[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

World War 3 and the Red Horse of Revelation

Are the wars going on right now going to grow into a massive global conflict? Has that process started already?

That was the concern expressed by Jamie Dimon, Chief Executive of J.P. Morgan Chase and Company, one of the biggest banks in the world. He was speaking at the annual meeting of the Institute of International Finance on October 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. He said:

“The risk is extraordinary… World War III has already begun.” (“Jamie Dimon worries ‘World War III has already begun,’” MarketWatch.com, October 24, 2024).

Has world war begun? Or to put it in prophetic terms, is the red horse of Revelation already running?

The red horse of Revelation is the second horse ridden by the infamous “four horsemen of the apocalypse.” The red horse of Revelation 6 symbolically pictures the terrifying warfare the Book of Revelation portends in the end-time. The question is, is that horse already running? Have we turned a page in history, where there’s no turning back? And most importantly, what can you or I do about it?

Nothing could be more urgent than considering whether we and our children can even survive our own world, as it grows more bloody and violent.

Has World War 3 Started?

In October of 2024, the J.P. Morgan Chief executive startled the attendees at the annual meeting of the Institute of International Finance, saying, “World War III has begun.” Just a few months later, writing for Forbes magazine website, business writer Bryce Hoffman made a similar statement.

“The sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s despotic regime in Syria this weekend highlights the interconnectedness of a growing number of global conflicts, revealing a hard truth that most of us would rather not think about too deeply: World War III has already begun. Business leaders need to recognize this and begin planning accordingly” (“World War III Has Already Begun—and Businesses Need To Take Note,” Forbes.com, December 8, 2024).

The specter of global war has led some to ask: Have we entered a new era of time, prophesied by the Book of Revelation? Has the Red Horse appeared?

Seven Seals of Revelation: The Second Seal

Toward the end of his life, the Apostle John was given a vision of seven scrolls containing seven prophetic messages. Revelation chapter 6 details the contents of each of those scrolls as they are opened by the Lamb of God in succession. Let’s pick up the account in Revelation 6:3.

When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword (Revelation 6:3–4).

When the second seal is opened, it reveals a fiery red horse, ridden by a rider with a great sword. It’s not hard to discern that this horseman’s appearance is symbolic of a time of horrific suffering and warfare. Have we entered that time? Has the second seal been opened?

From just a cursory glance at recent history, it might be tempting to say yes. After all, it was just over 100 years ago that the world suffered through the so-called “war to end all wars.”

World War I, as we now call it, claimed the lives of 15 to 22 million soldiers and civilians. Only one generation later, World War II was even more destructive, claiming another 70 to 85 million lives. And since then, according to the Infoplease.com website, quoting data from Uppsala University in Sweden, there have been 285 distinct armed conflicts (Uppsala Conflict Data Program, UCDP.uu.se).

Fast forward to today. Note this article from the World Economic Forum website.

“The ‘age of turbulence’ is giving way to a world at war. The statistics are grim: there were close to 60 armed conflicts raging in 2023, the highest number ever recorded. Civilian fatalities surged by more than 30 percent between 2023 and 2024, mostly due to escalating armed conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe” (“Why global cooperation is more important than ever in a world at war,” WEForum.org, January 15, 2025).

But why do some say that “world” war has already begun? Later in the same article:

“The threat of a global war is being taken seriously in Europe. To some Ukrainians facing drones sourced from Iran, soldiers from North Korea and missiles with components from China, it has already arrived. Several experts believe that a transnational hybrid war has already broken out between NATO allies and countries such as Russia, Iran, North Korea and China.”

But what about our original question? Do the wars in the past century—and the current conflicts today—tell us the red horse in Revelation 6 has already appeared?

Let’s go back to Revelation to answer that question.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Order

First of all, we have to understand the seals are opened in time sequence. That means for the second seal to have opened, the first one has to be opened as well. Let’s read about the first seal in Revelation 6:1.

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer (Revelation 6:1–2).

So what is the meaning of the white horse? For a more thorough explanation of the white horse and its ominous rider, be sure to watch the program by my colleague and fellow presenter, evangelist Wallace Smith, entitled “Behold, a White Horse.”

Summing it up, this white horse and rider will symbolize a counterfeit Christianity that will pawn its deceptions upon an unsuspecting world. And it will seek to conquer all who resist with force and cruelty.

After the rider on the white horse, there appears the red horse we’ve already discussed. After that, the third seal opens with a pale horse, unleashing great famine and extreme scarcity of food. The fourth seal opens revealing a black horse, and the resulting death and destruction on one-quarter of the earth’s population.

Clearly, these are terrifying times your Bible is foretelling. But back to the question, is the red horse already running?

Events in Matthew 24 Match the Four Horsemen

Before we answer that, let’s look at Matthew 24:4. Jesus’ disciples had asked Him to tell them when the Temple would be thrown down, and what would be the sign of His coming. Notice what He said. Let’s read in Matthew 24:4.

Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many (Matthew 24:4–5).

He said after His death many would preach a different Christ. They would claim to worship the Messiah, but not really follow what He taught. Going on in verse 6.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:6–9).

Jesus said there would be great and small wars, scattered all over the world. And famine and pestilence and death would follow. And truly, that has been the record of history for the last two thousand years. Frankly, that’s the record of all of human history. These are conditions of a world ruled by Satan. And Matthew 24:1–8 also shows the pattern of what will happen in the end-times, as described by Revelation 6.

Prophesied Events Before the Red Horseman

The seals of Revelation 6 show horrific, end-time events like the world has never seen.

So, no, the red horse is not running yet. Why? Because we know the white horse has not yet appeared. We still have freedom in the Western world to worship God as we please. That hasn’t been taken away. This dominant and oppressive system has not yet arisen.

But the seals of Revelation 6 reveal that the red horse of war will burst on the world scene after the white horse of a counterfeit, militant Christianity.

But this brings up a question. How could a religious system—the white horse—be a conquering force that would lead to the red horse of war? Revelation 13 gives the answer.

False Christianity Joins the Beast of Revelation

The coming false Christian system will ally itself with a powerful political and military leader. And that military superpower and the devastating war and destruction it will bring to the world is symbolized by the red horse.

In Revelation 13, there are two beasts described. One has two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon. That’s a reference to the false Christianity we were talking about earlier in the program. It will be a counterfeit religious system led by a false prophet who even calls fire down from heaven. Don’t be fooled—this will be an extremely persuasive and charismatic leader who will deceive many.

This religious leader will be allied with a political leader at the head of this immensely powerful war-making machine. It’s described in Revelation 13:1.

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority (Revelation 13:1–2).

A Revived Holy Roman Empire Will Emerge

When you compare this with Daniel 7, you find this is referring to the Roman Empire. In the vision, it has taken on the characteristics of its predecessors:

• The Babylonian lion
• The Medo-Persian bear
• The Greco-Macedonian leopard

And it’s all led and influenced by the malevolent dragon, Satan the devil. Going on in verse 3 (Revelation 13:3):

And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed.

The Roman Empire fell in 476 AD, but was revived by Justinian in 554 AD with the assistance of the pope in Rome. This is called the Imperial Restoration. Since then, there have been a number of attempts to revive the spirit of the Roman Empire under various European kings.

Bible prophecy shows that there will be one final revival of this system in the end-times. And it will be terrifying in its ability to project its power across the globe. Notice verse 3.

And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:3–4).

Why is this important? These two leaders will attempt to enforce their counterfeit brand of Christianity upon a shocked and startled world. And it will bring war and bloodshed to a shocked humanity.

But this doesn’t have to take you by surprise. You can be forewarned, prepared and ready.

Red Horse Brings Martyring of True Christians

That’s why Jesus Christ had this warning recorded by the Apostle John ahead of time, for those who are willing to listen and heed. Notice in verse 6.

Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear (Revelation 13:6–9).

Are you listening? Are you getting the picture?

A powerful, counterfeit Christian deception is coming. And it will be enforced by this political entity called the Beast. This strongman dictator—in league with the false prophet of Revelation 13—will cause an unsuspecting populace to take the infamous “mark of the beast.” This is found in Revelation 13:16.

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name (Revelation 13:16–17).

And the Great Tribulation Begins

Those two figures and their followers will lead the world into a time of war and bloodshed we’ve never seen before.

But what does that mean for true followers of Christ? It’s worth asking the question, and the Bible gives the answers. For the answer, let’s turn to the book of Daniel 12:1.

At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time (Daniel 12:1).

The context from the last chapter shows “that time” refers to the time of the end. During this time there will be great suffering the world over. This is the Great Tribulation spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:21.

Daniel 12 Describes End-Time Information Age

Going on in Daniel 12:1 again:

And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:1–3).

Clearly, this is speaking of the resurrection, at Christ’s return. So, this also sets the timing. It’s at the time of the end, leading up to the return of Jesus Christ to earth. Going on in verse 4:

But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase (Daniel 12:4).

Daniel was told to seal this prophecy until the time of the end. And then he described what that time would be like.

Are we living in a time of unprecedented travel—people running “to and fro”? When you can fly from one continent to another in less than a day? Trips that would have taken weeks only a few hundred years ago?

This passage also says, “And knowledge shall increase.” Our world today is awash with a seemingly limitless supply of human knowledge through the shared vehicle of the Internet. And just think about the AI revolution. If we think information is increasing now, just wait. We’re on the cusp of an acceleration of data and information like humanity has never seen.

Going on, notice how Daniel responded in verse 8:

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end” (Daniel 12:8–9).

Daniel was not allowed to fully understand the meaning of the vision he was given. He was just told to record it. It was for another time. But think about it. If we’re living in the time of the end, that meaning can now be opened to us. That means you and I now have the opportunity to understand these things, if we’re willing. And if we ask God for understanding.

What does he say next (verse 10)?

Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:10).

Do you want to be one of the wise? Do you want to understand what’s happening and why in our tumultuous and chaotic world? And do you want to understand what is coming next?

God says through the prophet Daniel there will be a lot of people who will just follow their carnal desires and human impulses in our time. The wicked will do wickedly. That’s what we see all around us.

But there is also a reward for those who are wise. What is that reward? They will understand the times they are living in, and they will know what to do about it.

Watch for the Abomination of Desolation

Going on in verse 11.

And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days (Daniel 12:11).

As we have explained before on Tomorrow’s World, the Jews will begin sacrificing on the temple mount again. We don’t know exactly when. But it will happen. And then, those same sacrifices will be stopped. An idolatrous object of worship of some type—the abomination of desolation—will then be set up in place of those sacrifices.

What an astounding statement. Daniel is saying when you see that happen, take note, because there are only one thousand two hundred and ninety days left before Christ returns—in other words, just over three and a half years.

True Christians’ Protection from the Red Horseman

But notice this in verse 12:

Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days (Daniel 12:12).

There is a blessing for those who are faithful, obedient to God and seeking to please Him in the coming difficult years. And that blessing will be bestowed upon them 1,335 days before the return of our Savior. In other words, just 45 days before the abomination of desolation is set up.

Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent (Revelation 12:13–14).

When you understand the context, this great war-making machine—the red horse, influenced by Satan the devil—will even seek to destroy the faithful followers of Christ. But God will protect the faithful woman, His obedient Church, during the Tribulation.

What an encouraging prophecy! Against the backdrop of unthinkable carnage, God has a plan to protect His faithful people.

Prepare Now for Bible Prophecy to Happen

So, how should we prepare in an uncertain and chaotic world?

• By being committed to the One who died for us.
• By repenting of our sins and coming under His sacrifice for us.
• And living in obedience to Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus will put down all authority and rule with a rod of iron. He will bring peace to this troubled world. But before that, hard times are coming. But you don’t have to be taken unaware. You can be the wise, who understand, who stay close to God—who have a relationship with their Creator and are protected when the fiery red horse bursts upon the scene.

May God help all of us to prepare now for the challenging times ahead, with faith and trust in our God and our Savior.

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