As we enter chapter six of the Apocalypse, it almost seems as though we are projected elsewhere to a scene where four horsemen are sent to the earth to wield destruction, according to their specific purposes. However, John is still in the Throne Room, and still in the Most Holy Place. The Lamb is still on the throne, as he removes the seals of the book. Moreover, we need to keep in mind that the seals are probably not literal seals. For example, if the book were sealed on the outside with seven literal seals, one would be unable to open the book at all until the seventh seal was removed. Yet, with the opening of each seal, some of the contents of the book were revealed.
Therefore, the number seven probably represents the fact that the book is so completely sealed or that no man, through his own wisdom or knowledge, was then or ever would be equipped to understand its contents (2Corinthians 12:1-5). The Lamb (Jesus) is the only one who is able to disclose what was written in the book. If we understand it in this context, it should help us to restrain ourselves from making more subjective interpretations of the Apocalypse. Furthermore, it is imperative that we keep in mind that what John saw was supposed to reflect a revelation of Christ, himself (Revelation 1:1), and not merely describe certain events that would transpire on the earth. So, in chapter six of the Apocalypse we see Christ as the Revelator of mysteries or the High Priest and interpreter of the word of God. Only he is able to disclose what is in the book.
John looked and saw the Lamb open the first seal, and he heard something like the noise of thunder (Revelation 6:1). He heard a voice like thunder. In other words it wasn’t really thunder that John heard, but it was similar to it. Since one of the four living beings (Revelation 4:7) spoke when John heard the voice like thunder, the noise or voice John heard was probably that of the lion, and the lion said: “Go!”[1]
What is interesting, as the seals were broken and the contents were being revealed to John (Revelation 6:2), he wasn’t given a key to understand the words written in the book, nor was he given a literal translation of the words written therein. Rather, he was given a series of visions that expressed its contents in a manner he was able to understand. So, for all intents and purposes, if the Lamb (Jesus) handed the unsealed book over to John, he still wouldn’t have been able to read what was there. The words, of and by themselves, were still inexpressible in human terms (cf. 2Corinthians 12:4).
Therefore, with the first seal broken John was able to see a rider on a white horse, and in the rider’s hand was a bow, and he was also given a crown (stephanos; G4735). This crown was a wreath usually made of foliage of one plant or another that contained leaves difficult to decay. It was a victor’s crown, and its leaves were meant to represent eternal glory. It was given to those who had been successful in battle, in the Greek games (cf. 1Corinthians 9:25), or had done some praiseworthy thing. The rider of the white horse went forth conquering and to conquer, or from victory to victory.
What is interesting is: the rider is said to have a bow, but nothing is mentioned of his having any arrows. So, for all the victories he is presumed to have made, he has no real power to attain his purpose. Many presume that the rider is Jesus, because of the similarity found in Revelation 19:11. However, this understanding is skewed in that this rider is doomed to failure. He has no real power behind his authority (viz. the bow without any arrows). His victories are shallow and cannot be maintained to achieve his ultimate purpose. Instead of his being the real Christ, he is more like the false messiahs who come in the name of the true Messiah. Jesus said they would deceive many (Matthew 24:4-5). That is, they promised victory over the enemy, and they deceive many, but, although they went from one victory to another, they had no real power to deliver what they had promised (Revelation 6:2).
In the context of the living creature being the lion, and that reflecting Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5) or the Messiah, these false messiahs have the roar of a lion without its teeth, so it is impossible for them to deliver the goods. Therefore, as this pertains to the Gospel, these men don’t possess a weapon that would be successful against the Lord’s elect; Jesus’ disciples would go on to refute every argument that would accuse them of evil. It is this sort of thing that the Lord promises his servants. He says: — “I will vindicate them” (Isaiah 54:17; Matthew 16:27).
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[1] This is a figure of speech. While the verb, erchomai (G2064) is normally translated come, it is used instead to mean go as in John 6:17, “And entered into a ship, and went (G2064) over the sea toward Capernaum…” The figure of speech is known as the shnecdoche or “transfer”. So the living being isn’t speaking to John but is commanding the rider to “Go!” or “Come forth” as Jesus removes the seal.
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