Is Jesus the First Horseman?

Who is the first horseman in Revelation? The Watchtower teaches that the first horseman is Jesus Christ himself, but is this Biblical? Does this idea line up with the rest of scripture? Lets take a look:

When we compare Revelation 6 with Matthew 24, the answer is clear:

 

And I saw when the Lamba opened one of the seven seals,b and I heard one of the four living creaturesc say with a voice like thunder: “Come!” ²  And I saw, and look! a white horse,d and the one seated on it had a bow; and a crown was given him,e and he went out conquering and to complete his conquest.f Revelation 6:1-2 (NWT)

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. Revelation 6:1-2 (KJV)

Now the first contradiction you’ll see here in scripture is the Lamb (Jesus) opens the seals. So if Jesus is supposed to be the first horseman as the JW’s state, why is he also opening his own seal? Not saying that it would be impossible for Jesus to do this, but does it really make logical sense?

Second we notice the rider of the first horse is carrying a bow, The bow in the Bible is also symbolic for deceit , reference (Psalm 64:3-4, Hosea 7:16, Jeremiah 9:3, Psalm 78:56-57)

Next lets take a look at Jesus teachings from Matthew 24 known as the Olivet Discourse. You will notice Jesus teachings line up perfectly with the four horseman prophecies in Revelation 6

⁴  In answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads you,e ⁵  for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.f Matthew 24:4-5 (NWT)

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:4-5 (KJV)

Jesus is going to give the 4 signs of the end, notice how that lines up with the 4 Horseman. The first sign (Horseman) is the Anti-Christ. Now we can argue if the AntiChrist is one person or a group of people, however the point here is the first horseman is about deception. This would guarantee the first horseman is not Jesus himself

You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet.g Matthew 24:6 (NWT)

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6 (KJV)

When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creatureg say: “Come!” ⁴  Another came out, a fiery-colored horse, and it was granted to the one seated on it to take peace away from the earth so that they should slaughter one another, and he was given a great sword.h Revelation 6:3-4 (NWT)

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. Revelation 6:3-4 (KJV)

If you compare Matthew 24 and Revelation 6, you see they line up perfectly and the second sign and horseman is war

When he opened the third seal,i I heard the third living creaturej say: “Come!” And I saw, and look! a black horse, and the one seated on it had a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶  I heard what sounded like a voice in the midst of the four living creatures say: “A quart* of wheat for a de·narʹi·us*k and three quarts of barley for a de·narʹi·us; and do not harm the olive oil and the wine.”l Revelation 6:5-6 (NWT)

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. Revelation 6:5-6 (KJV)

For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom,h and there will be food shortagesi and earthquakes in one place after another.j Matthew 24:7 (NWT)

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Matthew 24:7 (KJV)

Notice Revelation and Matthew line up as the third sign and horse will be famine

When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creaturem say: “Come!” ⁸  And I saw, and look! a pale horse, and the one seated on it had the name Death. And the Grave* was closely following him. And authority was given them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with a long sword and with food shortagen and with deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth.o Revelation 6:7-8 (NWT)

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. Revelation 6:7-8 (KJV)

Then people will hand you over to tribulationk and will kill you,l and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name.m Matthew 24:9 (NWT)

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Matthew 24:9 (KJV)

The 4^th Horseman/Sign is Death. Notice Jesus talks about how his followers will be killed for his name. Another thing to notice throughout all the seals, Jesus opened every seal.

The fact that many people , including the Jehovah Wittnesses, are deceived that the First Horseman is Christ, shows you how deceptive the Anti Christ will be. When he comes many will believe He is the Christ, but he is actually the Son of Perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

In Revelation 19, we see Jesus riding on a white horse and the assumption is made that he is also the first horseman. But there are many differences between the two:

1. The Anti Christ is carrying a bow (deceit) while Jesus is carrying a sword (Rev 19: 15)
2. The Anti Christ is riding on Earth, while Jesus was riding from Heaven (Rev 19:11)
3. The Anti Christ has one crown on his head, Jesus has many crowns on his head (Rev 19:12)
4. The Anti Christ is not identified while Jesus is clearly identified as the Word of God (Rev 19:13)
5. The Anti Christ is alone while Jesus is followed by many followers also on horses (Rev 19:14)
6. The Anti Christ does not have a scepter while Jesus rules with a rod of Iron (Rev 19:15)
7. The Anti Christ has no identification while Jesus is clearly identified as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords ( Rev 19:16)

 

Please also reference : Zechariah 6, Ezekiel 14:20-21