1. Revelation 6:8 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What authority was given to Death (the rider) and Hades?

Revelation 6:8 (ESV)

8 And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

In keeping with their names, Death and Hades received authority to kill one quarter of the earth’s population. That is obviously tragic and results in immense loss of life. And yet three quarters of earth’s population continues to live despite this plague of Death. Life does continue.