Revelation Chapter 6

The First Seal

As a further support of the first view note the following excerpts taken from Brother Levi Jacobs discourse entitled, “Opening of the Seven Seals.

“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.”

What is the significance of this dramatic picture?

Horses, in the Scriptures, represent doctrines, a white horse, in this case, represents pure doctrines, uncontaminated, unadulterated, in their purity, simplicity. That was the privilege that the early church, in the days of the apostles, had. They received the truth straight from the Master himself when he said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” He gave it to them in its purity and simplicity. There was no error mixed up with it, uncontaminated and unadulterated. That’s the picture of the first seal being opened, presenting the church with the benefit of the pure truth, riding upon a white horse.

“And he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him”

“To him that overcomes will I (give the crown of life) grant to sit with me in my throne…” (Rev 3:21), and he shall reign with me. It was for the joy that was set before him that our Lord despised the shame and endured the cross,” and so too should we who would follow in the Masters footsteps.

What is the bow significant of ?

It is significant of warfare. Now he goes forth conquering and to conquer, by what means? By the means of the truth, “Thy word is truth”. “Never a man spoke like this man,” said the multitude after they heard him. They were so astounded at the beauteous words that proceeded out of his mouth. But those words were sharper than a two-edged sword and would cut deep, as the Pharisees found out. So we have the picture of a bow.

Now we turn to the 45th Psalm and see how beautifully this picture dovetails. “My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Then he directs our attention to the one who is speaking; “You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon your lips; Therefore God has blessed you forever.” That sounds like what we said was the sound of the audience, “Never a man spoke like this man.”

But now there is another aspect to this man, this one who is the Son of God, the Logos or Word. “Gird your sword upon your thigh, O Mighty One, With Your glory and your majesty. And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness; and your right hand shall teach you awesome things.” It’s not all peace. He came, not to bring peace, but the sword and it shall cause fathers and mothers, children and families to be opposed one to another. The sword of truth divides and so it is that “your right hand shall teach you awesome things”.

“As a horse carries forward its rider, enabling him to “ride prosperously”, so doctrines (true doctrines) carry us forward and enables us to surmount obstacles (to overcome, to conquer), and to refute errors and convince gainsayers.” (2 Cor 10:4-6; 2 Tim 2:25)

Now, here is the picture back in Revelation, of the bow. Because when we think of that bow we think of arrows and your right hand has to be powerful to pull the string way back and release those arrows. So now the Psalmist tells us what happens, “Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies; the peoples fall under you.” “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.” Yes, the picture takes it for granted that there is going to be one ruler, a monarch, a dictator, a theocracy. It tolerates no opposition. It brooks no contradiction. Therefore, all who are opposed to this throne and kingdom are enemies. Therefore thine arrows sharp strike deep into the heart of all the enemies of this throne and his kingdom, and the people fall under this. There is your bow and the arrows. “Your right hand shall teach you awesome things”.

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and true, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” (Rev 19:11)

So he goes forth conquering and to conquer. In the power of these pure truths, a white horse that the church was blessed with as they went forth to fulfil the mission that Jesus told them to accomplish. “Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.” “Go ye into all the world for a witness to all peoples and then shall the end come.” What a tremendous objective and mission that was imposed upon them. No wonder the picture says, “Going forth conquering, and to conquer.”

An illustration of the conquering power of this white horse of the pure doctrines of the divine word was at Pentecost when Peter preached the first sermon. Three thousand souls responded and were immediately converted and baptized, on the spot. Did you ever see anything like that? You have a good number here beloved, but if all of you were confronted at once, and of an unconsecrated group and stood up and wanted to be baptized–why we would consider that a miraculous success. But here was 3000 that responded in that manner. Conquering and to conquer, all in the name of the power of the truth. Such was the glorious start that the early church had.”

Having taken a look at the first view and its support we should like in our next post to consider the second view once again.