Revelation 6:2
And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
The rider on the white horse is Christ going forth conquering and to conquer, revealing God's judgments in punishing the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. He goes before His people as their Captain, guide, and counselor, leading them step by step to victory, for victory belongs to the Lord's power and not to human strength. His truth advances onward in victory through His followers, and clothed in His righteousness His church goes into all the world in its final conflict conquering and to conquer. Impelled by His love His people conquer through faith, doing in their weakness the deeds of Omnipotence by His supernatural aid until the conflict ends in victory for those who keep God's commandments and have the faith of Jesus. The Christian is on the battlefield now with no time for ease, and must keep winning one victory after another, gaining new strength from every struggle until through divine strength he proves more than a match for all enemies.
Rider's Identity and Mission
The chapter is full of meaning and reveals the terrible judgments of God. It shows the Lord going forth to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, so that the earth discloses her blood and no more covers her slain. When the plagues of God come upon the earth, hail about the weight of a talent will fall upon the wicked who would not care for and obey God but insulted Him and despised all His mercies.
The rider on the white horse is Christ, who is soon to ride forth conquering and to conquer. He goes before His people as their Captain, guide, and counselor, leading His soldiers, ordering the battle, sending them support, displaying His power, and guiding them step by step to victory while giving them His power for their work. He is the Leader in the great and aggressive warfare of carrying the truth to the world, going forth winning victories and to win still more, and leading believers on from victory to victory with assurance of infallible success. Victory belongs to the Lord's power and not to human strength, and weak, finite people may gain victory through His power.
His soldiers' progress may include apparent setbacks or retreats, but these are temporary and serve to gain a better position, giving way to renewed strength and continued advance. The conflict ends in victory for those who keep God's commandments and have the faith of Jesus, following the banner of God's commandments and the faith of Jesus. Then Christ establishes His kingdom of peace, joy, and everlasting righteousness. Impelled by His love and going forward with faith in His divinity, His people conquer through faith, doing in their weakness the deeds of Omnipotence by His supernatural assistance. The abundant aid of the General of armies is ready in every emergency, with more than angels in their ranks, while they fight the battle of the Lord of hosts in full view of the invisible world.
Christ's truth advances onward in victory, going forth through His followers by the Spirit's power to overcome obstacles and continue to conquer. Clothed in Christ's righteousness, the church goes into all the world in its final conflict, conquering and continuing to conquer. It is victorious despite the struggle immediately before its final deliverance.
Victorious Life for Believers
The white horse rider's going forth to final victory is the assurance that as workers surrender themselves wholly to God He leads them onward to victory. In that advance they carry the truth into strongholds held by Satan, plant the standard of truth there, and take possession for the Lord's side by bringing souls over to Him. It is a work of battle that may leave them bearing its scars, yet the advance continues in triumph.
The Lord goes before His workers in evangelistic service as their Captain, leading the way and moving on to victory. He gives them His power for their work, with power and guidance as they teach and pray for people, and direction by the Holy Spirit while equipped with God's armor. Those so led are to dedicate themselves to Him and deny self. New workers sent in His name become victorious by continuing in well-doing and seeking to become more like Christ. They serve humbly, trust God's Word, learn from Christ, and labor amid poverty and trials to uplift fallen humanity and glorify their Redeemer, developing through the Holy Spirit a character like God's.
The Christian is on the battlefield now, with no time for resting, ease, or selfish indulgence, and must keep winning one victory after another. After one advantage is gained and one temptation is successfully resisted, other temptations of an entirely different character will attack and must be fought again. Strength is gained in the conflict itself, with new power gathered from fresh struggles and from every victory already gained, growing in courage, faith, and determination until through divine strength the believer proves more than a match for all enemies. God's stewards keep advancing in continued victory when they faithfully discharge their duties in His name and strength by believing God's Word and acting on its teachings. Departing from righteousness and relying on one's own judgment instead leads to weakness.
Jesus has made every provision for students to move forward in spiritual progress onward to victory as they trust God, trust His promise, and ask for wisdom in faith. Under Christ's leadership Israel was likewise to advance in faith and courage and reveal their Leader's character through obedience. Christ taught and guarded them, and obedience would have protected them from self-destruction and made them people of understanding. Their failure to trust and obey meant they did not fulfill God's purpose, so that only two who crossed the Red Sea entered the promised land.