Time of Distress (4) - Black Horse

The Black Horse represents a worldwide famine caused by a serious economic collapse.

Before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine” (Rev 6:5,6).

The cause of the famine is not explained, but the results are very clear. The Greek measure used here is a "choinix". It was the daily ration for a soldier in active service. The coin mentioned is a denarius, which was the equivalent of a day’s wages. John saw a famine so severe, that a daily ration of wheat will cost a day’s wages. Barley was a little cheaper as it was considered to be of poorer quality. The situation will be so severe that ordinary people will have to use all they can earn to buy food.

The wealthy will not be affected. Luxury items like oil and wine are not to be damaged. The main shortage will be basic food items. Zechariah saw black horses moving to the north. In the modern world, the northern nations tend to be wealthy, and poorer nations tend to be in the south. John is warning that people in the wealthy nations may experience famine; something they have not known in recent years.