The Rider on the Black Horse, the Third Horseman Revelation 6:5-6

Revelation 6:5-6 (NKJV) When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

When God established the nation of Israel, He told them of the curses that would fall on them if they ignored His laws. One thing God made clear is He is the provider. He sends the rain and gives the harvest. 

No matter how clever we are, if God does not provide, we will starve. 

The rider on the red horse will bring widespread warfare. This will cause a complete economic collapse. The rider on the black horse is carrying a pair of scales. Since the scale is a “pair,” we know it is a balance, the simplest means of economic trade. 

In verse 6, the voice says, “A quart of  wheat for a denarius.” To have a clear idea of what we are talking about, let’s look at the definition of a denarius from the Blue Letter Bible.

Denarius = "containing ten" 

A Roman silver coin in NT time. It took its name from it being equal to ten "asses," a number after 217 B.C. increased to sixteen (about 3.898 grams or.1375 oz.). It was the principal silver coin of the Roman Empire. From the parable of the labourers in the vineyard, it would seem that a denarius was then the ordinary pay for a day's wages. (Mt. 20:2-13)

Of course, the “quart” was not the measure used. So, let’s look at what the measure was at the time. The entry from the lexicon in the Blue Letter Bible follows.

a choenix, a dry measure, containing four cotylae or two setarii (less than our quart, one litre) (or as much as would support a man of moderate appetite for a day)

A day’s wages for a “quart” of wheat means that if a man worked all day, he could feed himself, and if he had a family, he would not have enough to provide for all of them.  John heard the voice declaring the cost of goods in the “new” economy. 

People will starve. Necessities will be hard to get and very expensive. As the supply of food dwindles, the price will go up accordingly. War destroys infrastructure. With so much of the world’s population destroyed, economic activity as we know it will cease. Not only is this a consequence of war, but it is also a consequence of not thanking God for His constant provision.

Jesus said that if these days were not cut short, no flesh would be saved.

Matthew 24:22 (NKJV) “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

 From the time of the rider on the white horse to the return of Jesus, the Bible tells us that only seven years will transpire. Such complete and utter devastation signals the end of the world. If Jesus did not return, humanity would be extinct. 

These events are not far off but will be a reality in a few short years. This is not setting times for Jesus’s return. We can see the season. Jesus said,

Matthew 24:32-33 (NKJV) “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer [is] near. “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors!

In the case before us, the fig tree represents Israel. Earlier in Matthew’s account, Jesus had cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit, and it withered and died. This is what happened to Israel. The nation did not recognize the day of its visitation and was destroyed. The Messiah came and was not recognized but rejected. This was all foretold in the prophets. But the fig tree will once again show life. Jesus is telling us that this will be the sign of His coming. The time is “even at the door.”

Israel became a nation on May 14, 1948. Since that time, we have seen the continual fulfillment of many prophecies concerning the Nation and its people. We have witnessed the events of Ezekiel 37 occurring before our eyes.

 Ezekiel 37:21 (NKJV) “Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land;

For close to 2,000 years, almost no one believed that Israel would ever be a nation again. And yet, God said it would, and it has. The leaves on the fig tree are showing green, and summer is near.

What are you pursuing? 

What are you living for?

That thing you are saving for - you may never see it. 

Things may go as we plan. We may die in a car crash. Or the world economy may collapse. Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom of God. He also warned us that where our treasure is, our hearts will also be. Therefore, we should store up treasures in heaven. Saving for retirement is wise. But be wise about it. What is our highest priority? How much we need for retirement needs to be balanced with what we can invest in the kingdom of God. God is our provider. He gives us all that we have. We need to remind ourselves that all that we have is His. We are stewards and caretakers. 

Seeing that the time is so short, what kind of people ought we to be?

2 Peter 3:11 (NKJV) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,