Seals · Future - early Tribulation
Third Seal: Black Horse
Famine and scarcity
From the teaching of Apostle Mary Banks
When the third seal is opened, John beholds a black horse with a rider holding a pair of balances in his hand. A voice from the midst of the four beasts declares that a measure of wheat will cost a penny, and three measures of barley will cost a penny, indicating inflated food costs and economic hardship. However, the voice commands that the oil and wine not be hurt, suggesting certain resources remain protected amidst the scarcity.
The black horse rider commonly symbolizes famine, scarcity, or economic hardship. The balances in the rider's hand reflect the measurement or rationing of food during times of shortage. The high prices announced represent a dramatic increase in the cost of basic necessities, making food extremely expensive and difficult to obtain for ordinary people.
This seal reveals one of the major agents that will be at work throughout the book of Revelation, introducing themes of famine and economic pressure that will manifest once the book is fully opened. The black horse rider is one of the four spirits of the heavens who patrol the earth, operating as a real spiritual entity with authority over matters of food supply and economic conditions during the end times.
The scriptures
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.