[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.
- 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:
- 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:
- 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:
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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