Revelation 6:5-6
Matthew 20:2 (NKJV) declares, “Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.” With this we learn that a denarius was the common wage paid for a day’s work. In Revelation 6:5-6 we learn of the famine that the earth will be stricken with by the opening of the third seal from the scroll that had been taken from Him who sat on the throne of heaven. When the third seal was removed from the scroll, John witnessed, “a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6And 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” (Revelation 6:5b-6). A quart of wheat will cost a day’s wage, and three quarts of barley will cost another day’s wage. In the command to “not harm the oil and the wine” (Revelation 6:6d) is a possible indicator that the famine would not last long as the roots of the olive tree (for oil) and the vineyard (for wine) would run deeper into the ground and survive a lesser famine. Another possibility is, as some scholars believe, a reference to the sacrament as to possibly indicate that the believers would not be harmed by this famine.
This is the opening of the third seal from the scroll taken from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne by the Lamb.
As the Lamb removes the seals from the scroll taken from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne (Revelation 5:6-7), there is a possible protection for those who believe in God – who believe in “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). As God releases His judgment on the “earth”, it seems very possible that as those who believe in Him are persecuted on the earth, as Jesus was persecuted in the presence of the unbelievers (John 15:18-25), that when His judgment is released on the earth, the believers will be protected in witness of the reversal. Put your faith in Jesus today and He will help you through the trials and tribulations of the world today, and through the trials and tribulations to come.
Dear LORD,
As we study the Revelation of Jesus Christ, it only seems right that You would reveal things to us that would help us come to a realization and understanding of putting our faith in You and believing that You sent Your One and only Son Jesus – the Lamb of God – to save us from such judgment that You will send on the earth – the dwelling place of Satan, as he awaits Your final judgment on him and all who follow in his ways of disobedience to You. Please help us to believe in You – our Savior and God Almighty. In Jesus name I pray, amen.