Revelation 6:5-6 — Seal #3 Third Apocalyptic Horseman (Black Horse) with a Pair of Scales

Rev. 6:5   When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.  6 And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.”

Prayer and Bible Expo

Who breaks the third seal?

“He” (6:5) – the Lamb.

Who speaks when the third seal is opened? What does it say?

§  “the third living creature” (6:5).

o  “The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle” (Rev 5:7, bold print added).

§  “Come” (6:5).

What does John see? What does the rider have in his hand?

§  “a black horse” (6:5).

o   cf. Zech. 6:5-6 The angel replied to me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going forth after standing before the Lord of all the earth,  with one of which the black horses are going forth to the north country; and the white ones go forth after them, while the dappled ones go forth to the south country.  (bold print added)

§  “he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand” (6:5).

o   ζυγός (zugos) ­– “an instrument for determining weight, scale. The context of Rv 6:5 requires this meaning, even though the gender of ζυγός cannot be definitely determined. In older Greek the neuter and apparently preferred form τὸ ζυγόν refers to the ‘lever of a balance’. . . then ‘balance, pair of scales’” (BDAG, 429).

What does John hear in the center of the four living creatures?

§  “. . . something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine’” (6:6).

o   χοῖνιξ ­– “a dry measure, often used for grain, approximately equivalent to one quart or one liter, quart. A χοῖνιξ of grain was a daily ration for one person” (BDAG, 1086).

o   δηνάριον – “denarius, a Roman silver coin . . . it was a worker’s average daily wage” (BDAG, 223).

o   “do not damage the oil and the wine” (τὸ ἔλαιον καὶ τὸν οἶνον μὴ ἀδικήσῃς) – “the effect for the cause: . . . do not harm the olive orchard and the vineyard” (BDAG, 313).

What is the significance of this announcement?

The appearance of the third apocalyptic horseman with a pair of scales in his hand initiates famine in the land. The grain will be measured and dispersed, a quart of wheat or three quarts of barley for a denarius. A denarius was a worker’s average daily wage. A quart of grain was a daily ration for only one person. A person’s daily wage will only be enough to feed one person, indicating hyperinflation and scarcity of food. The olive orchard and vineyard will be protected. “The preservation of olive orchards and vineyards is a striking exhibition of divine mercy, given the social context in which consumption of wine and olives and use of olive oil played a significant role” (BDAG, 701).

What impresses you about the third seal? 

During the seven-year Tribulation period, temporal comforts and false sources of security will be stripped away as latter-day sinners are called to repentance through judgment. The first horseman removes national security. The second horseman removes peace from the earth, resulting in loss of life. In the aftermath of the loss of national security, peace, and human life, the third horseman strips away financial resources, food, and material comforts.

Father,

Great is Your faithfulness. You supply all our needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Your kindness, tolerance, and patience lead many to repentance. By Your grace, You strip away that which pacifies false security. During this age of prosperity, many lukewarm Laodiceans are saying, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.” They do not know that they are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. May those blinded by materialism and pacified by plastic treasure turn to Jesus to buy from Him gold refined by fire so that they may become rich, and white garments so that they may clothe themselves, and the shame of their nakedness will be not revealed; and eye salve to anoint their eyes so that they may see. May those whom You love, who are faithful in Christ Jesus, be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let their requests be made known to You. And may Your peace, which surpasses all comprehension, guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.