“…[T]here before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.”

As I read Revelation, I get blessed.  Revelation 1:3 says so.  I don’t know exactly how that works.  I confess I don’t actually feel the blessing.  But that’s what it says, so I believe it.  And I think it’s quite unfortunate that in these latter times there is so much controversy over this book among believers.  I mean, it’s one thing to have an opinion about it.  Many people have their take on what it means.  And I understand that Bible teachers are going to teach what they think it means.  And all that’s fine, well and good.  But to get into arguments with fellow believers about it?  To write books slamming their brothers and sisters in Christ about it?  Does that constitute “blessing”?  Obviously not.

So as I read Revelation, I try to not make it say more than what it says.  Actually, I do that every time I read any portion of the Bible.  And while I admit to being trained in a certain theological school of thought that has a particular opinion about eschatology — the doctrine of “last things” or end times — I really do my best not to allow that theological system to stretch or misrepresent what the text is saying.  No one is perfect at this, so I don’t separate myself from those who take a similar approach.  But having made my admissions and declared my position, let’s see what we come away with from this book.

Revelation essentially describes future events from the writer’s (John’s) point in time.  Some say those future events in relation to us has already passed; others say they’re still future.  Either way, as a developing narrative, chapter 17 describes “Babylon” as the global center of anti-Christian activity.  In chapter 18 we find the account of Babylon’s demise.  At 18:20 we depart this earthly destructive scene for another, which eventually takes us back to heaven where (chapter 19) we find heaven’s take on Babylon’s downfall and the preparation for the “wedding of the Lamb” (v. 7).  This superlative event is the big day that Christ has been waiting for, as all grooms anticipate their wedding day.  Life after the wedding is very different than before.  While neither the wedding nor the reception that typically follows is described, what is told sets the stage for a later scene: the triumphant return of Christ to the earth beginning in verse 11.

The climax of life on earth as we know it begins with “heaven standing open”.  In my own simple way, I imagine a great zipper in the sky from horizon to horizon opening up, suddenly revealing the spiritual realm and its inhabitants.  Presumably, believers down through the ages are now married to God’s Son.  We wear “fine linen, bright and clean…[which] stands for the righteous acts of the saints” (v. 8).  Imagine that: God’s grace allows us to be qualified for this relationship with his Son, and he then permits us to wear linen that represents our own obedience, those “righteous acts”.  If this white linen were commensurate to the amount of righteous acts done by some believers I know, I think it would amount to a g-string or a bikini.  Of course, that went over big when I said that in church … at our communion service!  But I digress…  Coming from heaven back down to earth, I can’t even imagine what that will be like. Having us dressed in linen that stands for our obedience is the witness against all accusations coming from the army gathered below us, proving to them that we belong with Christ, and they obviously don’t.

Then Jesus himself leads the way from heaven to earth on a white horse.  We follow, also on white horses (v. 14).  This is his position as leader.  He once rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:1-7).  Not now.  In Roman times, triumphant parades celebrated great military victories.  The conquering general rode his white horse to the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill.  Up until only recently, military leaders rode horses into battle.  Likewise here.  His white horse unmistakably identifies Jesus as the only who can righteously bring judgment on all those that have gathered to fight him tooth and nail.  Babylon’s smoke is still rising, the lights of human history are dimming, and the rebellion is seconds from ending.  Jesus needs no weapon, for “out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations” (v. 15).  The sword is his word, and he judges them with it because it was his word that Adam and Eve disobeyed in the garden.  It was his Word that people repeatedly disregarded and disobeyed during their lives.  So it is his word that will judge them.  He speaks, and it is over.  Done.  Finished.  The curtain is down.

The Rider of the white horse has graciously reserved your white horse for this descent from heaven with him.  You will wear fine linen, clean and white.  How will it testify of your obedience?