4+1 Revisited: The Wrecking Crew

Matt Palmer

The horsemen are drawing nearer

On leather steeds they ride

They’ve come to take your life[1]

I previously wrote about a sacred pattern featured globally in sacred iconography, the 4+1 pattern. This pattern has been present from the foundation of the world and has captivated cultures from before the time of Adam. But beyond the energetic qualities of the pattern and some of the more esoteric and abstract lessons it holds, there is the signature of five, individual servants. This special and exclusive quorum that has been hiding in plain sight. This quorum has a peculiar purpose. They are the Lord’s agents of vengeance and destruction in this world. I call this quorum “the wrecking crew.”

 The four horsemen of the apocalypse are probably the most recognizable presentation of the destructive aspect of the wrecking crew. In chapter 6 of Revelation, John records seeing these four horses. First, “a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” Next, a “horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” Following that, John saw “a black horse, and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.” Finally, “a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.” John explains, “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.” Revelation 6:1-8.

 John describes the horsemen as four, empowered agents of divine vengeance with specific means of dispensing that justice. But John sees something very similar just one chapter later: “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Revelation 7:1-3.

Here is that familiar 4+1 pattern. Again, we have four empowered agents of divine justice, but a fifth person appears. This person is ascending. There is something of a contradiction in the way the fifth person is described. This person commands the four angels. But this person is also ascending to them. This is an instance in which a lesser is commanding those greater than him. Note the way that the four are described, both as standing on the four corners of the earth, and as holding the four winds. These are keys to understanding. The four corners represent the four cardinal directions of north, south, east, and west. You may see these servants sometimes described in relation to one or more of the cardinal directions. You will also see them described as winds or spirits.

The Book of Zechariah contains some of the most profound and vivid prophecy about the structure of the heavens as they function on earth. It is no surprise, then, that the mystery of the wrecking crew is further elucidated in his book. In the first chapter of Zechariah, he records a vision in which he sees “a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.” Zechariah 1:8. The angel explains to Zechariah, “these are they whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth.” 1:10. In another vision, Zechariah sees “four chariots out from between two mountains; and the mountains were made of brass.” The chariots are pulled by red, black, white, and “grisled and bay” horses, respectively. Zechariah 6:1-3. Zechariah’s guide tells him “these are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.”

The King James Bible uses the word spirits to describe these four figures. The Hebrew word here, however, is ruach.[1] See Strong’s Concordance entry H7307. This word is used both for spirit and for wind or breath. Another translation could be, “these are the four winds of the heavens.” Translating this as “spirits” might give an impression that these individuals are not necessarily mortal servants, or may never be mortal servants. But this is incorrect. These four are mortals, indeed, and repeatedly so, as Zechariah notes that these servants were sent by the Lord “to walk to and fro through the earth.” Furthermore, the word winds is a word link to Revelation 7 and gives us more clues about the horsemen’s identities and purpose.

When the angel tells Zechariah that these four “go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth,” he gives us further information about their identity and purpose. This same language appears in Zechariah’s marvelous vision contained in chapter 4. Zechariah is shown an image that he describes as “a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.” Zechariah 4:2. This can be difficult to get a mental picture of, and there are various artistic depictions of it online. Here is the one I find that best matches the way I picture this:

Next Zechariah asks the question I think is on all of our minds: “what are these?” The angel gives him a cryptic answer. “For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:10. Then the angel identifies the two olive branches providing oil to fuel the lamps, saying, “these are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” Verse 14. John would make reference to this scripture when identifying the two witnesses he prophesied would be slain in Jerusalem in the last days. See Revelation 11:1-14. Like the two olive branches depicted in chapter 4, the four winds likewise “stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” I contend this places these four among the candlesticks from this vision. One thing essential to the structure of Zechariah’s vision is presence of both seven lamps and seven pipes. I believe the inclusion of two different groups of seven is deliberate. I contend that here we have both the seven, male archangels as well as their seven, female counterparts working in conjunction with them. Therefore, I believe these four figures are four of the seven male archangels.[1]

Daniel records a vision he had in which “the four great winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.” Daniel 7:2. Note how Daniel records the four great winds of heaven. Because of the work of the winds of heaven, four beasts arise out of the sea in succession, leading to the rise of the antichrist, and culminating with the thrones being cast down and the Ancient of Days being permitted to sit on his throne. Here, these same four archangels take part in shaping world events to bring about the ultimate showdown between the forces of good and evil that concludes this cycle. Their influence is represented in the vision as wind striving on the sea. I could only speculate exactly how their influence is manifested in the world in practice, but the point remains that their influence brought about the  kingdoms of which Daniel prophesied.

Ezekiel records a vision of these men as well. Ezekiel records that the Lord “cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.” Ezekiel 9:1. Ezekiel then sees six men come “from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand.” Exactly who the six men are is ambiguous. I contend the six men are Jehovah along with the five men of the wrecking crew. One of them is described in a very specific manner: “one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side.” 9:2. This man has a special job: “the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; and the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” 9:3-4. This is sounding exactly like what we read above in Revelation 7. The angel ascending from the east marks those to be spared from the coming judgment while the four angels await the command.

Next, the Lord commands the others present: “Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary.” 9:5-6. After the destruction, “the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.” 9:11. This gives us more information about the +1 aspect of the wrecking crew. The angel ascending from the east in Revelation 7 is the same person as the man wearing linen and holding an ink horn in Ezekiel 9.

Baruch recorded a different function of the wrecking crew in 2 Baruch. He records:

Baruch saw four angels oriented to the four corners of the city. This is the key of the cardinal directions mentioned above. A fifth comes to command them. This fifth angel also acts as a messenger, “for I am first sent to speak a word to the earth, and to place in it what the Lord the Most High has commanded me.” In this instance, however, the fifth angel appears to have stewardship over the temple and the things contained therein. He protects the sacred relics and permits Israel’s enemies to despoil the holy ground once the Lord has withdrawn His protection. This angel will recover these sacred artifacts in the last days for the Lord’s purposes. I don’t know what those purposes are, but it will be a wonderful thing when this is fulfilled.

The 4+1 pattern in Ezekiel and Baruch’s visions matches the pattern from Revelation 7 very well. In this vision we have someone who marks/judges the Lord’s people, four who execute judgment, and, I contend, the Lord who commands them all. Baruch’s vision also expounds upon the role of the +1 angel. This angel also delivers a message of warning to those who face the destructive power of the wrecking crew. This fifth person is essential to the working of the wrecking crew and making the coming destruction just by delivering a message of repentance and warning.

The Four Judgments

I am indebted to an essay from Jeremy Chance Springfield for this next section. I suggest you read his essay, The Four Horsemen of the Torah, which I briefly cited above. I am going to quote from his essay a bit extensively here:

In the book of Ezekiel chapter 14, the prophet is prophesying about the northern Kingdom of Israel, which has fallen into severe idolatry, and speaks about how the Creator will judge them for their crimes. In verses 13-21, the prophet mentions the judgment of famine, evil beasts, sword, and pestilence, and then closes by calling them the ‘four evil judgments.’ Be sure to notice that these judgments – the four horsemen/winds/spirits, come upon the northern Kingdom of Israel for idolatry.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks about these four judgments chapter 15. again, this special judgment of the four horses/spirits specifically for the northern Kingdom of Israel and her idolatry. These judgments come to his chosen people for forsaking him in lieu of idols.

So as you can see, the four horses have very important functions – bringing the sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence, and yet, the real answer to their identity and purpose is actually found further back in the Word, all the way in the Torah/Law that the Creator gave to Israel long ago.

The book of Leviticus chapter 26, specifically in verses 14-25, see that if the nation of Israel does not obey the Creator’s laws, that He would judge them severely for their sins in four ways: pestilence (verse 16), famine (verses 19-20), wild beasts (verse 22), and the sword (verse 25).

Thus, it appears that each of the four judgment-bringing members of the wrecking crew brings a specific judgment with him: sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence.

The Book of Mormon witnesses of this pattern as well. Abinadi came as the angel ascending from the east to warn the wicked King Noah and his lackey priests of what would befall them if they continued in their idolatry. Abinadi prophesied to them: “this generation, because of their iniquities, shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten by the cheek; yea, and shall be driven by men, and shall be slain; and the vultures of the air, and the dogs, yea, and the wild beats, shall devour their flesh . . . . I will smite this people with sore afflictions, yea, with famine and with pestilence; and I will cause that they shall howl all the day long.” Mosiah 12:1-4. What was happening here? The Lord sent Abinadi, inkhorn figuratively in hand, to threaten King Noah’s people with a visit from the wrecking crew, each with his own particular brand of divine justice: sword, beasts, famine, and pestilence.

 As recorded in Helaman, Nephi was given a peculiar power that whatsoever he sealed on earth would be sealed in heaven, and whatsoever he loosed on earth should be loosed in heaven. Helaman 10:7. The Lord gave Nephi a commission to warn the people of his day stating: “Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people.” 10:6. Just prior to this, when Nephi prayed from his tower within earshot of the people and they gathered to hear him out, he warned them of the Lord’s intentions if they did not repent: “instead of gathering you, except ye will repent, behold, he shall scatter you forth that ye shall become meat for dogs and wild beasts.” Helaman 7:19. Using these key words, Nephi was threatening the people with total destruction from the power of the wrecking crew. These are no idle words.

 Note how the Lord assures Nephi of His seriousness above when He says, “I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people . . .” These aren’t just any angels. These same angels are the ones who would bring the very destruction commanded by Nephi. It is exactly as Zechariah said that these four angels “go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.” Zechariah 6:3. The Lord is telling Nephi, and us, exactly who it is we are dealing with here.

 Alma promised the people of Ammonihah a visit from the wrecking crew if they didn’t repent: “if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword.” Alma 10:22. Ammonihah was utterly destroyed in a day. Mormon recorded this after that destruction was completed: “the people of Ammonihah were destroyed; yea, every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city, which they said God could not destroy, because of its greatness. But behold, in one day it was left desolate; and the carcasses were mangled by dogs and wild beasts of the wilderness.” Alma 16:9-10. This is what was left after a visit from the wrecking crew.

 I believe Alma’s prophecy shows us the use of prophetic key words when the Lord threatens with the wrecking crew. Ammonihah was destroyed by a Lamanite army in a single day. There was no time for famine, and there was no record of pestilence. Yet Alma prophesied pestilence, famine, and the sword. Alma did not prophesy falsely in this instance. He truly prophesied of the angels that would be responsible for ensuring Ammonihah’s destruction. That the literal means of this destruction was a Lamanite army does not change anything about this prophecy or its fulfillment. Alma was given the key words or prophetic warning by the Lord, and he delivered them truly.

In prophesying of the ultimate defeat of the Nephites after Christ would manifest Himself to them, Alma told his son Helaman that the Nephites would “see wars and pestilences, yea famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall become extinct.” Alma 45:11. Alma promises four curses, however “beasts” is absent with “bloodshed” in its place. Perhaps, though, this promise is fulfilled in a manner even more grim than by wild beasts. In a letter to his son Moroni, the prophet Mormon informs him that “the husbands and fathers of those women and children have they slain; and they feed the women upon the flesh of their husbands, and the children upon the flesh of their fathers. Moroni 9:8. As for the Nephites, Mormon notes that “they did murder [the Lamanites] in a most cruel manner, torturing their bodies even unto death; and after they have done this, they devour their flesh like unto wild beasts, because of their hardness of their hearts.” Moroni 9:10. Is it possible that the Nephites curse was so great that they devolved into being the very wild beasts that would afflict them?

The Gentiles

The gentiles are in a state of abject wickedness. They are ripening in their iniquity. Just as much as they applied to the southern kingdom of his day, Jeremiah’s words apply to the gentiles right here and now:

“Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth. And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the Lord; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity. And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the Lord: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.” Jeremiah 15:1-3.

In 1992, a Hopi elder, Thomas Banyacya Sr. delivered a bold and prophetic address to the United Nations that witnesses of the reality and purpose of the wrecking crew. I greatly admire this man’s boldness and willingness to prophesy to those in power. His words should give us chills. Right around the 14:30 mark in this video, he states the following:

“There’s a timing here, and we are close to the last stages. If no one corrects these wrongdoings in this land, there will be a purification that takes place. The four directions will come, and will severely punish those who misuse the power they develop and destroy animals, birds, and human beings. These are some of the terrible things that the Hopi know.”

He’s right.

There is a Mohawk tradition that provides another witness to this concept. “The Four Sky People are powers that dwell in the Sky World and can manifest themselves as people when necessary in order to communicate with people. Mohawk believe this happens at critical times in history when extremely significant events are to take place with great impact on this nation.”

I believe these servants are here now, and they carry with them the collective karma of the gentile nations, to be returned to them as four powerful curses. The time will come when the man with the inkhorn raises the warning. In the meantime, we should strip ourselves of false traditions and beliefs so we can recognize the warning voice when he sounds and be marked with the righteous and spared of these judgments.

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[1]The Four Horsemen by Metallica. Incidentally, the same band who performed Creeping Death, about the Angel of the Lord delivering Israel from Pharoah.

[2] See The Four Horsemen of the Torah by Jeremy Chance Springfield.

[3] For more information on the 7 male archangels, I recommend you visit Alaris’ blog Lord of the Seraphim. He has a series of essays on the seven levels of mankind that is packed with information on the 7 archangels, their identities, and their purposes.

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