Mar. 19, 2011 - While the nuclear reactors at Japan’s Fukushima plant are disintegrating and releasing
radiation into the air, many are asking what Bible prophecy has to say about radiation in the End Times.
This is an area where it would be unwise to be dogmatic, but there are two possible connections to nuclear
destruction from the account of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Revelation chapter 6 describes the early
part of the Tribulation as a vision of four riders on different colored horses. First there is the rider on a
white horse (verses 1-2), a mighty conqueror and apparent messiah who appears to be able solve the world’s problems,
but in reality is a false savior – the “beast” of Revelation 13, who is often called Antichrist.
The second symbolic rider comes on a red horse (Revelation 6:3-4). This speaks of the ravages of a great world-wide
war. It is not likely that this war is started by the rider on the white horse, since, as the previous verses
indicate, he is seen as a messianic hero.
Jesus told us that the period leading up to the Tribulation would be characterized by “wars and rumors of wars”
(Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7).
It is likely that this is the war of Ezekiel 38 and 39, which results in fiery destruction of the aggressors from
the north when they try to conquer Israel. This could very possibly escalate to nuclear warfare, which involves more
than one of the present-day nuclear powers. The emerging world dictator could take credit for the destruction of
Israel’s invaders, or at least take advantage of the situation, to bring about the seven-year peace treaty between
himself and Israel that was prophesied by Daniel. If this is the case, this war would take place at the very
beginning of the seven years of the Tribulation. And, of course, if it involves a nuclear exchange, it will result
in the release of unwanted radiation.
The third horse will be black, and it will bring great famine, probably as a result of the world war and continued
global economic problems (Revelation 6:5-6).
The fourth horse has brings a variety of deadly situations.
When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8I looked, and
there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were
given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. –
Revelation 6:7-8
The color of the fourth horse is translated many ways. Some Bible versions translate it as “pale,” others as “ashen,”
or “pale green.” The Greek word is chloros, “greenish.” It is the root of the well known “chlorophyll”, the tiny
green chemical converters in the leaves of most plants.
Chloros also suggests deadly chlorine gas, which is pale green in color and quickly fatal to all who breathe it.
The intended picture here is a sickly pale green that symbolizes death as a result of the terrors of nuclear,
chemical, and biological warfare.
Therefore, one of the main causes of this Fourth Horseman’s deadly mission might be radiation and the cancer that it
produces. This radiation could be the result, not only of nuclear weapons, but of damaged nuclear power plants as
well. And these catastrophes could be caused by terrorism or natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
One other possibility for the meaning of the green horse has been suggested by some Bible teachers in the light of
the growing threat by Islamic radical terrorists. They wonder if the green could come from the well-known fact that
Islamic countries all use green in their flags and seem to prefer that color. Time will tell if there is any
connection here.
More related information is available in our book,
Connecting the Dots: A Handbook of Bible Prophecy.
Source: Ron's Blog
