Again, from Revelation chapter six, this is what John saw after the 4th Seal was opened:

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  8   And I looked, and behold a pale horse:  and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.  And power was given unto them OVER THE FOURTH PART OF THE EARTH, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

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     Perhaps the biggest difficulty some may have in accepting the possibility that the first four seals are already open is, what I believe to be, a misinterpretation of the words, "and power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth."  If this is interpreted to mean that one-fourth of the population is to die (the common interpretation), this would lack any historical evidence of fulfillment so far.  This would indicate that this is something yet to occur in the future.  However, this passage does not state that one-fourth of the population is to die, but rather, that power is given to Death and Hell over one-fourth "of the earth."  This passage is speaking geographically.  This would mean that power is given to the rider on the pale horse (and Hell ) to martyr Christians, but only over one-fourth of the earth in a geographical sense.  In other words, Satan's liberty in this respect would extend only this far, no farther.  Christians in the mix of the rest of the world would be off-limits to this most extreme degree of hostility.

     This angle changes the whole dynamic of what the 4th Seal has been interpreted by so many to mean and removes any snag in an interpretation that it may already be open.  Whereas we know history will not support that one-fourth of the world's population has ever been killed during the Church Age, we cannot make such a statement if what is here being revealed is Satan's power to kill Christians over a limited portion of the earth.  To the contrary, we know very well that many have put their lives on the line, sacrificing themselves on the altar of Christian service, by going to some of the places they have gone.  We know that there are lots of places (arguably totaling one-fourth of the earth!) where, if a missionary should go, he or she may very well not return.  It was that way in the first century, it has been that way since the first century, and it is that way today.  Why?  Because the pale horse rider of the 4th Seal has the mentality of his mentor, who "as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (I Pet. 5:8).

     Before moving on to the 5th Seal, this would be a good place to comment on something that relates to the first four seals as a whole.  Some, while acknowledging the parallels I have discussed, may yet believe that the rapture happens first, then the opening of these seals, resulting in an escalation of the things represented.  While it is evident that a marked escalation of these things will occur after the rapture, there is solid evidence that this will develop in connection with the sounding of the trumpets, as we shall see later.  For example, during that time, deception will run rampant, even to the setting up of the kingdom of the Antichrist (Rev. 13:1-5ff).  Secondly, during that time we have an account of a war wherein one-third of the population (indeed) will be killed.  This is stated unequivocally in Revelation 9:15-18.  Thirdly, the catastrophes (and resultant poverty) of that time will be on a scale that seems unimaginable (Rev. 8:6-13).  And fourthly, there will be no limit to the persecution and martyrdom that will take place during that time, for all who will not succumb to the rule of the Antichrist will be subjected to death (Rev. 13:11-15ff ).  From another angle, for those who can accept that the four horsemen have been riding since early in the Church Age, the tribulation they have already caused is just a precursor to what they and /or their cohorts will effect after the Church is gone.

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