Revelation 6:1-2 meaning

In Revelation 6:1-2, the scroll that was revealed in Revelation 5 is now being opened. The Lamb, Jesus, is the only one in all of heaven, and earth, and under the earth, who was found to be qualified to break the seals and open the scroll (Revelation 5:3-5). This fits with Matthew 28:18 where Jesus told His disciples that He had been granted all authority in heaven and on earth. Philippians 2:5-9 tells us this authority was given because Jesus obeyed His Father in all things, and learned obedience, even to death on the cross. 

We saw in Revelation 3:21 that as a reward for overcoming the world, Jesus was given to sit with His Father on His throne. Jesus was already God, and was present at the creation (Colossians 1:16-17). We can presume He already had authority as God. Therefore, it follows that Jesus was given to share the throne of His Father also as a human. Because of His faithfulness, Jesus was given the title “Son” over the earth and crowned with the glory and honor to have dominion over the earth, according to God’s original design for humans (Hebrews 1:5, 13, 2:5-9). 

We will see that as Jesus, the Lamb, breaks each of the first four seals, authority will be given to each horseman that appears. The word “throne” appears roughly forty times in Revelation, and refers to authority. Throughout Revelation, God is always on His throne, and all events are authorized by Him. There are no events in Revelation that occur without authorization from the throne.

A seal in ancient times was used to secure a scroll. The scroll would have a wax binder with a mark of authority making it clear who was allowed to break the wax and unroll the scroll, revealing its contents. In this case, the picture is of a scroll that has multiple seals. Once one seal is broken, the scroll can be unrolled and part of its contents read, until it comes to another seal. In this instance, the scroll has seven such seals. 

Only Jesus, the Lamb, has the authority to break the seals. It is inferred that without the authority granted to Jesus, the Lamb of God, the events revealed by the scroll would not otherwise occur. That would mean the culmination of human history and the restoration of creation would not transpire. This might explain why in the previous chapter, John began to weep when there was not initially anyone found worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:4). 

There are seven seals on the scroll, so each time the Lamb breaks open a seal, the contents of that part of the scroll will be revealed. But rather than someone just reading what is on the page, the story comes to life, and John watches the scene from the throne room of God. 

So, as John saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, he heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come” (v. 1). This one of the four living creatures is not a human and does not appear to be an angel, but is living and has the ability to speak. The creature appears to exercise authority on God’s behalf. 

We met these four living creatures in Revelation 4:6-8, where they were introduced as attendants of God’s throne who continually glorified God. Now one of the four living creatures gives a command to the opened portion of the scroll. The living creature’s voice is like thunder. The creature’s command is “Come.”

At that command, John looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer (v. 2). 

What are commonly referred to as the “four horsemen of the apocalypse” are individually introduced in the first four seals, one horseman with each seal. The word apocalypse comes from the Greek “apokalyptica,” which means “uncovering.” When you uncover something, it reveals what is underneath. So, the apocalypse is the revelation, and these horsemen are bringing destruction. The Greek word “apokalypsis” is translated as “Revelation” in Revelation 1:1, which gives this book its name. 

The first of these four horsemen is on a white horse. And this horseman had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer (v. 2) 

Later horsemen will have swords to take life. This first horseman has a bow. The bow is one of the weapons used in military conquest in much of human history. Archers would rain arrows upon their enemies as they advanced, to soften the target. This is similar to modern uses of artillery. Then after the target is softened, the soldiers engage. This might indicate that the first horseman is the initiator of the violence that will spread throughout the earth. 

The horseman already had a bow indicating a readiness to fight. But the horseman was given a crown. A crown represents authority. It is implied that this conquering horseman was ready and waiting to conquer, but was only allowed to do so when he was authorized from God’s throne room. This is consistent with other scriptures that indicate all authority on earth is only in power because it was appointed by God (Romans 13:1). 

In this case, this horseman represents an earthly authority that is authorized to conquer. 

The words translated as conquer and conquering here both have the Greek root “nikao,” the same word translated as “overcome” in Chapter 3 in the letter to the church in Laodicea: 

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes (‘nikao’), I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame (‘nikao’) and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
(Revelation 3:20-21)

In these verses, the church in Laodicea is given a promise, that those among them who overcome will be given power and authority alongside Jesus. Connecting this back to Revelation 1, the instruction to read, hear, and heed (Revelation 1:3), the way believers are to conquer is by listening to God’s voice. 

The person on the white horse did not already have the crown; it was given to him, and with it he went out conquering and to conquer (v. 2). God gave him the authority to go out and conquer (“nikao”). But this time it is not a conquering of sin and death, as Jesus conquered. It is inferred from context that this conqueror is conquering physically with armed violence from his bow. 

We are not told at this point why God has authorized this, but we are going to see each of the rest of the four horsemen also given authority to bring different kinds of destruction. What will unfurl is a series of severe judgments upon the earth, which ultimately results in the imposition of a kingdom of righteousness.

That this horseman is said to be both conquering as well as going out to conquer might indicate a number of things. First, it might indicate an emphasis, by repetition, that this conquering is next level. It is inferred from subsequent passages that this horseman will conquer the entire earth. It appears there will be a federation of kingdoms brought under the power of one ruler that Revelation calls the “beast” (Revelation 11:7, 13:1). 

It could also indicate that this horseman is continuously conquering and only has one goal: to conquer. This is consistent with the coming passages where the beast will require the entire world to take his mark or be excluded from commerce (Revelation 13:17).