"In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white clothing and had golden stéphanos (crowns) on their heads." (Revelation 4:4).
COLORS AND CROWNS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Greek word used for the color of the red horse [G4450 purrhos] of the second seal in Revelation 6:4 is the same as the word used for the color of the red dragon in Revelation 12:3 - the only two verses in the entire New Testament which use that particular word to describe that color.
When it comes to the color white in the Revelation, we find the following:-
- Jesus' head and hair appear white like wool (Rev 1:14).
- A white stone with a saint's name written on it (Rev 2:17).
- The white raiment of the saints (Rev.3:5 & 18; 6:11; 7:9, 13 & 14).
- The white clothing of the 24 elders (Rev 4:4).
- The white clothing of angels (Rev 15:6).
- The white raiment of the bride of Christ (Rev 19:8).
- The Great White Throne (Rev 20:11).
- Christ seated on a white cloud (Rev 14:14).
- Christ returns on a white horse, leading His armies (Rev 19:11 & 14).
- Christ's armies are riding white horses (Rev 19:14).
So far, the color white never represents anything evil or impure in the Revelation.
The first horseman of the first seal in the Apocalypse is also riding a white horse (Revelation 6:2).
TYPES OF CROWNS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Also, the horseman of the first seal who is riding a white horse is given a stéphanos (crown). The two types of crowns mentioned in the New Testament are:
(a) stéphanos (crown) [Strongs Greek Dictionary] 04735 στέφανος stéphanos
from an apparently primary στέφω stéphō, (to twine or wreathe).
(b) diádēma (crown) [StrongsGreek Dictionary] 01238 διάδημα diádēma
from a compound of 1223 and 1210; a "diadem" (as bound about the head):--crown.
Strong's Greek Dictionary defines the stéphanos as: A chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, 1238), literally or figuratively:--crown.
The Wikipedia article about the diadem as a crown states that "The head regalia worn by Roman emperors, from the time of Diocletian onwards, is described as a diadem in the original sources.
THIS IS WHAT THE NEW TESTAMENT ASSOCIATES
WITH A stéphanos, AND WHAT IT ASSOCIATES WITH A diádēma:-
1. Stéphanos (a received crown)
WORN BY THE SAINTS:
I Corinthians 9:25:
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible stephanos (crown); but we an incorruptible".
Philippians 4:1:
"Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and stephanos (crown), so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved."
I Thessalonians 2:19:
"For what is our hope, or joy, or stephanos (crown) of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"
II Timothy 4:8:
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a stephanos (crown) of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
James 1:12:
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the stephanos (crown) of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
I Peter 5:4:
"And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a stephanos (crown) of glory that fadeth not away."
Revelation 2:10:
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a stephanos (crown) of life."
Revelation 3:11:
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy stephanos (crown)."
WORN BY THE 24 ELDERS:
Revelation 4:4:
"And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads stephanos (crowns) of gold."
Revelation 4:10:
"The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their stephanos (crowns) before the throne."
WORN BY THE WOMAN WHO GAVE BIRTH TO THE MESSIAH:
Revelation 12:1:
"And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a stephanos (crown) of twelve stars."
"STEPHANOS" (CROWN) MADE OF THORNS PLACED ON CHRIST'S HEAD WHEN HE HAD BEEN ARRESTED - IN ORDER TO MOCK HIM:
Matthew 27:29 (parallel Mark 15:17 and John 19:2 & 5):
"And when they had platted a stephanos (crown) of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!"
WORN BY JESUS WHEN HE COMES ON A WHITE CLOUD TO GATHER HIS HARVEST:
Revelation of John 14:14:
"And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden stephanos (crown), and in his hand a sharp sickle."
-- Consistently so far, a stephanos (crown) is something that is an honor to wear, and those who wear it are considered honorable. --
Revelation 6:2 - the first horseman of the first seal:
"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a stephanos (crown) was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."
NOT HONORABLE CREATURES: "AS IT WERE" STEPHANOS (CROWNS) SEEN ON THE HEADS OF THE LOCUSTS OF THE FIFTH TRUMPET, WHO CAME OUT OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT:
Revelation of John 9:7:
"And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were stéphanos (crowns) like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men."
2. Diádēma crown (kingship)
John saw many diádēma (crowns) on the head of Christ in Revelation 19:12; and "He has on His garment, and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" in Revelation 19:16. *
* Only Jesus is spoken of as wearing both types of crown in the Revelation: a stephanos in Revelation 14:14; and many diadema in Revelation 19:16.
Otherwise only the dragon's heads and the beast's 10 kings are wearing diadema (crowns) in the Revelation (Revelation 12:3 & Revelation 13:1).
THE FIRST HORSEMAN OF THE FIRST SEAL OF THE REVELATION
"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 stephanos (crown) was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." (Revelation 6:1-2).
Did you notice that no arrows are mentioned with his bow? Then how does he conquer, if not in the following way?
"Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6) .
"And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand, two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." (Revelation 11:3).
"And when they complete their testimony, the beast coming up out of the abyss will make war against [My two witnesses] and will overcome them and kill them." (Rev.11:7).
Given the metaphor used, do you believe that the first horse of the first seal suggests or implies an "Antichrist spirit"?
THE SECOND SEAL: A RED HORSE AND NO CROWN
In contrast to the first one, the second horseman is riding a red (Greek: pyrrhós) horse (which is the exact same color of the dragon in Revelation 12:3).
These two verses (Revelation 6:4: The red horse of the second seal, and Revelation 12:3: The red dragon) are the only two verses in the entire New Testament where the word pyrrhós is used.
The rider on the red horse is given a great sword and "power was given to him sitting on it, to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another" (Revelation 6:4) *
* Revelation 13:2 tells us that the red dragon of Revelation 12:3 will give the beast his seat, his power, and great authority.
- The rider of the red horse is not given a crown. He is given a "sword" (it's a metaphorical sword) and he uses it to take peace from the earth and to cause people to kill one another.
Given the metaphor used, do you believe that the rider of a horse that's the same color as the dragon of the Revelation, who is given "a great sword" and "goes out taking peace from the earth and causing people to kill one another" speaks of an Antichrist spirit, or perhaps of a 'beast' controlled by a dragon?
Why then do so many Bible teaches and Revelation commentators assert that the first horseman seen in the first seal represents someone who is commonly called "the Antichrist"?
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