“Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer”

Everything from chapter 6 through chapter 18 describes the Tribulation. That is almost two-thirds of the book of Revelation.

6:1

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”

Chapter 6 describes the opening of the first six seals and introduces the seventh seal. These events unleash great judgment on the earth. Each seal reveals a special kind of judgment. Many of these judgments are cosmic in nature — worldwide judgments.

“Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30).

The main purpose of the Tribulation is to bring Israel back to God.

“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book” (Daniel 12:1).

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).

During the Tribulation, three series of events take place, the seal series, trumpet series, and bowl series. Each series divides into four and then into three events.

6:2

And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

We now come to the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, each with a distinct color.

This verse does not say it is Jesus who rides this “white horse.” The rider on this horse may be the coming Antichrist (Daniel 9:26). This rider represents a conquering power that no one can resist. This person has the semblance of Christ, but he is not Christ. He comes as a deceiver. He also comes with an implement of war (a bow) with no arrow. He will conquer through cold war.

The world gives him a victor’s crown. Satan bequeaths him with this crown. This crown represents his world dictatorship. He runs an international organization. He is the head of the Revived Roman Empire to which Daniel refers. He is Satan’s man. He accepts the offer that Jesus refused, “I will give you all these kingdoms if you worship me.”

Principle:

Deception is the ace trump for those who mislead.

Application:

We live in a day of smoke and mirrors. Media advertising makes claims that few believe. We buy the cold cream, but it does not give us beauty. It is a lie.

People think drugs will give them permanent euphoria, but it only lasts for a moment.

As bad as things that come from the white horse are, things will get worse. Bad things always begin with deception (2 Thessalonians 2).