The opening of the first seal is a chance to test the method described in the previous series of posts. I suggested that reading Revelation is like reading a political cartoon from another culture and time (see also this post on the seals in general). There are several key images in the description of the first horse and rider: they are white, the rider has a crown and a bow, and he is “bent on conquest.” How would a reader in the first century have understood the image of a white rider? Of the four horsemen, the identity of this rider is the most frequently debated. (In fact, there is not really any discussion of the meaning of the sword, famine and pestilence!) If we read the metaphors in the context of a first century Jewish Christianity, we may be able to read the imagery as John intended them in the first place.
The color of the rider is important, but it could support any of the following views. White is often associated with victory. Roman emperors, for example, dressed in white when they celebrated a victory (Charles, Revelation, 1:1620). But white is often associated with holiness, for example when the Lord returns in chapter 19 he is wearing a white robe, the martyrs under the altar of God are wearing white robes (chapter 5).
First, it is possible that the rider is the Roman Empire / emperor, or more generally, the triumphant warfare in the Roman period. This view is less popular than it once was, although a consistent preterist like Ken Gentry sees the white horse as the Roman empire as victorious over Jerusalem (Four Views on the Book of Revelation, 53).
A second possibility is that the rider is Christ and the image is the conquest of the gospel in the present age. Those who read Revelation as from an idealist perspective understand this as preaching of the gospel which continues throughout the present age. They note that in 19:11-16 Christ is the rider of a white horse at the time of his second coming, also wearing a crown. The white rider is the progress of the gospel going out to the nations throughout the present age. This is parallel to the Olivet Discourse. Matthew 24:14 implies the gospel will be heard throughout the world prior to the return of the Messiah.
But there is some trouble with this view, primarily in explaining the meaning of the crown and bow. Matthew 24:14 only says that the gospel will be preached to the end of the age, not that it will be victorious. It is a testimony to the nations, but not specified as being successful. The crown is a victor’s crown promised to the one who overcomes in Revelation 2:10 and 3:11. In 4:4 the elders surrounding the throne are dressed in white and wear στέφανος (stefoanos), but the locust from the abyss have them as well. The “son of man” in 14:14 has a στέφανος (stefoanos) as does the woman in 12:1. The use of νικάω in this context may not necessarily be “positive,” since the same word is used in 11:7 and 13:7 with reference to demonic forces.
A third possibility is that the rider on the white horse is a parody of Christ in 19:10-16. The rider is a “false messiah” or “anti-Christ.” The rider is the Anti-Christ, going out “bent on conquest” from the beginning of the tribulation. Several contrasts with the white rider in chapter 19 can be noted, for example, in 19:10-16 the name of the rider is “Faithful and True,” here the rider is given the power to judge and make war. The crowns are different, the weapons are different.
There is a different word used for crown in chapter 6 than in chapter 19. In 6:2 the rider has a bow rather than a sword and he is wearing a στέφανος (stefoanos); in 19:12 he has a sword (coming out of his mouth, describing the power of his word) and a διάδημα (diadema). In addition, the crown “as given” to him, an example of a “Divine passive.” In addition, it was the Lamb who opened the seals in the first place, it seems unlikely that he would also be the rider. A bow is more naturally a symbol of an enemy, connected to the enemies of God rather than the presentation of the gospel. Ezekiel 39:3, for example, associates the bow with one of the ultimate enemies of God lead by Gog.
The first horseman as an anti-messiah parody fits well with the Olivet discourse since military conquests are associated with the nearness of the end, as are the presence of false-Christs. The word in Matthew, however, is pseudeo-christ not anti-christ. Yet John himself saw the work of anti-christs even in his own time (1 John 2:18).
If the second through the sixth seal parallel the Olivet discourse, then perhaps it is best to see the first seal as a parallel as well. This leaves two options, the victory of the gospel and the progression of the Anti-Christ. Since the context of the second through fourth seal is not the verse about the gospel, but rather the appearance of false messiahs, it is best to conclude the white horse is a parody of the Messiah.
This conclusion would have been understood by a Jewish Christian readership which knew of the idea of a great persecution at the end of the age, and perhaps even the typology of Antichious Epiphanes from Daniel. In addition, a Christian congregation may very well have known the teaching of Jesus about false-messiahs. What is more, it is certain that a person living in the Roman empire would have understood the image as referring to Rome as the empire which is “bent on conquest.”
But there is nothing in this metaphor which invites the reader to identify the white rider with any political or religious figure in history, ancient or recent. John is painting a picture in the mind of the reader of a conquering ruler who will make war against the people of God in the future with imagery drawn from the first-century Roman empire.
Revelation 6:1 has the Lamb opening the first of the seven seals and then a rider with a white horse appears. I like to conclude that the rider is not Christ seeing that He is described as the Lamb in the beginning of the verse before. Of course, with God all things are possible and he could be the one that rides out to conquest, but what makes the most sense is to connect this rider with the Anti-Christ. The Anti-Christ marks the beginning of the tribulation and some of the events of the end-times and it would connect with verse 2 well as the first seal is opened and he rides out to “conquer” what is in the world and what needs to begin. The only other thing that doesn’t make sense to me is who the “Anti-Christ” originated from (?) and how he receives the crown and bow? Is it God that sends him, or is it God that allows Satan to send him?
I would have to think that God allows as opposed to sending him. I look at that like what happened with Job in the OT. Also I like to think God allows bad things and he is not the ultimate sender of things….but maybe thats nieve…
I think it is hard to know exactly what John is talking about here. It makes sense to read in any of the views that are commonly held, but at the same time, how can we really know? If there is nothing that specifically denotes who this person was, but at the same time eludes to it being someone specific then who are we to determine who that person is?
I guess that was my point, how you “know” is that you read it as a political cartoon, engage the culture of the first century and hear the symbols in that world.
This is a hard struggle for us in the 21st century. Yes it is good to ponder how it applied to those who the book was originally inteended but we must become overly caught up in this pondering. We still have to apply the Bible to us today. Today is what is important to us, more so than the past or the unwritten and forever changeing future. Honestly i wonder what the point is in trying to figure this out to an exact any ways. In what way is this bring forth a relational clarity or depth with my walk with God. It is in my opinion that there are large chunks of the Bible where God says stuff just to confuse the junk out of us.
“where God says stuff just to confuse the junk out of us.” I am not so sure that the Bible is that impenetrable or that God is messing with our minds. Seems that is a fairly defeatist view, whether we are dealing with difficult texts like Revelation or more “clear” texts like the Gospels.
In Revalation 6:8b it says that “They were given the power over a fourth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” This seems to be referring to all four horsemen. If so then that would discount the possibility of Christ as the white horsemen in this chapter. Where the four go out to destroy the earth Christ, in chapter 19, goes out to judge the kings of the earth and to rule. I think there is definitely parallels to be seen between the white horsemen of chapter 6 and the one of chapter 19. But i do not think that the parallels end with just the first of the four horsemen. The horsemen of Ch. 19 judges with justice, the rider of the black horse in Ch. 6 was given scales, often seen as the symbol for justice. Hell follows the pale horsemen. I wonder if maybe John was trying to emphasize the superiority of the white rider in 19 over all the riders of 6.
I do not believe that the rider is Christ. The Lamb (Christ) is opening the seals where the rider on the white horse appears. Previously in Revelation, Christ is pictured as the slain Lamb. Although I cannot say with absolute certainty, I lean more toward the rider being the Anti-Christ. I believe that God allows the Anti-Christ to come and reign on earth to fulfill prophesy.
I don’t think I have ever really paid that close of attention to the difference in the riders throughout Revelation to think about whether they were both alluding to Christ or not. But after reading through what P. Long had to say, I think it makes more sense to me now and even better sense to try and understand the first horse as the anti-Christ, but at the same time, I have to agree with Curtis. My whole life I had grown up with the mindset that the rider is Christ, no matter how it was explained. It does never name the riders so therefore I have always believed that the rider was meant to be Christ. But P. Long makes a lot of interesting points alluding to the rider and someone else and most agreeable the anti-Christ.
I am not sure who the riders are that are mentioned throughout Revelation. I never realized how many riders there are and that one potentially could be the anti-christ. I think it is hard to really grasp who the riders are depending on the way that John describes them. But, I do agree with Adam, I do not believe that the rider who is presented after the first seal is opened is not Christ. Same reason as Adam pointed out, because it says in the verse before, “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!’ I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow…” (Revelation 6:1-2), it states that the Lamb was the one who broke the seal, so, how could the rider be Christ?
Like it was said in previous posts, Revelation is the most complex and debated book in the Bible to understand. The identity of the first rider has always been debated and really it depends on what the person believes. I was always taught and believed that the first rider who comes was a vision of the anti-Christ because he is bent on conquest over the earth. I don’t believe Jesus would be bent on conquest when he returns. Jesus would be focus on saving the people who believe, not conquering all of the earth. In Greek mythology, Ares, the God of War, was always bent on conquering his enemies and let the anger of war get into his head. He would soon try to conquer Mount Olympus by getting rid of Zeus, his father, but it eventually lead to his destruction. Ares never wanted to save people from harm. His only focus was conquering what he saw before him. I believe the same concept can be used on the first rider. He is a vision of the anti-Christ because he wants not to save the world, but to conquer it for his own.
It is hard to fully know what John is talking about when he mentions a rider on a white horse, because we do not know the full context behind the writing of the book of Revelations. There will be many interpretations, but we will never know the accurate answer. But I do not believe that it is Jesus who is riding on the horse. I think that because the lamb who is Christ is opening the seals at the times when the rider on the white horse appears.
When reading this passage as a child I always imagined that this rider on the horse as Jesus. Horses were my favorite animal at the time and I felt that Jesus deserved to be on a horse as opposed to a donkey (Mark 11, John 12). Now being older, and wiser, I find it hard to believe that Jesus is the man on the horse. Jesus while on earth was a man of peace who turned the other cheek. It is hard to imagine Jesus being bent on conquest. Jesus is fully God and fully man, so Jesus is everything God is. God is a just God who will judge man (Psalm 9:7-8). Weather or not Jesus will be sent to judge man on a white horse I do not know. However, this is an interesting concept to think about.
Whether or not Jesus is the rider on the white horse, I still think it is a cool concept. The color white may make a reader believe that it is, in fact, Jesus. I could see the rider being Jesus because he gets a crown and he is a conqueror. Jesus is kind and caring, but is still justice serving. If this rider is going out bent on a conquest, then I do not see why it couldn’t be Jesus going to seek justice. Revelation is difficult to understand, but sometimes it is fun to try and decode it.
Reading the opening of the seals in Revelation it seems obvious what the meaning of the first four seals is. These first four seals are the horsemen. Surprisingly, the first seal that is opened, that is the white horsemen who had a bow and a crown creates conflict (Rev 6:2). This conflict is based on interpretation. Honestly, what conflict isn’t based on interpretation? The ridiculous thing is that the interpretation of the other three horsemen is not argued about. Only the first horseman is argued about. The view that I was raised with was that the rider was Christ himself. In my little untrained brain, it made sense. A white-robed person with a crown who was first in line. Thinking this was Christ made total sense at the time. While at the time I blindly accepted that I now realize that this position makes no sense especially in the context of the writing. First of all the seals are being opened by the Lamb of God who is Jesus. While I would not put it past God to be in two or more places at once, this might just be to build imagery as apocalyptic/prophetic literary symbolism. Second, the rider has a bow. This image is not found in any writings about the Messiah. As you said, the image is better understood as a connection to enemies.
Personally, it makes the most sense to assume that this white horseman is the anti-Christ or fake-Christ. Clearly, this horseman is not Jesus because Jesus opened the seal. The imagery of a bow is representative of an enemy. And the phrase “he came out conquering, and to conquer” is a very war-like term. This easily could have been a representation of the Roman Empire (Rev 6:2). Thankfully this is not as specific as Daniel gets so we do not have to figure out whether this is a specific historical figure or not.
In Lamentations 2:4 says that God bent his bow like an enemy, not much is given of further approach with the meaning bow. I have did a little digging on the word “bow” in Hebrew translated to “qesheth,’ but the word origin is “qashah” meaning to be hard, severe or fierce.” It somewhat gives a meaning to the lamentations 2:4 that God bent his bow; poured out his fury like fire. In another example of the bow meaning was the symbol of the enemy that Dr. Long stated above the blog. I have to be honest, if one of the possibilities above, about the symbolic meanings of the rider on a white horse, clothed in white with a crown and bow, I would have interpreted as something good rather than bad. What if these riders of horses were part of God’s plan and purpose to shake people up? Normally, it takes a chaos and drastic event to wake people out of their sleep for example such as the COVID-19 happening now. This is just an example, any event that causes people to awaken could either be taken for good or evil, or both. For this rider with a crown and a bow that is part of the seven seal is significant to take a deeper look in researching the truth behind it. I would probably be that person researching it until I am capable of connecting some points here.
Thank you for this post. I did always heer the rider would be robed in white. As a ten or so little boy sitting in Sunday school class, I really did not understand completely, and in all honesty, I was more concerned with whether or not my friend sitting next to me got more animal crackers than I did. Now I actually want to know who is the rider and what does it mean. as you were talking about how he may be the CI was getting on board with that because I felt like that is what I was taught growing up. but then you went into it may be a typology for Christ, and that got me thinking, and then you were talking about how this could be the anti-Christ. this is now the view that I hold because of the evidence that you have shared. This happens to me a lot especially with Revelation. I think I know what it is talking about from their reading it myself as a teen or been taught it from people who really should not have been teaching about this topic.
Overall, I really liked this post and the detail you about the different opinions on who the white rider is in Revelation 6. I land at a tie between thinking the white rider is either a representation of Rome or a representation of the anti-Christ. The reason I am torn between the two is because of two reasons. First, you stated that, “it is certain that a person living in the Roman empire would have understood the image as referring to Rome” due to rider having a bow and being “bent on conquest.” However, who is this leader who did or is meant to come out of Rome? Second, the white rider being the anti-Christ also appears to be an incredibly valid opinion, especially with the second through sixth seal aligning with the Olivet Discourse, and this view also aligning with the Olivet Discourse.
Furthermore, I do not think there is any way the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6 is Christ or a representation of Christ. You make a great point on this matter when you stated that it is the Lamb himself who opened the seals, why would he come out of the first seal as a rider? Furthermore, the rider on the white horse is bent on conquest, which seems like a negative description of the things that are soon to come. Blackwell also implied that the rider on the white horse is not a representation of Christ, because Christ is represented as a Lamb, not a Horseman (Blackwell 67).
Bibliography:
Blackwell, Ben C. and Goodrich, John K. Reading Revelation in Context: John’s Apocalypse and Second Temple Judaism. Grand Rapids, MI; Zondervan. 2019.
The metaphor John uses regarding the white horse is a popular topic when it comes to the book of Revelation. First, I believe that the color white is used in order for John to make the scripture understandable for his readers. Like you mentioned “Roman emperors, for example, dressed in white when they celebrated a victory. But white is often associated with holiness, for example when the Lord returns in chapter 19, he is wearing a white robe, the martyrs under the altar of God are wearing white robes.” This description of the color white is so that the people of the time could correlate the color with holiness and power because this was the way the color white was viewed. Overall, I completely agree with your final statement. Many good points are made throughout this post and the comments in regard to the post. Personally, I do not know a reader of Revelation is supposed to adequately determine who the rider truly is. I believe that it is open for interpretation and that is what should motivate us as Christians to study the passage and develop many interpretations and possibilities. Lastly John used this metaphor as way to perceive an image in the mind of his readers and therefore, John is successful.
There are very many Christians that don’t like reading the book of Revelation, mainly because they struggle to wrap their minds around what the imagery is truly saying. That, or they attempt to search for a literal interpretation of the text, which doesn’t always make sense. I feel like given this situation; Dr. Long isn’t far off when he describes the book of Revelation like a political cartoon that the average modern-day reader does not have the context for. He goes on to apply this theory to the first seal in Revelation six, where the first living creature summons the first of the “four horsemen” as they are called, the rider on the white horse. It is incredibly useful to research the historical context of Revelation in order to grasp the possible meanings of John’s metaphors.
The bow imagery tends to catch my eye the most because, as Dr. Long states, this fits well as imagery for the adversaries of Roman citizens, even if they are Christians under persecution. The people of Asia Minor (who first read the book of Revelation) were under a very real threat of attack from the Parthians in the east, who were known for their prowess in archery.
Even the language in Revelation 6:1-2 that states, “He came out conquering and to conquer” is a little bit dubious. If Jesus was the one John had in mind when composing this metaphor, he would have certainly been more clear about the attributes of the rider. We read that the horse was white, but John does not tell us what the rider was wearing. We only know that he was given a crown, which merely signifies authority of some kind. We know with certainty that the rider on the white horse in Revelation 19:11-16 is certainly the Son of God, Jesus, and John makes this very understandable with the way he describes him. When we compare this description with the one found in Revelation 6, we realize how incongruous they are. The rider on the white horse in Revelation is bent on conquering, but at this point in the eschatology, Jesus is still reserving his wrath. Why would He appear when the first seal is opened? Also, as the above article states, Jesus is the one opening the scrolls, which makes it even more unlikely that He would be the first one to show up on the scene. Throughout Scripture, we see that the Lord is long-suffering. Peter even states: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). If this is the character of God, then why would he appear in the beginning of the end times?
When looking at Revelation 6:1 we see the image of a white horse. Growing up this passage has been taught to me in the reference of the white horse is Christ. Prior to taking this class I have not studied or heard messages on this passage. This gave insight to the other possibilities of the rider. Like any movie critique, we know that color has a significance. It is the reason good characters wear brighter colors and evil people wear darker colors. There is significance to the details added. Specifically in this passage, we look at the color white. This is typically understood with holiness and victory. There are several possibilities for who this individual could be riding this horse. One possibility could be the Roman emperor. As mentioned before the white is often worn when the roman emperor after a victory. Another possibility could be Christ riding in. In Revelation 19 we see a glimpse of this, which gives us more belief it would likely be this individual. The third option is that it could be the antichrist. This contrasts the idea of good coming, but rather different aspects. Although this may have looked different from the Roman people, it can be easily persuaded to the Messiah being the one riding in on the white horse. Overall, it presents great imagery to the future coming. Revelation does not typically write out the end times story clear and explanatory, this gives us the opportunity to study deeper. Even though as humans it can be hard to comprehend times beyond our future.
Revelation is not one of the books of the Bible that I typically read, mainly because of the confusing imagery. Because of this, I have never looked into the identity of the Horsemen before. After reading through the blog post, it was interesting to see what people thought the Horseman actually represented. To me, the one that makes the most sense would be that the Rider on the White Horse represents an anti-christ. An anti-christ would be someone that tries to conquer the world and try to win people’s loyalty. In that sense, the conquering rider makes sense. Also, with the parallels to the Olivet Discourse, it fits with that criteria as well. That is why I believe he represents an anti-christ.
When the Lamb opened the first seal, there was a rider on a white horse that came out and he was sent to conquer. He had a bow and he wore a crown. There are many discussions on who the rider is and to me he sounds like he could be the Antichrist. There is another image of a rider on a white horse in Revelation 19, but he was described differently. There is a difference between the two because the first one is coming to conquer the earth and possibly destroy it. The second one is coming to bring justice and to complete the wrath of God. The second is Jesus Christ, but the first is anti-Christ. The seals are meant to release destruction on earth and bring the wrath of God down on the people. The first rider has one crown, but the second has many crowns. Why is that different? It could be because they are different people sent for a different task. The other riders were sent to cause destruction on the earth, so there usually is a pattern which makes it seem like that the first rider was sent to destroy and cause chaos. The enemy is usually trying to cause chaos and destruction, and Christ is trying to bring justice and to bring good in the end.
As we read about the rider on the white horse one thing that comes to mind as I think it was brought up in another post is to notice the power of God. We may never be able to identify truly who is the rider on the horse, that will be a question for when we get to heaven. But in the meantime, while we are here on earth, we notice the imagery of the man on the white horse. With that being said I think that it is the third metaphor in which it could be Jesus. We notice that he is on a horse now which could represent power while he was on earth, he was on a colt which was humble and powerless. Those were just thoughts that popped into my head as I read through this post. But what I notice is the magnitude in detail and power that God has and has to come.
The passage never describes the skin color of the rider or the color of his attire, only that the horse is white, how in the world did you ever come to the conclusion that the rider was white? When the context is quite clear that no such description was giving. Then you go off and say the color of the rider being white is an important factor in identifying him. Yet never was it described that the rider was white or wearing white but only its horse is white.
Seems you came in reading into scripture instead of reading out from it.
The title of the original post is “a rider on a white horse,” The color of the skin of the writer is irrelevant.
As far as I can tell, you’re the only person who mentioned the skin color of the writer. In every other case in the original post and in all of the comments it is a white horse, Not a white rider.
From my prior studies of Revelation, Tenny, author of the Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, claims that “white horses were usually considered the best” (Tenney 453). Furthermore, the color white is normally associated in the Bible with holiness. Within Revelation, the Greek word used for ‘white’ is λευκός, with only one translation: white (Souter 145). However, Revelation 6 describes the white rider, who appears after the first of the seven seals is opened (Rev. 6:1), as holding “a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest” (Rev. 6:2). Being bent on conquest does not seem like something to be paired with holiness.
Interestingly, another rider on a white horse appears later in the book of Revelation “whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war” (Rev. 19:11). This rider is later described as the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:16), clearly being Christ. It is possible that both riders on white horses seen within Revelation are the same character, although that does not appear to be the case seeing as both the crowns and weapons are different. Furthermore, the first white rider is released with a seal being opened, which all riders who appear from the seals appear to be set on a path of destruction.
Bibliography:
Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament 1917.
Tenney, Merrill C. Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI; Zondervan. 2009.
When I think or see the color white, the first thing I think of is the bracelets that I made when I was in Sunday School, the white on the bracelet represented our sins being forgiven and cleanliness, the red represented the blood of Christ, the black represented the sin, and the green represented growth as Christians, and the yellow represented eternal life. I think of our sins being washed away because I have had that visual image of that bracelet ever since I was little. In Revelation 6:1 it mentions that the first seal was opened, and it was a white horse. This is where I see the significance because as the seals continue to get opened the second seal was a red horse, the third seal was a black horse, etc. I believe that it goes in a specific color order for a reason which we don’t know why but going back to the colors on the bracelet. These colors are on the bracelet, and I think that it might be a sign reminding us as Christians what those colors represent. But P Long also explains that the color white according to the Roman emperors meant victory and that is why they wore the color white when they celebrated a victory. I think the color white, since it’s significance to me is that it represents our sins being forgiven and that they are washed away is a victory.
I have always believed the rider on the white horse to be Christ, but this is because I have only studied Revelation 19 and its contents which clearly in my opinion describes the rider as Christ. But this passage describes the Lamb opening one of the Seven Seals and then following opening the seal, the white horse appears with the bow. So, in my depiction this white horse rider is not Christ. However, later on beginning in Revelation 19:11 Christ is without doubt the rider. I find it interesting that there are so many different interpretations of this passage and all of them in some ways make sense. It is impossible for me to make the judgement on what’s true because I am not John nor am I God to understand the future times. However, if you listen an hear the words as a cartoon as you mentioned, it is far easier to make interpretations on the meanings of passages. The point you made about the bow and the bow being a symbol of the enemy also makes me believe that this particular rider was not Christ and it was a false interpretation of Christ who as mentioned later comes in Revelation 19:11 from the Heavens.
I do agree that most people see white as superior and that it is more powerful than other colors in the spectrum. We all know the story of the light and the dark and we see the light as holy and Godly, and the dark as evil and sinful. P Long comes up with three interpretations on how we may view the rider on the white horse. The first view is is that the rider was the Roman Emperor which would represent the warfare during the Roman periods. This view is meant to show the superiority that the Romans had over Jerusalem. The second way that we may view the white horse is that the rider may be Christ and this image that is being portrayed is the success and superiority of Christ in present day times. A third view that P Long claims is that the rider is one of a parody of Christ, meaning that it is someone who is anti-Christ. The purpose of this view is that he is going out to make ware instead of make peace. I believe that the second view is most accurate because it relates mostly to our believes and how we view God. Plus, Light means good to us and darkness means sinful and dark times.
Revelation uses a lot of imagery and symbolism. It can be hard for modern readers to understand what the author is trying to describe with all of the symbolism he uses. Whatever description the author gives is important for understanding what it represents, but the question is, what does each piece of the description mean. In Revelation 6, this is the description given of the first rider “ 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.” The blog then begins to break down this description and try to figure out what each part of the description is referring to. As mentioned before, it is important to read this in the context in which it was written. Symbolism changes over time, and reading the modern interpretation of these symbols into them can lead to a very wrong interpretation. For example, in the modern world, white is most often associated with purity. White is associated with things like wedding dresses, chef’s uniforms, or serile hospital rooms. None of those associations with the color white fit the original context of the passage, and they all lead to incorrect interpretations. The blog explains how while is associated with victory or holiness in the Roman world. Some suggest that because of the possible association with victory, the white then represents the triumphant Roman era. Or perhaps the rider is a victorious Christ. The blog further explains the imagery of the crown. The crown is a victor’s crown, further solidifying the connection between white and victory. But what is the significance behind a bow? Why a bow and not a sword or a spear? A third option for the identity of the rider is a representation of the anti-christ. In the original context of the book, it seems that the Jewish Christian audience would have understood this horse and rider to be a parody of the Messiah and a representation of the anti-christ.
It is interesting to think about colors meaning something and that all the horsemen stand for something, including their color. I had never thought of it and had just thought that the colors were meaningless and random. I think that the most interesting theory for who the rider is is that it is Christ. I find this so interesting because he comes back at the end of Revelation riding on a white horse, so it almost makes sense that the horseman would be Jesus since it connects. I think that your point about the meaning of the crown explains why this theory may not be the most accurate and how easily it can be refuted. The crown means victory and it is never said that it will be victorious, only that the gospel will be spread until the end of the age. The point you raise about John not making it clear about who the rider is for a reason is believable. It would make sense that it does not really matter who it is so long as the person on the horse does what they are supposed to. So while I agree that it is an interesting point for the white horseman to be Christ, it simply makes more sense that this rider is an unnamed person and that their identity does not really matter.
The vivid imagery in Revelation never ceases to amaze me. Whether it’s the foretelling of eternity or the textual painting of what a harmonious eternity of peace will be like, there are heavy themes and ideas for us to consider. The Rider on the white horse in Revelation 6 is no exception. I find it very interesting that the ties that people make with this imagery tie directly to politics. This should not surprise us, however, as the church has been doing this for a long time, (some might say too long,) and in modern-day America, this concept of tying in Biblical concepts with political ideals is for better or worse very much prevalent in our society and world. But one of the most brilliant and actually powerful imagery comparisons for me when it comes to the vivid imagery has to be the works from the brilliant minds of JRR Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I can picture characters like Gandalf and Aragorn from Lord of the Rings arriving on the scene in a similar fashion, or in the Chronicles of Narnia when Aslan enters the battle to save the day. I believe if any comparisons with biblical imagery are to be made, they should be done tastefully, and fictional literature is a great outlet for it.
It could be a pseudo Christ seems good and peaceful – a war without weapons – a bow , like the way homosexuality is growing and it’s becoming a religion like to force accept it if well one is “holy “ and good . Wouldn’t God want you to love them ? And the weird thing is I once thought that was extreme that there a minority of people that were homosexual and a strange deformity like and right wingers were extreme to think there was an agenda – but yet now it feels almost evil to reject homosexuality, and a growing spirit of acceptance is apparent and yet it’s all spirit war fare at the core perhaps – I tried to go with the science but even that is elusive now accept when it came to the covid vaxx – so you have this war without arrows happening and I hate implementing scripture into current times but it just seems these times are different and in the deception and confusion I have to lean toward the Spirit of The Word : Thessalonians 2 speaks about great deception- and today they are speaking about gender and what a man and woman is and changing body parts and cutting body parts off and calling that progress and goodness and people who are against it are for the good and yet are called the evil ones or the extreme – so the false Christ rider with a weapon but no ammunition seems plausible to me , the early foundation of an unholy trinity and a new religion very global and seen as very much a ethical and even moral stance and yet lacks moral and objective truth foundation. The basic origin of being and all that. Not to mention the increase in info and the way technology seems to be getting closer to being attached to citizens to be able to participate in common things and travel and purchases- but sticking to the passage it’s interesting to note the bow , and what’s the homosexual banner ? A rain bow and I read some translations on that and if you look into that it’s sort of interesting to note that , I t maybe could be some form of peaceful weapon like yet it’s a false thing – so bow could correlate with the element not just a weapon meaning –
It is always His way and not ours to figure out completely. We are in end times with the White imposter running rampant. We are all being given a second chance right now. Repent and live every day like it is your last. Love God with your whole heart and fear his retribution to the point that you join him.
Rev 6:2 cannot be the initial spreading of the gospel to the gentiles by Paul.
Rev 6:1-2: “I looked on when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a thunderous voice, “Come!” So I looked, and here came a white horse! The one who rode it had a bow, and he was given a crown, and as a conqueror he rode out to conquer.”
Also, after these things…
Rev 4:1: “After these things I looked, and there was a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said: “Come up here so that I can show you what must happen after these things.””
So it’s some time after the seven churches in Asia so therefore cannot by definition be the beginning of the Christian church.
We will not know for sure till we know but it looks like covid was the white horse and now the red horse has been riding out and taking peace from the world, causing men to slay each other … the middle east has all the potential to ignite another world war of unimaginable death and destruction. If that occurs the black and pale horses will certainly follow. There are many scriptures and prophecies being fulfilled and making more sense then ever before in history at this time. Israel has been a nation for over 70 years. The times of the gentiles is coming to a end. It is the time to wake up if we are sleeping, repent, look up to Jesus Christ our salvation and prepare our hearts for the persecution he warned us would occur at that time as we lay down our life testifying to Him.