Riding the Great White Horse
On my way to the church each morning, I make a point of looking to my left and checking out the small white horses in the corral just east of the bright red barn.
In modern-day culture, the one who rides the white horse is the “good guy,” the noble one. Likewise, in the Book of Revelation 19 (11-16), the White Horse is believed to be carrying Jesus as our Savior, suppressing all evildoers and conquering all sin.
Here is John’s account of that vision: “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Now that, in contrast to the white horse believed to be the antichrist in the sixth chapter of Revelation, is quite a striking image of the Lord coming in glory to rescue his people. It is, indeed, a reassuring vision of God’s great power and might.
The little white horses on Warner Hill are no match for the great White Horse, but they still provide for me an assurance of God’s other side — his purity, gentleness, compassion, grace, mercy, and, of course, love.