Revelation 6

The First Seal—The Conqueror

1 Then I saw as the Lamb (Christ) broke one of the seven *6:1 A seal, sphragis, could only be broken by the one who has authority over it. In breaking the seals and disclosing God’s judgments, Christ demonstrated His own divine authority over creation.seals [of the scroll initiating the judgments], and I heard one of the four living creatures call out as with a voice of thunder, "*6:1 One early ms reads Come and see. Also vv 3, 5, 7.Come." 2 I looked, and behold, a *6:2 Some interpreters note that the rabbis said that if one sees a white horse in a dream, it is a good sign (Talmud). Jewish believers who heard these words being read in their church (see 1:3) probably would think that the vision indicated Israel would soon be freed from foreign domination. In the Roman world a white horse was a symbol of victory in battle. In this case the peace is deceptive because it will not be lasting. Other interpreters argue that the horseman represents the conquering Christ, as in 19:11.white horse [of victory] whose rider carried a *6:2 Without an arrow (if arrows are not to be assumed) the bow may symbolize a bloodless victory or conquest.bow; and a crown [of victory] was given to him, and he rode forth conquering and to conquer. [Ps 45:4, 5; Zech 1:8; 6:1-8]