A Voice Like Thunder

 

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1-2 ESV).

 

When Jesus opens the first seal of the scroll, John hears one of the four living creatures speak with a “voice like thunder.” If you have ever been caught in a quick-moving thunderstorm, you know the power of thunder. The loud booming of thunder from sharp cracks of lightning can make us run for cover. This image is meant to convey the power and might of God as He calls His angels to come. This is certainly not the still, small voice of Moses’ experience on Mt. Sinai.

 

The mention of thunder shows that God wants our attention. As the first seal is opened, we see a white horse, and its rider is determined to succeed in his mission. Soon we will also see three other powerful horsemen determined to win, but this first one is different. He is the only one introduced with a “voice like thunder.” The color of the white horse stands for restoration and renewal, being made clean and given new life. This horseman’s mission is to restore God’s creation, and he is also given a crown.

 

There are some who see this rider as Jesus Himself. While they believe this rider is Christ because he rides a white horse and wears a crown, the surrounding context eliminates this possibility. When Christ returns to earth, He does so at the end of the tribulation, not at the beginning, and He introduces a thousand years of peace and security (cf. Revelation 19:11–13; 20:4). Conditions that follow the rider on this white horse are chaotic, not calm. This horseman is on a mission, “as a conqueror bent on conquest.” It is for that reason others have identified this rider as the world leader identified in Revelation 13:1–10, who receives worldwide homage and worship. Even others believe he is the king of the North referred to in Daniel 8:23–25, because barbarians to the north of Palestine were feared for their skillful use of the bow. The Daniel reference to "the king of the north” (cf. Daniel 11) is usually interpreted as pointing to the Russian invader (cf. Ezekiel 38:1–9). The picture is of a mighty conqueror; however, he is called forth and controlled by the Lamb that is worthy to open the scrolls and bring about the final completion of His mission to redeem all of His followers and restore creation to its first glory. Those who are in the care and grace of God have nothing to fear from this “thundering rider.” It is only a signal of redemption!