This article continues our study of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. In Parts 1 and 2, we examined the riders of the white horse and the red horse respectively. We will now study the one who follows them, the rider on the black horse.

This third horse appears in verses 5 and 6:

“When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, ‘Come!’ And I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. And a voice from among the four living beings said, ‘A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley for a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.’” Revelation 6:5-6 (NLT)

What does the symbolic language of this verse tell us about the rider on the black horse? We can identify several points:

1) He rides a black horse. The color black is a symbol of famine.

2) He holds a pair of scales in his hand. The rider (the Antichrist) will be in full control of the world. The scales in his hand indicate a need for him to carefully measure and ration the food supply. We know this because the next verse indicates a scarcity of food.

3) “A loaf of wheat bread or 3 loaves of barley for a day’s pay”. Three loaves of barley equal approximately one pint. This is generally regarded as a minimum sustenance diet. Therefore, this verse foreshadows a time when an entire day’s wage will barely yield enough food to survive.

4) “Don’t waste the olive oil and wine”. “Olive oil and wine” symbolize luxury items that were exclusive domains of the rich during the time the Book of Revelation was written. From this verse, we learn that the famine referenced in the preceding sentence does not affect the wealthy.

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