PrillyCharmin: THIRD SEAL: THE BLACK HORSEMAN

THIRD SEAL:
THE BLACK HORSEMAN
Study of Revelation, continued

REVELATION 6.5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come and see!” And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand. 6.6 I heard a voice in the middle of the four living creatures saying, “A liter of wheat for a denarius, and three liters of barley for a denarius! Don’t damage the oil and the wine!”

The Black Horseman carries a pair of measuring scales. This Horseman causes food shortages and inflation, as well as damage to many crops, but the oil and wine are spared. Famine is not specifically mentioned, although it is implied.

Famine has always been a problem in some parts of the world, so that’s nothing new. But in recent years the shortages in our USA grocery stores have become noticeable at times, and have even caused panic.

SUPPLY CHAIN & RECALLS. We experienced food shortages off and on because of supply chain issues. There have also been recalls of contaminated foods, where huge quantities of food had to be destroyed.

PROCESSING PLANTS. There have been concerns about food processing plants being destroyed in the USA, Canada and many other places around the world. Nearly 2 dozen food processing plants were destroyed across North America in the first four months of 2022! All of those events were accidents: there is no connection between them and no hint of terrorism. But authorities are puzzled.

WAR. The Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme, has warned that the war in Ukraine will send global food prices soaring.

INFLATION. We are seeing a sharp increase in inflation. The cost of rent for housing is causing much concern for people who can’t even afford a place to live.

ANIMAL DISEASES and WEATHER. Our food supply sources are more vulnerable than we realize, as drought, extreme heat and diseases have affected animal farms across the country, and around the world.

INFESTION & DROUGHT. Infestation of various insects and plant diseases has caused permanent harm to entire agricultural industries in recent decades.

Does it seem as if staging for the Black Horseman is being arranged? We shouldn’t jump to conclusions, but Jesus did expect us to monitor the signs of the times.

DEUTERONOMY 28:15, 20-22 "But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then .. The LORD will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken me. The LORD will strike you with pestilence... and with drought and crop diseases." ESV Bible.

The Black Horseman carries a set of measuring scales. This symbolism has a dual meaning, because the scales are also a common image for the scales of Justice.

The prophet Daniel told King Belteshazzar in the Bible, "You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting." Do you think God might say something similar to our modern generations?

THE PURPOSE OF FAMINE. God promises blessings and safety when we obey Him, and trials when we don't. In the Bible, famine is frequently mentioned as a form of judgment. Famine was intended to bring people to their knees in prayer and repentance. God wants us to know that HE is the one who controls the climate, for His purposes.

FOREWARNED. Sometimes God warned people ahead of time when famine was coming. And that's what God is doing with the Black Horseman of Revelation: hard times are coming, so be prudent in the decisions you make. Be forewarned.

GOD IS IN CONTROL. In Deuteronomy 28 (and throughout all the scriptures) God emphatically states that He controls calamity. It's not that God generates calamity, but He allows it. And He does set limits on it.

The Four Horsemen each have a specific job to do. The Horsemen are devastating and alarming, but they have limits. As the world becomes alarmed at all the violence, inflation, food shortages and political uncertainty; God is still holding back (at this point) because God wants people to turn to Him.