Revelation 6:5 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. 6 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.
John is asked by the “living creature,” that has a face of a man, to “come and see.” He tells us that he sees a black horse galloping from the throne of God. Where is this black horse coming from or going? Let’s illustrate this position in a diagram.
Why does the rider on the Black Horse raise the yoke?
Do you see the message of the rider on the black horse? This yoke is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is simple. It says, Turn back to God and take on His yoke, and you will live. But it also says something else. If you do not choose freedom, you will remain a slave in the yoke of iron. This principle is seen in the narrative below.
Among His hearers many were drawn to Him in faith, and to them He said, “if ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” {Desire of Ages 466.1
[The disciples of Jesus learn that they can trust the word of God. They discover that His truth makes them free from the bondage of sin.]
These words offended the Pharisees. The nation’s long subjection to a foreign yoke, they disregarded, and angrily exclaimed, “We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest Thou, Ye shall be made free?” Jesus looked upon these men, the slaves of malice, whose thoughts were bent upon revenge, and sadly answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin (John 8:34).” They were in the worst kind of bondage,–ruled by the spirit of evil. { Desire of Ages 466.2}
[Jesus makes a incredible statement of truth. “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” If you sin, are you sinning because the devil made you do it? To understand this principle even better, the word “servant” is the Greek word doulos, which actually means “slave.” Thus this sentence could be translated, “Whosoever committeth sin is the “SLAVE” of sin.”]
Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power. He is not his own. He may talk of freedom, but he is in the most abject slavery. He is not allowed to see the beauty of truth, for his mind is under the control of Satan. While he flatters himself that he is following the dictates of his own judgment, he obeys the will of the prince of darkness. Christ came to break the shackles of sin-slavery from the soul. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” sets us “free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:2. { Desire of Ages 466.3}
Are you the master or slave of your life?
Who is your master? “Every soul that refuses to give himself to God is under the control of another power.” Paul said the same thing. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5).” You are either standing in the freedom of God and able to do His will, or you are shackled in sin and controlled by the power of Satan and you will do his will. Our first response to this law of sin is no way: Not me! But let’s look into the mind of a slave of sin.
Jesus in the synagogue spoke of the kingdom He had come to establish, and of His mission to set free the captives of Satan. He was interrupted by a shriek of terror. A madman rushed forward from among the people, crying out, “Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee who Thou art; the Holy One of God.” { Desire of Ages 255.2}
All was now confusion and alarm. The attention of the people was diverted from Christ, and His words were unheeded. This was Satan’s purpose in leading his victim to the synagogue. But Jesus rebuked the demon, saying, “Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.” { Desire of Ages 255.3}
The mind of this wretched sufferer had been darkened by Satan, but in the Saviour’s presence a ray of light had pierced the gloom. He was roused to long for freedom from Satan’s control; but the demon resisted the power of Christ. When the man tried to appeal to Jesus for help, the evil spirit put words into his mouth, and he cried out in an agony of fear. The demoniac partially comprehended that he was in the presence of One who could set him free; but when he tried to come within reach of that mighty hand, another’s will held him, another’s words found utterance through him. The conflict between the power of Satan and his own desire for freedom was terrible. { Desire of Ages 255.4}
[This man is shackled in the darkness of sin. He knows that he is a slave of sin. “A ray of light” from heaven tells him that hope of freedom is right before him. He eagerly steps forward for help but his words and actions betray his condition of slavery. He recognizes his problem, and he desires freedom, but he cannot free himself. Who is in control of this man?]
He who had conquered Satan in the wilderness of temptation was again brought face to face with His enemy. The demon exerted all his power to retain control of his victim. To lose ground here would be to give Jesus a victory. It seemed that the tortured man must lose his life in the struggle with the foe that had been the ruin of his manhood. But the Saviour spoke with authority, and set the captive free. The man who had been possessed stood before the wondering people happy in the freedom of self-possession. Even the demon had testified to the divine power of the Saviour. { Desire of Ages 256.1}
Jesus speaks and the man is set free. It is only the power of God that can free this captive of sin. Why could this man not exert his will and free himself?
To be pardoned in the way that Christ pardons, is not only to be forgiven, but to be renewed in the spirit of our mind…Without the transforming process which can come alone through divine power, the original propensities to sin are left in the heart in all their strength, to forge new chains, to impose a slavery that can never be broken by human power… {RH, August 19, 1890 par. 7}
When you become a slave to sin, this bondage “can never be broken by human power.” Never! Never! But man had not been left alone to perish in slavery.
…Adam fell under the dominion of Satan. He brought sin into the world, and death by sin. God gave His only begotten Son to save man. This He did that He might be just, and yet the justifier of all who accept Christ. Man sold himself to Satan, but Jesus bought back the race, redeeming men and women from the slavery of a cruel tyrant. {BEcho, October 15, 1900 par. 9}
What is the good news concerning the yoke?
Is this not the good new of Jesus Christ? “Jesus bought back the race, redeeming men and women from the slavery of a cruel tyrant.” This is the message that He wants His disciples to carry to the world.
During His ministry, Jesus had kept constantly before the disciples the fact that they were to be one with Him in His work for the recovery of the world from the slavery of sin… {AA 32.1}
The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple: freedom or slavery. But the struggle that occurs in each heart is a great battle. When Jesus was placed on a donkey and the city was following him singing praises, He came to a place where He could see the Temple. He began to cry. Why?
Christ saw in Jerusalem a symbol of the world hardened in unbelief and rebellion, and hastening on to meet the retributive judgments of God. The woes of a fallen race, pressing upon His soul, forced from His lips that exceeding bitter cry. He saw the record of sin traced in human misery, tears, and blood; His heart was moved with infinite pity for the afflicted and suffering ones of earth; He yearned to relieve them all. But even His hand might not turn back the tide of human woe; few would seek their only Source of help. He was willing to pour out His soul unto death, to bring salvation within their reach; but few would come to Him that they might have life. {The Great Controversy 22.1}
The Majesty of Heaven in tears! The Son of the infinite God troubled in spirit, bowed down with anguish! The scene filled all Heaven with wonder. That scene reveals to us the exceeding sinfulness of sin; it shows how hard a task it is, even for infinite power, to save the guilty from the consequences of transgressing the law of God… {The Great Controversy 22.2}
Whom will you serve?
The greatest battle that has ever been fought or will ever be fought is the battle against self. The infinite power and love of God is being used to save mankind, but only a “few would come to Him that they might have life.”
This rider is holding up the yoke. Will you choose freedom or will you choose slavery? The Book of Revelation has given us a view that mankind must behold. It shows us that those that refuse the invitation of Jesus will stand before the King of the Universe in the near future.
The whole wicked world stand arraigned at the bar of God, on the charge of high treason against the government of heaven. They have none to plead their cause; they are without excuse; and the sentence of eternal death is pronounced against them. It is now evident to all that the wages of sin is not noble independence and eternal life, but slavery, ruin, and death. . . . {FLB 356.4}
We must get the word out before it is too late. Our work is ever before us.
…Satan’s influence is constantly exerted upon men to distract the senses, control the mind for evil, and incite to violence and crime. He weakens the body, darkens the intellect, and debases the soul. Whenever men reject the Saviour’s invitation, they are yielding themselves to Satan. Multitudes in every department in life, in the home, in business, and even in the church, are doing this today. It is because of this that violence and crime have overspread the earth, and moral darkness, like the pall of death, enshrouds the habitations of men. Through his specious temptations Satan leads men to worse and worse evils, till utter depravity and ruin are the result. The only safeguard against his power is found in the presence of Jesus. Before men and angels Satan has been revealed as man’s enemy and destroyer; Christ, as man’s friend and deliverer… {Desire of Ages 341.1}
Choose you this day whom you will serve. This is the message of the rider on the black horse. As he raises the gospel standard, men are given the choice. Will you choose the yoke of Jesus and live in the freedom of the kingdom of God, or will you choose the yoke of iron of sin and stand before the throne of God to receive the sentence of everlasting death?
Are you ready to starve?
Revelation 6:6 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.
Several words need to be defined: measure and penny. Measure means a certain weight. The Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words tells us about this word measure in Rev 6:6. It says Usage Notes: a dry “measure” of rather less than a quart, about “as much as would support a person of moderate appetite for a day,” occurs in Rev. 6:6 (twice). Usually eight choenixes could be bought for a denarius (about 9 1/2d.); this passage predicts circumstances in which the denarius is the price of one choenix.
The word “measure” in Greek is choenix. It says above that in ordinary times a days wage, a denarius, could buy 8 choenixes or less than 8 quarts. Revelation 6:6 tells us that a time is coming when a days wage will only buy 1 choenix or one measure or a quart of wheat or barley.
What is a denarius? Penny is the word for denarius. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty tells us that denarius: “A day’s wages” refers to a silver coin, the Roman denarius, worth about 15 cents, which was the normal wage for a worker for an entire day. So this passage is saying that in that food shortage an entire day’s work would be required to buy either a quart of wheat or three quarts of barley. If one bought wheat, it would be enough for one good meal; if he bought barley, it would be enough for three good meals but nothing would be left for buying oil or wine. Famine is the inevitable aftermath of war…”
When we turn to The Bible Background Commentary – The IVP Bible Background Commentary of The New Testament tells us that “…Barley and wheat were basic staples. Because a quart of wheat was a day’s sustenance, and a denarius was a day’s wage, a man with a family would have to buy the cheaper barley instead. Even then, three quarts of barley was hardly enough daily food for a whole family to subsist on; in the many peasant families with large numbers of children, several children would die. The famine also created a high inflation rate: this wheat costs more than ten times the average price of wheat.
“Oil and wine were widely used, but not essential like wheat or barley. Oil was especially used for anointing the head, washing the body and lighting lamps; wine was mixed with water (one part wine for two to three parts water) for meals. The selective continuance of such items of relatively secondary importance while staples were barely obtainable would reinforce the reality of divine judgment…”
Let’s make this practical for today. If the basic wage was equal to today’s basic wage of about $5.00 per hour and your workday was 10 hours, what would be your basic wage each working day?
10 hours x $5.00/hour = $50.00
According to Rev 6:6, with $50, a day’s wage, you could buy one quart of wheat. We know that one quart of wheat = two loaves of bread. So, two loaves of bread is equal to $50. The next question is simple. Is bread worth $25.00 per loaf? The answer is easy to give. If you are hungry it’s worth the money! Nevertheless, that would be called a high price today. So what does that mean that you can buy so little for a day’s wage? Would two loaves of wheat bread be enough to feed your or your family?
Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Could this verse be telling us that when the rider of the dark horse goes out to proclaim the third angel’s message that there will be a famine in the land? Could this famine be spiritual? Could there be a famine of the words of the Lord in the world? This rider is offering the bread of life to a starving world. The question is will they turn and live?
