By John McNeil
A mime/dance, based on Revelation 6:1-11, Matthew 24:1-14, and "Mars", the 1st movement from "The Planets", by Gustav Holst.
NOTE: Commentators differ on their interpretation of what the 1st (Pale) Horseman represents. Some say it represents Christ (or the church); others believe it represents the false Christ or false prophets. To accommodate this, two versions of this drama are presented below. Version 1 takes the position that the 1st Horsemen represents Christ; Version 2 that the 1st Horseman represents false prophets.
Everyman
Christ (the first White Horse)
Evil (the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Horses)
3 Voices
(Note: the figures - eg, 1'10" - refers to the approx. time into the music track that the event occurs. This may differ slightly, depending on which recording you use.)
INTRO: (Read by Service Leader) The Book of Revelation was written by John, one of the Disciples of Jesus. He had been imprisoned because of his faith on the island of Patmos, which is off the coast of what we now call Turkey. While there, he had a series of visions in which Jesus appeared to him, to give him messages of encouragement and warning.
In his Revelation, John describes Jesus in a number of different ways : as a Lion, as a Lamb, as a glorious person John calls the Son of Man, and as a conquering king.
Tonight, we meet Jesus first of all as the Lamb, who has been given a scroll, sealed with seven seals. As Jesus unlocks the seals, a parade of visions tumble from the scroll, beginning with the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
MUSIC: "Mars", from "The Planets" by Holst
0'15" Everyman trudges on, carrying a pack. He is weary, and stumbles on the road.Enter Jesus (not yet mounted, cloaked?), who picks Everyman up, gives him food, and assures him that He will always be with him. They both exit.
.......................................................
FX: Horse whinnying.
1'00" VOICE: I heard a voice like thunder, saying, "Behold!". And there before me was a white horse.
Enter Jesus, mounted.
1'15" VOICE: The rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out, determined to win the victory.
FX: Trumpet
Jesus proclaims his mission, and sets out, calling His people to Him, arming them, preparing them.
FX: Horse galloping
.......................................................
2'00" FX: Horse whinnying
VOICE: Come, masters of war. Ride out, ride onward.
Enter the second horse and rider (War).
FX: Battle horns
The rider calls forth his troops, arms and trains them, declares war and sets out to battle.
FX: Hoof beats, swords clashing, cries of people fighting.
Everyman is caught in the conflict against his will, and becomes a victim of the politics and fighting; he is wounded, and made homeless yet again.Jesus (cloaked?, unmounted), comes briefly to strengthen him and give encouagement. (Jesus exits)
.......................................................
2'30" FX: Horse stamping
Everyman is a refugee, desperate to feed his family in a time of famine.
VOICE: Behold, a black horse!
Enter Black Horse and rider (Famine).
VOICE 2: What does it bring?
VOICE 3: No good thing for us, I'll warrant.
VOICE: A day's wages for a loaf of bread....but the wine is cheap!
FX: Cries of people in desparation.
Jesus again enters to strengthen Everyman, then exits.
......................................................
3'00"FX: Horse galloping
Enter the Pale Horse (Disease and Death)
3'10" VOICE: The white horse! It's rider is death!
Everyman sees the death of his family. Jesus weeps with him.
FX: Bell tolling slowly, wailing of people mourning.
.......................................................
3'45" FX: Horses whinnying, galloping, sounds of war
3'52" VOICES: How long, Lord? Low Long?
FX: Battle horn
3'55"VOICE: I saw heaven opened, and there before me was a white horse. The rider is called Faithful and True. His eyes are like burning fire, and on his head are many crowns. The armies of the world are gathered together to make war against him. But out of the rider's mouth comes a sharp sword that he will use to defeat the nations. Because of the evils of the time, many people will lose their faith. But those who keep their faith unto the end will be saved.
The two sides prepare for battle. When the conflict starts, Everyman is at first caught in the middle. But as the battle progresses, he gets taken into Christ's side, and the two are finally victorious over the enemy.
MUSIC: Segue to climax of "Jupiter" movement, from "The Planets"
Everyman
Christ
Evil (the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Horses)
3 Voices
INTRO: (Read by Service Leader) The Book of Revelation was written by John, one of the Disciples of Jesus. He had been imprisoned because of his faith on the island of Patmos, which is off the coast of what we now call Turkey. While there, he had a series of visions in which Jesus appeared to him, to give him messages of encouragement and warning.
In his Revelation, John describes Jesus in a number of different ways : as a Lion, as a Lamb, as a glorious person John calls the Son of Man, and as a conquering king.
Tonight, we meet Jesus first of all as the Lamb, who has been given a scroll, sealed with seven seals. As Jesus unlocks the seals, a parade of visions tumble from the scroll, beginning with the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
MUSIC: "Mars", from "The Planets" by Holst
Jesus enters.
VOICE: I saw a Lamb standing in the centre of the throne of God. He took the scroll from the right hand of the One sitting on the throne. Then I heard the voice of many angels saying in a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was killed to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and praise." Then I watched while the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals.
Everyman trudges on, carrying a pack and leading his family. He is weary, and stumbles on the road.
Jesus goes to Everyman, picks him up, gives him food, and assures him that He will always be with him. They both exit.
.......................................................
Jesus re-enters, and unrolls the scroll further. He remains to one side or at rear.
FX: Horse whinnying.
VOICE: I heard a voice like thunder, saying, "Behold!". And there before me was a white horse.
The rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out with a false message of hope, determined to win people away from the truth.
FX: Trumpet
The first horseman (representing false prophets) enters, proclaiming a false gospel, drawing many people away from the truth..
FX: Horse galloping
.......................................................
Jesus removes a seal, unrolls more scroll.
FX: Horse whinnying
VOICE: Come, masters of war. Ride out, ride onward.
Enter the second horse and rider (War). Jesus exits.
FX: Battle horns
The rider calls forth his troops, arms and trains them, declares war and sets out to battle.
FX: Hoof beats, swords clashing, cries of people fighting.
Everyman is caught in the conflict against his will, and becomes a victim of the politics and fighting; he is wounded, and made homeless yet again.
Jesus , comes briefly to strengthen him and give encouragement. (Jesus exits)
.......................................................
FX: Horse stamping
Everyman is a refugee, desperate to feed his family in a time of famine.
VOICE: Behold, a black horse!
Enter Black Horse and rider (Famine).
VOICE 2: What does it bring?
VOICE 3: No good thing for us, I'll warrant.
VOICE: A day's wages for a loaf of bread....but the wine is cheap!
FX: Cries of people in desparation.
Jesus again enters to strengthen Everyman, then exits.
.......................................................
FX: Horse galloping
Enter the Pale Horse (Disease and Death)
VOICE: The Pale horse! It's rider is death!
Everyman sees his family die, unable to help them. Jesus weeps with him.
FX: Bell tolling slowly, wailing of people mourning.
.......................................................
FX: Horses whinnying, galloping, sounds of war
VOICES: How long, Lord? Low Long?
FX: Battle horn
VOICE: I saw heaven opened, and there before me was a white horse. The rider is called Faithful and True. His eyes are like burning fire, and on his head are many crowns. The armies of the world are gathered together to make war against him. But out of the rider's mouth comes a sharp sword that he will use to defeat the nations. Because of the evils of the time, many people will lose their faith. But those who keep their faith unto the end will be saved.
The two sides prepare for battle. When the conflict starts, Everyman is at first caught in the middle. But as the battle progresses, he gets taken into Christ's side, and the two are finally victorious over the enemy.
MUSIC: "Jupiter" movement, from "The Planets"
© John McNeil 1999
All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that
copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee
charged.
In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being
notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed.
He may be contacted at: soul.communication@outlook.com
Or at: 36B Stourbridge St, Christchurch 2, New Zealand.