As John gazed on the scene before him he was approached by an angel who asked those around God’s throne, “Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?” But no one in heaven, nor on earth, neither under the earth was able to open the book (4:1,2). But there was One Who could–“the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof” (5). To “open the book” meant to reveal the meaning of the symbols found within it–to bring understanding to those with eyes to see and a heart to believe what would transpire between the breaking of the seals and the return of Jesus Christ to earth.

As Jesus takes the book something happens. “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy art Thou to take the scroll and to open the seals thereof, for Thou wast slain and by Thy blood didst ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and hast made them a kingdom of priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth'” (5:9,10). Three important things come to light at this point: 1) The Lord’s saints will come from every nation, people and tongue, 2) they will rule and reign with Him on earth (not heaven) where He will establish the Kingdom of God upon His return, and 3) priests speak the Words of their Master. This kingdom of priests will be made up only of those who believed and obey the Words of the Biblical God in this life. See What is Truth? Life After Death and The Kingdom of God.

For over some 2000 years God has prevented mankind from understanding the meanings of the Book of Revelation. Now, with the Apocalypse (revealing) beginning to take place at the end of the end times, certain men have been given understanding of the symbols. In chapter six we find Jesus opening the first seal: “And I saw … a white horse, and he that sat upon him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him and he went forth conquering and to conquer” (vs 2). At this point the symbolism begins. What did the white-clad rider on the white horse symbolize? White symbolizes purity. Someone would pretend to be Jesus Christ working to save mankind. In Matthew 24:4,5 we find the Lord referring to a white horse and rider. When asked by His disciples when the end of the age would come Jesus spoke somewhat symbolically: “… take heed that NO MAN DECEIVE YOU.” For many men would come claiming to be His representatives and would DECEIVE MANY (the masses). In Jude 3,4 we learn how that has happened. Here God, through Jude tells the saints to “… earnestly contend for THE FAITH once delivered to them …. For certain MEN HAVE CREPT IN (to the church) UNAWARES (who would) turn the GRACE of our Lord into LASCIVIOUSNESS (a license to sin), (thereby) DENYING THE ONLY GOD AND OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Here the Lord was warning that false prophets in the church would come preaching a “You’re just a helpless sinner saved by grace. Because you are already saved you need only repent of your inevitable sins in order to go to heaven” message. Through this perverted gospel (Gal. 1:6-9) Satan has deceived the masses of professing Christendom into accepting “another Jesus” (2 Cor. 11:4) known Biblically as Tammuz (Eze. 8:14). See Christmas. The rider on the white horse is Satan; the false prophets are his messengers who occupy the tens of thousands of pulpits found throughout the church world. Through his heathen doctrines the devil has “conquered” the religious masses in the past and will continue “to conquer” more God-seekers until Christ returns. See Bait and Switch. The white horse rider symbolizes RELIGIOUS DECEPTION (Rev. 12:9) which will continue to grow in terms of adherents and power over their lives until the end of the age. See The Ingathering. To be continued. L.J.