The rider of the white horse of Apocalypse chapter 6.... who is this figure?

[colliric]

I find this passage fascinating.

I know traditional commentary asserts this white horse is Christ and His Gospel, as Bishop Challoner’s Douay Rheims footnotes asserts. However I have also heard the theory that it is not Christ, and that is also fascinating to me.

I personally take the opinion that this rider on the white horse is the Holy Spirit, given it’s crown by our Lord, it is neither Christ nor Anti-Christ.

The reason I take this opinion is that in John’s gospel, the Holy Spirit is often given the role of Judge and conqueror of the world. It goes out conquering for Christ and receives it’s power from Christ. I think the white horse as described in the chapter, fits the presentation of the Holy Spirit as judge of the world, that is put forth in John’s Gospel.

I think it is very significant that the first horse that erupts onto the scene at the behest of the Lamb is a white conquering spirit that has received a crown(not a diadem, but the same word used to describe Christ’s crown of thorns). It is distinct from the Lord but shares in his characteristics and glory, perhaps going forth and judging the world in his absence.

It is then followed by the other horses of judgment.

 

[Fidelis]

Another opinion is that this rider is a *false messiah *who so greatly resembles a real messiah that people will be deceived into following him. Note that he is coming along with other plagues, which would make him one of the plagues.

If you take the viewpoint that, in it’s original context, the events described in the Book of Revelation describe what happened during the siege and eventual destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, this makes a lot of sense. The Jewish historian Josephus tells us that during this terrible siege, all the things described as plagues in this passage happened within Jerusalems walls --disease, internecine fighting, starvation –and false messiahs.

 

[centurionguard]

Another opinion is that this rider is a *false messiah *who so greatly resembles a real messiah that people will be deceived into following him. Note that he is coming along with other plagues, which would make him one of the plagues.

If you take the viewpoint that, in it’s original context, the events described in the Book of Revelation describe what happened during the siege and eventual destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, this makes a lot of sense. The Jewish historian Josephus tells us that during this terrible siege, all the things described as plagues in this passage happened within Jerusalems walls --disease, internecine fighting, starvation –and false messiahs.

Haydock’s Biblical Commentary 1859AD edition

APOCALYPSE - Chapter 6

Ver. 2. A white horse, such as conquerors used to ride upon at a solemn triumph. This is commonly understood of our Saviour, Christ, who, by himself and by his apostles, preachers, martyrs, and other saints, triumphed over all the adversaries of his Church. He had a bow in his hand, the doctrine of his gospel, piercing like an arrow the hearts of the hearers; and the crown given him, was a token of the victory of him who went forth conquering, that he might conquer. (Witham) — He that sitteth on the white horse is Christ, going forth to subdue the world by his gospel. The other horses that follow represent the judgments and punishment, that were to fall on the enemies of Christ and his Church: the red horse signifies war; the black horse famine; and the pale horse (which has death for its rider) plagues or pestilence. (Challoner) — White horse; viz. Jesus Christ, who came to subdue all nations to the faith. The bow signifies the gospel, and the word of God, those powerful arms, of which St. Paul so often speaks, as being so necessary for all who are engaged in bringing souls to the faith of Christ. The crown marks the sovereign power of Jesus Christ, and the assurance of conquest.

 

[Fidelis]

Haydock’s Biblical Commentary 1859AD edition

APOCALYPSE - Chapter 6

Ver. 2. A white horse, such as conquerors used to ride upon at a solemn triumph. This is commonly understood of our Saviour, Christ, who, by himself and by his apostles, preachers, martyrs, and other saints, triumphed over all the adversaries of his Church. He had a bow in his hand, the doctrine of his gospel, piercing like an arrow the hearts of the hearers; and the crown given him, was a token of the victory of him who went forth conquering, that he might conquer. (Witham) — He that sitteth on the white horse is Christ, going forth to subdue the world by his gospel. The other horses that follow represent the judgments and punishment, that were to fall on the enemies of Christ and his Church: the red horse signifies war; the black horse famine; and the pale horse (which has death for its rider) plagues or pestilence. (Challoner) — White horse; viz. Jesus Christ, who came to subdue all nations to the faith. The bow signifies the gospel, and the word of God, those powerful arms, of which St. Paul so often speaks, as being so necessary for all who are engaged in bringing souls to the faith of Christ. The crown marks the sovereign power of Jesus Christ, and the assurance of conquest.

Yes, the Challoner interpretation is interesting too.

 

[colliric]

Another opinion is that this rider is a *false messiah *who so greatly resembles a real messiah that people will be deceived into following him. Note that he is coming along with other plagues, which would make him one of the plagues.

If you take the viewpoint that, in it’s original context, the events described in the Book of Revelation describe what happened during the siege and eventual destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD, this makes a lot of sense. The Jewish historian Josephus tells us that during this terrible siege, all the things described as plagues in this passage happened within Jerusalems walls --disease, internecine fighting, starvation –and false messiahs.

The problem I have with that interpretation is that these plagues are sent by the Lord out into the world as judgments. That Is why I do not agree with the interpretation that it is the Anti-christ. The Anti-christ is not sent from God. These plagues represent the judgment of the lord on the earth.

I take the position it is the Holy Spirit.

 

[ryanoneil]

The visions of the Apocalypse begin and end with the white-horse Rider. The Rider symbolizes Christ, armed with the conquering Truth He proclaims. Christ appears on a white horse riding in victory over His enemies again at the end of (Rev 19:11). This is reminiscent of an Old Testament passage in Wisdom: Your all-powerful word from heaven’s royal throne bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land, bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree. And as he alighted, he filled every place with death; he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth. (18:15-16).

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I find this passage fascinating.

I know traditional commentary asserts this white horse is Christ and His Gospel, as Bishop Challoner’s Douay Rheims footnotes asserts. However I have also heard the theory that it is not Christ, and that is also fascinating to me.

I personally take the opinion that this rider on the white horse is the Holy Spirit, given it’s crown by our Lord, it is neither Christ nor Anti-Christ.

The reason I take this opinion is that in John’s gospel, the Holy Spirit is often given the role of Judge and conqueror of the world. It goes out conquering for Christ and receives it’s power from Christ. I think the white horse as described in the chapter, fits the presentation of the Holy Spirit as judge of the world, that is put forth in John’s Gospel.

I think it is very significant that the first horse that erupts onto the scene at the behest of the Lamb is a white conquering spirit that has received a crown(not a diadem, but the same word used to describe Christ’s crown of thorns). It is distinct from the Lord but shares in his characteristics and glory, perhaps going forth and judging the world in his absence.

It is then followed by the other horses of judgment.

**Not **Christ or the Spirit - the Spirit is found in chapter 4. The horse and rider representing war, and the bow is a hint at the rider’s origin - the Parthians fought in that way; the Roman Empire never managed to overcome Parthia; a few years before, in the rearly 60s, a Roman expedition against the Parthians had been defeated. In 61, there had been a little bit of trouble in Britannia, thanks to Boudica. In essence, you’ve answered your question - it is one of several judgements. Biblically the four horses are based on horses in Zechariah; historically, they all seem to allude to some event - famine, war - in the territories ruled by Rome at the time. There are several such references in the book: the choinix of wheat is significant because the price of wheat was inflated, and Revelations alludes to this: if wheat is expensive, there is the danger of famine.​

Why would the Holy Spirit be grouped with the sickly pale horse of disease ? Or with other evils ? Where is it said to “conquer” ? Conquering is an office of Christ as King - and he does so, in chapter 19. Just a few questions. The rider on the white horse “receives power” from Christ only in the sense that the kings in a later chapter do: it, like them, is under the authority of the Lamb & of the One sitting upon the throne: it cannot do anything unless God permits it it to do so; & when it is allowed to “go forth, conquering and to conquer”, it does so only because the purpose of God “hidden in Christ from before the foundation of the kosmos”, has a function for it to perform; it does God’s work without knowing or intending this.

One of the lessons - one of the main lessons - of the book is, that God is Lord of history; therefore, is in charge of all political events. So while men may thing themselves great, & may seem so, the truth is that they are on a leash, and like any dog, can act no further than the length of the leash allows. In no way are they are they to be feared: after all, Rome, that seemed so great, has vanished. As will every so-called “super-power” - they are nothing but dust and ashes driven by the wind, just as Rome was. Therefore, no Christian should be overawed by them.

This was very important for understanding the book, and the NT as a whole. The Kingdom of God was believed to be “breaking in”, and Revelation is about its irresistible coming. Christians, persecuted by the powers of there time, needed reminding of this; as do Christians always. The Coming of the Messiah (who is “the coming one”), and of the Kingdom, can’t be separated: and Christians believed that, in Jesus, he had come.

 

[COPLAND_3]

Here is the way I interpreted it in my commentary on Revelation

The horse is the Church made white by grace, and the rider is Jesus. Christ is the conqueror because of His defeat over the Devil and death, as the apostle says, “that, through death, he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is to say, the Devil (Heb. 2:14).” This horse of the Lord with the bow made ready for war was promised beforehand by Zechariah. “The Lord God will visit his flock, the house of Israel, and he will arrange him as a formidable horse in war, and from him he looked, and from him he arranged the battle order, and from him came the bow in anger, and from him will come out every oppressor (Zec. 10:3-4).”

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