Quit contemplating the symbolic significance of red, speculating whether the color itself holds essential biblical principles to live by. Rather, let us do the work and research what the color indicates directly according to scripture and then summarize using Layman’s terms.
The Hebrew word for red is “Adom,” similar in script and tone to Adam, the man created by God from the dust of the earth in the time of creation, establishing human life on earth. Man is of flesh and blood; we can then point red to man’s inward parts. The physical ways of man can be established with this revelation as well, but that is not enough to give the color any exact symbolism.
The first use of the word comes from Genesis 25:25 ~ “The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau.” This is in reference to the birth of Esau, the brother of Jacob (Israel). Red indicating the amount of hair which covered the newborn’s body, giving the name Esau (hairy, well-made). Red means man’s physical traits and the life of man.
When taking the word straight from scripture, we come across the Red Sea quite often. We can look to Exodus chapter 14 for the most significant telling of the Red Sea. This is when Pharoah’s six hundred chariots charged toward the Israelites. Even though they appeared trapped between Pharaoh’s forces and the sea in front of them, God instructed Moses to lift his staff and stretch his hands out to part the sea to lead the Israelites safely across while the angel of the Lord defended them from behind (see Psalm 139:5). In the end, as Pharoh’s army seizes the opportunity to pursue the Israelites, the sea collapses on top of them. In the following chapter, God’s people rejoice in a song, one of the bars being, “Pharoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.” ~ Exodus 15:4. Pharoh’s army was drowned in the Red Sea after the parting collapsed.
Translated as ‘Erythra Thalassa’ in Greek, the Red Sea is named due to the seasonal cyanobacteria alga produced within the waters, dawning a dull red color. Another possibility can be originated from certain colors used to indicate cardinal directions by Asiatic languages (Red referencing south) (Black referencing North, hence the title Black Sea). For more information, visit Red Sea – WorldAtlas.
We then turn to red being used to incite wisdom and prophesy. Proverbs chapter 23:31 says, “Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.” This serves as a warning to keep yourself clear of the ways of the world, not seeking after the fleshly desires of sinners. Red here shows the fiery temptation of lust and idolatry. Isaiah 1:18 prophesies of the redeeming blood of Christ, washing us clean of every sin as it reads, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Obey God’s command and repent of your sins, then you who are red with scarlet sins shall be made white as snow, crimson to pure wool. Only through Christ redemptive blood can our bodies of blood be cleaned. His innocent blood covers our bloody red guilt and shame. Now we are getting somewhere.
Through the visions of the prophet Zechariah and apostle John, the color returns to being a physical trait, being the red skin of the horse an angelic representative of the Lord rides upon. Zechariah 1:8 says, “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.” A vision of the Lord’s angels, riding red, pale (speckled), and white horses, appointed to roam the earth on patrol, to report back to God that the earth was well (even though an all-knowing God does not need a patrol to be aware of this). They serve humanity and answer for work done unto the Lord, constantly reporting to Him. The angel asked the Lord how long would His wrath remain with Israel? God replied by saying His wrath was complete and the Messiah draws near. Zechariah was given access to the spiritual realm, gazing upon the invisible work of God. This serves as a constant reminder that even when we do not see anything happening in front of our earthly eyes, the kingdom of God is always at hand, working continuously for God’s grand purpose. God’s attentive watch over the nation.
Left unanswered is the question of the messianic king’s arrival time. This vision along with the others presented in Zechariah will only come to be if God’s people stay faithful to him. They will see the messianic kingdom if they remain faithful. The real question to ask is that will the reader be ready to take part in the gospel message? Even when God’s people rebel and rejects the Messiah, this will not be permanent. The Messianic Kingdom will come with judgment upon the wicked and destroy sin forever. VISION and PURPOSE. A shocking vision to inspire people to finish what they started. “Return to me and I will return to you.” Zechariah 6:2 then says, “The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses,” These are the four horses of heaven. Going throughout the earth in each direction to give rest. The chariots were the four spirits of heaven (appearing as bronzed mountains). God is always looking after His people, always keeping watch over the entire earth.
Revelation 6:4 says, “And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that the people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.” When the worthy Lamb opened the second seal of the scroll in John’s vision, A rider on a red horse appeared, like the one present in a vision of Zechariah’s. Instead of this rider being task with roaming the earth and reporting back to the Lord, he is tasked with removing peace from the fallen world, so that the people swallowed up in sin and dread may destroy one another. This rider was also presented with a great sword. The earlier rider reported back saying the earth was well, showing the close arrival of the messiah. This rider takes the wellness away from the earth in preparation for the second coming of Christ.
So, ultimately when we are searching for a significant spiritual understanding of red, we can simply look toward the finish work of a perfect man of flesh and blood. When we continue to remain clothed in the crimson red of sinful man, we forfeit the work of Christ in our lives. When we accept the washing of our sin and yet continue to stain our clothes, we become as the hypocrites who can tell the color of the red sky and yet fail to mature in understanding the works and will of the Father (Matthew 16:2-3), those hypocrites are not His. When we truly repent, we become washed of every sin, clothed in white garments that shield us from the principalities of this world. Only the red redemptive blood of Christ can make us pure. If you spot red text in your Bible, listen carefully, the man’s words translate into life’s very reason.