Arguments Of The Antichrist Position
(on Rev. 6:2) (cont.)
Reply
It is argued by those of the Antichrist view (which denies that Christ is the Archer) that the first rider brings peace, and that the second rider (red) "takes peace from the earth" and these two facts prove that Christ cannot be the rider on the white horse, since, say they, "no one can take away the peace which Christ gives." It also is said that these two facts prove that the peace of the rider on the white horse must be worldly, false, and imaginary. In reply to this we say:
1) The idea that the rider mounted on white steed going off to victory is a symbol of peace (absence of conflict on earth), is not the chief idea expressed by the symbolism of the mounted warrior.
Yes, this rider will finally bring peace but it will be the result of the battle (as in Rev. chpts. 19-21).
In Rev. 19 it says that "in righteousness he judges and makes war" and all this in connection with his being mounted on his white horse. Peace on earth comes when the day of trial, tribulation, and judgment is ended, just as we see in the teachings of Jesus and his Apostles as well as in the Apocalypse.
2) The rider on the red horse therefore does not take away the peace that Christ will ultimately bring to earth when once he has finished his predestined judgments on a guilty and depraved world.
3) The predominant idea of the color white is that of justice, righteousness, and purity, foremost, and the idea of peace is only tertiary. Especially is this so in the Apocalypse.
Therefore, I cannot accept the reasoning that the white horse rider cannot be Christ because the second rider takes peace from the earth.
Other Observations
There is, of course, a kind of "peace" on earth at the time the second seal is removed and the red horse rider "takes peace from the earth." What peace is this that is taken away from the earth among men? I will discuss that question when we examine the effects of the commissioning of the red horse. The point emphasized now, however, is that the argument that says that the first rider gives a peace that is taken away by the rider on the red horse is not a good argument.
The idea of battle and conflict is the picture of the white horse rider, who is leader of the armies of justice and righteousness. This rider is a supreme warrior, a hero who, like Hercules, has won the victory over numerous foes, with no defeats. He represents the triumph of justice.
"Going forth conquering (overcoming, or gaining victories)" is a picture of Christ, in the day of judgment, in mighty power and swiftness, carrying out "the judgment written" against every enemy of God and his people. What a mighty warrior is the Lord Jesus Christ! He is described as such throughout the scriptures. Notice these:
"The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name." (Exodus 15:3)
"The LORD will go forth like a warrior ("man of war" kjv), He will arouse His zeal like a man of war He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies." (Isaiah 42:13)
Or "The LORD will march out like a champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal."
"Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle." (Psalm 24:8)
"But The Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten." (Jeremiah 20:11)
"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves." (Zephaniah 3:17)
"The great day of the LORD is near – near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry." (Zephaniah 1:14)
"He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush." (Psalms 120:4)
Thus, the picture given of Christ in 6:2 at the start of the opening of the seals certainly does fit this description.
He is coming both to save and to destroy. He will save his elect and destroy every unbeliever who has "the wrath of God abiding on him." (John 3:36) His coming forth at heaven's command begins the day of his wrath. In fact, when the 6th seal is broken and destruction is experienced by the wicked and unbelieving inhabitants of the earth, then people cry "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (6:17) The "day of his wrath" began with the opening of the scroll.
5. Christ cannot logically be both the sender of the rider and the rider
Reply
"I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw..."
The words "come and see" are addressed to John, not to the horse and rider. There is nothing in the text that says or suggests that Christ is sending anything other than arrows. Yes, the word "come" may be translated as "go," but still the words seem addressed to John, not to the rider. Further, I hardly see how the "saying" of "come and see" by "one of the four beasts" makes that one beast the sender of the rider. It very well could be that the words "come and see," uttered with the "noise of thunder," from the singular speaking beast, are simply words of announcement. In this case it is not the beast that is commissioning the rider but who is simply announcing the commission of heaven's throne. Thus, this argument is very weak.
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