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[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

World War 3 and the Red Horse of Revelation

Are the wars going on right now going to grow into a massive global conflict? Has that process started already?

That was the concern expressed by Jamie Dimon, Chief Executive of J.P. Morgan Chase and Company, one of the biggest banks in the world. He was speaking at the annual meeting of the Institute of International Finance on October 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. He said:

“The risk is extraordinary… World War III has already begun.” (“Jamie Dimon worries ‘World War III has already begun,’” MarketWatch.com, October 24, 2024).

Has world war begun? Or to put it in prophetic terms, is the red horse of Revelation already running?

The red horse of Revelation is the second horse ridden by the infamous “four horsemen of the apocalypse.” The red horse of Revelation 6 symbolically pictures the terrifying warfare the Book of Revelation portends in the end-time. The question is, is that horse already running? Have we turned a page in history, where there’s no turning back? And most importantly, what can you or I do about it?

Nothing could be more urgent than considering whether we and our children can even survive our own world, as it grows more bloody and violent.

Has World War 3 Started?

In October of 2024, the J.P. Morgan Chief executive startled the attendees at the annual meeting of the Institute of International Finance, saying, “World War III has begun.” Just a few months later, writing for Forbes magazine website, business writer Bryce Hoffman made a similar statement.

“The sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s despotic regime in Syria this weekend highlights the interconnectedness of a growing number of global conflicts, revealing a hard truth that most of us would rather not think about too deeply: World War III has already begun. Business leaders need to recognize this and begin planning accordingly” (“World War III Has Already Begun—and Businesses Need To Take Note,” Forbes.com, December 8, 2024).

The specter of global war has led some to ask: Have we entered a new era of time, prophesied by the Book of Revelation? Has the Red Horse appeared?

Seven Seals of Revelation: The Second Seal

Toward the end of his life, the Apostle John was given a vision of seven scrolls containing seven prophetic messages. Revelation chapter 6 details the contents of each of those scrolls as they are opened by the Lamb of God in succession. Let’s pick up the account in Revelation 6:3.

When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword (Revelation 6:3–4).

When the second seal is opened, it reveals a fiery red horse, ridden by a rider with a great sword. It’s not hard to discern that this horseman’s appearance is symbolic of a time of horrific suffering and warfare. Have we entered that time? Has the second seal been opened?

From just a cursory glance at recent history, it might be tempting to say yes. After all, it was just over 100 years ago that the world suffered through the so-called “war to end all wars.”

World War I, as we now call it, claimed the lives of 15 to 22 million soldiers and civilians. Only one generation later, World War II was even more destructive, claiming another 70 to 85 million lives. And since then, according to the Infoplease.com website, quoting data from Uppsala University in Sweden, there have been 285 distinct armed conflicts (Uppsala Conflict Data Program, UCDP.uu.se).

Fast forward to today. Note this article from the World Economic Forum website.

“The ‘age of turbulence’ is giving way to a world at war. The statistics are grim: there were close to 60 armed conflicts raging in 2023, the highest number ever recorded. Civilian fatalities surged by more than 30 percent between 2023 and 2024, mostly due to escalating armed conflicts in the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe” (“Why global cooperation is more important than ever in a world at war,” WEForum.org, January 15, 2025).

But why do some say that “world” war has already begun? Later in the same article:

“The threat of a global war is being taken seriously in Europe. To some Ukrainians facing drones sourced from Iran, soldiers from North Korea and missiles with components from China, it has already arrived. Several experts believe that a transnational hybrid war has already broken out between NATO allies and countries such as Russia, Iran, North Korea and China.”

But what about our original question? Do the wars in the past century—and the current conflicts today—tell us the red horse in Revelation 6 has already appeared?

Let’s go back to Revelation to answer that question.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Order

First of all, we have to understand the seals are opened in time sequence. That means for the second seal to have opened, the first one has to be opened as well. Let’s read about the first seal in Revelation 6:1.

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.” 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).

So what is the meaning of the white horse? For a more thorough explanation of the white horse and its ominous rider, be sure to watch the program by my colleague and fellow presenter, evangelist Wallace Smith, entitled “Behold, a White Horse.”

Summing it up, this white horse and rider will symbolize a counterfeit Christianity that will pawn its deceptions upon an unsuspecting world. And it will seek to conquer all who resist with force and cruelty.

After the rider on the white horse, there appears the red horse we’ve already discussed. After that, the third seal opens with a pale horse, unleashing great famine and extreme scarcity of food. The fourth seal opens revealing a black horse, and the resulting death and destruction on one-quarter of the earth’s population.

Clearly, these are terrifying times your Bible is foretelling. But back to the question, is the red horse already running?

Events in Matthew 24 Match the Four Horsemen

Before we answer that, let’s look at Matthew 24:4. Jesus’ disciples had asked Him to tell them when the Temple would be thrown down, and what would be the sign of His coming. Notice what He said. Let’s read in Matthew 24:4.

Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many (Matthew 24:4–5).

He said after His death many would preach a different Christ. They would claim to worship the Messiah, but not really follow what He taught. Going on in verse 6.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:6–9).

Jesus said there would be great and small wars, scattered all over the world. And famine and pestilence and death would follow. And truly, that has been the record of history for the last two thousand years. Frankly, that’s the record of all of human history. These are conditions of a world ruled by Satan. And Matthew 24:1–8 also shows the pattern of what will happen in the end-times, as described by Revelation 6.

Prophesied Events Before the Red Horse

The seals of Revelation 6 show horrific, end-time events like the world has never seen.

So, no, the red horse is not running yet. Why? Because we know the white horse has not yet appeared. We still have freedom in the Western world to worship God as we please. That hasn’t been taken away. This dominant and oppressive system has not yet arisen.

But the seals of Revelation 6 reveal that the red horse of war will burst on the world scene after the white horse of a counterfeit, militant Christianity.

But this brings up a question. How could a religious system—the white horse—be a conquering force that would lead to the red horse of war? Revelation 13 gives the answer.

False Christianity Joins the Beast of Revelation

The coming false Christian system will ally itself with a powerful political and military leader. And that military superpower and the devastating war and destruction it will bring to the world is symbolized by the red horse.

In Revelation 13, there are two beasts described. One has two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon. That’s a reference to the false Christianity we were talking about earlier in the program. It will be a counterfeit religious system led by a false prophet who even calls fire down from heaven. Don’t be fooled—this will be an extremely persuasive and charismatic leader who will deceive many.

This religious leader will be allied with a political leader at the head of this immensely powerful war-making machine. It’s described in Revelation 13:1.

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority (Revelation 13:1–2).

A Revived Holy Roman Empire Will Emerge

When you compare this with Daniel 7, you find this is referring to the Roman Empire. In the vision, it has taken on the characteristics of its predecessors:

• The Babylonian lion
• The Medo-Persian bear
• The Greco-Macedonian leopard

And it’s all led and influenced by the malevolent dragon, Satan the devil. Going on in verse 3 (Revelation 13:3):

And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed.

The Roman Empire fell in 476 AD, but was revived by Justinian in 554 AD with the assistance of the pope in Rome. This is called the Imperial Restoration. Since then, there have been a number of attempts to revive the spirit of the Roman Empire under various European kings.

Bible prophecy shows that there will be one final revival of this system in the end-times. And it will be terrifying in its ability to project its power across the globe. Notice verse 3.

And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:3–4).

Why is this important? These two leaders will attempt to enforce their counterfeit brand of Christianity upon a shocked and startled world. And it will bring war and bloodshed to a shocked humanity.

But this doesn’t have to take you by surprise. You can be forewarned, prepared and ready.

Red Horse Brings Martyring of True Christians

That’s why Jesus Christ had this warning recorded by the Apostle John ahead of time, for those who are willing to listen and heed. Notice in verse 6.

Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 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. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear (Revelation 13:6–9).

Are you listening? Are you getting the picture?

A powerful, counterfeit Christian deception is coming. And it will be enforced by this political entity called the Beast. This strongman dictator—in league with the false prophet of Revelation 13—will cause an unsuspecting populace to take the infamous “mark of the beast.” This is found in Revelation 13:16.

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name (Revelation 13:16–17).

And the Great Tribulation Begins

Those two figures and their followers will lead the world into a time of war and bloodshed we’ve never seen before.

But what does that mean for true followers of Christ? It’s worth asking the question, and the Bible gives the answers. For the answer, let’s turn to the book of Daniel 12:1.

At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time (Daniel 12:1).

The context from the last chapter shows “that time” refers to the time of the end. During this time there will be great suffering the world over. This is the Great Tribulation spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:21.

Daniel 12 Describes End-Time Information Age

Going on in Daniel 12:1 again:

And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:1–3).

Clearly, this is speaking of the resurrection, at Christ’s return. So, this also sets the timing. It’s at the time of the end, leading up to the return of Jesus Christ to earth. Going on in verse 4:

But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase (Daniel 12:4).

Daniel was told to seal this prophecy until the time of the end. And then he described what that time would be like.

Are we living in a time of unprecedented travel—people running “to and fro”? When you can fly from one continent to another in less than a day? Trips that would have taken weeks only a few hundred years ago?

This passage also says, “And knowledge shall increase.” Our world today is awash with a seemingly limitless supply of human knowledge through the shared vehicle of the Internet. And just think about the AI revolution. If we think information is increasing now, just wait. We’re on the cusp of an acceleration of data and information like humanity has never seen.

Going on, notice how Daniel responded in verse 8:

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end” (Daniel 12:8–9).

Daniel was not allowed to fully understand the meaning of the vision he was given. He was just told to record it. It was for another time. But think about it. If we’re living in the time of the end, that meaning can now be opened to us. That means you and I now have the opportunity to understand these things, if we’re willing. And if we ask God for understanding.

What does he say next (verse 10)?

Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:10).

Do you want to be one of the wise? Do you want to understand what’s happening and why in our tumultuous and chaotic world? And do you want to understand what is coming next?

God says through the prophet Daniel there will be a lot of people who will just follow their carnal desires and human impulses in our time. The wicked will do wickedly. That’s what we see all around us.

But there is also a reward for those who are wise. What is that reward? They will understand the times they are living in, and they will know what to do about it.

Watch for the Abomination of Desolation

Going on in verse 11.

And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days (Daniel 12:11).

As we have explained before on Tomorrow’s World, the Jews will begin sacrificing on the temple mount again. We don’t know exactly when. But it will happen. And then, those same sacrifices will be stopped. An idolatrous object of worship of some type—the abomination of desolation—will then be set up in place of those sacrifices.

What an astounding statement. Daniel is saying when you see that happen, take note, because there are only one thousand two hundred and ninety days left before Christ returns—in other words, just over three and a half years.

True Christians’ Protection from the Second Horseman

But notice this in verse 12:

Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days (Daniel 12:12).

There is a blessing for those who are faithful, obedient to God and seeking to please Him in the coming difficult years. And that blessing will be bestowed upon them 1,335 days before the return of our Savior. In other words, just 45 days before the abomination of desolation is set up.

Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent (Revelation 12:13–14).

When you understand the context, this great war-making machine—the red horse, influenced by Satan the devil—will even seek to destroy the faithful followers of Christ. But God will protect the faithful woman, His obedient Church, during the Tribulation.

What an encouraging prophecy! Against the backdrop of unthinkable carnage, God has a plan to protect His faithful people.

Prepare Now for Bible Prophecy to Happen

So, how should we prepare in an uncertain and chaotic world?

• By being committed to the One who died for us.
• By repenting of our sins and coming under His sacrifice for us.
• And living in obedience to Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus will put down all authority and rule with a rod of iron. He will bring peace to this troubled world. But before that, hard times are coming. But you don’t have to be taken unaware. You can be the wise, who understand, who stay close to God—who have a relationship with their Creator and are protected when the fiery red horse bursts upon the scene.

May God help all of us to prepare now for the challenging times ahead, with faith and trust in our God and our Savior.

Thank you for watching.

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[The text below represents an edited transcript of the TV version of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Revealing the White Horse of the Apocalypse

The four horsemen of the apocalypse have inspired wonder, fear, and mystery in the minds of many. Their end-time ride brings terror, catastrophe, and devastation greater than the world has ever known. But their ride begins with the arrival of the first rider on a white horse.

Will you recognize the white horse when it arrives? You can. And after this episode of Tomorrow’s World, you will.

To begin our examination, we need to understand the context of the book of Revelation. That mysterious book represents, as the first verse tells us, “the Revelation of Jesus Christ,” in which the Savior outlines the history of mankind and the Church—from the Apostle John’s day, all the way to ours, describing in detail the end-times and His return from heaven.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

And as he enters the end-time portion of that vision, Christ shows John four mysterious horses and their riders—the infamous four horsemen of the apocalypse.

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.” 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).

After this first horsemen, three others follow in sequence, one after the other, each on a different horse: a red one, a black one, and finally a pale and sickly one.

Each represents a wave of calamity that will strike the people of earth—in order, each following the other, in the end-times—calamities that verse 8 tells us will devastate a “fourth of the earth.”

The identity of the second, third, and fourth horses are fairly clear. The red horse represents global warfare, the black horse represents severe famine and want, and the pale horse represents devastating disease and pestilence.

The White Horse Is First of the Four Horsemen

Yet, it is the white horse that comes first. All the others follow that horse, which must come first. So, understanding when these difficulties will begin rests on understanding the nature of that white horse and its rider.

On today’s program, we will focus on explaining to you from the pages of God’s word how to recognize the arrival of this white horse and its horseman. And as we do, it will be clear that the groundwork for the arrival of the white horse is already being laid.

So today we are going to lay out seven keys that will help you identify the white horse, the first of the four horsemen of Revelation.

We will begin by looking to the source of the prophecy for the source of understanding.

End-Time Signs in Matthew 24 Match Revelation 6

We noted earlier that John’s vision is “the Revelation of Jesus Christ,” and it is Jesus Christ Himself who provided the key to understanding the meaning of the first horse—but not in the book of Revelation. For that we need to turn all the way back to the first book of the New Testament, the book of Matthew.

There, in chapter 24 we read of Jesus’ famous Olivet discourse, providing a prophetic description of what would transpire from the Apostles’ day through ours, much like the book of Revelation does.

Let’s read verses 4 through [7]. Here, Jesus’ disciples have just asked him about the destruction of the temple, His coming, and the end of this age.

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:4–7).

Now, the afflictions Jesus described have been with mankind for centuries, to be sure. And Christ is warning them not to think just any calamity means the last days are actually here.

Yet think back to the four horsemen and their sequence. We have already seen that horses two, three, and four represent warfare, famine, and disease—in order. And what do we see in Christ’s own words?

• WARFARE
• FAMINE
• PESTILENCE

Notice the exact same order. The four horsemen represent extreme and climactic end-time versions of these calamities that Jesus Christ is describing.

Then let’s follow the sequence back one more step to see the very first thing that Jesus Christ describes.

The First Horseman Is False Christianity

What is the first thing that He warned them about? Look again for yourself in verse 4.

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4).

So, we see that before warfare, famine, and disease, Jesus warns us against religious deception. In fact, not just religious deception in general, but specifically religious deception in His own name—in the name of Christ.

Remember, the punctuation present in most Bibles was not in the original Greek. Jesus is literally telling His disciples that people will come proclaiming that He is the Christ, the Messiah, and will then go on to deceive many.

With this crucial understanding in place, provided by the mouth of the Savior Himself, we have what we need to proceed. And from here, we can begin to identify our seven keys that will help us to recognize the white horse of Revelation.

The fact Jesus revealed is the first key we need to look for.

1. The white horse represents a counterfeit Christianity.

We see this aspect of the white horse in other passages of Scripture, as well.

A False Prophet (Imposter of Christ) Emerges

For instance, look a little later in the book of Revelation in chapter 13. There, after speaking of the political, military, and economic titan that will rise in the coming years—the Beast of Revelation—Jesus Christ reveals to John a second beast representing a second figure—this time, a religious one.

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon” (Revelation 13:11).

The biblical symbolism here should be clear. Notice: This False Prophet to come has the appearance of a lamb—that is, he comes across like Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God—but he speaks like a dragon. That is, the things he actually teaches are the subtle twists and lies of the devil, who is called a “dragon” and the “serpent of old” twice in the book of Revelation.

We will dive into some details concerning those lies and deceptions in a moment. But first, it is vital to understand what this white horse represents—that it’s not just any run-of-the-mill false religion. It will specifically be a false, counterfeit Christianity, bearing the name of Jesus Christ and claiming to represent Him and His teachings in the world.

This False Christianity Has Ancient Origins

Next, we must realize that:

2. This counterfeit Christianity is of very ancient origin, going back all the way to the very beginning of real Christianity.

We see in the pages of the Bible that Paul and the Apostles were wrestling against it even in their own day, in the first generation after Jesus Christ began His Church.

Look for instance, in 2 Corinthians chapter 11, where Paul is warning Christians in Corinth against the influence of this counterfeit. Read it there in verses 3 and 4.

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” (2 Corinthians 11:3–4).

Notice that! He says that some were preaching about Jesus and preaching a gospel, but it was a different Jesus and a different gospel.

Satan Disguises Himself as an Angel of Light

He warns them later that by teaching these lies disguised as true Christianity, Satan “transforms himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

This corrupting influence of this counterfeit Christianity was so pervasive that Jesus’ brother Jude had to warn the Church in his own letter.

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 3–4).

And for all the talk of an antichrist to come, notice what the Apostle John wrote near the end of the first century, almost 2,000 years ago.

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour (1 John 2:18).

Yes, the false Christianity represented by the white horse will not be a “new” religion. It will have an ancient pedigree, going back 2,000 years to the very origins of Christianity.

First Horseman Champions Lawlessness

Again, it looks like Christianity but speaks the words of the dragon. It is the teachings of this false church that give us our next key for identifying the white horse:

3. This religious system and its leader will be lawless and compromising.

What Is Lawlessness in the Bible?

The Apostle Paul called the system of the antichrist the “mystery of lawlessness,” saying that it was “already at work” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) in His day—and that the coming “lawless one” (2 Thessalonians 2:8–9) will be consumed and destroyed at the return of Christ.

Now, we have to be careful here. “Lawless” does not mean completely without laws or order. Quite the contrary, in fact.

Lawless Actions Described in Daniel 7:25

An important detail about this lawless religious leader to come is revealed in the Old Testament book of Daniel. There, in chapter 7 and verse 25, we read the following description:

He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law (Daniel 7:25).

Notice that. It will change times and laws! This lawless system will have many canons, creeds, judgments, and ecclesiastical determinations. Its “church law” may be robust and detailed, but the law God cares about is His own law. And this false church will cast that law aside.

And it may have a rich and full worship calendar, but that calendar will be a change from the worship times commanded by God in His word. That’s because this system will be one of compromise—combining truths of God with corrupting influences of worldly philosophies and paganism.

Same Lawlessness in Harlot of Revelation 17

We see this in Revelation 17. There this false, counterfeit Christian system is depicted as a harlot or prostitute.

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication” (Revelation 17:1–2).

We’ll read more details about this prophetic harlot later in our program, but right now it is vital to understand that God uses prostitution, fornication, and adultery to symbolize compromising the true faith and practice by mixing it with false and pagan ideas and practices. Examples of this can be found in Hosea (Hosea 1:2), Isaiah (Isaiah 57:3), and elsewhere in Scripture.

Power of False Church Used for Martyrdom

The fourth is that:

4. The white horse represents a powerful, persecuting church.

Let’s read a little more in Revelation 17 about the Great Harlot representing this false Christian church.

The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication (Revelation 17:4).

The purple and scarlet clothing and the gold, precious stones and pearls, and her drinking out of a golden cup indicate the harlot’s wealth on display for the world to see. This false religious system is one with a vast amount of worldly wealth—and worldly influence. We saw earlier in verses one and two that she sits on “many waters” and mingles with “the kings of the earth.”

John’s angelic guide in the vision explains the meaning of the waters.

The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues (Revelation 17:15).

So, this false church is global in reach, with faithful adherents all over the world.

Drunk with the Blood of the Martyrs (Saints)

And how does this church that pretends to be Christ’s church and carries His name use its wealth and influence? To persecute, murder, and martyr those who seek to follow and obey the true Jesus Christ.

Notice verse 6 says the woman was “drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (Revelation 17:6).

This is indicated, as well, in the passage we read earlier in Daniel 7, which said that the saints shall be given into the hand of this false prophet for “a time and times and half a time”—that is, the length of the Great Tribulation.

Recall the original description of the white horse. Revelation 6:2 said that the rider “had a bow” and “he went out conquering and to conquer.” This is not a church willing to convert others through simply preaching and example. And the coming persecution will make the inquisitions of past centuries look like child’s play.

Political Alliance with the Beast of Revelation

An additional, major tool wielded by this false Christianity in its persecution of true Christians makes up our next key for identifying the white horse:

5. This false church will be in an unholy religious-political alliance.

Notice that the Great Harlot of Revelation 17 is not alone. Read John’s description in verse 3.

And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 17:3).

The heads of this beast represent the successive revivals of the Roman Empire in history, culminating in the final, powerful, end-time political entity that will shake the world. And notice this woman sits astride this beast, riding it and influencing its movements.

Interestingly, the woman is said in verse 9 to sit on seven mountains—and Rome is famously known as the City of Seven Hills, after the seven hills on which the city is founded.

This vast, globe-spanning false church is intimately associated with Rome and will participate in an unholy alliance with the final revival of the Roman Empire as Jesus Christ’s return draws near.

Revelation 13 paints a picture of this alliance, in which each party selfishly benefits from the power and influence of the other.

Deceptive Supernatural Signs and Wonders

Among the benefits of this alliance for the Beast will be the next key in our list.

6. This false church will manifest powerful signs and wonders as the end of the age draws near.

The Apostle Paul describes these supernatural signs in the passage we read earlier in 2 Thessalonians 2, where he writes:

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9).

Revelation 13 describes them as well in verse 13.

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men (Revelation 13:13).

The antichrist or coming false prophet will use these signs and wonders to unify the people and point them to the great Beast, enhancing its authority and worldwide influence and power.

Mother of Harlots Explained (Revelation 17)

Finally, we come to the seventh key.

7. This false church is a mother of other compromising churches.

This is an easy point to miss, but it’s right there in plain sight in God’s word. Look at it with me in Revelation 17. There, when we carefully read John’s description of the Great Harlot that represents this false Christianity, we see an important detail in verse 5.

And on her forehead a name was written: Mystery, Babylon the Great, the MOTHER OF HARLOTS and of the Abominations of the Earth (Revelation 17:5).

The Great Harlot is not alone, but is a mother to many other compromising harlots—many other false Christianities and denominations which, like their mother, combine elements of God’s biblical truths with human philosophies and pagan practices! All of them claiming to speak in Christ’s name—yet all of them connected to the same, false system.

These seven characteristics, these seven keys, will equip you to recognize the white horse and its rider when they burst upon the scene! And, for those with eyes to see, they can reveal how the system they represent has been working in the world for the last almost two thousand years—falsely claiming the name of Christ and now being prepared for the fateful future God’s word has long prophesied.

Jesus Christ Returns on a Different White Horse

Yet the story does not end with the white horse. After all, it is only the first of the four horsemen. In fact, a great aid in recognizing the first horseman is to recognize that there are not really four horsemen in the book of Revelation—there are five! And the identity of the fifth horseman is, in many ways, the most important of all!

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse… (Revelation 19:11).

Notice how this passage begins with the same words! “Behold, a white horse!” Yet, as we will see, this is a different horse, and definitely a different rider! Let’s continue.

… And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 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. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God (Revelation 19:11–13).

Yes, this is no pretender to the throne or false Messiah. This is the real deal—Jesus Christ, The Word of God.

The Real Jesus Wields the Sword of the Spirit

Like the first horsemen, He, too, is armed, as we see in verse 15.

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations (Revelation 17:15).

And, of course, Ephesians 6 tells us that:

“The sword of the Spirit … is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

Notice how this account is perfectly in line with our very first point about the first horseman and his white horse being an imposter.

While both ride a white horse, the first horseman of the four wore a single “crown,” but Jesus Christ appears with “many crowns” upon His head. The first horseman of the four “had a bow,” but the Savior charges forward with the “sharp sword” of His mouth. Again—the false Church looks like real Christianity, but with God’s help you can spot the differences!

But the most important fact is stated in verse 16 of Revelation 19: The rider of THIS horse charging from heaven is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”! And He will be bringing with Him a new world—tomorrow’s world.

We here at Tomorrow’s World hope you are looking forward to the ride of that fifth horseman as much as we are.

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