Apokalypsens fyra ryttare är en berättelse ur Bibelns uppenbarelsebok (sjätte kapitlet). De fyra ryttarna berättas för aposteln Johannes som en uppenbarelse från Jesus, som en del i visionen om apokalypsen, det vill säga världens undergång.

De fyra ryttarna symboliserar alla olika saker, som under främst medeltiden och tidig modern tid (cirka 1500-1815) associerades med lidande och död. De fyra ryttarna sägs representera kriget, pesten och svälten medan den siste ryttaren uttryckligen benämns Döden. Andra ser dock ryttaren på den vita hästen som en symbol för Jesus, eftersom vitt symboliserar helighet och Jesus bär en krona i Upp. 14:14.

Det är vanligt att förknippa apokalypsens fyra ryttare med händelser som äger rum strax före världens undergång, men detta är inte den enda tolkningen. En del väljer att tolka dem som återkommande företeelser i kyrkohistorien, eller som olika perioder.

First seal is opened : a white horse appears, its rider held a bow (conquest).

(Rev 6:1-8 NIV) I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" {2} I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

Second seal is opened : a red horse appears, its rider holds a sword (war)

{3} When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" {4} Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

Third seal is opened: a black horse appears, its rider holds a pair of scales (famine)

{5} When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. {6} Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"

Fourth seal is opened : a pale horse appears, its rider is called Death

{7} When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" {8} I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.