An old childhood memory surfaces to help me pay attention when learning

I have fond memories of discovering two side-by-side pictures in magazines – usually in a doctor's or dentist's office. The content was similar – almost identical – but some items had been added to one of the scenes. On the surface both pictures contained roughly the same content, but there were changes in one and some were so small it was like finding a blade of grass. It took some time to go back and forth between the two to determine the differences. You had to study them intently to accurately find every change. It was a pleasant challenge.

Reading God’s Gift to Us – The Bible

I remember trying to read the Bible as a child from the beginning. The genealogies tried my patience. I remember thinking – so what! Who are all these people with the strange names? Names I couldn't even pronounce! I quickly gave up and invariably found myself skipping to Revelation. This book was so descriptive, full of fascinating information and action. It had amazing imagery, so much so, that I would try to dream of these times to come.

Fast forward to present day. The book of Revelation is indeed one of my favorites, because of the vividly graphic writings, the unveiling of what Jesus Christ reveals to John for us, the messages to the 7 churches, and finally, the conclusion: Ultimate victory to God and Jesus Christ and all who keep His commandments (Revelation 22:14).

Riders on White Horses, A Crown, And Many Crowns

One aspect of Revelation recently grabbed my attention – two riders – both sitting on white horses. “And I (John) looked, and behold, a white horse. And he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:2)

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And he who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns”. (Revelation 19:11-12)

I had always read these two scriptures in isolation. But by placing these passages side by side to make comparisons it was much easier to see a completely clear picture given. It is fascinating to compare and identify who these 2 riders are. The first account depicts Satan and his counterfeit Christianity whilst the second, Jesus Christ and His truth.

A Valuable Lesson Learned

We are not meant to read the Bible without paying attention to the details. We are told, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) and that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

So we are meant to use scripture to interpret scripture. If we take one passage in isolation then we are at risk of not fully understanding what God is trying to tell us.  In the past, I had glossed over these two accounts believing they were one and the same person...after all I thought they were on the same white horse, they had at least one crown each and they came to conquer. That’s where the similarities end.

In the first account the rider has a bow, (a weapon to use for killing) and his crown was given to him – a temporary crown that was given, not earned, not deserved, but given from another with the power to do so. God gave Satan that crown or authority as the ruler over this world ... for now God allows this and Satan can do almost anything he likes. If he was not restrained we would all be destroyed instantly. We are told that Satan is the god of this age and rules in this present evil age (John 12:31; Galatians 1:4).

In the second account the rider came from heaven as Jesus Christ will do upon His return in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. This rider was called Faithful and True. Notice we are not given the name of the first rider because he wanted to be deceptive and cunningly deceive humankind into thinking he is the same as Jesus Christ! (2 Corinthians 11:14) The second horseman was called Faithful and True and in righteousness he judges and makes war. We know this rider is Jesus Christ, because Jesus is righteous and he is faithful and His word is Truth. (John 14:6, 17:17).

A Warning

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:  If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the book of life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book”. (Revelation 22:18-19)

Satan takes away, adds to, and twists every good thing from God without ceasing in order to cause people to stumble. He wants to confuse, and to deceive. He is full of maniacal obsessed insanity fueled by pride, vanity, lust for power and violence. His ultimate objective is to separate us from God and Jesus Christ. He poses as Christ, how devious his plan is. He wants to fool those who do not have a close relationship with God.

The Bible is the one seriously believable source we can trust in and it is there to be read diligently, carefully, preciously, to help us know and understand all matters pertaining to our loving Almighty Father and His son, Jesus the Christ. The Bible is there to explain how to live our lives and develop our relationship with God, Jesus, and one another.

By being alert and paying attention to rightly divide the Word of Truth in every matter, so that we do not stumble is mandatory for all of God’s children. Learning and studying can be so much fun and by comparing these two pictures on a very important matter, I had a brief unexpected memory recall from a time when things seemed so much more lighthearted. I am now grown and the time is at hand to be seriously diligent in discerning the difference between the god of this age and the soon coming Lord of Lords and King of Kings, who will usher in His Kingdom to righteously rule the world (Revelation 19:16).