The Fourth Seal (A.D. 235-303)
Rev. 6.7-8.
Following the scenes of the third seal, John is invited to “Come and See” !
In verse eight he records seeing a “pale” horse, having a rider whose name was “death”, and the comment is added, “hades” followed him. Furthermore, sword, hunger, and the beasts of the earth, would bring death to the “fourth part of the earth”.
The Symbols Explained
The Greek word “chloros” means a pale green, hence the English word “chlorosis”, a sickly green or anaemic appearance, such as is often noticed in those about to die.
“Hell”, an old English word from the Greek “Hades” in this instance means, concealed or hidden place, and aptly signifies the grave.
The colour of the horse indicated the condition of the portion of the empire styled the “fourth”.
Rome’s empire was divided into four praefectures, which were:
- Gaul, including all the area west of Italy
- Italy
- Illyricum (north of Italy)
- all the area east of Italy
“The” fourth part, not just “a” fourth part signifies Italy itself as the scene of a condition near unto political death. Death and the grave did indeed plague Italy in this period under review.
Among other things the “Sword” would be a prominent agent of death. The Greek word for sword here in verse 8 is “romphaia” which means a long sword as used by the Thracians in this period. After the murder of Alexander Severus who was the last ruler under the third seal, a Thracian, Maximin, succeeded to the purple. He was a rough, base type of individual, who was suspicious of all about him, particularly of those who remembered his humble origin. With the motive of self-preservation he had great numbers of people put to death.
After a three year holocaust of death, Maximin was murdered in A.D. 238. The sword of the Thracian had brought untold suffering to Italy, tumults, riots and sacres had been the order of the day.
Gordianus and his son succeeded and became joint rulers but were both killed in battle in the year A.D. 238 in the endeavour to defeat Maximin’s troops. The leaders of the revolt appointed Maximus and Balbinus as rulers. Maximus opposed Maximin at Aquilea. Rome itself was plunged into civil war, as the Praetorian Guard fought against the people in the cause of their (the Guard’s) support for Maximin. Maximin was murdered by his troops, but his death did not bring peace.
The newly-appointed joint rulers were themselves murdered, and a third member of the Gordian family succeeded. While he was away fighting against the Persians, a Praetorian Prefect, Philip, was appointed ruler, and when his predecessor returned Philip had him put to death.
The Wild Beasts of the Earth
About the time of Philip’s short reign the Barbarians or “wild” or uncivilised nations outside of the Empire’s borders, began to attack the Roman world. Owing to the revolts, riots and massacres in the Italian “fourth” of the Empire, many provinces were left either undefended or only thinly guarded.
Here are the “Wild Beasts” of the Apocalypse. The untamed peoples flowed over the borders. The Goths forced Rome to pay tribute. The Franks attacked the Iberian Peninsula, the Persians attacked
from the East. Gibbon in his “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” fully describes the fighting and bloodshed of the times. Philip reigned five years, and was deposed after a revolution headed by Decius. Decius was slain in the course of fighting the Goths. One city alone had at least one hundred thousand people killed. Gallus and Hostilianus followed Decius, and decided that discretion was the better part of valour, and therefore paid tribute to the Goths. Valerian and his son Gallienus, became rulers. The father attacked the Persians, was captured and died in captivity. The son did not even try to rescue his father. Gallienus reigned 8 years, at last being assassinated.
Concerning the time we have reviewed, Gibbon wrote that, “Half the human race was killed by disease, pestilence, famine, and the sword wielded by the emperors upon their own people”.
Death and the Grave had followed the Roman horse. The empire had almost expired. The Divine judgments predicted by Him whom Rome had crucified, were severe. They were a foretaste of things yet future, when the Galilean returned to earth will cause God’s judgments to go out to the utmost bounds of the earth.
A listing of the rulers in this 68 year period, conveys in a condensed manner what must have transpired. As people of reason and faith we stand in awe and agree, “It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God”.
4th Seal (A.D. 235-303)
- Maximin—murdered 238
- Gordianus and Son—killed in battle 238
- Maximus and Balbinus—assassinated 238
- Gordian—murdered 244
- Philip—killed 249
- Deciusn— killed 251
- Gallus and Hostilianus—murdered 253
- Valerian—died in captivity 268
- Gallienus—murdered 268
- Claudius—died 170
- Aurelian—assassinated 275
- Tacitus—died 276
- Probus—murdered 281
- Carus—struck by lightning 284
- Numerian and Carinus—murdered 285
Jacob’s Prophecy in Gen 49 and Other Discussion Questions