The Rider On The White Horse

A short video featuring the rider on the white horse (Episode 2) can be viewed on our channels at:
readandrun.blip.tv/
www.youtube.com/user/returnofChristinfo

The first seal is the first event of the end time. However from this brief description in Revelation we are not too much the wiser.

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2 And I saw and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer .  Rev 6:1

Who or what is this rider? In order to understand the end time we need to know how it starts.

Is this Christ or is this someone masquerading as Christ, i.e. a false gospel? The false gospel is the popular theory.
Theories come about usually as the result of guesswork. The expression 'an educated guess' is an oxymoron, yet guesswork prevails on this subject and that needs to be avoided at all costs when it comes to biblical subjects.

Most commentators and Church articles state that nowhere in the bible is Christ described as being on a horse with a bow in His hand. From there the conjecture lets loose.

As usual God’s word comes to the rescue. In the book of Habakkuk we have a description of Christ. First we need the time setting, which can be found in chapter 2:  ( Our logo and our 'raison d'etre', so this is a favourite verse)

Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.  Hab 2:2

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.  Hab 2:14

This vision is for an appointed time, at the end it shall speak, and verse 14 again places the context beyond doubt as being in a yet future time when Christ has returned and the whole earth is filled with His Glory.
Chapter three is in line with all the ‘minor’ prophets; it has a duality with its major fulfillment at the return of Christ. This is a Christ in full view demonstrating He is the Lord of Lords and everything before Him trembles, the mountains, the rivers, the sun and moon, the nations are least of all (dust on the scales). Habakkuk reminds Christ to remember how frail we are:

O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.  Hab 3:2.

'In wrath, remember mercy'. The world will be dependant on Christ's mercy, but they will have to turn to Him.

He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.  Hab 3:6

Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. 10 The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. 11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear. 12 Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. 13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed.  Hab 3:9

 Christ’s bow was made naked, i.e. it is now brought out of its protective case for action. His promises to all twelve tribes (the nations of Israel) will now be honored and salvation for all His people will be delivered, He is riding a horse (v 8) and He is about to go through the land in indignation, those that oppose Him will be dealt with in anger. His bow is in His hand ominously out of its case, ready for business.

To encapsulate these verses, this is Christ at the end time reminding the world just who and what He is. The implied message is 'we had better get our thinking caps on' because what is going to happen next will not be pleasent if we make wrong choices. This is the first seal:

And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.  Rev 6:2

In Revelation 14 we have the same warning repeated:

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.  Rev 14:6

Many times Christ warns we will not know beforehand when the 'day of the Lord' starts. One day it is normal; the next it is not. The difference is that Christ has just galloped into the scene. The Rider on the white horse signifys Christ has taken over, the bow demonstrates He will now get serious.

 

For a full explanation of what is the very first event of the end time, what is the defining act that starts it all;

see:  The Gospel Goes to All the World.