Is Corona Virus The Pale Horse?

Even people who know very little about the Bible will recognize the term "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" from the book of Revelation. And most people know to associate the fourth horse, the Pale Horse, with death and disease. The Corona Virus COVID-19 looks like it could fit that description. Let's see.

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Between The Ears BLOG INDEX, with titles and summaries.

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 What Is The Pale Horse?

In Rev 5, Jesus Christ is given a scroll with seven seals on it. The first six seals are opened in chapter six. The seventh seal is not opened till chapter 8, and it takes until chapter 19 to be finished. The first four of the six seals are the Four Horsemen. How do we know what they represent? Because they line up with a prophecy that Jesus gave, recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

White Horse - False Religion
Red Horse - War
Black Horse - Famine
Pale Horse - Plagues

Here's what the Bible says about that Pale Horse. Does this match the corona virus?

Rev 6:7 When the Lamb broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come.” 8 I looked, and behold, an ashen* horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth. NASB



*also translated pale, pale green, pale colored. From the Greek word chloros.

Kill a fourth of the earth! That would mean nearly two billion people. Estimates of the corona virus fatality rate are less than 5%, some estimates are much lower - Slate [1]. The Corona virus COVID-19 does not fit the Pale Horse. That could change if it mutates, but as it is now, no, it is not the Pale Horse.

WHEN???

Timing is also an issue. Authors don't seem to have a consensus on WHEN the Four Horsemen ride.

• Some say they have already ridden - Life, Hope, and Truth [2], Voice In The Wilderness [3]. 
• Some say only the White Horse has ridden - Christian Biblical Church of God [4], Continuing Church of God [5]. 
• Some say the White Horse is the Anti-Christ, who has not been revealed, so none of them have ridden -  John Walvoord [6], End Times Prophecy Research [7].

The disciples wanted to know when as well.

Matt 24: 3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, WHEN will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines* and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs**.

* Luke 21:11 adds Plagues or Pestilences
** Also translated as Sorrows or Travail, birth pangs appears to be most accurate.

Prophecy In The Headlines

Weather.com [8]

The problem in nailing down the timing is that false religion, war, famine, and plagues have been part of human history for a long time.  But all four appear to have intensified in the 20th century, and intensified again in the 21st. We ARE living in the end times. ALL of the things mentioned in Matt 24, false religion, war, famine, pestilence (Corona Virus, locusts), earthquakes, are happening now like never before.

Washington Times [12]

Be aware that prophecies have dual or even multiple fulfillments, echoes in advance if you will - United Church of God [9]. For example, Antiochus Ephiphanes was a fulfillment (in type) of the end time Anti-Christ - Prophecy Proof [10], Prophecy Forum [11]. A plague happening now could be seen as a fulfillment in type of the ride of the Pale Horse. The real thing will be much, MUCH worse. No matter how one interprets the timing of the Four Horsemen, remember "the end is not yet, these are the beginning of birth pangs". The Four Horsemen are only the first four of seven seals. In my opinion, we have crossed into the time of the beginning of birth pangs. But along with the warning, there is hope:



2 Chron 7:13  If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the LOCUSTS to devour the land, or if I send PESTILENCE among my people;
14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.



References

1. https://slate.com/technology/2020/03/coronavirus-mortality-rate-lower-than-we-think.html
2. https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/four-horsemen-of-the-apocalypse/
3. http://www.avoiceinthewilderness.org/prophecy/revbook/seals1-4.html
4. https://www.cbcg.org/prophecy/order-of-events-in-the-book-of-revelation.html
5. https://www.cogwriter.com/news/prophecy/covid-19-is-not-the-end-of-the-world-but-could-it-be-teotwaki
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Horsemen_of_the_Apocalypse
7. https://endtimesprophecyresearch.com/have-any-of-the-7-seals-been-broken
8. https://weather.com/news/news/2020-03-31-earthquake-boise-idaho-montana
9. https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/the-united-states-and-britain-in-bible-prophecy/dual-fulfillment-in-bible-prophecy
10. https://www.prophecyproof.org/multiple-fulfillments-in-bible-prophecy/
11. http://www.prophecyforum.com/antiochus.html
12. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jan/25/this-is-huge-locust-swarms-destroy-crops-in-east-a/

The Paradigm: A Pattern For America

Many stories in the Bible serve as patterns of events to come later. These aren't prophecies as we normally think of them, that is prediction -> fulfillment, but rather as types. In the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac, Isaac pictures Jesus. Isaac is the type, Jesus is the antitype, the fulfillment.

Jezebel and Ahab

1 Kings 16:31 to 2 Kings 10:34 records the reign of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel over the northern kingdom of ancient Israel. The characters and events of their rise and fall are a type for characters and events occurring right now in America, impossible as that seems. Again, it is not a prophesy in terms of prediction, but a type, a pattern or paradigm of things to happen "in the latter day". It is the premise of the book The Paradigm: The Ancient Blueprint That Holds the Mystery of Our Times [1] by Jonathan Cahn. For a quick intro, see a review of his book at Conservative Firing Line [2].

This article is a summary of Cahn's book. The main characters and events are summarized in tables. This can serve as a reference to anyone who has read the book, or as an introduction to the prophetic types of ancient Israel being played out in modern America.

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If you like this (or not), check out my other articles at the
Between The Ears BLOG INDEX, with titles and summaries.

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A Brief History of Ahab and Jezebel's Reign

Ancient Israel

Israel began as a nation when Moses led them out of slavery in Egypt. While they were never perfect, the people of Israel started out well, but after a few centuries, began to drift away from God. This apostasy was slow at first, but in the northern kingdom of Israel, King Ahab and his wife Jezebel accelerated the move away from God towards Baal. Jezebel is seen as manipulating Ahab, especially in the practice of child sacrifice. Ahab and Jezebel got caught in a scandal killing a man named Naboth to steal his vineyard. Surprisingly, Ahab shows remorse when confronted by Elijah, so God postpones some of his punishment till after his death. Ahab has an enemy named Ben Hadad, a king to the east, who troubles Israel. Ahab manages to capture Ben Hadad, then inexplicably lets him go. Elijah tells Ahab that he should have killed Ben Hadad, but now has traded his life for Ben Hadad. Ahab dies in battle, but Jezebel maintains power as queen mother through her sons Ahaziah who only lasts two years and her son Joram who reigned for twelve years. Elijah's protoge Elisha anoints a military commander Jehu to take the throne from Ahab's son Joram. Jehu becomes king, teams up with a holy man Jehonadab, and destroys the temple of Baal and kills many of the prophets of Baal. But Jehu doesn't go far enough in reforming Israel.

A Brief History of Bill And Hillary Clinton's Reign

America began as a nation when the Founding Fathers broke away from England. While they were never perfect, the people of America started out well, but after a few centuries, began to drift away from God. This apostasy was slow at first, but Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary accelerated the move away from God towards paganism. Hillary is seen as manipulating Bill, especially in the practice of abortion. Bill and Hillary got caught in two scandals, one involving a real estate deal called Whitewater, some suggest killing a man named Vince Foster to hide evidence; and two, Bill's affair with Monica Lewinsky. Surprisingly, Bill Clinton shows remorse when confronted, some of the penalties are postponed till after he is out of office. Bill Clinton has an enemy named Bin Laden, a terrorist leader to the east, who troubles America. Clinton had nine separate chances to take out Bin Laden, but inexplicably lets him go. He traded American lives for Bin Laden. Bill Clinton's term ends, but Hillary gains power as a US Senator for eight years then Secretary of state for four years. While Hillary was the heir apparent to become President in 2008, Barack Obama won the nomination and was elected. A political outsider Donald Trump took the Presidency after Obama, taking it away from Hillary. Trump teams up with a religious man Mike Pence, and reverses abortion policies of Clinton and Obama. Does Trump go far enough in reforming America?

Regardless of how one might feel about any of the current players in American politics, one has to admit the parallels with ancient Israel. Why was this paradigm recorded? Why is it playing out now?

THE KING

Let's look in more detail at the parallels between King Ahab and Bill Clinton. They both rule over nations slipping into apostasy, and instead of reversing the trend, accelerate it due to the influence of their wives. They both sanction the killing of children, both are dogged by scandals, and both have an enemy from the east.

Ahab vs Bill Clinton

Ahab	Clinton	Chap
Accelerates apostasy	Epitomizes apostasy	4
Morally weak	Morally weak	4
Adept commander	Talented leader	4
Conflict between culture of heritage and new ethos	Conflict between culture of heritage and new ethos     struck down ban on using aborted tissue     vetoed partail birth abortion Normalized and endorsed homosexuality     issued proclamation to honor gay pride	4,6
Pagan practices went from secret to public Pagan morality supplants Biblical morality State sponsored paganism - built a temple to Baal		4
Israel became materialistic, sensual, vulgar	USA became materialistic, sensual, vulgar	4
Promoted child sacrifice	Championed abortion	4
Reigned 22 years -1Kings 16:29	In office 22 years     AG, Gov Arkanas 77-81, 83-93, Pres USA 93-2001	8
Nemesis: Ben Hadad. See NEMESIS chart	Nemesis: Bin Laden. See NEMESIS chart	9
Scandal     Kills Naboth and takes his vineyard	Scandal     Affair with Monica Lewinsky	10

THE QUEEN

What about the parallels between Ahab's wife Jezebel and Bill's wife Hillary? Both of them acted as co-regents, one could argue they were the power behind the throne. They both waged war on the nations's traditional morals, that is a war on religion. Jezebel was a priestess of Baal, Hillary dabbled in the occult. Both women had their own power base after their husbands were out of power, and in each case, were the first women to do so. And just like Ahab and Bill Clinton, they were in power the same amount of time.


It may be hard to believe that there is a war on religion, on Christians, in America. That sounds like something that happens elsewhere. Christians may be beheaded "over there", but not here. Yes there is a war on Christianity being waged by the liberal left. Author David Horowitz has written about it, DARK AGENDA: The War to Destroy Christian America [3].

Jezebel vs Hillary Clinton

Jezebel	Hillary	Chap
Elite of cosmopolitan culture	Born and raised in Chicago, worked on east coast	5
Proponent of child sacrifice	Chief advocate for abortion     Hillarycare compelled govt funded abortion	5
Political marriage to Ahab	Political consideration in marriage to Bill	5
Contempt for Israel's faith	Wage war on traditional and biblical values	5
Sought to change Israel	Agent for social and cultural change of USA	5
Distrusted by many	Distrusted by many	5
Coregent	Co-president     Bill "two for the price of one"     Office in West Wing known as Hillaryland	6
Caused Ahab to     Build temple to Baal     Waged war on Biblical faith and morality     Champion religion that sacrificed children	Convinced Bill to advance abortion 2015 NYC "deep seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to change" 2016 DNC open about abortion 2016 platform sought to strike down Helm and Hyde amendments	6,19
Priestess daughter of Phoenician King Ithobaal, High priest of Astarte     Brought 400 pagan priests from Phoenicia     Astarte goddess of fertility, sex, war, Destruction     Astarte aka Queen of Heaven	Invited non Christian advisors to Camp David 1994     Jean Houston, Marianne Williamson Jean Houston     Pantheism, all is God     Very high priestess     Actively dialogue with neters, gods and goddesses     Promotes Isis aka Queen of Heaven HRC held seances at the White House*     Channeled Eleanor Roosevelt	5,7
Dwelt in capital city Samaria after Ahab's death	Dwelt in capital city Washington DC after Bill's term	13
First queen of Israel to exercise power after king dies	First First Lady to seek office after presidential term	13
As queen mother, held sway over sons Ahaziah and Joram	US Senator, then Secretary of State under Obama     back in White House, counselor to Obama	17
In power 36 years     22 years with Ahab     2 years with Ahaziah     12 years Joram	In power 36 years     22 years with Bill     2 years presidential campaign     12 years Senator + Secretary of State	26

* Biography Reveals Hillary Clinton Séance, Religious Devotion to Abortion [4]

THE NEMESIS

Let's examine the parallels between Ahab's archenemy Ben Hadad, and Clinton's archenemy Bin Laden. Beyond the similarity of their names, they both threatened and harassed Israel or America, both attacking capital cities, both killed in their bedrooms, betrayed wittingly or not by their couriers. And they both died 10 years after their big attack.

 

Ben Hadad vs Bin Laden

Ahab Nemesis	Clinton Nemesis	Chap
Ben Hadad	Osama Bin Laden	9
Ahab captures Ben-Hadad, lets him go	Clinton had 9 chances to eliminate Bin Laden	9
Semite, from the east	Semite, from the east	9
Threats against ancient Israel	Threats against America	9
Became active when Ahab became king	Became active Dec 1992	9
Ben = "son" + 5 letter name	Bin = "son" + 5 letter name	9
Hadad = thunder	Meaning of name unknown
Attacked capital city Samaria	Attacked capital city Washington DC	12
Assassinated by Hazael, his courier	CIA locates him by tracking his courier	18
Killed in his bedroom	Killed in his bedroom	18
Killed 10 years after Ahab	Killed 10 tears after 9/11	18

THE HEIR

The heirs refer to the successors to Ahab and Bill Clinton, the one who would continue the apostasy. Ahab's heir was his second son Joram. Clinton's heir was President Barack Obama. Here we see the similarities between the two. It's interesting that Ahab's successor skipped an intermediate king, Ahaziah. Clinton's successor skipped an intermediate President George Bush. Once in power, Joram and Obama followed the aspostasy of the paradigm, more war on religion, more child sacrifice and abortion. Curiously, they both reigned 12 years.

Joram vs Obama

Joram	Barack Obama	Chap
Heir is third king     Ahab -> Ahaziah -> Joram	Heir is third president     Clinton -> Bush -> Obama	15
outward display of piety     removed Baal's pillar	outward display of piety     campaigned against gay marriage (later reversed)	15
continued apostasy of Ahab and Jezebel	continued apostasy of Clintons     champions redefining marriage	15
Baal worship continues     child sacrifice continues	As Illinois senator, Obama fought bill against infanticide	15
War on religion     makes Elisha focus of his anger     wants to execute Elisha	War on religion     calls people of faith problems, obstacles, enemies religious liberty is a code word for discrimination, intolerance,      sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, Christian supremacy	16
reigned 12 years	12 years on national stage     2004 DNC Convention speech     2016 DNC Convention speech to the day 12 years in power     2005 US Senator     2009 - 2017 President	24

THE WARRIOR

The paradigm does not stop with Ahab's successor. Another figure named Jehu came on the scene suddenly, killed Joram and became king in his stead. Likewise Donald Trump, though well known in America, entered politics as an outsider, and in a wild and crazy campaign became president. Both Jehu and Trump contend with the Heir (Joram and Obama) and the Queen (Jezebel and Hillary). Both stop the slide into apostasy and the child sacrfice. Other parallels listed below.

Jehu vs Donald Trump

Jehu	Donald Trump	Chap
Elisha anoints Jehu at Ramoth-Gilead during Joram's reign	Most prayed over and prophesied over candidate in history	21
Takes vengeance on Ahab     cut off his descendants     1K 19:16-17, 2K 9:1, 2K 10:11		20
Contend with former queen and her agenda - 2K 9:22	Contend with HRC for Presidency	20
Outsider     Military commander	Outsider     Trump went to NY Military Academy	20
Character     Confrontational, combative, contentious     Boastful, self-promoting, not godly     Zeal for God, follow godly counsel     Man of action, decisiveness, and resolve	Character     Confrontational, combative, contentious     Boastful, self-promoting, not godly     Zeal for God, follow godly counsel     Man of action, decisiveness, and resolve	20
Appears when apostasy on the verge of being sealed	Appears when apostasy on the verge of being sealed	20
Rise of the Warrior     Attacks the Heir - Joram     Race to the throne appears crazy - 2K 9:20     Kills Joram, body thrown in Naboth's vineyard - 2K 9:24     Kills Jezebel - 2K 9:33	Rise of the Warrior     Attacks the Heir - Obama     Race to the Presidency appears crazy     Confronts HRC about abortion during debates     Defeats HRC for President 2016	20,21,23
Jehu knew Ahab - 2K 9:24	Trump was a friend of Clintons	22
Before rise to power, Jehu served Ahab	Before rise to power, DT pro-abortion	22
Capital city Samaria hostile to Jehu	Trump inauguration had crowds of supporter and protestors     Witches curse Trump every crescent moon*	27
Ahab built temple and altar for Baal     Jehu tore them down, made it a refuse dump	Bill enacted government support and funding of abortion     Trump reversed it	28
Apostasy slowed but not reversed     Jehu not careful to keep the whole law of God     Did not turn from sins of Jeroboam	Apostasy slowed but not reversed     Reform is partial and selective     Nationalism competes with reform	29

*BBC News [5]

THE HOLY MAN

And each Warrior had a religious man by his side, Jehu had Jehonadab, who as a descendant of Rechab, lived by a strict code of behavior, as does Mike Pence. Jehonadab and Pence brought credibility to Jehu and Trump respectively.

Jehonadab vs Mike Pence

Jehonadab	Mike Pence	Chap
Meets Jehu on the way to depose Ahab	Joined Trump after nomination	25
Jehonadab interested in Jehu's desire to purge the nation of heathenism	Religious leaders will have concerns about the ways of Trump	25
A Rechabite, a religiously conservative group	Strict code of behavior	25
Jehu assures Jehonadab "See my zeal for the Lord" - 2K 10:19	DT assures Christian leaders, "I'm on your side"	25
Jehu needed Jehonadab to look credible	Religious conservative support crucial to Trump's campaign	25

THE PROPHESIES

One character from the Paradigm is missing, that is, has no modern day counterpart, that is the role of Elijah (and Elisha). And by this, I mean prophesies as we normally understand the word, prediction then fulfillment. As far as I know, no one prophesied to Bill Clinton about the consequences of not taking out Bin Laden, or warning him about the rush into paganism. It does seem that people prophesied over Trump, but I have no specifics. Was there a modern day prophet speaking to all the players like in ancient Israel? Nonetheless, we have some of Elijah and Elisha's words.

Elijah's Prophesies

Ahab	Clinton	Chapter
Dogs will lick Ahab's blood 1K 21:21, 2K 9:24		11
Cut off his posterity 1K 21:21, 2K 10:1-11		11
Dogs will lick Jezebel's blood 1K 21:23, 2K 9:33-35		23
Judgments to come after Ahab's death Bring the evil upon his house in his son's days 1K 21:29	Repercussions AFTER reign ended because Bill:     Overturned Glass Steagall      Deregulated derevatives     Directed Fannie Mae to sub prime mortgages	11
Exposure of personal sin     Naboth killed for his vineyard	Exposure of personal sin     Affair with Monica Lewinsky     Dec 1998 Impeached, perjury, obstruction of  justice	11
Sorrow and repentance     Tore his clothes when confronted     Sackcloth and fasting	Sorrow and repentance     9/11/1998 9AM Admited at prayer breakfast     9/11/2001 9AM Twin tower attack     Admitted his false witness     Surrendered his law license	12,13
Exposed in 19th year     Died 3 years later - 1K 22:1-2	1/20/1998 - Exposed in 19th year 1/20/2001 - End of second term	11,12
Tied to tribe of Levi     Ahab died in battle of Ramoth-Gilead, a Levite city	Tied to tribe of Levi     Levi -> Levin -> Levinsky -> Lewinsky	11

Why Is This Paradigm Playing Out In Modern America?

Again, regardless of how one might feel about any of the current players in American politics, one has to admit the parallels with ancient Israel. One point of this article is to demonstrate that it is just beyond coincidence that the Paradigm of Ahab's reign is mirrored in modern America. One can argue that some of the parallels don't fit all that well. One could also argue that many events in Ahab and Jezebel's life have no parallel today. But there are too many uncanny fulfillments of the the ancient type. It is not coincidence. Why was this Paradigm recorded? Why is it playing out now?

The simple answer to why it was recorded is because Ahab was a king in Israel. The reigns and deeds of all the kings are recorded. But his reign carries profound significance for America today. Israel was at a crossroads, where the slide into apostasy was becoming irreversible, they were turning away from God. And God would no longer protect and bless a nation that went after other gods. He sent them a warning, and also sent them someone to stop the slide into godlessness. Eventually Israel was conquered and sent into exile. Likewise, God has sent warnings to America to turn back from godlessness lest He remove His blessings and protections, and lest we too are conquered. Did we learn from Sept 11? Are we learning from COVID 19? "Nearly half of the country believes that the sweeping and deadly coronavirus is a wake-up call from God" - Washington Examiner [6]. Today is a good day to repent.

I am in awe of Jonathan Cahn's amazing ability to tie prophesies and types to the modern world. I wrote a previous article based on his writings, see Sycamore of Ground Zero [7]. One question he raises in the Paradigm without answering is why America parallels ancient Israel. I think it is because America is descended from Israel. I know that is controversial, Cahn doesn't believe it himself, but the theory has been out there for about 200 years. It has been well documented by Steve Collins - Lost Ten Tribes Found [8], Yair Davidiy The Tribes: The Israelite Origins of Western People [9], and others The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy [10]. America parallels Israel because we ARE Israel, not the tiny country of Israel in the Middle East, but the actual descendants of ancient Israel. And of course, I am in awe of God Who foresaw this 3000 years ago and recorded it for our caution now.

I see no predictive value in the Paradigm. As I peek ahead in the Bible, Jehu reigns for 28 years. Presidents can serve a maximum of two terms. Furthermore, Trump is already 73 years old. The northern kingdom of Israel continued more than 100 years after Jehu - Wiki(Kings_of_Israel) [11], then Assyria conquered and exiled northern Israel. Many people, including me, believe we are already in the end time, meaning we don't have 100 years. The value of the Paradigm is not in guessing dates, but realizing that America is at the same fork in the road as Israel, the choice is to turn back to God or slide further into apostasy, which won't end well.

As Elijah said to Israel then (1K 18:21)

How long will you hesitate between two opinions? 

If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.

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References

1. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1629994766

2. https://conservativefiringline.com/review-the-paradigm-by-jonathan-cahn/

3. https://www.amazon.com/dp/163006114X

4. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/biography-reveals-hillary-clinton-seance-religious-devotion-to-abortion

5. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39090334

6. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/poll-29-see-biblical-last-days-44-say-virus-is-gods-wake-up-call

7. http://jlfreeman-1.blogspot.com/2014/06/sycamore-of-ground-zero.html

8. https://stevenmcollins.com/

9. https://www.amazon.com/Tribes-Israelite-Origins-Western-People/dp/965902553X

10. https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/booklets/the-united-states-and-britain-in-bible-prophecy

11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kings_of_Israel_and_Judah