Revelation 19:11
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Study Note
Study Note
The vision of heaven opened and a white horse whose rider is called 'Faithful and True' and who 'in righteousness he judges and makes war' draws on Isaiah 11:4 (the messianic king who judges with righteousness) and Isaiah 63:1-6 (the warrior returning from Edom in blood-stained garments). The title 'Faithful and True' (pistos kai alēthinos) contrasts with the beast's deceptive power (13:14) and the great prostitute's deceptions (18:23), establishing the rider's authority as grounded in truth rather than propaganda. The 'eyes like a flame of fire' and the 'many diadems' recall the christophany of Revelation 1:14 and contrast with the beast's ten diadems (13:1), asserting comprehensive sovereignty. The verb 'judges' before 'makes war' indicates that the warfare is itself the execution of a just verdict — divine justice and divine power are here identical.
Other Translations
And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
And I saw the heaven having been opened, and lo, a white horse, and he who is sitting upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness doth he judge and war,
And the heaven was open; and I saw a white horse, and he who was seated on it was named Certain and True; and he is judging and making war in righteousness.
Cross References
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy …
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in …
Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, …
Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people …
The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the …
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.