----------The Apocalyptic White Horse----------

When we hear the term "Apocalypse", we tend to have visions of the end of the world but that is not what the Apocalypse is. The word "Apocalypse" means "a revealing". Another name for the book of Revelation is the book of the Apocalypse. Revelation is also another word which means "a revealing". The question becomes, "Who or what is being revealed?"

The first three words of the Apocalypse reads, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ". So the Bible tells us that it is the events that lead up to Jesus Christ revealing Himself to all inhabitants of planet Earth. It is not the end of the world but it is a new beginning. However, it is the end of this present evil age and the end of Satan's rule over this planet.

Recently, there was a television special called "Revelations". This is a misnomer because there is only one Revelation not several. Incidentally, Christ will not be born again as a baby as suggested in the miniseries. He is coming back as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" in all of His heavenly glory.

Most people have heard of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse but few understand it. Who is the rider on the white horse as mentioned in the following verses from Revelation 6:1 & 2? Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Some believe this rider to be Christ but that is just not logical. First of all, it is Christ Himself who is opening the seals. That would mean that Christ would have to be in heaven opening the seven seals then appearing on Earth to fulfill the role of the rider on the white horse.

Secondly, Revelation 19 has a rider on a white horse who is clearly identified as Jesus Christ. What is He armed with? And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: This sharp sword is the Word of God.

What is the rider on the white horse in Chapter 6 armed with? A bow without any arrows. What does this tell us? First of all that this is someone pretending to be someone who he is not. A counterfeit if you will. The fact that his bow has no arrows reveals the manner in which he comes to power and that is diplomacy.

The fact that he has a crown shows he has authority or rulership. What does he do? He conquers the world. All nations of this planet will come under his leadership. This sounds exactly like Adolf Hitler but with more power. Adolf Hitler was just a preview of things to come.

This rider on the white horse will bring "peace" to this world and the world will believe he is God Himself. What other scriptures can we find about this counterfeit Christ? In Thessalonians Chapter 2 we read Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Here the Apocalyptic White Horse rider is referred to as the man of sin and the son of perdition. Only one other person in the Bible is called "son of perdition" and that was Judas Iscariot. This "man of sin" claims to be God even sitting in the temple of God (this is a Jewish temple) demanding to be worshiped. This can never happen as long as the true church remains on Planet Earth because Christians who are firmly grounded in the Word of God cannot be deceived so easily. This means the church is gone. Where did it go? A study of Chapters 4 and 5 of Revelation show all of the redeemed (the church) in heaven eagerly awaiting the opening of the seven seals by Christ Himself.

What does the seven sealed scroll represent anyway? It is the deed to planet Earth. Jesus is about to fulfill the age old prayer, "Thy kingdom come". How can a church claim there is no Earthly kingdom then pray His kingdom to come? They are contradicting themselves. Before Christ returns to Earth, He is going to clean it up and make some great physical changes on the surface. He is also to cast Satan into a bottomless pit for one thousand years when He returns.

Are there other scripture references to this rider on the white horse who is a counterfeit? In John Chapter 5 Jesus is speaking to the Jews when He says, 43 I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive This tells us that someone who is not from God but claims to be of God will be received by the Jewish people as their Messiah. This has not happened yet so those who hold a "preterist" point of view (the belief that all of Revelation has already been fulfilled) just don't know what they are talking about. This also tells us that the rider on the white horse will be Jewish because that race would accept no other person as their Messiah.

Where will this antichrist's center of leadership be? Daniel 9 verse 26 tells us And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary Who destroyed the city and the sanctuary of the Jews? The Romans completed destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D. The rider on the white horse must be the prince of the Roman people. Where are the Roman people? Europe is the source of these people so this prince will be a Jewish leader of a European empire.

When will this rider on the white horse in Revelation 6 make his appearance as the Antichrist? The answer is in Daniel 9 verse 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; This is a week of years or a seven year covenant. This covenant is with Israel. Notice that is doesn't say the antichrist will create one but confirm one. In other words, a peace treaty that is currently in place but is constantly being violated by one or both parties will be confirmed by the antichrist. He will have the power to enforce this treaty and enforce it he will.

When the covenant is confirmed for seven years, then the seven year tribulation period begins and all hell breaks out on planet earth. The age old war between God and Satan will have stepped up a notch. Everyone will have to choose sides whether they want to or not. The question is: Whose side are you on?

Copyright 2005 by Gary Goodworth