Originally Posted on 5 Doves on 1 April 2003

THE WHITE HORSE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE?

(Bible Verses from R.S.V.) – 20.03.03

Have we just seen the White Horse of Rev.6:2 riding out to conquer?

Rev.6:2 "And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and its rider had a bow;

and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer."

IS THE WHITE HORSE RIDING OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE?

Many people associate the white horse of Rev.6:2 with the glorious picture of Christ triumphant on the white horse later in Revelation, 19:11-16; where the rider is called the WORD OF GOD.

Others associate the white horse with the Anti-Christ, as a counterfeit of our Lord. However, I see no resemblance between this picture and that of the Beast and False Prophet outlined in the rest of Revelation.

I don't lean towards either of those explanations. I believe the FOUR horsemen of Rev. 6 describe the conditions on earth that exist at the beginning of the end times.

This White Horse and horseman of Rev.6:2 has no glory. The picture it conveys reminds me of the "Crusades" against Islam in the Holy Land. However, I believe this rider is associated with Christ and Christianity, or the Western “Christian” Nations.

The closest scriptural association is in Rev. 19:14 regarding the armies of heaven – Rev.19:14 “And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses.”

Let us look at the description of the horse and rider.

1. It is a “white” horse.

White is always associated with Christ, with holiness or the “righteous” in scripture, especially in the Book of Revelation

Rev.1:13-14 “…and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden girdle round his breast; his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; his eyes were like a flame of fire…”

Rev.3:4-5 “Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. He who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life; I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”

Rev.3:18 “Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.”

Rev.4:4 “Round the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clad in white garments, with golden crowns upon heir heads.”

Rev.6:11 “Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.”

Rev.7:9 “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,…”

Rev.7:13-14 “..Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Rev.15:6 “…and out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, robed in pure bright linen, and their breasts girded with golden girdles.”

Rev.19:7-8 “…for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; and it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure” – for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”

Rev.19:11 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.”

Rev.19:14 “And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses.”

In most of the verses quoted above, white robes/garments are worn by those human beings or angels that belong to Christ. The pure white garments are particularly associated with those Christians who conquer or overcome the world in a spiritual sense. These Christians are clothed in righteousness.

Although the armies of heaven are seen to be riding “white horses”, there is no suggestion here in Rev. 6:2 that the rider is a supernatural being, or in fact the Anti-Christ as some believe.

We should remember that this is the first “action picture” after the Lamb opened the first seal of the scroll sealed with seven seals. The voice like thunder that called the white horse and rider to “come” is presumably the 1^st of the four living creatures which looked like a lion. (Rev. 4:7)

2. It is a white “Horse”.

In the bible horses are always associated with armies and with great strength. Horses were used in the cavalry.

Because they were associated with Egypt, and exported by them, the Kings of Israel were forbidden to procure them, or breed them. (Deut.17:16) This picture of the horse therefore is unlikely to represent Israel.

3. Its rider had a “bow”

Notice the rider holds a bow in his hand. Strongs "bow" Gk. "toxon" means "weapon".

What does the bow represent? It could represent long-range warfare.

What use is a bow without the arrow? Is this rider unarmed or are there arrows in a hidden quiver? A verse in Zechariah gives a straight answer to these questions.

Zechariah 9:13 - "For I have bent Judah as my bow…” This is what the rider carried in his hand.

It is also associated with the tribe of Joseph – Genesis 49:24 “Joseph…yet his bow remained unmoved, his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob…”

In chapter 13 of Isaiah the reference to “bows” relates to the destruction of Babylon, (modern Iraq).

Isaiah 13:18-19 “Their bows will slaughter the young men; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; their eyes will not pity children. And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the splendour and pride of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them.”

This destruction of Babylon was to be carried out by a host of nations gathered together by God from a distant land. (Jeremiah 50:8-10)

The rest of the verse in Zechariah 9:13 continues – For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will brandish your sons, O Zion, (i.e. Judah & Ephraim) over your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior’s sword.

The context of this chapter is that of God’s judgements on Syria/Damascus, Tyre, Philistia and Babylon. The first destruction of these areas was carried out by Alexander the Great – (Greece) - (Verses 1-8).

However, the remaining verses cover a more distant Conqueror, whose triumphs should be more glorious and lasting than those of Alexander. It speaks of the King of Kings. In this final conflict he will bend Judah as His bow, and use Ephraim as an arrow, conquering the previous conqueror (Greece).

The inheritors of the Grecian Empire were Alexander’s 4 Generals. These rulers were in Eastern Mediterranean areas from Syria to Egypt. After them came the Romans, then the Islamic Caliphate, and Ottoman Empire.

Zechariah 9:13-16

For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will brandish your sons, O Zion, over your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior’s sword. Then the LORD will appear over them, and his arrow (Ephraim) go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet, and march forth in the “whirlwinds of the south”. The Lord of hosts will protect them, and they (Judah & Ephraim) shall devour and tread down the slingers; and they shall drink their blood like wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the alter. On that day the Lord their God will save them for they are the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.”

In this instance His “arrow” will go forth like lightning (v.14).

Compare news headlines of 19.03.03 “Lightning Air Strikes” then the March to Bagdad. Washington Times.com

Zechariah 9 is associated with destruction in the Middle East and the return of the Messiah, to save his people Israel. Of course normally the arrow comes out of the bow, and Christianity came out of Judaism. In this picture the horseman (North & Western Christianity) is associated with and holding the bow (Judah/Israel) in his hand.

This leads us to ask the question – If Ephraim is the arrow that goes forth like lightning, then who is Ephraim among the Nations?

Ephraim, was the second son of Joseph, who is described in Genesis chapter 48. He was blessed before his older brother Manasseh. Through his Grandfather Jacob (Israel), Ephraim was prophesied to become greater than his brother, and his descendants would become a multitude of nations. The descendants of Joseph and his two sons are listed in Numbers 26:28:37.

In Jacob's general prophetic blessing on all of his sons in Genesis 49 the words relating to Joseph states –

Gen.49:22-26 “Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall. The archers fiercely attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him sorely; yet his bow remained unmoved, his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel), by the God of your father who will help you, by God Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that couches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb, The blessings of your father are mighty beyond the blessings of the eternal mountains, the bounties of the everlasting hills; may they be on the head of Joseph, and on the brow of him who was separate from his brothers.”

When it came time to bless Joseph’s sons, Jacob stated that Manasseh would become a great Nation, but Ephraim’s descendants would become a multitude of Nations. (See Genesis 48:17-19)

Isaiah chapter 7 and chapter 9:18-21 records the judgement pronounced on Ephraim for departing from Judah (the Southern tribes). With the other 9 northern tribes, they were to be delivered into the hand of the King of Assyria. From this exile, the descendants of Ephraim and the northern tribes become shrouded in history. Many scholars believed they eventually migrated to the British Isles via Southern Russia, where they became integrated into the British Empire. Many nations grew from Britain during the colonisation era. From this belief the “British Israelite” theory and “replacement theology” became popular.

However, further scriptures reveal that in the last days, these two elements of God’s people will again come together.

(Indeed the sealing of the 144,000 servants of God in Rev. 7 indicates they come from “every tribe of the sons of Israel” (Rev. 7:4). As the old tribes had their standards/seals in the wandering in the wilderness, perhaps these tribal members will be recognisable according to the particular “tribal" seal given them at this time.)

Ephraim is not “lost” according to God’s view of things. At this time Ephraim and Judah will come back together, and God will use them in carrying out His judgement against the nations surrounding Israel in the Holy Land.

Isaiah 11:12-14 “He will raise an ensign for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, (10 Northern tribes) and gather the dispersed of Judah (2 Southern tribes) from the four corners of the earth. The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, and those who harass Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim. But they (Ephraim and Judah) shall swoop down upon the shoulder of the Philistines in the west, (Gaza) and together they shall plunder the people of the east. They shall put forth their hand against Edom and Moab, (Southeast) and the Ammonites (descendants of Lot) shall obey them. And the Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the sea of Egypt; and will wave his hand over the River (The Euphrates) with his scorching wind, and smite it into seven channels that men may cross dryshod. And there will be a highway from Assyria (Islamic Nations to the North) for the remnant which is left of his people, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt.”

Isaiah 30:18-26 tells of the restoration and reunification of both Kingdoms of Israel.

Eddie Chumney, in his book "The Two Houses of Israel", supports the belief that America (in particular) and other supporting Western Nations are "Ephraim" of the last days; that they did indeed migrate to the ends of the earth via the British Empire, and became many Nations. To-day, as we see the attack on Iraq (Babylon) it is the coalition of the willing - U.S.A., Britain, Australia – who are the main players.

We may yet see the “bow” Judah/Jews, dragged into the theatre of war.

WHO IS THE RIDER?

Is the rider on the white horse Ephraim? Is Ephraim actually “the arrow that goes forth like lightning”?

Does Ephraim (America/ Britain/Australia etc) hold Judah (the Jews - the bow) in its hand? These countries are Israel’s closest allies.

4. A crown was given to him.

This conqueror was given and wears a “crown” (Strong’s word No.4735)

This word “stephanos” means it is a woven crown, wreath, victory garland...as a sign of victory, honour, and in some contexts authority.

Even as he rides out, the rider on the white horse wears the victor’s crown!

President George Bush has stated that he will accept no outcome except “Victory”. He uses the word “prevail”. Tony Blair concurs with him. As long as it takes, they will succeed.

Remember if we have seen the White Horse and Rider ride out liberating Afghanistan first and then Iraq (Babylon) on 19/20^th March 2003, then we have likely seen the first seal of the scroll of Revelation being opened in heaven, and the action being played out here on earth.

Note dated 5/5/05 - The attack on Afghanistan and the Taliban could also be seen as the original occasion when the White Horse rode out. This date was 8th October 2001

Note dated 9/2/06 - Remember this rider went forth “conquering and to conquer” - so far Afghanistan and Iraq – are Iran and Syria next on the list…?

It is significant that America and the coalition of the willing began their campaign in Iraq on Purim on the Spring Equinox. This was almost the very date on the “Jewish” calendar when the last gulf war was ended. The “target of opportunity” that presented itself on Purim, meant that the first strike was made earlier than the coalition had intended.

We should also bear in mind the prophetic saying – “first the natural, then the spiritual”. As we see war break out on earth, we may also see the scene being set for the final heavenly assault between two great forces - Michael and his angels, and the forces of darkness.

5. Where were the horse and rider going?

There is much detail in Jeremiah chapter 50, which we can relate to the current offensive against Iraq (the land of the Chaldeans). It would seem that God is using a company of great nations (Jere.50:9) from the North Country. This could mean their original land of captivity (Assyria) or the North Country from which they became a company of great Nations (i.e. Britain) or even the Northern hemisphere. In any case their “arrows are like a skilled warrior, who does not return empty-handed” (i.e. smart bombs which all strike their target).

This judgement is on Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, for what he did to Israel (Jere.50:17-19) and God’s temple (v.28). Saddam Hussein today believes he is the Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

“Bowmen” are summoned against Babylon (Iraq). Is this where the rider on the white horse was heading (v.29)? Remember he held a bow.

In other places God will kindle a fire in his cities (v.32); at the sound of the capture of Babylon the earth shall tremble, (bombs) and her cry shall be heard among the nations (T.V. coverage) (v.46).

(Isaiah 46:11) …I will accomplish all my purpose, calling a bird of prey (a ravenous bird) from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. President Bush is a “man of God’s Counsel” because he is a Christian.

This "bird of prey" (symbolized by the U.S.A. eagle) comes from East of Babylon (Like Cyrus, who also had an “eagle” on his standard.)

The task of this destroyer of Babylon is to winnow her. Jeremiah 501:1-6. The picture is of winnowing the chaff from the grain. The U.S.A.’s interest is in removing the chaff (the regime of Saddam Hussein).

If we have indeed seen the White horse of Revelation ride out, then we could expect to see the 2^nd horseman follow within a relatively short space of time.

WILL THE RED HORSE RIDE OUT OF THE RED CRESCENT AREA?

The 2nd horseman of Rev.6:4, could well be the response of the Arab/Islamic peoples.

But who the rider might be is not yet clear. There is a belief that the Anti-Christ will be a Syrian, from the area ruled by Antiochus Ephiphanes, a Seleucid ruler from one of the four areas of Greece. However, to continue with the identification details we have in scripture....

Rev.6:4 "Out came another horse, bright red; and its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that men should slay (Strong’s word No. 4969 – means to kill, slay, murder) one another; and he was given a great sword.. (Strong’s word No.3162 –short sword) The word “great” is Strong’s word 3173 “megas” it can mean loud, intense, spatially large, or large in quantity or degree.

We presume here that the 2^nd living creature which looked like an ox called out “Come”.

1. The horse was coloured RED.

Genesis 25:25 regarding the birth of Esau states “the first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle”.

Genesis 27:38-40 –“ Esau (Edom) said to his father, "Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father." And Esau lifted up his voice and wept. Then Isaac his father answered him; "Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be, and away from the dew of heaven on high. By your sword you shall live..........." Strongs word No. 2719 “sword, dagger, knife, cutting tool” & by extension “battle, war”.

Esau's other name was EDOM (Strongs No.123) which means RED.

In this verse we have an association of “red” (Edom/Esau) and the “sword”, and a dweller in the desert. Esau was condemned to live in an arid area, where life was hard. Esau took his wives from the Canaanites (Gen 36:1). He intermarried with the natives of the Land. He also married Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael (Genesis 28:9.) Thus the two "dispossessed family lines” - (Son “Ishmael” and Grandson “Esau”) of Abraham were joined. The eldest sons’ blessing and birthright to the land, were given to their younger brothers. In Ishmael’s case, it was given to Isaac who was called the "child of promise". In Esau’s case it was given, by trickery, to Jacob “the supplanter”.

Just as the colour “white” stands for holiness and righteousness in the scriptures, so the colour “red” stands for iniquity, and conquest.

Here the colour is associated with the sword, and the colour of blood is red.

2. This rider is “permitted” to take peace from the earth.

As a contrast to the first rider who “had a bow”, which obviously stands for archery – i.e. slings weapons from a distance and long distance warfare; the rider of the second horse “was given” a great sword, which means close up warfare or face to face killing, slaying, murdering. This speaks to me of anarchy and the breakdown of society. It could also mean a “huge” weapon.

Note 5/5/05 - I have a sneaking suspicion that this rider will come forth as a result of the efforts of the rider of the White Horse who is promoting (by war and political pressure) democracy in the Middle Eastern Islamic Nations. What happens if Islamic (Sharia) law is brought into prominence by democratic means? Maybe we will see a balanced ethnic/secular Government established in Iraq, but for how long? What happens after U.S.A. withdraws? Democratic processes may also be used to install radical Islamic leaders. e.g. Hamas joining in Palestinian elections!!

Note 9/2/06 - Obviously that statement has now become fact with Hamas being elected into power in Gaza on 25/1/06.

There is a higher power allowing this rider to come forth. He is God, Yahweh.

3. This rider’s actions “cause men to kill one another”.

This rider could well be the one who unites the various radical Islamic Jihad elements into a co-ordinated effort to slaughter those associated with the white horse.

We are already in a position to see the potential of the rider of the red horse, as he rides out from the area of the world controlled by the desert dwellers.

Conclusion:

It is my understanding that the events outlined in Revelation chapter 6 prepare the groundwork or set the scene on earth for the coming Day of the Lord (Rev.6:17).

The four riders and the repercussions from their call to “Come” affect a quarter of the earth, and people are killed with sword, famine, pestilence and by wild beasts.

This is the scene on earth prior to the opening of the 6th Seal. God then intervenes with the sealing of his servants (Rev. 7:1-8) and the translation into heaven of the great multitude which comes out of the great tribulation (Rev.7:9-17). This all happens prior to the subsequent pouring out on the earth and sea of His long withheld judgements in the day of God’s wrath (Rev.8).

Note 9/2/06 – Current events in Iran indicate that the Islamic Terrorist Networks “mouth piece” Ahmadinejad is expecting their 12^th Imam or Mahdi to be revealed within the next two years. He may appear sooner than that. He, I believe, will be the Anti-Christ, riding the Red Horse who takes “peace from the earth, and that they should kill (Strongs 4969 – slaughter) one another; and there was given unto him a great sword.” His wielding of this weapon (which I believe is a nuclear bomb) will bring War to the Middle East, North Africa, and all Islamic and Arab Countries.