In this week’s study, I begin our study in Chapter 6 with the First Seal.
In our prior studies of Chapters 4 & 5, we learned about the Lamb who was worthy to open up the Book. Question that we must ask ourselves, when did Yahshua Messiah begin to open this scroll?
There is a key that unlocks the mystery of Revelation. It has been theorized that Rev. was written in chronological order. This means that events will occur in the sequence they are written. Unfortunately, with this as a fundamental assumption it will be impossible to understand this great Book. This is because the chronological order theory is flawed. You are about to discover why!
2. behold = “id-oo” calling attention to something external to one’s self.
Now listen up, take note particularly what John saw, and then remember that it is symbolical, and that instead of looking for a literal fulfillment, we are to ask the meaning of the symbols. There are several features of the vision that fix our attention: 1. the horse. 2. His white color. 3. The armed warrior. 4. His crown. 5. His bow. 6. His mission. It is certain that none of these features would have been named if they did not possess significance. What does each of these symbols mean?
White horse = anti-Christ! One of many false Messiahs, just as Yahshua Messiah stated in Matthew 24:4-5,
Mat 24:4 And Yahshua answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Messiah; and shall deceive many.
White = symbolic of purity. Keep in mind that Satan can turn himself into light, 2 Corin. 11:14, also 2 Corin. 2:11.
Horse = the horse was never used by the Jews or Orientals as a beast of burden. The ox and the ass were devoted to that office, and the horse was reserved for war. Whenever the horse is mentioned by the prophets it will be found in connection with war-like employments. That the horse is always associated with war can be seen by consulting Job 29:25; Psa. 76:6; Pro. 21:31; Jerm. 8:6; Ezek. 26:10. Therefore this symbol points to a period of war, though it alone does not declare whether the conflict is carnal or spiritual, is triumphant or disastrous.
He that sat = Not to be identified with the white horse and rider of 19:11[He = Yahshua Messiah,], for here is the beginning of the series of terrible judgments. Also note small “h”.
Crown = “stef'-an-os” the garland or wreath of a conqueror, which is also implied by His white horse, white being the emblem of victory. Means rulership
Here is another interesting thought on the bow and crown. The first rider of Revelation 6 carries a bow—in Greek, a toxon, which is the root of our English word “toxic.” The toxon is not the weapon Yahshua Messiahs wields in Revelation 19: “From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.”
The second clue is the crown. This rider’s crown is a stephanos, a “crown of victory” given to winners in public games in the Greek world. It can also signify political power, which certainly fits this rider and his mission “to conquer.”
A stephanos differs from the diadema—the source of our English word “diadem.” Yahshua Messiah, the rider on the white horse in Revelation 19, wears “many diadems,” distinguishing Him from the rider called forth at the opening of the first seal.
This leads us to a major question: If, as we believe, the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6:1 is a literal entity and not just a symbol, then who is he?
Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!
Have any questions? Feel free to email me at utwoy@netzero.net
