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!” 2 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. Revelations 6:1-2
We have all heard of the Four Horses of the Apocalypse but what I have never heard is how it applies to my life. Usually we end up in theological arguments over who believes what, because in truth it could mean so many things. This person or that person makes the case their view is the correct one…..
What if in a way they are all correct? I mean loosely….. sort of. They kind of all have a valid point?
There are 4 basic views. Some think the book is about a far off future, which might be now. Some think it was 100% fulfilled just after Jesus’ death, so the fall of Rome. For centuries they thought it was unfolding throughout history…… so the long game. The last view is that it is just symbolic principles that rotate again and again over time.
If the last view is the correct view then all the other views could also be valid because each interpretation is a snapshot of one of the cycles. Each generation can see the Revelation as pertaining to their reality because it does.
We are struggling through our current phase and always wondering about what the future may hold.
I have often wondered why God would put the book of Revelation in the Bible if it is only intended to pertain to one generation? That just doesn’t make sense to me. Having an overarching application that transcends time and holds answers to life for each generation makes more sense. A living document that has fresh revelation to all who read it.
Basic principles do that. The skeleton holds its shape but the flesh is refreshed as brand new with each new reader.
So I decided to look at the Seals which start with the Four Horsemen of the apocalypse. What does the white horse mean? What does it mean for me? Does it serve as a warning? Does it give insight? Can it give me hope?
I looked, and there before me was a white horse!
White. A white horse.
In the Bible white usually signifies clean, washed, pure and so on. So for generations this horse was assumed to be Jesus or maybe the Holy Spirit spreading the gospel. Good conquerors evil.
However some argue that it means a false white. It seems good but it really isn’t. It is the ANTICHRIST versus the actual CHRIST. The Devil can come as an angel of light. Either way the white horse signifies a time period when things seem good and good seems to be prevailing.
I could see how both could be true at the same time. When good decent folks gain the upper hand the creeps go underground. Evil lurks around behind the scenes so what may seem pure and holy may seem to be a facade if who you are dealing with specifically is actually a bad character.
I do not think that means every one in the “white horse” era is actually an antichrist. I am saying good and evil coexist on earth….. be careful! If it is popular to be noble and honorable a wolf will simply wear a wool coat so he can blend in. This does not make him a sheep. It makes him incognito. Jesus said watch what they actually do versus what they say.
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:15-16
So during a time when everything seems on the upswing, great strides are being made to free the oppressed, provide for those in need. Justice is finally coming to the abused or misjudged. Evil does not go away. It resorts to deception and goes underground. It finds a new dark corner to set up shop. In your victory do not let your guard down. They don’t go away. They go underground.
Its rider held a bow…..
I wondered why he is holding a bow. What symbolic meaning could a bow and arrow hold? Some comments ferret out that he holds only a bow but does not make mention of arrows. I just don’t think that matters because other scripture can also shorten the phrase down to just bow. The point is this person is an Archer.
He pierced my heart with arrows from his quiver. Lamentations 3:13
We think of words as being able to shoot like a arrow. People can say something and can zing us in such away that cuts to the core.
They didn’t yell.
They said just the right thing that left a lasting impression on us. It sails right past all my defenses and hits me right to the core, quick clean and deliberate. Could the Bow represent the mindset that prepares the way for war? Is it a battle for the mind and beliefs? The arrow could be a word that gave me hope…. gave me conviction. But it can do the opposite as well. The last straw. The comment that hurt so bad it was blinding….. The slam that killed my last hope and ended my will to live. A word can heal. It can kill.
If the White Horse is Christ and his good news of forgiveness, love, mercy and redemption. If the call is to raise the bar not to raise the stakes. The land will be filled with healing and peace when the evil men are finally brought to justice.
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. Revelation 19:11
However if the White Horse is a deception designed to trick people into thinking something dangerous is actually a good thing the era of conquest to change the hearts of men will seem so sweet as you sway public opinion but when all is said and done it could desend into horror. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this!” The classic cry of those who were fooled into believing a con.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20
Consequences are Consequences even if we were tricked into them.
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13
False Prophets can be anything. They can be Politicians, Actors, Doctors, Business leaders, Activists, Teachers or even your neighbor or best friend. Gospels…. “the good news” can masquerade under any number of self help or social justice ideologies. They can attach themselves to Christianity or bill themselves as a “higher wisdom”.
We get easily bored and love anything new and catchy, which is a con-man’s dream. We as a culture seem to relish exposing the swindler who posed as a religious leader but frauds and scammers work in every field not just religion. Don’t confuse the deceiver with the person who is genuinely trying to sort it all out.
and he was given a crown…
They say that in ancient Rome there were two kinds of crowns. One was worn by the King. The other was like a trophy or ribbon: The Victor’s crown. He was given a crown….. a Victor’s crown.
HE WON.
He rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest…….
The White horse is the underdog and he is driven to usurp the top dog. He is BENT on conquest. He is determined to overthrown the current philosophy and he won’t stop until he gains that upper hand.
The problem with being in control is it is easy to get lazy and sloppy. The one who holds the reins can remain alert and responsible or kick back and enjoy the spoils. You take the good life for granted. You forget about others and kind of soak up your place of privilege….. or you don’t but others see it that way because of their own sense of unrest.
When people are done with misery they seek to overcome. People can choose the path of repentance and reconciliation or anger, revenge and retaliation. Both are difficult and require alot of energy to accomplish what they desire. One path destroys everything that crosses it. The other desires to do away with the destructive forces. It seeks to build… Build a new life.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Both feel like a white horse riding to conquer whatever is bringing misery.
Yet one path perpetuates misery and the other can, in time, bring relief.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Am I a conquering Christian?
Am I a Christian who engages in the battle for good and evil? Do I fight the good fight? Do I reach out to those who are at the end of their rope and offer a lifeline…. so they won’t be tempted to seize a false hope, the false sense of power that anger and hate brings? Do I look for people who are staring at an angel of light but needing a hero riding on a white horse? Do I engage and offer the one that is faithful and true?
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Psalms 40:2
Theophilia 