“And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.”

Revelation 6:2

This is the visions of the horses that come out of the open book with the seven seals. The Lamb of God was the only one worthy to open this seals and reveal the history that was to come. The for living creatures, speaking with the voice of thunder, invite John to “Come and see!”

John sees a White horse coming from the book with a rider. The rider has a bow and arrows and He is given a crown. He comes forth from the book of history, or prophecy, to conquer. He is the conquering Saviour, who came into history to win over the hearts of women and men through the sacrifice of Himself on a cross of shame.

The horse is majestic and swift and designates the swift spread of the gospel in the Apostolic age, of which John was the last. The purity of the gospel message is demonstrated by the White horse which goes into war with the world, without fear and full of authority and saving power. It is the power that changes lives and can turn the mind and heart from darkness to light.

The majestic rider, the King and Kings, has a bow and arrows. the bow is the Word of God and the arrows are the truth of God that proceeds forth from the Word. This is the weapon of the King, and the weapon of every Christian.

We read in Habakkuk chapter 3 of the conquering Lord of all.

“Was THE LORD displeased with the rivers? Was your anger against the rivers, or your wrath against the sea, that you rode on your horses, on your chariots of salvation? You uncovered your bow. You called for your sworn arrows. You split the earth with rivers. The mountains saw you, and were afraid. The storm of waters passed by. The deep roared and lifted up its hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shining of your glittering spear. You marched through the land in wrath. You threshed the nations in anger. You went forth for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed.”

Habakkuk 3:8-13

The rider on the White horse comes for His own people. He comes to rescue them for the clutches of a fallen and deceitful world and bring them safely into His kingdom to come. All things fall at His feet and are conquered by Him, including death and hell. He holds the keys for these two enemies of His people.

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.”

Revelation 19:17-18

Christ is still going forth with the gospel to conquer and and to overcome the heart of all who will submit to Him and be saved by Him. He is the Soul winner and will bring all His people into the eternal kingdom.

“Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Revelation 19:11-16

This is the vision further along in this book of Revelation, of the all conquering Lord and Saviour. No one can stop His rule and reign. No one can challenge what He is doing. This is our LORD and GOD and the only response we can make is to worship Him. He will conquer all His people. He will conquer our sin and all our unrighteousness and bring us perfect and whole into His kingdom, which is come and will be completed soon. All His people are being gathered in and no one can stop Him.