White Horse Of The Apocalypse

"And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given to him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." (Rev. 6: 1-2 kjv)

I have been studying on this passage for many years. I have been thinking upon it again. I have read many commentators on the passage. Here are some questions I have after all these years of research into it.

Questions

1. Is the rider on the white horse a person? Or, a power or agency?

2. If the rider on the red, black, and pale horses are not persons (general view), is it reasonable to assume that the first rider is likewise not a person?

3. If the white horse rider is a person, is it Christ (one view) or Antichrist (another view)?

4. What about the arguments of those who favor each of the several views?

5. Is it likely or unlikely that the white horse writer of 6:2 is the same as Rev. chpt. 19?

6. If the same rider, why the differences in description?

7. Do the differences show that the two white horse riders are not the same?

8. Is it significant that the 6:2 rider has a "stephanos" crown rather than a "diadema" as in chpt. 19?

9. Does this difference in the type of crown prove that the two riders cannot be the same?

10. Is there significance in the fact that there is no quiver or arrows mentioned in 6:2?

The Several Views

1. A symbol of the progress of gospel evangelism from the time of the apostles till the 2nd coming.

2. A symbol of a time of global peace, safety, and prosperity.

3. A symbol of the coming of Antichrist who comes as a false Messiah.

4. A symbol of the coming of Christ in some way.

In the next several postings I will give my present interpretation of the passage.