First Seal—Antichrist's Political Aggression
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. (Revelation 6:1-2)
I. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ANTICHRIST IN THE PROPHETIC SCRIPTURE
A. The two subjects emphasized most in the prophetic Scriptures are Jesus’ Second Coming to rule the earth (Millennium),
and the counterfeit to this by the antichrist in his quest for world dominion.
B. God gives the people what they cry out for. God gave Israel Saul, a king after their own heart.
II. THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP OF THE FIRST FOUR SEALS
A. The purpose of all 7 seals is to release God’s End-Time judgments on the earth.
B. There is a recognizable relationship of the first 4 seals in that each one has an essential likeness in releasing God’s
judgment on the human race in an indirect way through man’s unrestrained sin that result in violence (physical, social,
political, financial, spiritual). The opening of these seals causes devastation to multitudes worldwide (believers and
unbelievers) as the horsemen go forth releasing violent acts.
C. The horsemen form a group of 4 that is distinct from the remaining 3 seals, in the same way the first 4 trumpets and
bowls are distinct from the remaining 3 trumpets and bowls. The points of similarity between the first horseman and their
distinction from the remaining 3 are clear to see.
D. Each of the 4 horseman goes forth in obedience to the command of one of the 4 living creatures. Each has a rider on
a horse with a distinct color (white, red, black, pale). Divine authorization (“was given to him”) is used of 3 of the 4
horsemen (Revelation 6:2, 4, 8). Each of the 4 riders release God’s judgments through man’s unrestrained sin. The
scriptural parallel of the horsemen is seen in Zechariah’s visions (Zechariah 1:8; 6:1-8) of horsemen releasing God’s
judgment on unbelievers.
E. At the time of the opening of the first seal, the fall of Babylon along with the abomination of desolation affect Israel in a
dynamic way (Matthew 24:15; Revelation 17:16-17). The nations may urge Antichrist to destroy Israel to preserve the time
of counterfeit worldwide peace and safety (1 Thessalonians 5:3) which ends with the opening of the first seal, fall of
Babylon and the abomination of desolation. In the second seal, war ends world peace followed by economic crisis in the
wake of the fall of Babylon. It may take several months after Babylon’s fall for famine to hit worldwide.
F. The rider on the white horse is the evil prince (Daniel 9:26) at the time that he arises to seize control over the earth
(Daniel 7:23; Revelation 13:7). This happens at the beginning of great tribulation. The fifth and sixth seals specifically
called this time the "great day of his wrath" (6:17), which certainly is a reference to great tribulation.
III. THE FIRST HORSEMEN IS THE ANTICHRIST – 7 DESCRIPTIONS
A. The first horseman releases God’s judgment in allowing the full expression of man’s sin through the reign of terror of
the Antichrist who is approved of and celebrated by multitudes. The first seal gives us 7 descriptions of the Antichrist – a
man on a white horse with a bow and crown given him who will go forth conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:2)
B. The white horse – the Antichrist will go forth in speed and strength with a counterfeit righteousness. Satan’s primary
tactic is to imitate Jesus in raising up the Antichrist as the great counterfeit of Jesus as King of Kings riding a white horse
(Revelation 19:11).
1. The horse – the picture of the horse speaks of speed, strength and agility in war.
2. White – symbolizes righteousness (Revelation 1:14; 2:17; 3:4-5, 18; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9, 13-14; 14:14; 19:11, 14; 20:11).
C. Bow and crown – speaks of bloodless victory or peaceful conquest (without military conflict).
1. A crown – a symbol of rule or authority. This speaks of his political promotion to international leadership status. Satan
and the Antichrist are described with crowns (Revelation 12:2; 13:1-2, 7).
2. A bow – an ancient symbol of war that can strike at a distance. This rider is pictured as ready to go to war (with a bow in
hand on a horse). However, since the bow does not have arrows it is understood as a ‘threat of war and economic
penalties without actual war breaking out’. In other words, it points to his initial bloodless victories or peaceful conquest.
The sword (second seal) is a picture of conquest that comes out of bloodshed and war. The ‘arrowless-bow-stage’ of the
Antichrist is the time when he privately threatens war as he is publicly seen to accomplish his political agenda with peaceful
means. Worldwide peace initiated by the Antichrist’s covenant of peace (1 Thessalonians 5:3; Daniel 9:27) exists before
the first seal. Many covenants will be established then broken with three kings then Israel (Daniel 7:8; 9:27).
D. He went out conquering – the Antichrist’s political aggression will result in a series of successful conquests
unprecedented in history. He comes the closest to achieving world dominion. The Antichrist starts as a regional
European/Middle East political leader who goes forth conquering politically and economically, then eventually escalates
his assault to world war (second seal) that results in a devastating economic crisis and worldwide famine (third seal).
E. He went to conquer – he will have definitive action plan to conquer them at the next level.
F. Given to him – speaks of the permission, aid or cooperation he receives from God, Satan and sinful men that allows
evil powers to act against the human race. Satan and the earth’s kings contribute by giving their sphere to him to operate
in. Primarily we understand that his crown (dominion) is given by Divine permission. “Is given” is a phrase used 22 times
in Revelation.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand for 3 1/2 years. (Daniel 7:25)
It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe,
tongue, and nation. (Revelation 13:7)
God who has all authority will give the Antichrist a specific sphere to operate in for a limited time of 3 1/2 years in which he
will seem invincible (Revelation 13:4). The Antichrist does not take God by surprise, but is part of the Father’s plan that is
released into history by Jesus as the bowls of prayer are full (Revelation 5:8). All the events in Revelation 6-16 are initiated
from God’s throne. Angels, demons, the Antichrist and the 2 Witnesses are given authority from heaven to act
(Revelation 6:11; 7:2; 8:2; 9:1, 3, 5; 11:2-3; 12:14; 13:1-18).
IV. FIRST SEAL: 3 WRONG VIEWS (JESUS, GOSPEL VICTORY, MILITARY ACTIVITY)
A. Some see the first seal as symbolic of Jesus conquering sin on the cross, or the victory of the gospel through history,
or as an ancient military activity of either the Roman emperor conquering (events in John's generation) or the Parthian
invasions of the Roman Empire.
B. I do not believe that any of these are proper interpretations of this passage. They require excessively spiritualizing
while ignoring the details of the text (arrowless bow, single crown, lack of victory of the gospel throughout history) and
the special relationship of the first 4 seals.
C. There is a special relationship of the first 4 seals in that each have an essential likeness in releasing judgment on the
human race through man’s unrestrained sin. The many points of identity between the first horseman and the remaining 3
are too clear to make a radical exception of one being different from the others. Jesus is out of place in this company and
cannot be put on the same level as the 3 riders to follow. To equate the victory of the first seal rider with the victory gained
by Jesus’ in His death and resurrection fails to understand the character of the 4 riders judgments released by Jesus.
Jesus being the rider on the white horse would make this seal different from the other 3 judgments.
D. There are significant differences between the white horse riders in Revelation 6:2 and Revelation 19:11-16.
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)
Behold, a white horse. He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except
Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in
heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword,
that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of
the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS
AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16)
1. The rider in Revelation 6 has an arrowless bow, whereas in Revelation 19, Jesus has a sword.
2. The rider in Revelation 6 has a single crown, whereas in Rev. 19, Jesus has many diadems. The rider in Revelation
6 wears a crown (stephanos) of victory, while the rider in Revelation 19 wears many diadems (diademata), symbols of
sovereignty.
3. The rider in Revelation 6 is nameless and without titles, whereas Jesus has 5 names – 1) Faithful, 2) True, 3) name no
one knew, 4) Word of God, 5) King of kings & Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-16).
4. The first seal rider is does not make war (as the second seal rider does) however, Jesus judges and makes war
(Revelation 19:11).
5. Jesus as the rider in Revelation 19 is followed by a heavenly army.
6. Jesus’ earthly triumph and the Millennial Kingdom is after the three numbered judgment series as seen in Revelation
19:17-21 which is in contrast to the first seal which occurs before the three numbered judgment series are released. The
context and character of the 7 seals forbids this being Jesus since His rule brings worldwide peace, not war, famine, and
pestilence. The Millennial reign immediately follows Jesus in Revelation 19 whereas the Great Tribulation follows the first
seal in Revelation 6:2.
7. Jesus breaks the seals, therefore, He should not be seen also as the rider released by the first seal. This would make
Jesus both the one who opens the seal and the content of it. It is not possible that Jesus breaks the seals in heaven’s
court while simultaneously revealing Himself as one of the horseman that comes at the command of a living creature.
E. Arguments for interpreting this rider seal as Jesus. There are 4 points (minimal evidence). The picture of an Israelite
king in Scripture that defeats his enemies with a bow and arrows as He rides forth victoriously (Psalm 45:3-5). Hebrews
1:8 interprets this Hebrew king as Jesus. Jesus is elsewhere seen wearing a ‘crown’ (Revelation 14:14) and is said to
“conquer” (Revelation 3:21; 5:5; 17:14). White is used 14 times in Revelation for righteousness thus they claim this must
be a righteous horseman.
F. The first seal being identified as the victorious spread of the gospel (Ladd) does not fit the details of the bow nor its
rider being in the same group as the next 3 horsemen who release God’s judgments through man’s unrestrained sin with
violence. This view fails to fulfill the phrase “conquering” in that the gospel did NOT conquer in the first century nor
afterwards.
G. Arguments for the first seal rider being identified as ancient military activity of either the Roman emperor conquering
(events of John's generation) or as some who identify the horseman with the Parthian (modern day Iran) invasion of the
Roman Empire. They were Rome’s most dangerous enemy. The victorious nature of their conquest, with their well-known
use of their bow and expert horsemen is true, however, this interpretation does not correspond to the eschatological
nature of the four horsemen nor does it answer the overall context. Seeing this horseman as military activity is arbitrary
since military conquering has happened many times before and many times since these two proposed interpretations. All
admit that the color of each horse has prophetic significance yet interpreting white as righteous is difficult with this view.
Roman conquerors rode in progression on chariots not white horses.
Conclusion – interpreting the first seal as Jesus, the victory of the gospel in history, or ancient military activity requires
excessively spiritualizing without regard for the details of the text (arrowless bow, single crown, lack of victory of the gospel
throughout history) nor the special relationship of the first four seals (all 4 horsemen have an essential likeness in releasing
judgment on the human race through man’s unrestrained sin). Jesus is not to be reduced to the same level as the other three
horsemen. Jesus is gloriously pictured in Revelation as full of splendor in three strategic places (Revelation 1:12-18;
14:14-16; 19:11-16). He is not simply a rider on a white horse with a crown and bow.