Read Revelation 6:1-2.
The Judgments
In this and the coming chapters of Revelation, there are three sets of judgments that will be delivered, each subsequent set building on the previous. The judgments begin with the seals of chapter 6, continue with the trumpets of chapter 8, and end with the bowl judgments of chapter 16. It is recognized that some see each set of judgments as restatements of one another. However, without explanation (far beyond the scope of this venue) let us go with the understanding that the judgments are sequential. Let us also assume that these judgments are not figurative of past church history, but rather of events that will take place in the future. (As noted by one commentator, “All attempts to find fulfillment of the seals in history have failed to yield any uniform interpretation with no two commentators agreeing. Actually there is no sequence in history that clearly corresponds to these events.”[1])
Beginning with the seal judgments, these will occur some time after the rapture of the church. Commentators are divided over where the seal judgments lie in the sequence of events in the tribulation period, but many premillenialists (which is the official position of FBC) understand these to occur at the beginning of the second half of the tribulation period (i.e. 3-1/2 years after the church has been raptured) or perhaps leading up to the second half of the tribulation period. This is due in part to prophecy given in the book of Daniel that gives a 7 year duration for the tribulation period, beginning with 3-1/2 years of temporary peace (Dan. 9:27). (Forgive me if this is getting a little much into the details.) At any rate, the seal judgments either mark the beginning of God’s wrath or are preparatory to it.
The Seals
The breaking of the first four seals is each accompanied by a horseman and the command of one of the creatures around the throne to “Come!” or “Come forth!”. The first broken seal sets into motion “a white horse” seated by a man with “a bow” and “a crown” set off to conquer. Who is this man? Of all the horsemen, this is the most difficult to ascertain. My first thought was that this was Jesus Christ leading the way for God’s wrath. The white horse, a conquering king fit the motif. However, after closer examination, this is probably not Christ in part because this horseman or his horse is not seen as significantly different from the other three. Christ would surely be characterized as the most prominent of the four. In addition, it is Christ who opens the seal, and it would seem improbable that He would also be the one who comes forth from the seal. Mine is not to venture too far here since there are so many views on this seal that it becomes almost futile to spend much time deliberating. But perhaps the most compelling view is that this horseman represents the Antichrist who, according to 2 Thess. 2:7-8, Dan. 7:8, 20; 8:9; and 11:40-43, will wage war on the world with sweeping success. It is interesting to note that Jesus begins his description of end time events in Matthew 24 with a warning that many will come in His name saying, “I am the Christ.” (Matt. 24:5) The picture of the first horseman riding on a white horse and wearing a crown is a fitting disguise. It is a good reminder that even today Satan hides behind many disguises. His deception often comes with a friendly face, but his intent will be to turn people away from the One true and living God. This calls for attention on our part to heed the words of Christ: “See to it that no one misleads you.” (Matt. 24:4)
[1] Walvoord, Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 947.