The Conquering Christ!
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, “I am curious about Revelation 6:2. Who do you think the individual is on the white horse? My thought is Jesus Christ, but I been told it is not. Just curious what you might say.
The text of Revelation 6:2 – KJV states, “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.”
The “white horse” is a heavenly color which indicates purity or holiness (Revelation 2:17; cf. Zechariah 6:3; Revelation 19:11). The rider of the white horse symbolizes a heavenly mission of conquest – note, “A crown was given unto him” – The “stephanos” or the victory crown (cf. Zechariah 6:11; Revelation 14:14).
Note the phrase, “and he that sat on him had a bow.” The bow was the vehicle for shooting arrows. They were used in attack of an enemy (Psalm 120:4). They became a symbol of God’s terror (Job 6:4; Psalm 38:2) as well as God’s judgment (2 Samuel 22:14-15). David refers to “sharp” arrows in the hearts of men causing them to yield to “the sceptre of right” (Psalm 45:6). The bow also stands for fidelity and strength (Genesis 49:24; Psalm 44:6). Christ’s mission on the earth was not to “send peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). The very essence of the gospel of Christ is designed to separate the righteous (those who are truly seeking to do God’s will) from the wicked (those who are not seeking God’s will – Matthew 13:10-17). When “right” goes forth into a world of “wrong,” there must of consequence be war. Truth and error cannot co-exist. As the sword is symbolic of judgment, so is the bow in this verse. Those who do not adhere to the gospel of Christ will be judged by that gospel (John 12:48).
Also of significance in this passage is the phrase, “and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” The conquest of Christ and the gospel is portrayed here as a continuous and progressive conquest of the minds of men (cf. Matthew 28:19-20 – ASV, i.e., “unto the end of the world” or “the consummation of the age” – footnote, ASV).
From the symbolic use of horses, bows, and arrows, it is evident that this is a picture of the victorious Christ. In this verse, as well as in Revelation 19:11-16, He is portrayed as going forth to conquer, not in military strength or war, but in the gospel to “conquer” the souls of men according to God’s divine plan of salvation.