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).

 

Today we begin to see the opening of the seven seals. 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 strikes us with unexpected power from the coming storm. There is no doubt from this reading that a storm that has been brewing for millennia is about to strike.

 

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. If you are familiar with the story of Jesus’ life and mission, you will recognize this first horseman. This is Jesus Christ, the one whom God “crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death… for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).

 

This horseman is on a mission, “as a conqueror bent on conquest.” And he comes into the story again later (cf. Revelation 19:11-16). At this point, though, we are invited to picture him at the cutting edge of God’s mission of salvation and restoration. While it causes awe and wonder, for the child of God it should bring a great sense of relief. The end is near, and all is about to be restored to the great glory God intended from the beginning. We may be closer to this day than any might imagine! Be ready!