Zechariah turns from the angelic messenger standing with him and looks at the two mountains towering above the northern plain. The late afternoon sun blazes against the barren slopes, transforming the peaks into pillars of polished brass. The mountains, standing like sentinels of justice, twin towers of grace and truth, remind him of Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, Moses’ mountains of blessing and cursing.

Suddenly, from the canyon between the mountains, a chariot comes charging towards Zechariah and the angel. Strong and swift red stallions draw the chariot, quickly closing the distance between them. Then a second chariot appears, this one pulled by black horses. Then a third comes with white horses, and a fourth drawn by dappled horses. The four chariots circle Zechariah and his companion once, twice, and a third time as though needing to release stored up energy. When they finally stop, the chariots surround the two, one in front, one behind, and one on either side.

Zechariah spins around, his eyes on the horses - uncertain what they might do. The horses strain at their harnesses, digging at the ground with their hooves, like stallions waiting for the signal to start a race. The horsemen, mounted in their chariots, grip the reins tightly; they too appear anxious to begin their mission. Zechariah turns to his angelic escort and asks, "What are these, my lord?" (Zechariah 6:4b) The angel responds, "These are the Four Spirits of Heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world." (Zechariah 6:5)

***********************************************

The Four Spirits of Heaven

Daniel also saw the four spirits of heaven: "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea." (Daniel 7:2)  The winds refer to the four spirits of heaven. (Both accounts use the Hebrew word ruach. Translators supplied winds in Daniel and spirits in Zechariah.) The seas refer to the peoples of the earth, as used by this passage from Isaiah, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” (Isaiah 57:20) The four spirits Daniel saw stirring up the peoples of the earth are the same four spirits of Zechariah that the Lord sent on assignment into certain parts of the earth.

Now let me introduce you to Satan's Four Dark Princes. We have: 1) The Spirit of Pride, 2) The Spirit of War, 3) The Spirit of Famine, and 4) The Spirit of Death. We know them as the four horsemen of the apocalypse (another way of saying the four horsemen of Revelation). These spirits operate on a global scale, but they most assuredly command their own hierarchy of subordinates to operate on a smaller scale, down to the individual level.

Paul gives us a glimpse of the Satan’s angelic power structure when he writes, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) We don’t need to enter into a detailed study of this hierarchy. We simply need to know that, through their chain of command, the top level Satanic Princes assign their low-level foot soldiers to oppress Christians and non-Christians alike.

Building Strongholds

These foot soldiers employ a most effective strategy. By attacking our weak points, where we harbor our greatest fears, they encourage and facilitate our defense mechanism. What do we do? Just like the pioneers of our Old West who built forts and to protect themselves from the attacks of Indians, we build strongholds and fortresses to protect ourselves from our enemies. However, we eventually find ourselves surrounded and under siege. Now our fortress becomes our prison instead. In the following four sections we will study each of the four Satanic Princes and their assignments.

1. Spirit of Pride

Rev. 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."  2 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.

Theologians debate whether verse 2 portrays Christ or anti-Christ, with many representing each side. However, the answer to the debate is “Neither.” None of the four horsemen represent specific individuals. But they do represent specific spirit entities. These are the four spirits of heaven sent out from the Lord. This particular spirit is certainly not the Spirit of Christ. We might call him the spirit of anti-Christ or the spirit of humanism. In this study we will call him the spirit of pride.

Loss of Significance

The spirit of pride has this mission: to promote the pride of life in our lives by preying on any fear we may have of losing our significance. We fear that neither God nor anyone else loves or appreciates us. Thus, we buy into our society’s mantra of self-esteem. The thought that someone dislikes or doesn’t respect us injures our pride. Our desire to have others think well of us leads to the sin of pride. Then the spirit of pride comes to oppress us and stirs us to build a stronghold of prestige to protect our self-esteem.

The Stronghold of Prestige

Pride leads us to develop performance driven personalities. We aim to please others in order to receive their praise. However, our attempts at self-exaltation will ultimately end in humiliation instead. As Jesus says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled." (Matthew 23:12a)  Let’s consider some brief case studies that illustrate the strongholds we build, inspired by the spirit of pride.

Sam grew up in a neighborhood on the wrong side of the tracks. He’s never known his father. His mother does the best she can to take care of Sam and his four siblings. He vows that he will improve his lot in life. He applies himself at school and becomes a successful doctor. Sam, a self-made man, proudly boasts of his accomplishments. But, as a captive in his self-made prison of pride, he cannot find happiness.

All the kids tease Jack because of his clumsiness on the neighborhood playground. He becomes more and more self-conscious of small failings. He builds the stronghold of timidity to insure no one traps him in an embarrassing situation. Jack is one who will say, “I would die of embarrassment if I had to get up in front of everyone and talk.”

A young girl, Carol, and her best friend have an argument. The friend says some very hurtful things to Carol and then betrays their friendship by telling horrible lies about her to the other kids at school. This emotionally wounded child builds a stronghold of a loner personality, making sure no one will ever get close enough to hurt her again.

We can see that in the first case, most people who know Sam may not see any apparent evidence of humbling in his life. The outwardly proud person will display character traits such as fault-finding, unforgiveness, and anger (resulting from the first two traits). Sam may continue to function in roles of prestige and esteem but these traits will drive people away from him, leaving him lonely and isolated.

The sin of pride builds the Stronghold of Prestige. We seek honor, but all honor is due Jesus. We seek glory for ourselves, but all glory belongs to God. We have, in fact, made ourselves to be gods. We expect others to reverence our status and then we pass judgment on those less gifted than ourselves. Like Satan, we seat ourselves on our self-made throne of pride.

In the other two cases, Carol and Jack do not demonstrate outward evidence of pride but their stronghold leaves its mark in the outward display of humiliation they experience. Be aware. Behavior that looks like humility may be a stronghold of false humility resulting from pride.

2. Spirit of War

Rev. 6:3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see."  4 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.

Loss of Security

The Spirit of War has this mission: to promote the lust of the eye in our lives by preying on any fear we may have of losing our security. Lust of the eye presents itself as a power or a control issue. We fear that we will lose control and not have enough strength to protect ourselves from destruction.

The Stronghold of Power

 A threat to our Emotional Security, our Mental Stability, or our Freedom of Choice raises the question, “Who’s in control?” Who’s in control of our lives and our environment? The pursuit of power leads to a life of rebellion, domination, and manipulation. 

Our soul’s defense is at stake. We maintain a security perimeter or a stronghold of power so we can control our environment. We want to be sure no one can invade our space and threaten our mental or emotional well-being. People who build the stronghold of power make use of domination or manipulation. Those with weaker personalities manipulate others in order to control their environment. Those with strong personalities simply dominate others.

Now we will consider some brief case studies that illustrate the strongholds the Spirit of War inspires us to build.

“Mine!” Susie and Billie’s two-year-old vocabulary naturally includes this important word. Place these two toddlers in a room that is empty with the exception of one enticing toy and each will battle the other for possession of the toy. When their eyes take in the desirable object in front of them, they will both claim ownership of it. Some children, even if presented with twenty wonderful toys, are not happy to share any of them with another child. They want whatever toy the other child has.

An uncle abuses Paul physically and sexually when he is a child. Paul builds a stronghold of anger, ready to lash out at anyone who may appear to threaten his happiness.

Mary, also abused in her childhood, gets her way by manipulating others. Tears, flattery, and bribery are just part of her arsenal of weapons to protect her interests.

These individuals erect strongholds that allow them to control their environment and protect themselves from injury. Susie and Billie illustrate our inclination to measure our security in possessions. Paul and Mary responding to their need to have freedom of choice, reveal the strongholds we can build to defend our welfare.

The sin of rebellion builds the stronghold of power. In rebellion, we take action to preserve our welfare without regard to God’s guidance or counsel. Through Ezekiel, the Lord warned the nation of Judah that He would take away “the desire of their eyes, and that on which they set their minds.” (Ezekiel 24:25c) We set our eyes or our desires upon things of this temporal plane rather than the spiritual plane. Paul writes, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

We must ask the question, will we place our trust in God or will we rely on our own efforts to supply all our needs? Our answer to this question determines whether we live under blessing or cursing. "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:5) Those who trust in their own efforts or others’ efforts live under a curse. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:7) Those who recognize God as their source, no matter where the supply comes from in the natural, walk in blessing. Job, in the midst of his great trial said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15a)

3. Spirit of Famine

Rev. 6:5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.  6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine."

Loss of Sustenance

The Spirit of Famine also has a mission: to promote the lust of the flesh in our lives by preying on any fear we may have of losing our sustenance. First of all, we fear that we will not have enough supply to meet the demands of our flesh. Looking at a broader physical scope, we cannot bear the lack of sensual input.

The Stronghold of Pleasure

Next we will consider some brief case studies that illustrate the strongholds the spirit of famine inspires us to build. In the area of Physical Sustenance, we fear that our physical needs won’t be met. We build a stronghold of pleasure by attempting to not just satisfy physical needs, but to overwhelm our senses with more than God designed our bodies to absorb.

Tommy begins life by not having enough food to eat. As he grows, he eats anything he can find and as much as he can of whatever he finds. By the time Tommy reaches adulthood he is obese. The doctor says he has a thyroid problem, but he actually has a stronghold he built for self-preservation.

Sally’s parents neglect her as a child and don’t provide adequate physical comfort for her. When she becomes a grown lady, she finds herself imprisoned by a massive stronghold of acquiring possessions that gave her a false sense of comfort.

Jane suffers neglect in her early years but this neglect appears to be primarily emotional neglect. Her parents provide abundantly for her physical needs. However, she hears no words of love; she receives no touches of validation; she receives no physical confirmation of love. She begins to build a stronghold of over-friendliness, trying to find affirmation. By the time she reaches her teen years, her stronghold manifests in promiscuity.

The Spirit of Famine inspires the pursuit of pleasure. The pursuit of pleasure leads to a life of carnality. Carnality results in barrenness or unfruitfulness. Sensual deprivation leads to a failure to thrive. Famine reaps its harvest of death.

4. Spirit of Death

Rev. 6:7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see." 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

Loss of Life

Finally we will take a look at the spirit of death. His mission: to promote the fear of death in our lives by preying on any fear we may have of losing our life. Notice. We are dealing with two entities, not just one. We have the spirit of Death and the spirit of Hades (rendered Hell in the Authorized Version). Power was given to these two spirits, Death and Hell, to kill with the sword (the spirit of war), to kill with hunger (the spirit of famine), with death (disease?), and by other demonic and natural resources at their disposal.

The Stronghold of Self-Preservation

Eve samples the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, she offers it to Adam, who also partakes of the tree. I can imagine that, as they eat, their hearts race, their blood pressure rises, knowing God warned them, “In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Gen 2:17) They eat. They live. They do not die.

Yet, immediately, something changes. They look at each other and see their nakedness. Why did they not see that before? Some suggest that before they sinned the Lord covered them with His Glory.

Sin swept away the covering of God’s glory. On this, the day of their sin, Adam and Eve died spiritually. God sends them out of the Garden of His presence and prevents their return by placing two cherubim to stand guard at its entrance. Those cherubim, by the way, were represented on the veil separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. When the veil tore asunder at the crucifixion of Christ, the cherubim stood aside to allow men to enter once more into the presence of the Creator.

The Law of Sin and Death

The spirit of death enforces the Law of Sin and Death. The Law of Sin and Death says, “For the wages of sin is death.” (Rom 6:23) Men in a state of nature are under a spirit of bondage to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life; by these they are captivated and enslaved, and the consequence is a fearful apprehension, when convicted, of death, judgment, and wrath to come. The god of this world leads them into captivity and holds them in slavery by injecting them with fears of death.

Paul wrote, "The sting of death is sin, and the strength [or dunamis power] of sin is the law."  (1Co 15:56)  As a scorpion would inject poison into our bloodstream, so Adam injected sin into the bloodstream of all mankind when he ate of the Tree in the Garden. The power of sin to bring death comes from the law, which says, "The soul who sins shall die." (Ezekiel 18:4) In the realm of the natural, knowing the penalty of death causes the fear of death to prevail in our lives.

Building Strongholds

Pursuing our self-preservation, we build strongholds to protect ourselves from the threat of death. When we build strongholds, we play the part of the rich man in Jesus’ parable:

"The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.’"  (Luke 12:16-19)

Because we fear loss of life in body, soul, or spirit, we pursue the preservation of our life. Living under a sentence of death, we do whatever we can to avoid, delay, and even to reverse the unavoidable outcome. We can never do enough to satisfy our search for self-preservation. More barns, more cars, more money in savings, more recognition, more food, more drink. More, more, more. We can never do enough to satisfy our search for self-preservation. The Spirit of Death then holds us captive within our self-built prison. Jesus says, "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." (Mt 10:39) 

The Way of Escape

What defense (or offense) do we have against the enemies attacking us? Our own sinful nature within us, and the forces of Hell cheer us on in our sin. Even more, how can we overcome our fears? We have this promise in God’s word:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1Co 10:13) 

In the next lesson we will investigate the role played by the Four Ministries of Christ in overcoming our troubles. Against the fear of losing our Significance, we have the Promise of Purpose, against the fear of losing our Sustenance, we have the Promise of Provision, against the fear of losing our Security, we have the Promise of Protection, and finally, against the fear of losing our Life, we have the Promise of Power.