This post is “7 Seals – Day 14”, I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

7 Seals – Day 14

Revelation 6:5-6

When the lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Go!” I looked, and there was a black horse, and its rider held a scale. I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s pay or three quarts of barley for a day’s pay. But do not damage the olive oil and the wine.”

The Thought

The third seal, a black horse, its rider held a scale. A quart of wheat or three quarts of barley for a day’s pay. But do not damage the olive oil and wine. Those who don’t know Jesus will suffer from famine, but those who believe in Jesus will not.

Famine is the result of the wars brought about by the second rider. Much of our world today has already experienced famine. But as I write this (in the time of covid 2020) we hear via the news media that many more people are struggling financially. World shortages are likely to become “the norm”.

I have heard that the “oil and wine” mentioned here represent the rich side of humanity, not to be touched. It is true that the poor of the earth struggle more in times of war than the rich who have plenty stored away. But is there more to this than is at first obvious?

Is there a suggestion here that the “old order of things” has passed away? (Revelation 21:4)

When the Israelites were wandering in the desert, Moses was given the rules for life in their new land. There was often mention of wheat and barley which were daily needs. There was a week long festival at the wheat harvest (Exodus 34:22) and always the promise that their new land would be a “land with wheat and barley“.

The elements (oil and wine) are associated with Jesus, and are not allowed to be destroyed. Wine represents Jesus’ blood, (Matthew 26:28, John 6:54-55) and oil is a sign of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 25:10) and to be used for healing of the sick (Mark 6:12, James 5:14).

I want to suggest that this 3rd seal affects those who live by the old order and don’t know Jesus. They will suffer from the famine, but those who believe in Jesus and the Holy Spirit will not. (Personally I am secretly hoping that the latter is true!!)

Action

Pray today for a better understanding of what the Bible is saying, ask God to make it relevant to what is happening in your life. Pray for His protection when trials and tribulations come on the world. Thank Him that your salvation is near (Psalm 85:9 Romans 13:11). Pray for miraculous provision in times of need.