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The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse 47

Now the other Greek word for “crown” -- DI.ADEMA -- is commented on by Allen C.
Myers in the Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary:

Also in Revelation Gk. “Diadema” indicates a ROYAL CROWN, worn by the dragon
(12:3, unlike the crown worn by the woman with child mentioned at V.1), the beast (13:1),
and THE RIDER OF THE WHITE HORSE (19:12) who has MANY diadems because of
his authority over ALL KINGS.

The Bible dictionary, Insight On the Scriptures, has this to say –

In the Christian Greek Scriptures, the Greek word DI.A’DE.MA is rendered “diadem” by
modern translators. It is always used as a SYMBOL OF KINGLY DIGNITY, whether
real or merely claimed. The “great fiery-colored dragon” (Satan the Devil) has a diadem
upon each of its seven heads. (Rev. 12:3, 9) A diadem adorns each of the ten horns of the
symbolic seven-headed “wild beast” that ascends out of “the sea.” (Rev. 13:1)....Also at
Revelation 6:2 and 14:14, Jesus Christ is pictured as wearing a crown (STE’PHA.NOS).

Here we clearly see the difference between the white horse of Revelation 6:2 and the white
horse and rider of Revelation 19:12. The rider of the white horse in Revelation 6:2 wears the
ste’pha.nos -- a symbol of Christian triumph and the reward of a faithful Christian course -- while
the rider in Revelation 19:12 wears the crown or diadem of Kingly dignity and the power to rule.
The first horse (Revelation 6:2) represents the going forth of YEHOVAH’s Truth, proclaimed
powerfully by Yeshua himself and then by the apostles and disciples as they took the gospel mes-
sage to the four corners of the known world; while the last horse (Revelation 19:12) represents
YEHOVAH God Himself returning to earth in His Shekinah Glory to once again take up residence
in a newly built Temple.

Conquering and To Conquer

If we are still uncertain regarding the identity of the rider of the white horse in Revelation
6:2, the last words of the passage -- “And he went forth conquering and to conquer” -- should surely
make the matter perfectly clear. The entire clause is a most wonderful and descriptive explanation
of the Messiah’s career in the New Testament. “He went forth conquering” -- these words bring up
before our minds the early triumphs of the gospel of the Kingdom of God, from the day it was first
proclaimed “with the holy spirit sent down from heaven” to the end of the Book of Acts. And all the
way from Jerusalem to Rome to Britain.

Then the last three words -- “and to conquer” -- carry our thoughts forward to “the end,” re-
ferred to by the apostle Paul in I Corinthians 15 where he unfolds the gospel of the Kingdom of God:
“Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when he puts an end to all
rule and all authority and power. For he must reign till he has put all enemies under his feet. The last
enemy that will be destroyed is death” (24-26). It is to this last victory over death and the grave that
the words “and to conquer” especially refer -- for chapter 20:14 of the Book of Revelation records
this final triumph, saying: “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.” And then, refer-
ring to the same event, the apostle Paul says in I Corinthians 15:54-55: “Then shall be brought to

The Berean Voice September-October 2002