The second horse of the Apcalypse appears on the symbolic scene. Each of these four horsemen and their steeds form a general pattern, yet each one of them dramatically different in their activities and their purposes.

We remember that the Riders being "Human agents" symbolize the religious realm. The "Horses" being in the animal relm symbolize the civil or supporting power which the Rider guides.

This Rider was to take peace from the earth and kill with a great sword! The horse is "Red" in color, and can be identified as the Pagan Roman Empire of the 1st century. These symbolic words describe the conflict between Christianity and Paganism.

The conflict arose as the Christians proclaimed Christ as the only true God, and denounced all other pagan gods! These new believers were commanded not to "Speak or teach in the name of Jesus" by the magistrates of Rome.

Their answer is recorded in the Bible...
"For we cannot help but speak the things we have seen and heard, and they went everywhere preaching the gospel." This brought on great persecution and death to all who proclaimed Christ as King.

Pagan temples were being deserted as many believed in Christ. Pagan idol worshippers sought the support of the magistrates of Rome and received it.

The book of Acts records the many persecutions that the first Christians endured! Paul and Silas were jailed! Peter was imprisoned! Christians were condemned and crucified for their faith in Christ!

Christians were cast into the sports arenas with hungry lions who tore them to pieces. The Emperor, Nero dipped Christians in wax and used them to light his garden by night!

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith,
copyright 1992
Click on any picture to visit her Web Site

Rev.6:3 "And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second creature say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword."

* The color "Red" has always symbolized Godlessness and Paganism. Even today, the color of red is used to identify Godlessness and Paganism. For instance, the "Red Bear" symbolizes Russia, a recognized Communist county. The "Red Square" is the center of activities in Russia. China is referred to as "Red China."
* The "Red" horse symbolizes the support of the Pagan civil authorities of 1st. century Rome.
* The "Rider being a "Human agent" symbolizes the Pagan Priesthood of Rome, which guided or influenced the whole then known world!
* Let us look closely at all the events that are revealed in these symbols as this sixed sealed scroll was opened. This symbolic scene is relating the true and physical severe persecutions that were done by Pagan Rome! these persecutions were directed against the new sect they called "Christians."
* Secular history records and describes the extreme persecutions that those first Christians endured. Christians were even blamed for the burning of Rome! Every Christian ought to go to the library and get a copy of "Foxes Book of Martyrs" and read of the awful conflict that took place against Christians.