The Four Horsemen - The Rider On The White Horse

Go online and click on your favorite search engine. Type in "Four Horsemen of Revelation" and then click on images. In quite a few images that you find of the four horsemen spoken of in the book of Revelation, you'll find that the rider of the white horse is holding a bow and is pulling the string taut as he prepares to fire an arrow. The majority of the images of this rider also depict him as wearing a golden crown. There's a problem with these images... they're not accurate interpretations of the word of God.

Rider with arrow at the ready.

The book of Revelation states that the rider of the white horse has a bow, but it makes no mention of any arrow. Here, read it for yourself, "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer." Rev 6:2.  

Why do most pictures of this rider on the white horse show him ready to fire an arrow? I can only speculate, but you have to admit that a rider ready to let fly his deadly arrow makes for a dramatic scene, right? We also have to consider that artists often take liberties when it comes to creating artwork that pertains to scripture. Many artists may be relying on their own worldly understanding of who or what the four horsemen really are, relying on stories they've heard or images they've seen, perpetuating the false picture of arrows and golden crowns. No matter what the reason, the image does not line up with biblical truth.

Rider wearing a laurel crown.

What kind of crown is the rider of the white horse wearing?  "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer." Rev 6:2. There are two words for "crown" in the bible.  One is a "diadem," which is a kingly crown.  The other is a "stephanos," which is a victor's crown. In the case of the rider on the white horse, the latter is used in this scripture.  He's not wearing a gold kingly crown, he's wearing a victor's crown, like a crown of laurel leaves.

We are then told that, "he went forth conquering and to conquer."  That can be a little confusing, since he's not really wielding a formidable weapon, right? I'll explain that in a moment.

Let's paint this picture correctly now, shall we?  

"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow;" The rider on the white horse symbolically has a weapon in his hand, but it is of no threat to anyone because a bow, without arrows, is really no weapon at all. This symbolizes that he will arrive on the scene as a man with a powerful but non-threatening personality. His choice of weapon will not be of military means, but of a personality that exudes confidence and authority, offering sound diplomatic solutions to the world's ills (especially the problems that have dominated the Middle East since the birth of Israel).

"...and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering and to conquer." The laurel crown that the rider is described as wearing is a symbol of the authority that he will have during this critical time in earth's history.  It is an authority that has not been earned by him, but, as the scripture states, an authority that is given to him. Who gives man authority, whether it's you, me or the Antichrist? You know the answer... God. God allows Satan to begin ramping up his end-time plan with the introduction of this rider on the white horse. 

So, what does he conquer? He conquers the minds and hearts of mankind. To the world, he will be seen as a "savior." He attempts to bring the world together in a one world system of government, religion and economics. You are probably telling yourself, "Surely everyone will see through this man." Your assumption would be incorrect. I say that because scripture also states, "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess 2:11-12.

Next time you see a picture of the rider on the white horse, check out the weapon he's holding and the crown he's wearing.  You'll find, like I did, that most of the artistic interpretations of this portion of scripture depict a rider with one or both of these errors contained in their artwork.


If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

TribulationHarvest.net

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture Pt. 1 - The 24 Elders

READ THE BLOG OR WATCH THE VIDEO!!!

VIDEO: WHY I BELIEVE IN A PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE - PART 1: THE 24 ELDERS

In chapter 4 of Revelation, John is taken in spirit to heaven where, among other things, he sees 24 thrones circling the throne of God. On these thrones sit 24 elders. They are each in white robes and have crowns upon their heads.     

Let's quickly refresh our memory by reading this short portion of scripture:  

1After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things." 2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. 3And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.

4Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothes in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. 5Out from the throne come flashes of lightening and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God;

The verses that follow continue to describe the throne room of God. We pick it back up from verse 9, where it states...

⁹And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11'Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created.'" (Revelation 4:1-5, 9-11 NASB)

This part of John’s vision is significant for the following reasons:

Although we cannot positively identify who these 24 elders are, what we can be sure of is that they have already been given their robes and have received their crowns; something that happens AFTER the rapture of the bride of Christ.

Another very important point often overlooked by many is that in all the descriptions of the throne of God in the OT, never is there any mention of these 24 thrones or 24 elders. Why? Because they did not exist at that point in time. The church has not been raptured, so the thrones and elders are absent from the throne room of God in the OT accounts of the throne of God.

These 24 elders cannot be heavenly beings, since there is no record of heavenly beings receiving any type of crown. 

Here are the words of Dr. H.A. Ironside that I found very helpful:

But now the fourth verse brings before us a sight never beheld in heaven on any previous occasion: twenty-four thrones (not merely “seats”) surrounding the central throne, and upon them twenty-four elders seated with victors’ crowns (not diadems) upon their heads, and clothed in priestly robes of purest white. Who are these favored ones gathered around the glorious central Being? I do not think we need be in any doubt as to their identity, if we compare Scripture with Scripture and distrust our own imagination, which can but lead us astray.

In I Chronicles, chapter 24, we read of something very similar; and again I would remind you that many of John’s first readers were Hebrews, thoroughly familiar with the Old Testament. Can we question for a moment that every Jewish believer would instantly remember the twenty-four elders appointed by King David to represent the entire Levitical priesthood? He divided the priests into twenty-four courses, each course to serve for two weeks at a time in the temple which Solomon was to build. The same arrangement was in force when our Lord’s forerunner was announced.  Zacharias was “of the course of Abiah,” the eighth in order (Luke 1:5).  The priests were many thousands in number; they could not all come together at one time, but when the twenty-four elders met in the temple precincts in Jerusalem, the whole priestly house was represented. And this is the explanation, I submit, of the symbol here. The elders in heaven represent the whole heavenly priesthood – that is, all the redeemed who have died in the past, or who shall be living at the Lord’s return. In vision they were seen – not as a multitudinous host of millions of saved worshipers, but just twenty-four elders, symbolizing the entire company. The church of the present age and Old Testament saints are alike included. All are priests. All worship. There were twelve patriarchs in Israel, and twelve apostles introducing the new dispensation. The two together would give the complete four and twenty.

Then, observe further: these persons are not angels. They are redeemed men who have overcome in the conflict with Satan and the world, for they wear victors’ wreaths upon their brows. Angels are never said to be “crowned,” nor have they known redemption.

There are two kinds of crowns mentioned in this book:

- The victor’s crown (Stephanos)

- The ruler’s crown (Diadem)

The former is the word here used. It refers to the wreath, of laurel or of pine, bound about the brow of the victor in the Greek games; it is the same word so often used in the New Testament when reward for service is the theme.

And now, note carefully: no saints will ever be crowned until the apostle Paul receives that crown of righteousness which the Lord revealed to him as his reward. In II Timothy 4:8, he says: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love (or, have loved) His appearing.”

The expression “at that day” refers to the day of Christ, when He shall come for His own, and they will all be manifested before His judgment-seat. He says: “Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).

Surely it follows then that no rewards are given out till He returns for His saints. Therefore there can be no crowned elders in heaven till after the rapture… I trust it is clear to all that the elders are the heavenly saints, surrounding the Lord in glory, God the Son sitting on the central throne.

Again, to be sure that I'm being clear about this... if we take scripture at face value, the Rapture takes place before the Tribulation and the outpouring of God's wrath because scripture shows that the 24 Elders have already received their reward... a reward that's bestowed upon them before the Tribulation judgments are even mentioned. 

You can read the other parts of this series by clicking on one of the articles below:

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 2: Noah, Lot and Rabbit Holes

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 3: The Slow Motion Replay

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 4: The Apostasy or Falling Away

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 5: The First Resurrection

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 6: The Bridegroom

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 7: Timing Is Everything

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

TRIBULATIONHARVEST.NET

Acknowledgements:  Image - www.pawcreek.org/

There Are Two Types Of "Crowns"

READ THE BLOG OR WATCH THE VIDEO!!!

VIDEO: THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF CROWNS

I already knew that there were two words in the Greek for crown:

G4735 - στέφανος - stephanos - stef'-an-os

From an apparently primary “stepho” (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, G1238), literally or figuratively: - crown.

www.travelingwithmj.com

G1238 - διάδημα - diadēma - dee-ad'-ay-mah

From a compound of G1223 and G1210; a “diadem” (as bound about the head): - crown.

What I found was that the word "stephanos" is associated with the crown that Jesus is currently wearing.  This is not the crown (diadema) of a King, but a woven crown of a Victor or Champion.  Of course, my curiosity got the better of me, so I had to do a little investigative work.

The first mention of a "stephanos" in the New Testament is at Jesus' crucifixion (Matt. 27:29, Mark 15:17 and John 19:2). The crown of thorns is actually a "stephanos" of thorns; a woven crown of thorny branches placed on Jesus' head.

The word "stephanos" is used almost exclusively throughout the New Testament when describing a crown.  It is even used to describe the crowns that the 24 elders are wearing in Heaven:

Rev 4:4 "And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns (stephanos) of gold."

Rev 4:10 "The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns (stephanos) before the throne, saying..."

I'm sure most of us are used to thinking that the 24 elders around the throne of God are wearing actual crowns (diadema) but in actuality, they are wearing a "stephanos" (woven crowns) of gold.

Scripture about the Antichrist, when he first shows up on the scene, uses the same Greek word:

Rev 6:2 "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown (stephanos) was given to him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."

Who else is wearing a "stephanos?"

Rev 9:7  And the shapes of the locusts were like horses prepared for battle. And on their heads were as it were crowns (stephanos) like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men.

Rev 12:1  And there appeared a great sign in the heavens, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet, and a crown (stephanos) of twelve stars on her head...

So what's all the fuss about?  Why am I getting hung up on this "stephanos" thing?  Here's why:

It isn't until Revelation 12:3 that the word "diadema" is used.  First it's to describe the power and authority that Satan has on the earth during the tribulation:

Rev 12:3  And another sign was seen in the heavens. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns (diadema) on his heads! 

Rev 13:1  And I stood on the sand of the sea, and I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns. And on its horns were ten crowns (diadema), and on its heads was the name of blasphemy.

These crowns (diadema) represent "kingdoms" on earth.

Then it's used once more when John describes Jesus' return to earth:

Rev 19:12  And His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head many crowns (diadema). And He had a name written, one that no one knew except Himself.

So we come to the point of this entire thought process.  In all the pictures that we see of Jesus, he's wearing a solid gold crown (diadema).  I know that in MY head I always pictured Him wearing a diadema... a kingly crown, but is that scriptural? Let's refer to scripture:

Rev 14:14-16  And I looked, and behold, a white cloud. And on the cloud sat one like the Son of man, having a golden crown (stephanos) on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand.  ¹⁵And another angel came out of the temple, crying in a great voice to Him sitting on the cloud, Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth was dried.  ¹⁶And He sitting on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.

Why would this be?  He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Our Father has placed everything under Jesus authority. Why would Jesus be wearing a "stephanos" right now?

The only explanation I have is that Jesus is still seen specifically as the Lamb of God and as our High Priest, and He wears His golden stephanos as a sign of His victory on the cross; His victory over death and the grave.  His victory over Satan. He had specific responsibilities when He was here on earth, just as He has a specific role to play right now as our High Priest in Heaven, but when He returns, He takes on the additional role as King of kinds, and Lord of lords.

It's not until He returns that He is seen as the Lion of Judah, the conquering King, coming in power and authority, to reign over the earth for a thousand years.  When He returns to defeat the enemy at the end of the Tribulation, He no longer wears a single stephanos, but many diadema. He doesn't return only as the Lamb of God or as our High Priest, He returns as our victorious King!!!

In case you were wondering what type of crown we will be wearing in heaven... it will be a victor's crown, a stephanos: 

Rev 2:10  Do not at all fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the Devil will cast some of you into prison, so that you may be tried. And you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown (stephanos) of life.

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

TribulationHarvest.net