The White Horse – “Many Shall Come in My Name…”

BY DAVID C. PACK

The white horse and rider, first of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, have long puzzled students of Bible prophecy. What are they? When do they appear? Billions remain in complete ignorance of the truth—and importance—of what the white horse represents. But the mystery is understood. The Bible and history clearly identify this horse and rider. You can understand their meaning!

Author’s Note: This booklet is part of a unique series covering the subject of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. While each booklet stands alone, the reader will only gain a full understanding if the series is read in the following order, reflecting the sequence described in Revelation 6 and Matthew 24:

• The White Horse – “Many Shall Come in My Name…” • The Red Horse – “You Shall Hear of Wars…” • The Black Horse – “There Shall Be Famines…” • The Pale Horse – “There Shall Be Pestilences…”

Sometimes God chooses to use common experiences or activities as symbols or analogies in His Word. This is done to help human minds comprehend what is being described. God’s selection of analogy makes the booklets on the Four Horsemen easier to understand—especially for those who have ridden horses.

I have done this many times, in many situations, and ridden at virtually every speed. I have sat on horses at a standstill. I have ridden them at a walk, a trot and a canter, as well as at a gallop, and even at the exhilarating clip of a full run, flat-out, across a level field with my head down beside the horse’s mane.

As we begin the subject of the Revelation 6:1-17 horses (with horsemen), fix in your mind this animal’s physical prowess. Bear in mind that for much of history, including the age of the writing of the New Testament, horses were man’s preferred means of transportation—for rapid travel, communication and, in the case of armies, invasion and conquest. The horse and rider are virtually inseparable from a place within every picture of history.

God knows this. Hence His choice of analogy.

For the past 2,000 years, millions have sought to understand the so-called “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” described in Revelation 6:1-17. Much written about, and seen in Hollywood films, none grasp their true significance. Religionists have crafted their own explanations, but have all ignored important CLUES in properly understanding what these symbolize. As with so much of Bible prophecy, this is also because they have not understood the KEYS to God’s Word.

In Revelation 6:2-8, a series of mysterious horses are described—white, red, black and pale—each with its own rider, and coming in sequence. None seem to recognize that Christ, the Revelator, had already shown to His disciples the prophetic meaning of these horses. With so much at stake, because of the unparalleled destruction these first four opened seals are foretold to bring, we must understand in fuller context their true—and truly horrific—meaning.

In this booklet and the others on the Four Horsemen there is a second purpose—and question. This question is big. We are also examining whether Jesus’ prophecies have been accurate. Did He speak the truth to His disciples about events preceding His Return—or are His words a jumbled hodgepodge of human imagination, perhaps put on His lips by others—or even by the apostle John? If so, we must admit that at least some of the Bible is not worth the paper it is written on. And all of Jesus’ words stand in doubt.

This booklet describes the real meaning of the FIRST SEAL of Revelation 6:1-2. But at this point, another question arises—and it is also BIG! As you read the Four Horsemen booklets, this towering question presents itself: Are the first four seals of Revelation still closed, or has Christ unsealed them? In other words, are they in effect today? Stay focused on this question as you read.

Before continuing, something else must be grasped in order to set up the subject.

Deception

Everyone hates having been deceived—lied to—especially by those they have known and trusted. The reader has probably experienced this. In every case, it is painful and disillusioning. The shock of betrayal can shake one to the core of his being.

For a moment, in your mind’s eye, try to place yourself in this situation. Now imagine that those who have done this to you are widely considered to be men of truth. And then next imagine that what you trusted them with were the most important things in life.

Unknown to almost all, this is the level of deceit that counterfeit Christianity represents, where presumably all people understand that eternal life is at stake.

We now bear down.

The Identity of the Rider of Revelation 6:2

John described what he saw as Christ began to remove the seals. Let’s read the account: “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. 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. 6:1-2).

The first horseman’s identity has been almost universally misunderstood. You must understand this! The rider of the white horse is not who most think he is. Religionists and so-called prophecy experts have invented numerous theories about what the rider of Revelation 6:2 pictures. Some think he pictures Christ’s servants announcing His Second Coming. Others believe the white horse represents “the Church.” This could not be the case since God's Church never went forth to conquer and subdue nations. Rather, the true Church is represented by a woman (Rev. 12:1) who nurtures those whom God calls. These and all other human interpretations are wrong.

Many Bible commentaries, referring to Revelation 19:1-21, which portrays Jesus Christ returning on a white horse, hastily conclude that the Revelation 6:1-17 rider also must be Christ. Let’s examine more closely whether these riders are the same.

Subtle, and not so subtle but overlooked, differences will be seen to be very important.

Notice Revelation 19:1-21 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He does judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself.

And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God…And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Rev 19:11-13, 15). Clearly this is the true Jesus Christ. No one doubts this much.

Of course, there are similarities between the descriptions. Both riders are astride a white horse. Both are wearing a crown or many crowns, and they both conquer and rule. But, again, there are subtle differences. For instance, the Revelation 6:1-17 horseman wears “a crown,” whereas Jesus Christ wears “many crowns.”