Well you have been around 6 years longer than me, I do respect my elders but I disagree with you on the white horse in Rev 6. I have heard that theory before in addition to several others. Some even try to say it is Jesus. On another forum one person says those first few seals were opened shortly after Christs ascension. I disagree with that as well. Im convinced the first four have already been opened, but in more recent history than at the time of Christs ascension. We possibly are in or very near to the fifth one. I dont see enough in the text to convince me the white horse represents the antichrist. What is your reasoning? Do you believe that because he goes forth conquering? I agree he is only around for a short time Rev 13:5, but I do believe the beast is the antichrist. Maybe you could give a summary of why you think the Islamic scenario is inoperable . I happen to believe it makes the most sense, but Im open minded on this one.
The rider on the white horse is a king because of his crown. The other riders don't have crowns because they represent as the arrival of other things.
Riding a white horse, the rider goes out to fight the war. It doesn't say what the war is. It could be a war against the saints, but because he is riding a white horse, and at the beginning of the series of riders, I am of the opinion that the war is Gog/Magog, as that is how the person ends up being thought of by the Jews as being their messiah (long awaited King of Israel).
Which I get from Judaism's expectations of the messiah's arrival - right after Gog/Magog - and that the RAMBAM, which the Jews subscribe to his teachings, summarized the traits of the messiah one of which is he is supposed to fight the battles of God in defending Israel.
Always keep in mind that "the" messiah (Christ) means King of Israel. Mark 15:32..."Christ the King of Israel". So the Anti-christ is someone who will be perceived by the Jews to be their long awaited "King of Israel".
That person will kick off the 7 years, when he confirms the Mt. Sinai covenant for 7 years, by overseeing the commemorative reading to possess the land, a 7 year cycle observance initiate by Moses in Deuteronomy 31:10-13.
That's why I believe the rider on the white horse is the Antichrist - but nowhere else in Revelation is he the Antichrist - because his stint as the King of Israel will have been over in the other passages because he reveals himself as the man of sin - then subsequentially becomes the beast.