With heaven standing wide open there is clearly so much to see. But what catches John’s eye is not God or his throne or the Lamb or the angels (or even his deceased brother, Acts 12:2) but “a white horse,” complete with a rider. The Lord had shown John this horse earlier (Revelation 6:2); in that vision (first action after Jesus’ enthronement!) the white horse and its rider had gone out “conquering and to conquer.” A “horse” is a military instrument (see the reference to “war” at the end of the present verse). The colour “white” is characteristic of heavenly residents (Matthew 17:2; Matthew 28:3; Acts 1:9; Revelation 1:14; Revelation 4:4; Revelation 7:9) because it speaks of purity; it is also the colour of the horse a victorious general on earth would ride to celebrate his success. In the present case these two elements come together to indicate that (the rider on) this horse is divinely victorious, that is, he has completed his “conquering and to conquer.”