The Bible has much to say about horses. 41 verses mention horses, 56 verses talk of horsemen. Horses in the Bible represent strength, speed, and safety. God also warns those who put their trust in horses: “A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.” (Ps 32:9) Horses were often used in war during Bible times. Remember the story of Pharoah and his army of horsemen and horse drawn chariots, which had the children of Israel trapped against the Red Sea. Imagine the terror of the Israelites when they heard the thunder of horse hooves, and saw the cloud of dust - Pharaoh’s army beating down on them. We see war horses in many Bible stories and in world history. The richest kings gathered the most powerful horses and fastest chariots they could find. They traveled to far countries to get the finest horses. But God often defeated such powerful armies with small groups of foot-soldiers who trusted God, like Gideon. “The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but safety is of the Lord.” (Prov 21:31) Americans raise horses to race, or show, or for ranching. They are still used to work cattle. Many cities still have horse mounted police patrols. Remember the recent news stories about U.S. Border Agents patrolling on horseback along the border. No other creature really compares with horses. They are magnificent. God made them. No machine can completely replace horses. They can still go places where man can’t go alone; places the most rugged vehicles can’t go.
Did you know horses will fly?
Horses have special significance in the last book of the Bible: Revelation.
The Red Horse in Rev 6 symbolizes God’s judgement of a horrible, widespread, final war in the earth. The Old Testament prophet Zechariah was also given a vision of a man riding a red horse, and many red horses standing behind him under the myrtle trees. The large number of these red horses meant that a severe judgement of war would come. The myrtle tree signified peace and tranquility, but even in such tranquil and prosperous times, war is often lurking and God’s judgement, impending. We think America could not see war on our own soil, but that is presumption on God’s mercy.
The Black horse of Rev 6 verse 5 symbolizes the coming judgement of famine. The rider on this black horse holds a set of scales, which signifies such scarcity of food that grain will be carefully measured to each person. A man’s entire daily wage (represented by a penny) will only buy him one daily ration of grain: only enough to feed himself (one measure).
The Pale horse in verse 7 signifies Death – that many will be killed with the sword of war, and with the hunger of famine introduced by the other horses. And hell followed the pale horse, which means many will go to Hell for eternity.
But Good News! The Last horse in the Bible, a white horse, in Rev 19, has a Triumphant Rider on it - Jesus! He is called “Faithful and True”. His eyes are like a flame of fire (for purity). Nothing is hid from Him, and his searching gaze sees all our thoughts and actions. He wears a red robe - dipped in Blood, His own blood shed on the cross for sinners. His name is the Word of God – the Logos of the Father (John 1). Out of His mouth is a sharp sword which he uses to smite the nations – those who did not come to know Him in this life. They will be held accountable to God’s eternal Truth. It doesn’t matter that you don’t believe the Bible. You will be judged by the law of God.
His fantastic saddle is engraved “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords”. On his head are many crowns. He is the King of all nations, and the Lord of every man. When He came to earth the first time, as a man, He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and bled for our sins on a Roman cross. At His 2nd coming Jesus will return on a Glorious White Horse, a war animal, bringing judgement to all of God’s enemies. None escape.
Those who followed Him in this life are also following behind him when He comes to judge the earth in Rev 19: they are on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. This represents their perfect righteousness before God - The spotless righteousness of Jesus Christ Himself, written on their record page in the book of God. It’s just as if they never sinned! It’s the last Rodeo, and all the riders are glorious.
Jesus is returning “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess 1:8) Have you obeyed the gospel? Have you washed your robes white in the blood of the Lamb? Have you turned your back on your sinning? Have you bowed your knee to King Jesus? Are you following Jesus? If you aren’t following him now, you will not be following him then, on a white horse and clothed in white. You will be beneath His sword, judged by the Word which proceeds from His mouth.
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12
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