The Horse (a report of my imagination)

 

 

Like the moon when it is in a bright, sun-filled sky,

this mighty creature is rarely noticed.

 

Yet he is a very great creature, indeed there is none other like him.

This horse is not limited to the confines of earth.

He gallops through the heavens where he outruns the light.

The gravity of blackholes that bends light and swallows stars does not cause him to veer from his appointed course at all.

When he gallops it sounds like thunder.

His coat is white, but not like snow. More like the brightest lightning flash you have ever seen if it were magnified many times.

 

This horse has a heart for war.

He knows no fear.

Indeed, he was made without even the capacity of that emotion, for he has no need for it.

Fear would serve no purpose for him and for his appointed task.

If he were released to wage war on his enemies by himself, armies of demons would tremble and flee and even the ancient dragon would retreat before him.

 

But he will never wage war alone.

That would be a great diminishment of his actual task

and a great demotion from the role he is assigned.

Even trampling hordes of demons and vanquishing dragons on his own would be a calling far below his own.

 

For this horse is destined to carry the One who made him,

and this creature is appointed to bear his Creator.

His Rider is Faithful and True, our Savior,

the King of Kings,

and Lord of Lords.

 

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.” (Rev. 19:11 ESV)

 

 

A few thoughts about the book of Revelation and our imagination

The thoughts above are what I imagine the horse Jesus will ride to be like. Of course, the actual details I reported (faster than light) may or may not be literally and precisely true. Which is why it is a report of my imagination.

God gave people the capacity to imagine as part of our set of mental faculties. God also gave us the book of Revelation. And I’m convinced that the book of Revelation is intended to speak to and shape our imaginations. That doesn’t mean that Revelation is not true (it is!) or that it does not contain its own deep logic (it does). But the use of imagery throughout the book finds its home in our imagination more easily than it does in the more analytical corners of our little brains.

Our imaginations can help give us hope in a fallen world, courage in dark times, and motivation to press on with difficult tasks. So, I’m thankful for my imagination, although I’m painfully aware that it can also be easily misused. Reading the book of Revelation is good for us in many ways. One of these ways is that it tends to lead our imaginations to function for the good purposes God intends.

p.s. Don’t you hope that we will get horses, too?

Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .