The Caesars in the Apocalypse

“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.” (Rev 6:3-4 ESV)

“When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand.” (Rev 6:5 ESV)

This black horse seal period was marked by mourning, distress, famine and plague. The impact of the general violence, bloodshed and brutality of the Caesars and the Praetorian military class was felt by the whole of Roman society, Patrician and Plebeian, Roman or Barbarian, Pagan or Christian.

The fourth seal

Jesus, the Lamb (6:1), opens the fourth seal and the fourth of the living creatures calls on John to witness the fourth horse and the rider named (v8) “Death”.

Pale horse

The Greek for the phrase “pale horse” is hippos chloros. From this word, chloros,…

The history of the Roman Empire can be divided into three distinct periods, beginning with the time of the Kings (625–510BC). Republican Rome (510–31BC) ended with the assassination of Julius Caesar and the ascension of Augustus (27BC). This marked the period known as Imperial Rome (to AD476).

The fifth seal

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on th…