Read with Me
Revelation 6:1-2 (NET)
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.
Listen with Me
The judgment of Jesus on those who were persecuting the people of God’s kingdom begins with the breaking of the first four seals. These judgments are personified by what have become known as “the four horsemen of the apocalypse”. Each of the four horsemen is introduced by the breaking of a seal on the scroll, followed by a command from one of the four living creatures to “come”.
The first horseman is riding on a white horse and carries a bow as if going into battle. The words “He was given” typically indicate that God is the giver. In this case, He gives the rider the victor’s crown, and with this assurance of ultimate victory, He sends him out to conquer.
There have been many interpretations of this white rider. Something to remember is that in God’s symbolism (and all these visions are richly symbolic), white is the color of purity. This takes interpretations of the white horseman as the Antichrist off the table. Instead, John’s readers would most naturally interpret this rider as a holy messenger, successfully taking the good news to the farthest reaches of the empire. In spite of the persecution that was then taking place, God’s message to His people is that His gospel of salvation will not be stopped. It will continue to grow and spread as a top priority, and it is already blessed with God’s own guarantee of ultimate victory.
This would be a powerful encouragement for the Church of John’s day. Those faithful believers were not brought into the kingdom with promises of peace and prosperity. Instead, they were promised an ultimate victory over sin and death: eternal life in God’s kingdom. But along with that assurance, they were taught the words of Jesus from John 16:33b: “In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world”.
This horseman puts an exclamation on that statement. Though the Church was experiencing the hot fires of persecution, the gospel message would not be stopped. God’s kingdom would continue to grow, ultimately robbing the fire of persecution of fuel as more and more people were brought into God’s kingdom and transformed into mighty saint of God, all working to expand the reach of the gospel.
Pray with Me
Father, I can see where this would be a huge encouragement to those suffering persecution. Perseverance and courage under fire is much more likely when I know that my team will ultimately be victorious, and that the purpose for which I am living my life will be accomplished, even if I end up suffering and even dying in the process. The fact that this rider is given the victor’s crown even as he is setting out shows that You have personally foreordained the expansion of Your gospel. And that is encouraging to me today as well. At times it seems like the work of Your kingdom is being slowly crushed into the ground by people and organizations who are fighting against it. But when the enemy comes in like a flood, You have promised to raise up Your standard against them (Isaiah 59:19 KJV) to give your people a victory. Thank You, Lord, for this great assurance today. Amen.