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Revelation 6:1-2 says, '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.'2 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.'
The opening of the seals by the Lamb (Jesus Christ) represents the unveiling of certain key events surrounding the revelation of Jesus at His coming. When this first seal is opened, we see someone riding on a white horse who has been given a crown. He is described as going out conquering and to conquer. There are various opinions as to who the rider is, but we believe this description sounds very much like the description we read of Jesus in Revelation 19:11-16, which says, '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.12 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.13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.'
If this is correct, then the first seal is showing us Jesus Christ coming to judge the unbelieving world in righteousness. This same event is described in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, 'When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.'
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