuity and public bathhouses. Europeans brought smallpox to the Americas, where it killed 100 million Native Americans in one century because they lacked natural antibodies to the disease. The most dramatic global epidemic in modern times was the flu epidemic of 1918, which killed 50 million people in just 18 months! By contrast, the battlefields of World War I required four years to claim 15 million lives. The recent SARS outbreak and the resurgence of infectious diseases clearly indicate that the Fourth Horseman is still a threat to the health of mankind—and he will ride...when conditions are ripe. (Winnail D. Disease Epidemics: The Fourth Horseman. Tomorrow's World magazine, Mar-Apr, 2004)

In modern times, the spread of diseases is so much easier than in more ancient times. Notice some comments from the Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about this related to the 2011 movie Contagion:

Humankind is at risk. And modern travel and other practices are placing humanity at even greater risk. The ride of the pale horseman of death will result in deaths from pestilences.

I would also like to comment about fear as the Contagion movie apparently emphasizes that. In a recent trip to Europe, I noticed that some Asian-appearing individuals (and only Asians, and then mainly women) were wearing masks to presumably reduce their risk of catching airborne diseases in airports and some other places. Washing hands and wearing masks sometimes do have limited benefit, and it is possible that in times of epidemic that some (though not all) may benefit from these actions.

The fourth horseman of the apocalypse will result in death of a quarter of humankind (Revelation 6:8). Just like bodily exercise can benefit for a little while, physical hygiene steps may also benefit some for a little while, yet turning to God and living His ways are what we need to do:

Will Genetically-Modified Foods Be a Factor?

Because of sin, greed, and ignorance, America has been into producing genetically-modified foods. Although the Europeans allow some, Europe has had much more restrictions on them and is less dependent upon them for their food supply.

For the USA and Canada, the situation is much more precarious. The vast majority of soy beans and corn produced by these combined nations is from genetically-modified organisms (GMOs).

The intent also seems to be to develop other GMO crops as well. GMO wheat (and wheat one of the most major crops) is starting to be introduced as well (see Super Wheat: Solution or Disaster Awaiting?). The Bible also warns:

And I have long wondered that other than possibly referring to white bread, if this verse may possibly refer to “bread” made with genetically-modified wheat or other GMO grains.

These human-engineered "foods" are genetically identical within species which makes them susceptible to total elimination via famine-causing pestilential organisms. I have long suspected that the time will come when some type of pestilence will hit America's genetically-modified grain crops like corn and wreak havoc on the land. Enough so, that this may embolden its enemies to attack Britain and/or the USA to begin the Great Tribulation.

Having genetically-modified, along with mainly hybrid, seeds will mean that it will be difficult to actually grown enough food in those regions once some type of blight or other pestilence hits.

The idea of genetically-modified crops being at risk is not far-fetched. It is something I have warned about for years, and sadly science is now starting to admit that I was right on that point. It was announced in August 2011 for "the first time a major Midwest scourge has developed resistance to a genetically modified crop"(for more details, see Pestilence Issues and Genetically-Modified Corn).

The Bible is clear that pestilences are coming and the USA, Canada, etc. seem determined to place themselves at greater risk than necessary by seemingly racing to see how much of the food supply can become dependent on genetically-engineered grains and other crops.

Anglo-Nations Are at Biblical Risk

Here are some passages from Lamentations, plus one in Ezekiel that seem to be directed towards the Anglo-nations (for more on the identity of the Anglo-nations in prophecy, please see the article Anglo - America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel):

Notice that this shows famine, then pestilence, and then the sword. The above sequence seems to be slightly different than that Jesus listed as part of the “beginning of sorrows” (Mathew 24:7-8) as the sword comes afterwards. But since the sword should begin the Great Tribulation, the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), this may be part of how the beginning of sorrows ties into the Great Tribulation–this also may suggest hunger and disease problems for the Anglo-nations prior to the start of the Great Tribulation.

Notice that it is after various pestilences, that the some nation is delivered to its enemies. This suggests that the USA, UK, and their Anglo-descended allies will face pestilences before they are taken over. And for those who question that the prophecy in Leviticus could be directed towards the Anglo-descended nations, understand that in the Bible, the man Israel specifically stated that his name would be on the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48:14-20). Hence if the Anglo-descended nations came from them (which they did), then some of the prophecies that apply to “Israel” are prophecies that should be applied to the primarily Anglo-descended nations.

The Anglo-descended nations, who should know better, are walking contrary to the word of God. Pestilences are coming to their lands.

The Anglo-nations that are relying on genetically-engineered foods and not repentance are taking a major risk that will cost them many lives.

Some Will Be Protected

While they will be subject to the persecutions prior to the start of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:9-10; Daniel 11:29-35), there is a group that Jesus promised to protect from the hour of trial that will come on the earth:

The Results of the Fourth Horseman

The ride of the fourth horseman in these end times will apparently result in one quarter of humanity to die. Based on current and projected population counts, this would seem to be between 1.6-2.0 billion people.

Despite various precautions that people will take, massive numbers of people will still die.

Physical preparations, while helpful for a while (Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians), but this fourth rider will bring deaths. But spiritual preparations, on the other hand, are what truly is needed for real protection (Revelation 3:7-10; 1 Timothy 4:8-11).

Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse, the Pale Horse of Death and Pestilence