THREE WILD HORSES

Three of the four horsemen of the apocalypse are generally, but not universally, seen as destructive to the world. Emmet Fox teaches that the Pale Horse represents the physical body and its destruction through all forms of addiction, the negative as well as the seemingly positive. The Red Horse destruction by our emotions and feelings. The Black Horse destruction through intellect.

The Pale Horse is the most obvious to observe typically, It is difficult for the drunk or addict to hide their affliction. But what of the person who is addicted to exercise or work? The gym, running/biking trials or the office can become an escape from the world just as powerful as booze or any drug and just as spiritually destructive. The alcoholic in their cups or the loaded addict has a difficult time “fitting” into polite society while the workaholic is often praised for their accomplishments, with little regard to the other areas of life and living sacrificed in the name of success or providing for the family. The family they are never present for, the children who do not “understand” how hard mom/dad is working for them, the ungrateful spouse who “out of left field” files for divorce.

Who doesn’t want to have a slim sculpted body? We have all snuck glimpses at the magazines by the check out counter promising the six-pack abs on the cover model in thirty days. Physical activity and exercise in moderation is always a good idea, but when it crosses over into narcissism, it becomes as sure a block to spiritual growth as any drink or drug. Additionally the stories of lives and families ruined from unchecked sexual desire are legion.

The Red Horse represents destruction through emotions and feelings. How many lives have been lost or ruined when an individual or nation acted on overheated emotions or inflamed feelings? How many fights, confrontations and wars could have been avoided if cooler heads had prevailed? To be clear: We are emotional beings. Without emotion, this world would be a very drab place, bereft of music or art. It is when we are controlled, dominated by our emotions and feelings that we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the spirit.

How many worship at the God of intellect? They would never of course see it as worship, but is there really a whit of difference in commitment between the minister on Sunday preaching from the pulpit or the professor/scientist/politician speaking with absolute certainty on any subject? Consider the science textbooks of even just 30 years ago, regardless of discipline, are worthless today because of new discoveries. Isn’t it the height of hubris to think that “now” we have all the answers in any area of study or science? We ride the Black Horse when we close our minds and stop asking questions, for our path is to strive to expand our consciousness.