The White Horse

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I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

Revelation 6:2, ESV

 

In John’s vision, he describes a series of events that will take place after the time of the rapture as to what’s called the tribulation. In Revelation 6, we find perhaps one of the most popular portion of prophetic literature about the tribulation. In the first eight verses, we see a horse, with a rider each being set loose as means of God’s judgment upon the earth. Horses are used throughout the Bible to represent God’s presence and power on the earth to accomplish his purposes. These images of the horsemen are similar to those in Zechariah 1:7–17.  While there are many more judgments to come during the time of the tribulation. I will highlight only the Four Horsemen described in Revelation 6:1-8, ESV. 

THE GREAT DECEIVER 

The first in which we see is one that is mounted on a white horse. Some have mistakenly thought this to be Christ. Citing that he is described on a white horse later in Revelation chapter 19. This is not the same man. The figure described in Revelation 6:2 is the Anti-Christ. He is the great deceiver. (Revelation 20:10, Matthew 24:24, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, John 8:44) 

He will be handsome in his appearance, charming and calming the countries. In a world that’s reeling from the chaos following the rapture, nations will be ripe for war, nuclear threats, and rumors of global wars will be everywhere. This leader will rise out of the chaos and bring order.  Kings will praise him, princes and presidents will surrender their powers to him. While the world seems to be spinning out of control, he will bring balance. Creating a global alliance with ten other global leaders (Daniel 9:27) to create peace and stability. His presence and power will be welcomed as he initially establishes peace. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3)

He will be the man that the world has been waiting on. Daniel 9:26-27 describes him as a coming prince! He will move from victory to victory until all world leaders unite under him. He will arise initially on a platform of peace and deceive the nations. One could easily imagine he would win the Nobel Peace prize and be called “Man of the Year” by Time Magazine.

This is not the real Jesus.  This is not the real Christ. This is the Anti Christ. He is an imitation of Jesus Christ himself. While both will appear with crowns. The Anti Christ will have a victor crown. Jesus will have a true king’s crown. The Anti Christ will come with a bow. Jesus will come with a sword. The Anti Christ will come for the purpose of creating a war. Jesus Christ will come to for the purpose to end it.  The Anti Christ will come at beginning of the tribulation, Jesus Christ will come again at the end of it.

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God’s Word tells us to be on the lookout against false prophets, fakes, and phonies. Take a minute to consider how to do that as believers today.