The Rider on the White Horse

John sees heaven opened and the rider on the white horse, Faithful and True, who judges and makes war in righteousness. He bears many crowns, eyes of fire, a hidden name, and a robe dipped in blood, and He is called the Word of God. The armies of heaven follow Him in white linen, yet it is He Himself who strikes the nations, rules them with an iron scepter, and treads the winepress of the fury of God's wrath. The title on His robe and thigh, King of kings and Lord of lords, gathers all authority into His person. The paragraph presents Christ not as one contender among many but as the final sovereign judge and king.

T¹¹hen I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. ¹²He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. ¹³He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ¹⁴The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. ¹⁵And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. ¹⁶And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: