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Throughout the Gospel Age the Devil's kingdom has brought Christian persecution against the saints of God. This Christian persecution from the black horse takes the form of economic trespass against the Father's children.5When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (Rev. 6:5, 6, NIV). Christian Persecution from the Black Horse In chapter 1, Jesus Christ told John to send his vision to the seven churches. The members of these seven churches understood the purpose of the black horse and rider. The black horseman moved among the seven churches that John wrote to, just as he moves among portions of the Lord’s Church today. The question, “What’s the black horse?” The prophet Ezekiel gives us an example of enemies attacking OT Jerusalem from the outside. This causes famine and high prices for food and water (Ezek. 4:1–16). Ezekiel gave a prophecy about the future of Jerusalem. He told the people that enemies would come from the outside and attack Jerusalem. Because food was scarce during the siege, people weighed it with scales and sold it at high prices (Ezek. 4:10, 16). Outside forces caused the food and water shortage in Jerusalem, and yet outside the city walls there was an abundance of food (2 Kings 25:1–3). The black horse used economic persecution against the saints of God in most of the seven churches. As a Christian, you could not profess your faith and keep the good jobs. The Roman government brought Christian persecution against the people in many ways. Sometimes they forfeited their homes and property and had to fend for themselves. The people in power hated the children of Christ. The government persecuted the Christians by forcing them to buy food and staples on the black market at high prices. The Scales and The Yoke The Greek word (zugos), used for a … pair of scales, literally means “to join with a yoke.”[i] The Bible used (zugos) for “yoke” in the rest of the NT. Jesus told us to submit to his yoke and we would find rest for our souls (Matt. 11:29). The rider on the black horse holds scales that could also serve as a yoke. The scales symbolize scarcity of food and staples needed to live. The scarcity comes because the child of God joins or yokes himself to Jesus. The black horseman rides by a person and holds up his yoke. He says, “If you join yourself to Jesus Christ, then I will bring Christian persecution and scarcity to your life.”
Christian Persecution takes away basic needs The third seal shows us a picture of economic persecution and food shortages. Most commentators believe famine caused this, and yet oil and wine seem abundant. God Takes Care of our Needs A voice from one of the four living creatures says … “do not damage the oil and the wine!” What message does the Lord give us from this statement? The word for … do not damage (adikeo) means “do no wrong, do not injure, do not sin, and do not offend anyone.”[ii] Christians may pay a high price for following their Lord, Jehovah. Oppression from the world tempts Christians to make life easier by dishonest means. The Lord wants his children to live a superior life. He doesn’t want them to lie, steal, cheat, or do anything that would offend other people. Jesus, our God of provision, promises us that he will take care of our needs (Matt. 6:24–33). When he says don’t damage (adikeo) the oil or the wine, Jesus encourages each of us. Jesus speaks to his Church and tells them to let their light shine and to trust him. The love of our Father will transcend any Christian persecution or problems that we may encounter. Christian Economic PersecutionIn every country, the Devil’s disciples can cause economic persecution on Christians. If we follow the teachings of the Bible, the business world looks down on us. We lose opportunities for monetary advancement because of high moral standards. When we speak our Lord’s name at our jobs, the other workers and employers may discriminate against us. The righteous face subtle bias today: people talk behind your back and may speak a negative remark. At other times, bias blatantly raises its head into the open. A Christian always needs to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit before witnessing to others. Otherwise, the black horse and rider may ride your way.
[i] Pair of scales, zugos,
G2218. Coupling together, yoke, submission to authority.
[ii] Damage, adikeo,
G91. Do wrong, unjust, offend.
Text of, Christian persecution, from pages 90-92 of "Walking Through Revelation With a Common Man"
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