Revelation 6:1,2

Strauss-' Comments
SECTION 15

Text: Revelation 6:1-2

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I Heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come. 2 And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon has a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.

Initial Questions Revelation 6:1-2

1.

After the Lamb opened one of the seals John was commanded to come and then he saw what - Revelation 6:2?

2.

What does the crown symbolize?

3.

Who is the he came forth conquering, and to conquer - Revelation 6:2?

The Opening of The First Six Seals

Chp. Revelation 6:1-17

First Part of the Vision Chp. Revelation 6:1-2

All that has gone before was preparatory for this moment of the breaking of the seven seals. We should note the outline that John follows through the next six Chapter s. The first four seals will be broken at once, and will together form one picture. Then the 5th and 6th seals will be broken, together structuring one complete picture. Then there will be some intermediate material leading finally into the breaking of the 7th Seal. The 7th Seal, in turn, is the introduction to the 7 trumpets that follow. The same general outline is followed concerning the seven trumpets. This structure is the product of the Semitic mind, which runs through the same picture again and again. Therefore, we must not apply the logical canons of Western thought of this book.
After the seal had been opened, John heard one of the four living creatures saying - Come (erchon - present imperative - a command to come). The symbolism of the horse is related to the first four seals (see Zechariah 1:8 ff; Zechariah 6:1 ff) as the symbol of the horse is used in the scripture, it is always connected war, conquest, strength, etc. (See also Revelation 9:7; Revelation 14:20; Revelation 18:13; Revelation 19:11.)

Though we would not be dogmatic about the identification of the rider on the white horse, we do not concur with Lenski (interpretation of St. John's Revelation, Wartburg Press, Columbus, Ohio, 1935; an excellent commentary by late conservative Lutheran), and W. Hendriksen (More Than Conquerors, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids 6, Michigan, 1952 - a fine popular statement by excellent conservative Presbyterian Scholars), that the rider on the white horse is Christ. Oscar Cullmann is also mistaken in this identification (see his Christ and Time, pp. 169ff). It is improbable that the rider on the white horse in chp. Revelation 6:2 is the same person as the rider on a white horse in chp. Revelation 19:11 ff. From a mere consideration of the symbol one could draw the conclusion that the two riders are the same, but in view of the context the identification of the two riders with the Christ seems to this author to be highly unlikely. (See Swete, op cit., p. 86.)

A. T. Robertson (See N.T. World Studies) is probably right in identifying the rider on the white horse with the white horses of Persian Kings and Roman conquerors in their processions of victory. This particular identification would certainly be understood by John's readers, and in the light what follows it can stand as an undogmatic interpretation. The rider is prepared for conflict. This rider carried a heavy war bow. And the one sitting on it having a bow and was given to him a crown, (stephanos - victors crown see Revelation 4:10) and he went forth overcoming (nikon - present participle - constantly overcoming) and in order that (hina - clause or purpose clause) or for the purpose that he might overcome (nikçsç - 1 aor. subjunctive).

In view of this one conquering we can do no better than to remind ourselves of Paul's words to the Church at Rome. We are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Romans 8:37)

Review Questions

See Revelation 6:12-17.