We live in the 21st century, an era of incredible scientific and technological advancement! Humanity can combat diseases that used to claim millions of lives in previous centuries. The capabilities of technology in agriculture can address global hunger issues once and for all!
Who stands behind the mysterious figure on the white horse?
The value of human life has reached such heights that almost half of the planet can witness the rescue operation of one person in the forest or a child trapped in a narrow tunnel.
This is a very brief overview, during which we start to distinctly hear the steps of the first rider of the Apocalypse! He’s not visible yet, but the snorting of his horse is audible. We know that in the end, everything will be fine, but for some reason, a mild sense of foreboding shrouds the world, and through it, the inevitable fate of this world becomes increasingly clear.
Jesus Christ will open the first seal, and He will emerge as victorious! To conquer! Many associate the first rider with the Lord Himself, but that’s not the case!
It seems like the horse is white, and it has a bow and a crown. So many attributes that clearly suggest it must be the Lord! But no. Firstly, Christ will come at the very end of the Great Tribulation. This is mentioned in Revelation 19.
There, Christ is described as sitting on a white horse. He is Faithful and True, His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head, He wears many crowns! Christ is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called ‘The Word of God’ (Revelation 19:11-13).
The First Rider of the Apocalypse
So who is this — the first rider? He ‘comes forth as conquering.’ Pay attention to the word ‘as’! He doesn’t conquer; he merely appears victorious. Furthermore, the Bible tells us that he ‘comes to conquer.’ That’s his ultimate goal; he possesses authority, ‘a crown was given to him.’ But he won’t fully achieve this goal.
So who is he? This is a figurative description of someone extensively discussed in Revelation chapters 13 and 17 — the ‘beast,’ who, at the beginning of his reign, will deceive those living on Earth and appear in noble light, seemingly bringing peace and hope. Many will willingly worship his image and bear his mark on their right hand or forehead.
Those without this mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name won’t be able to buy or sell. John, an elder imprisoned on an island two thousand years ago, describes digital technologies, which we couldn’t even fathom some 30 years ago.
This is evident in the 18th verse of the 13th chapter — the number of the beast, it’s a human number. His number is six hundred sixty-six. Almost all products on the planet have their unique barcode, and the first, middle, and last double bars of any barcode are always the same and bear the number six. Paul warned that the mystery of lawlessness was already at work.
Even from the TV screen, which acts as a dangerous false prophet, warnings about the first rider can be heard. This is no longer concealable; it’s a warning for us to be prepared and vigilant!
So we won’t be caught off guard and end up worshipping the creature instead of the Creator!