Revelation 6:3-4
When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The invitation "Come!" isn't just a generic command to witness; it's the second living creature, a symbol of strength and labor, calling us to observe how even divine judgments, like war, arise from humanity's resistance to peace and good. It highlights that the presence of Christ doesn't automatically eliminate conflict on earth, but rather, humanity's choices turn the potential for peace into the reality of strife.
As the Lamb opens the second seal, the second of the four living creatures, resembling an ox, issues the same invitation as before: "Come!" This beckons John to witness the next unfolding vision. Immediately following this, a red horse appears, signifying the outbreak of war and the brutal removal of peace from the earth.
Why do the living creatures, these powerful angelic beings, seem to be orchestrating the unfolding of these seals? What does their command to 'Come!' signify?
In Revelation, the four living creatures surrounding God's throne aren't just passive observers. They represent the fullness of creation and are depicted as actively participating in God's divine plan.
Active Agents
When the Lamb opens a seal, one of the creatures issues the command, 'Come!'. This isn't a casual invitation; it's a divine directive. The creatures act as heralds, announcing the judgments that are about to be revealed. They are part of the cosmic machinery through which God's purposes are enacted on earth.
A Glimpse of God's Sovereignty
Each creature has unique symbolism (lion, ox, human face, eagle), representing different aspects of God's nature or creation's response to Him. The ox, associated with labor and sacrifice, can here symbolize the patient endurance and hard work required to witness and proclaim God's truth even in difficult times. Their voices aren't just sounds; they are pronouncements carrying divine authority, calling John—and us—to pay attention to the unfolding events.
The appearance of a red horse and its rider signals a drastic shift. What does this color and the rider's given authority represent for the world?
The opening of the second seal unleashes a vision of conflict and violence, symbolized by the red horse.
The Color of Conflict
The color red is almost universally associated with blood, war, and violence. It’s a stark contrast to the white horse of the first seal, which, depending on interpretation, can represent purity, conquest, or the spread of the Gospel. The red horse, however, leaves no room for ambiguity: it signifies bloodshed and the taking of peace.
The Power to Destroy Peace
The rider is explicitly given the authority 'to take peace from the earth.' This isn't a natural occurrence but a divinely permitted judgment. The consequence is that people will 'kill one another.' This speaks to widespread warfare, civil unrest, and a breakdown of societal order, where humanity turns against itself with lethal intent. It’s a sobering reminder that peace is a precious gift from God, and its absence leads to devastating consequences.
Understand the original words
eirēnē · Greek Noun
A state of wholeness, harmony, and reconciliation with God; its removal signifies divine judgment resulting in conflict, chaos, and the dissolution of societal order.
machaira · Greek Noun
A weapon used for slaughter, war, and the execution of judgment; it represents the loss of life and the violent removal of stability from human society.
The opening of the second seal, with its red horse and command to take peace from the earth, vividly portrays the brutal wars and massacres that erupted during the Roman Empire, especially those involving the Jewish people, showing that even in times of perceived peace, violent conflict was a recurring reality.
c. AD 75
Temple of Peace dedicated
Vespasian dedicated a grand Temple of Peace in Rome, symbolizing a hoped-for era of tranquility after years of civil war. This marked a brief period of restored order in the Roman Empire.
AD 115-117— this verse
Great Jewish Revolt
Massive revolts erupted among Jewish communities across the empire, particularly in Cyrene, Egypt, Cyprus, and Mesopotamia. These uprisings led to widespread slaughter and devastation on both sides.
c. AD 132-136
Bar Kokhba Revolt
A second major Jewish rebellion against Roman rule, led by Simon bar Kokhba, resulted in immense bloodshed and the destruction of numerous Jewish cities and fortresses.
c. AD 100-190
Era of Roman Wars and Slaughter
This extended period saw significant military conflicts and internal strife within the Roman Empire, marked by severe violence and loss of life, impacting various regions and peoples.
Jesus directly warns his disciples about hearing of wars and rumors of wars, aligning with the theme of conflict that follows the opening of this seal.
Jeremiah 4:19This passage vividly describes the heart's anguish and the sounds of war, echoing the violent upheaval brought by the red horse.
Isaiah 2:4This verse presents the ultimate divine promise of peace when nations will 'beat their swords into plowshares,' standing in stark contrast to the immediate reality of war revealed in Revelation 6:4.
Luke 12:49Jesus' words about bringing a sword, rather than peace, to the earth highlight the often paradoxical and divisive impact of his coming, which is reflected in the outbreak of conflict.
ellicottRevelation 6:3: "And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see."
(3, 4) And when he had opened . . .—Better, And when he opened the second seal , I heard the second living being , saying , Come. And there came forth another horse , red; and to him that sat on him was given to take peace from the earth , and that they (i.e., the inhabitants of the earth) shall kill one another , and there was given to him a great sword. This seal is the distinct and unmistaka…
gillRevelation 6:3: "And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see."
And when he had opened the second seal,.... Of the sealed book; that is, the Lamb, as before: I heard the second beast say, come and see; this living creature was the ox, whose situation was on the west side of the throne, as the standard of Ephraim, on which was an ox, was on the west of the camp of Israel; no mention is made of the noise of thunder, as before, the voice of the ox being lower…
The invitation "Come!" isn't just a generic command to witness; it's the second living creature, a symbol of strength and labor, calling us to observe how even divine judgments, like war, arise from humanity's resistance to peace and good. It highlights that the presence of Christ doesn't automatically eliminate conflict on earth, but rather, humanity's choices turn the potential for peace into the reality of strife.
As the Lamb opens the second seal, the second of the four living creatures, resembling an ox, issues the same invitation as before: "Come!" This beckons John to witness the next unfolding vision. Immediately following this, a red horse appears, signifying the outbreak of war and the brutal removal of peace from the earth.
As the Lamb opens the second seal, the second of the four living creatures, resembling an ox, issues the same invitation as before: "Come!" This beckons John to witness the next unfolding vision. Immediately following this, a red horse appears, signifying the outbreak of war and the brutal removal of peace from the earth.
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Is war merely a human failing, or is there a deeper, divine dimension to these outbreaks of violence described in Revelation?
The imagery of the red horse and the ensuing violence isn't presented as random chaos, but as a form of divine judgment.
Judgment Woven from Human Vice
Commentators note that God often uses human sin and conflict as instruments of His judgment. While individuals and nations bear responsibility for their violent actions, these outbreaks can also serve God’s purposes in chastening or judging a rebellious world. The text implies that even the 'great sword' given to the rider is part of God's sovereign decree.
The Struggle for Peace
The passage highlights that the coming of Christ doesn't immediately usher in a world free from war. Instead, human resistance to God's purposes can turn the message of peace into a catalyst for conflict. This underscores the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil, and how the earthly realm reflects this struggle. The Christian life involves navigating these realities, understanding that while believers strive for peace, war and conflict are realities that God permits as part of His justice and redemptive plan.
"When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great…" — The invitation "Come!" isn't just a generic command to witness; it's the second living creature, a symbol of strength and labor, calling us to observe how even divine judgments, like war, arise from…
