Friday, February 23, 2024

The Third Seal

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.  Revelation 6:5

I remember when March 2020 hit, and the country shut down for “two weeks” that ended up being over two months.  Some places were even longer than that.  Many businesses worked remotely for the rest of the year, and some are still operating that way, today.  Then the government began to give out “free money” to try to help the economy get back on track.  It was a very stressful time and it continued to escalate throughout the entire year and into the next.  Things are still not the same as they were before and probably never will be.  Some for good, but mostly, just different and we will be seeing lasting effects of that time for years to come.

Ironically, I remember picking up my weekly grocery order just one week before everything shut down and because people were already starting to buy up all the toilet paper, my small order of toilet paper was substituted with two large packages of tp.  I remember thinking “What in the world am I going to do with all that toilet paper.”  Little did I know that there would be a long team shortage of toilet paper and I would have enough to last until the supplies could be restocked months later.  It seemed like the most unusual thing for people to panic about, yet we found out in that time what was really important to the world.

In today’s reading, the Lamb of God breaks the third seal of the scroll that only He is worthy to open.  A black horse is released into the world.  The rider of the horse is carrying a set of scales.  Then there is an announcement in heaven about the inflated cost of an important ingredient of food.  It makes perfect sense that there would be a time of famine and scarcity following the war making horseman of the previous seal.  After so much bloodshed and war breaking out, there was no doubt a lot of theft and looting, not to mention a lack of workers that had been deployed and lost in the time of war. The last part of the announcement was: “Do not harm the oil and wine.”  This is an instruction to the rider carrying the scales.  Some have said the oil and wine are symbols of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus, though I believe it is literally oil and wine because it is in the same sentence with the list of other earthy substances, wheat and barley. Signifying that God’s provision will be unharmed as He provides for those who are trusting in Him.

Once again, keep in mind that during this time there will be more people drawn to salvation and there are many there that have already received and will still be helping those lost people to find their way to Him.  In the middle of all that is going on in the world, God is still providing for those who turn to Him.  Maybe not a great supply of toilet paper, but they will have all that they need in that season.

Today I want to encourage you that no matter what is going on in the world, it is still His-story.  In these uncertain times, we have hope in our salvation and relationship with our Father in heaven.  Things are happening in the world all around us to line up the circumstances for the end of the age, but don’t be afraid or discouraged about that.  Remember that we will have victory and have been assured victory over every trial today and to the end of time!  There is no sad ending for those who are in Christ Jesus and those who have a part in the plan that is playing out right here and right now.  Our part is to trust Him each day and stay faithful by generously supporting each other in the community of God’s people and keep our hopes high even in the middle of difficult circumstances and scarcity.  God’s provision is unlimited!

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 6:5-6

5 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. 

6 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.”