Third Seal
Rev 6:5-6 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”
Black horse – complete darkness, this will be during the time of great confusion worldwide.
A pair of balance – suggests fairness or unfairness, partiality, injustice, imbalance.
A denarius for a quart of wheat (low daily wage)
A denarius for three quarts of barley (high daily wage)
Note - a denarius was a day’s wage
1. Money Depreciation
This is a time when money loses its value and is trading at a portion of its original value. Earning a denarius a day was considered as good income during good days but it has lost its value overnight. Inflation raises the price of goods and diminishes currency values.
2. Disparity of Income
A day’s pay (US$3) might not satisfy the needs and wants (1 quart of wheat) of the poor families but the daily income of the rich is extremely excessive, which can be thousands of US dollars.
Hurt not the oil (Israel) and wine (Christians are the new wine).
During this financial crisis, almost all countries will be affected but Israel and the West (Christian nations) will certainly be spared.
Asian Financial Crisis 1997
In 1997, the stock market collapsed but within a day or two; Israel, the West (Christian nations) and a few other nations recovered. South America, Africa and Asia were badly hit.
Rich becoming Richer
Affected nations suffered great financial setbacks but the West prospered, making the rich richer. Since then, the income imbalance has progressively widened the gap - with the poor still earning US$3/day but the rich have grown from multi-millionaires in 1997 to billionaires in 2007, and are now multi-billionaires.
Third Seal Opened in 1997
I believe the Third Seal was opened in 1997 during the Asian Financial Crisis, which put many countries in the red due to currency depreciation and a slump in stock prices and assets. On the contrary, Israel and the West prospered during this period. God in his infinite wisdom blessed the West so that they can bless the poor countries in return.
The West can then become the light of the world and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Earth's Darkest Hour
At the turn of the Millennium the West became richer and richer. However, without the word of God, the US Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) decriminalised homosexuality, which is an abomination to the Lord.
Sodomite and Lesbian bishops and pastors, covetous televangelists and false prophets were plentiful.
In spite of God’s favour the West - the major powerhouse in UN, instead of being the light of the world was in complete darkness. They blaspheme His holy Name by forcing the poor and needy nations to legalize homosexuality and same sex marriage otherwise they will be sanctioned and with no financial help.
These tyrannical actions of the West destroy the faith of many Christians and have made themselves a common enemy to many nations.
This 3rd Seal again did not affect the temple, Jerusalem nor Israel and therefore our Lord did not mention it in Matthew 24.
Destructive False Christs
Heresies taught in churches had made Christians selfish, worldly and blind.
Gay and lesbian Christian leaders unashamedly boasted their carnality in the name of God. In addition, there are many greedy covetous pastors and televangelists who are living the high lives of millionaires with God’s money. These depraved Christian leaders destroyed the faith of Christian politicians, making them agnostic. Unbelieving politicians are easy vessels for passing the laws on homosexuality, abortions, drugs and many social ills.