[CORRECTION: In the previous two posts addressing the first and second seals, I entertained the idea that the rider of the white horse is Jesus, simply because white stands for purity. However, this is not widely accepted, because this rider could also be connected to the evil riders of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. In the case of the red horse’s rider, I also assumed Jesus was the rider, but after researching deeper, I found that there is not strong agreement that Jesus would himself command the removal of peace from the earth and all that follows. It is best to claim Christ’s involvement with the Four Horsemen as fulfilling many biblical prophecies along these lines without claiming that Jesus rode all the horses. I apologize for the oversight.]
At the opening of the first seal, Jesus appears on a white horse, equipped and prepared to lead the conquering of Satan’s dominion of sin in the world. As the second seal is opened, the rider of a blood red horse appears, equipped and empowered to remove peace from the earth, preparing the way for people to kill each other, perhaps in a world war, such that famine is sure to follow.
Now the third seal is opened, revealing a rider on a black horse, symbolizing the aftermath of war and famine, where the rider feeds the survivors of the famine with a minimum daily ration:
“When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come!’ And I looked and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be 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 wine!’” (Rev 6:5-6).
The sense here is that many will not survive the war begun by the rider of the red horse, but those of faith, who will be severely persecuted will have a special place in heaven, while others will survive only to endure relentless famine and more persecution. The rider of the black horse, with scales in hand, is activating his own charity with his survivors, assuring that they will have a minimum amount of food every day.
The survivors will benefit from this rider’s advice to not harm their olive oil and fresh water, “secret stash” of oil and wine and to keep it hidden to assist food preparation and to avoid disease.
As I sit here amidst a major drought in eastern Colorado, I think of our brothers and sisters lost last week in horrendous tornadoes in the Midwest. I cannot even comprehend what the believers in Kentucky and neighboring states went through, but in our own drought situation, we pray for moisture before entire communities endure the loss of the color green.
So what are our oil and wine in this moment? Oil is priceless in a drought to salve dried-out skin, especially for the elderly. And a bit of wine may be exactly that for some, but for others who avoid alcohol, it is liquid refreshment of any kind that brightens the day and lightens the load.
Our Savior and King is engaged in battle with Satan, yet he knows what we need as survivors, and he promises great blessing if we do not physically survive what comes in the future. On top of this, he has reminded us that we have a “secret stash” in the form of refreshment, such that we can not only survive, but have special moments of joy in knowing that we are headed toward heaven and perfect unity with Jesus and with each other!
Stock your cupboard and keep watching for horses.