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Revelation's Black Horse & Global Famine: What the Third Seal Warns Believers Today
- Mary Banks
- May 19
- 7 min read
Updated: May 21
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. Revelation 6:5-6
Understanding the Black Horse of Revelation
The Third Seal, as unveiled in the Book of Revelation, introduces us to a black horse and its rider. This prophetic symbol has long captured the attention of believers seeking to discern the times and understand God’s divine plan. We will explore the clear biblical imagery and its practical implications for Christians today.
Let’s break down what the third seal reveals—and what it means for you today.
Key Elements of the Third Seal - Black Horse of Revelation
🐎 The Black Horse Rider
The black horse appears when the Lamb opens the third seal, and the rider holds balances (scales) in his hand. This figure is often associated with famine, economic strain, and scarcity.
⚖️ The Balances in His Hand
Balances symbolize weighing and rationing, a reflection of meticulous food distribution—often seen during times of shortage and inflation.
The Black Horse Rider
💰 “A Measure of Wheat for a Penny”
This phrase describes a time when basic necessities become costly. A "penny" in biblical times represented a day’s wage (Matthew 20:2), meaning a full day’s labor would afford just one measure of wheat—barely enough to survive.
And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. Matthew 20:2
🛢️ “Hurt Not the Oil and the Wine”
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nterestingly, the voice from the midst of the four living creatures commands: “See thou hurt not the oil and the wine.”This suggests that while scarcity affects staples, certain symbolic resources remain untouched.
Prefer to watch? Here’s the full video.
How Should Believers Respond?
Even as Revelation paints a sobering picture, it’s important for believers to be both watchful and spiritually grounded. Here are some practical ways to apply biblical wisdom in uncertain times:
Trust in God’s Provision – Just as God provided manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4), He remains our provider in all seasons.
4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. Exodus 16:4
Be Spiritually Prepared – Stay rooted in Scripture and prayer. Strengthen your faith now, not out of carnal fear, but the fear of the Lord in obedience and readiness.
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:16-17
Keep an Eternal Perspective – Though earthly economies may shake, God’s Kingdom remains unshaken.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Hebrews 12:28
The Bible Teacher App explains Hebrews 12:28
This verse comes after the passage describing how God will shake and remove the things that can be shaken, so that the things which cannot be shaken may remain (Hebrews 12:26-27).
The key points we can gather from this verse and the surrounding context are:
1. We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be moved or shaken. This refers to the unshakable, eternal kingdom of God that believers have been brought into through faith in Christ.
Hebrews 12:22-23 describes this kingdom as "the heavenly Jerusalem" and "the general assembly and church of the firstborn."
2. Since we have received this unshakable kingdom, we are exhorted to "have grace" or hold fast to God's grace.
This grace enables us to "serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." The grace of God empowers us to worship and serve Him rightly, with the proper attitude of reverence and awe.
3. The shaking and removing of the things that can be shaken is meant to purify and strengthen our faith, so that only the unshakable kingdom of God remains.
This requires us to hold fast to God's grace and serve Him wholeheartedly, without being swayed by the temporary, passing things of this world.
In summary, Hebrews 12:28 encourages believers to firmly grasp the unshakable kingdom of God they have received through Christ, and to serve God with reverence and godly fear, relying on His empowering grace
Encouragement Amid the Storm
As believers, we are not called to panic but to stand firm in faith. The black horse may represent hardship, but God is still on the throne. These prophetic glimpses are not just warnings; they are calls to deeper faith, greater love, and unwavering hope.
In a world where news of instability, inflation, and uncertainty seems constant, this passage in Revelation reminds us: our hope is in Christ alone.
A Call to Action
🔥 Ready to go deeper?, consider these activities:
Review video teachings - We recommend “Understanding the book of Revelation”
Read the following study guides to gain deeper understanding on Bible Prophecy.
Use the Bible Teacher App to understand key biblical terminologies and scripture.
Visit our link : Marybanks.net/bibleprophecy to lean more.
Final Thoughts: A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
The Black Horse reveals a world entering a time of economic trial—but we are not of this world’s system. We belong to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Hebrews 12:28
Now more than ever, God is calling His people to walk in wisdom, live by faith, and be a light in darkness.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light... proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:8–10
As part of that preparation, Mary Banks will be teaching more on Bible Prophecy at our upcoming World Conference, offering deeper insights into these timely truths and how believers can stand strong in the days to come.
Download your study guide today for deeper insights on Bible prophecy.
Questions you may ask
What does the phrase “a measure of wheat for a penny” in Revelation 6:6 reveal about the conditions during the opening of the Third Seal?
The phrase “a measure of wheat for a penny” highlights a time of economic hardship and scarcity, where the cost of basic necessities becomes extremely high. In biblical times, a "penny" was equivalent to a full day’s wage (Matthew 20:2), meaning a worker would labor an entire day just to afford a small portion of wheat—barely enough to survive. This reflects severe inflation and food rationing, suggesting a season of great need and limited resources.
The Black Horse of Revelation is not a random event, but a divinely permitted judgment that reveals the consequences of human rebellion and injustice. It shows a time when scarcity and imbalance dominate the earth—when daily essentials become costly, and people suffer under economic strain.
Yet even in this shaking, God is not absent. The command to “hurt not the oil and the wine” (Revelation 6:6) suggests that God preserves certain resources and His people even in times of great trial. This seal reminds believers to stay spiritually alert, trust God’s provision, and remain anchored in His unshakable Kingdom (Hebrews 12:28), knowing He uses even hardship for His greater redemptive plan.
The lesson teaches that the Seven Seals in Revelation are not action events but announcements—a divine "table of contents" outlining what is to come. This means they serve as a prophetic framework for understanding the judgments and wrath described later in Revelation. Recognizing this helps prevent confusion when aligning Revelation with other prophetic books like Matthew 24 and Daniel 9, and leads to a more accurate understanding of the Rapture's timing based on Scripture rather than tradition.
The key insights that individuals can gain from studying Bible prophecy and integrate into their daily decision-making and life choices are:
1. Recognizing the signs of Christ's imminent return: The Bible emphasizes that the Lord is about to execute events that will escalate us right into Bible Prophecy, and that the Lord is soon to return. This should motivate believers to be watchful, prepared, and focused on living righteously in anticipation of Christ's coming (Matthew 24:42-44 KJV, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 KJV).
2. Avoiding deception and false teachings: The Bible warns against the deception and erroneous prophetic teachings that have crept into the church. Individuals must discern, test the spirits, and rely on Scripture alone to interpret prophecy, rather than the opinions of scholars or ministers (2 Peter 1:20-21 KJV, 1 John 4:1 KJV).
3. Cultivating a right relationship with God: The Bible emphasizes the importance of examining one's own heart, motives, and thought life, and submitting to the will of God. This inward focus and spiritual discipline should guide individuals' daily decisions and lifestyle choices (Ephesians 4:17-24 KJV).
4. Walking in the power of the Holy Spirit: The Bible highlights the need for believers to walk in the Spirit, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit and relying on God's wisdom, rather than their own fleshly mindsets. This should shape how individuals navigate their circumstances and relationships (Galatians 5:16-25 KJV).
5. Preparing for persecution and tribulation: The Bible warns that the church will face a coming assault and tribulation. Individuals should be spiritually prepared, strengthened in their faith, and ready to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel (2 Timothy 3:12 KJV, Revelation 7:14 KJV)
Scripture serves as a guide, especially when our passions clash with the principles of humility and love that Jesus exemplified. John 13:34-35 reminds us to love one another, just as Jesus loved us. This type of love transcends personal pride and passion, encouraging us to keep our focus on others rather than our feelings or desires.
In practical situations, when we feel passionate disagreements—be it in conversations or leadership roles—we can reflect on passages that emphasize humility, such as Philippians 2:3-4, which instructs us to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but to consider others better than ourselves.
Moreover, facing situations where our emotions threaten to overpower our spirit requires self-examination according to scriptures, such as 2 Corinthians 13:5, which encourages believers to examine themselves to ensure they are in the faith. This reflective practice allows us to identify any misplaced passion that may lead to conflict and divisiveness.
Additionally, Galatians 5:22-23 speaks about the fruits of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control. These attributes act as a buffering system, guiding our responses and helping us to manage strong feelings more effectively. When passions arise, aligning our actions with these fruits can navigate conflicts professionally and lovingly.
In essence, Scripture not only highlights Jesus’ model of love and humility but also offers practical approaches to managing our passions in a way that honors these principles, ensuring our actions remain grounded in faith and service to others. This guidance is paramount, especially for leaders who must positively influence those around them.
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