WH - The White Horse

WH1

CONCERNING THE WHITE HORSE
as described in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 19.

In the writings of John, in the Book of Revelation,
the following is a description
of the Word in its spiritual sense,
in other words the sense contained within it,
or its 'inner meaning:'

I saw heaven standing open,
and behold, a White Horse.
And the one sitting on the White Horse
was called faithful and true,
judging and fighting in righteousness.
His eyes were a flame of fire,
and on His head were many jewels.
He had a name inscribed that no one knew
but He Himself.
And He was dressed in a garment dyed with blood,
and His name is called the Word of God.
The armies that followed Him in heaven
were on white horses,
they themselves dressed in clean white linen.
On His garment and on His thigh
was written a name,
King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
(Revelation 19:11-14,16)

It is stated plainly
that the one seated on the White Horse is the Word,
and He is the Lord who is the Word,
for what is said is
that His name is called The Word of God;
and then, He has written
on His garment and on His thigh
the title King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

From the interpretation
of each individual phrase or statement
it is clear that all this serves to describe
the spiritual sense or internal meaning of the Word.
The phrase 'heaven which was standing open'
represents and signifies
that the inner meaning of the Word
is seen by those in heaven,
and consequently also by those on earth
for whom heaven stands open.
'A horse which was white' represents and signifies
an understanding of the Word
as regards its inner meanings.
That the 'white horse' means what I have said
will be clear from what follows.

It is clear that 'the one seated on it'
means the Lord in His capacity as the Word,
and thus means the Word itself,
for it is stated that
'His name is called the Word of God;'
and he is called 'faithful'
and 'judging in righteousness'
because of His goodness;
and 'true' and 'fighting in righteousness'
because of His truth,
for the Lord Himself is righteousness.
'His eyes a flame of fire' signify divine truth
radiating from the divine good
flowing from His divine love.
The 'many jewels on His head'
signify all the good and true properties of faith.
Having a 'name written which no one knew
other than He Himself'
signifies that no one sees
what is the nature of the Word
in its inner meaning except Himself,
and one to whom He reveals it.

'Dressed in a garment dyed with blood'
signifies the violence done
to the Word in its literal meaning.
'The armies in heaven
which followed Him on white horses'
signifies those who understand the Word
as regards its inner meanings.
'Those dressed in clean white linen'
signifies the same people who are endowed
with truth arising from what is good.
'On His garment and on His thigh a name written '
signifies what is true and what is good
and their specific qualities.

From all these verses,
and from those which come before and after them,
it is clear that they serve to foretell
that the spiritual or internal sense of the Word
will be laid open at around the final time of the Church;
and what will happen at that time
is also described there, Revelation 19:17-21.