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. (Revelation 6:2).
According to Revelation, there is a white horse that goes forth conquering. Three more horses follow it, bringing distress in their wake. A red horse robs peace from the earth. Next, a black one brings famine. Finally, a pale and ghastly one brings pestilence and death.
When Israel put their faith in God, the covenant blessings flowed their way. On the other hand, when they pushed God and his protection away, then the covenant curses would befall them. Such curses were expressed with the idiom of sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts (Ezekiel 14:21, cf. Revelation 6:8). However, the purpose of allowing these conflicts and trials was not punitive but redemptive in nature. They were God’s agents to turn wayward Israel back to himself and his everlasting covenant. What about the white horse?
The white horse is emblematic of victory. Jesus is seen riding a white horse at his triumphal return, the Second Coming (Revelation 19:11-12). As he will return as the King of Kings, he is pictured as wearing royal crowns (diadēma). But before that, in Revelation 6:1, he wears the victory crown (stephanos). This crown, as the color white, is associated with Christ and his people in the book of Revelation. Therefore, this first horse points to Jesus and the gospel that he brings to the world. When we embrace him and it by faith, we receive the covenant blessings.
What of the bow? It symbolises warfare. Warfare is most often fought to conquer and gain territory. What territory does the white horseman conquer? The ground of human hearts. When the gospel is embraced, conversion happens, and the sinful heart is captured. We become new creations in Christ. But if we later turn our backs on him and the gospel, then the covenant curses follow. But Jesus follows us as well! He strives to win us back.
The sword may come to take our spiritual peace. Famine may come to create a spiritual hunger for God’s word. If we turn back to him, then peace and satisfaction will return. But what if we persistently resist and return not? The pallor of pestilence and spiritual sickness may gallop in. Yet it is none too late to turn back to Christ and be healed. He allows us to leave, for he respects our free will. As well, he allows these arrows of distress to pierce our hearts. Why? His labours are to restore.
It is far best to never leave Christ and the gospel! Yet, perhaps you have already done so. Consequences may even now be heavily bearing down upon you as a result. If the red, black, or even the pale horse is near you, remember that the white horse is ever nearer. Jesus will ride to the ends of the earth to save you. Why? Because he loves you that much.
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