The Third Seal

Wednesday, April 29

Revelation 6:5-6 (NKJV)

“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.”

Devotion

Continuing with Pastor Franklin’s “The Return of Jesus” series, we are looking at the judgment that will come upon the earth during the Tribulation. Once Jesus safely removes (raptures) the Church, the time of Tribulation begins. Disasters and destruction are released as the Lamb who was slain—the One who is worthy of opening the seven seals of the scroll bearing judgment—opens each seal one by one.

Today’s verse refers to the third seal: the black horse, whose rider holds a pair of scales in his hand. This represents a time of global famine, in which ordinary staples like a quart of wheat will cost a day’s wage (a denarius), versus today’s prices, which would cost less than $1.50 (U.S.). There will be economic collapse and scarcity of food. But oddly, “the oil and wine” (considered luxury items for the elite in biblical times) will not be harmed. This shows the injustice the poor will suffer during the Tribulation, while the elite still live comfortably.

We live in such a time where Bible prophecy is unfolding before our eyes. The first part of Matthew chapter 24 looks like the daily headline news. There is an urgency in these times to be ready for Jesus’ return. We who are alive now would be wise to pay attention to both the warning and the hope the Lord is showing us in His Word.

True preparation is not stockpiling food to last through the Tribulation—the goal is not to be here! For He who comes will come and will not tarry. We are “to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

As we “wait for Him,” we are making sure our hearts are right with God—that we have made Jesus our Lord and Savior, not only through initial salvation, but by living a life set apart from the world, devoted to Him, desiring to please Him, so that we would not be ashamed at His coming.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I consecrate myself to You, wholly devoted to Your will, plan, and purposes for my life. Let me not fall back into the ways of the world, which is at enmity with You. Open my eyes and my heart, that I may see what time it truly is. Let this urgency guide my perspective and the way I live. I surrender myself to You. Make every moment of my life count for Your glory. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

While we are in the world, we are the light of the world. Stay faithful and uphold what is right in the eyes of the Lord. “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief… But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4, 8)

Resources

• Watch “How to Be Unshakeable – Part 1” and discover where real stability comes from. Life may shift, but when Jesus is at the center, you don’t have to. Make the decision to follow Him today and find the kind of security that cannot be shaken.
• Read Matthew 24:7, Ezekiel 4:16–17, and James 5:1–5. These Scriptures speak into today’s key passage, highlighting God’s consistency in speaking about the end times.