Summary
The rider on the white horse is revealed as JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. Christ himself, ready at last to conquer the enemies of God.
Analysis
The figure of the rider on the white horse appeared for the first time in Revelation when the Lamb opened the first seal on the scroll. There he is an ambiguous figure, simply described as one to whom a crown is given and who came out “conquering and to conquer” (6:2). Within the context of the three horsemen who follow him (Civil War, Famine, and Death), the rider could easily have been understood as a figure representing Roman military might.
With his second appearance, the rider on the white horse is unequivocally revealed as Jesus Christ himself. John brings together many biblical images for Jesus in this passage. Like the Son of Man, the rider on the white horse has “eyes like flame” (1:14; 19:12). He is called the Word of God (John 1:1; Revelation 19:13). His robe dipped in blood reveals that he is the one who tramples out the winepress of God’s wrath (IsaiahIsaiah, son of Amoz, who prophesied in Jerusalem, is included among the prophets of the eighth century BCE (along with Amos, Hosea, and Micah)--preachers who boldly proclaimed God's word of judgment against the economic, social, and religious disorders of their time. 63:2; Revelation 14:20; 19:13, 15). From his mouth comes a sharp sword (see Isaiah 11:4/Revelation 2:16 – The Word as Sword; Revelation 19:15 – The Sword of Christ’s Mouth) and he rules with a rod of iron (PsalmA psalm is a song of praise. In the Old Testament 150 psalms comprise the psalter, although some of the psalms are laments and thanksgivings. In the New Testament early Christians gathered to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. 2:9; Revelation 19:15).
As at other points in his visions, John explicitly identifies Jesus with God the Father. The rider on the white horse has a name inscribed on his robe and his thigh. He is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:16), titles traditionally belonging only to God. On account of passages like these, Revelation can be said to have the “highest” christology of the books of the New Testament.
