And I saw when the Lamb opened one out from the seven seals, and I heard one out from the four living creatures saying, as a voice of thunder, “Come and see.” And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and the one sitting upon it having a bow, and a victor’s wreath was given to him, and he went out conquering and in order that he should conquer (Revelation 6:1–2).
The Tribulation period begins when Christ opens the first seal of the scroll, which has seven seals and writing on both sides. At this time, the Church has been raptured and fully glorified. Now, as the bride of Christ, all grace believers are participating in their priestly service to God in their order, as represented by the twenty-four elders on the thrones (Revelation 4:4).
Christians are saved from the wrath to come by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9). Therefore, the events in the book of Revelation are not to cause distress for the Church (Revelation 1:3). Those of the Church are not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Since the Church has no part in the wrath of the Tribulation, the man of Lawlessness who makes a seven-year peace treaty with Israel cannot rise until the Church has been taken home. Thus the Dispensation of Grace has ended (2 Thessalonians 2:6–7). Even the ten nations of the revived Roman empire must wait to rise until God is finished building Christ’s assembly and separating for Himself a people to proclaim His praise (1 Peter 2:9; Titus 2:14). These nations only rise to give the Man of Lawlessness authority (Revelation 17:12).
The first seal is represented by a white horse, with the rider wearing a victor’s wreath and holding a bow. This represents one who has come in victory. The Man of Lawlessness will rise on the back of the worldwide ecumenical system that rises after the Church is taken from the earth and the ten kings of the revived Roman Empire. He goes out to conquer, and will do so with peace; offering a seven-year peace treaty with the nation of Israel, who have been brought back into the land by God (Deuteronomy 30:1–3; Daniel 9:27).
The lack of an arrow with his bow indicates his peace is based upon words, not power. Thus, the world will perceive itself to be at peace when sudden destruction comes upon it at the opening of the second seal (1 Thessalonians 5:2–3).
