Revelation 6:5-8
In verses 5 and 6 a black horse comes on the scene and the rider is carrying a pair of balance scales. Scales to measure out food is representative of the extreme rationing taking place during the Tribulation Period.
A voice then speaks out and says “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”
Obviously this is a reference to famine. With as much destruction that will be taking place during these seven years, food supplies will most likely experience damage due to war and a lack of rain. Pestilence could be prevalent resulting in much interruption to the flow of goods throughout the world.
The reference to the oil and the wine is significant to the value that was placed on them. In that day they were known to be substances used only among the affluent. Those with wealth could acquire such delicacies. Due to their value it was known not to “waste” them. Oil and wine were also known for their medicinal properties. In our day this may be a reference to pharmaceutical products and the great need for them while all the suffering is taking place.
In verses 7 and 8 we see the last of the four horses of the Apocalypse. The pale green or ashen color horse, (the Amplified Bible states that this horse is black and blue as if from bruising) with its rider called Death; and Hell followed with him.
“And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” There is quite a controversy that has been made over the context of this one sentence!
There are some Bible teachers that believe this sentence is in reference to all four horses and their rider’s verses just the pale horse and its rider, Death. Most Bible Translations state this is a reference to the rider of the pale horse; Death, and not to the previous horses and their rider’s.
One school of thought: This passage is a reference to “all four horses and their riders” and will only affect a quarter part of the earths land mass. These also believe the Book of Revelation only applies to the prophetic world of The Apostle Johns day and all this will only affect the Middle East and not the entire world which is mentioned throughout the rest of the book of Revelation.
The other school of thought: This passage is a reference to only the pale horse and rider and will affect one out of every four persons throughout the entire earth. I lean to this understanding.
At this point in our study I would like to bring up as a reminder that some arguments may be valid if it clarifies the position of the writer of the book, however we need to keep things simple, for I still believe that for it to be a book of Revelation we need to be able to understand it!
Regardless if I am right or wrong, the point remains that these events will take place throughout the Tribulation Period and the Church is not supposed to be here!
