Today’s reading is Revelation 6.
As we learned yesterday, the apocalyptic story began in earnest when the Lamb broke the first seal on the scroll. When He did, one of the four living creatures cried out “Come!” A rider on a white horse with a bow and a crown came forth conquering and to conquer.
Different preachers, authors, commentators say different things about this rider on the white horse. Regrettably, the “four horsemen of the apocalypse” have become such an icon that popular renderings of them provide more background for many modern opinions than the Bible actually does. I, obviously, could be very wrong about who this rider on the white horse represents, but I can only point you to what I think the vision is really about.
Here’s the key. Do you recall what the elder to said to John in Revelation 5:5?
Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals (ESV).
Jesus is a conquering King. Because He is the conquering King, He breaks the seals. He breaks them not only as the Lamb breaks the clay seals on the scroll in the vision. But He breaks them as the conquering King bursting forth from the scroll setting the entire story in motion.
Some will push back saying Jesus is the Lamb, He can’t also be the rider on the white horse. However, recall in John 10, Jesus is the door of the sheep through which the Shepherd enters the fold (John 10:7) and He is also the Shepherd going through the door (John 10:11).
To be clear, I believe the rider on the white horse is our King, Jesus. As He burst forth from the grave, He bursts forth from the scroll to conquer. We will see this rider on the white horse again in Revelation 19:11ff. In that chapter, He will defeat the beasts and their armies arrayed against God and His people. In that chapter, everyone recognizes the rider on the white horse as Jesus. Here, at the beginning, He is simply going forth to conquer. After all, hasn’t He been given all authority on heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:19-20)? Wasn’t He promised possession of all the nations and victory over all kings who defied Him (Psalm 2)? Don’t we expect the risen and ascended Messiah to conquer the nations? But Revelation 19 is a long way off, isn’t it? In fact, that will be part of this whole story.
This is our King. For just this moment, watch Him in His glorious pomp and fanfare. Cheer for Him as He goes forth conquering. His triumph is our triumph. There will be a lot of things happen between the King going forth conquering and to conquer and when He finally conquers at the end of the story. But the point is quite simply this: Hang on! Our King really does conquer. Don’t let go no matter what it looks like between Him bursting forth and winning the ultimate victory.
Praise the Lord!
PODCAST!!!
PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Revelation 6 admonish you?
Read the Bible 