Revelation 6:5,6

 

This ancient prophecy, just now about to be fulfilled, is a two layer revelation with double applications. It points to both encroaching judgment and a special revival, just prior to Christ’s second coming. Before we may explore its hope, however, we must carefully note the literal and devastating effect of its “judgment factor” as it is now beginning to unfold in our daily living and economic environment. For the first layer most naturally relates to the condition we most often refer to as monetary “inflation.”

Inflation, as we in the West experience it, most often refers to the escalating cost of goods and services. Its Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures this rise, is a measure of what it costs to maintain a stable life style within US society. Until recently it was estimated, for example, that approximately 17.4% of our disposable income is needed for food, with a similar amount (17.0%) for transportation, and a larger amount (41.4%) for housing (to pay the rent/mortgage).1 These figures, of course, must be adjusted according to one’s general income. These are after-tax approximations, adjustable to one’s specific needs and conditions (someone with a mortgage paid off, for example, has more income that is “disposable.” ) Note also, that these are 2007 figures, computed before the recent $4.00+ gasoline price spike, within the US. Today, of course, with the changing cost of gas world-wide, these numbers are rapidly undergoing a new “adjustments” to reflect the volatile cost of energy.

Because of the way the western economy works, we are generally used to having our incomes (even Social Security) rise at intervals that adjust –if not comfortably, at least without undue pain, to the rising costs that affect our standard of living. Should this “adjustment” not suffice, we have grown accustomed to hearing of workers going on strike—or even of demonstrations (or, in some cases riots) to force the powers that be to increase wages and other forms of compensation. Thus, the ancient choke-hold of the employer having his workers by the throat, with no alternative but to cry out to God (James 5) appears to be a thing of the past, today.

Until now.

Now, we are increasingly dependent upon the cost of crude oil. We live in an energy dependent world, with modern society addicted—not only to oil, but to all things associated with power in general: from cell phones, to air conditioners, to flat screen TVs. Few would dare think of going back to commerce via horse and buggy. Nor would we quickly reconsider wood/coal generated steam. Nuclear fuel, while an option in the larger picture (for generating electricity) can be costly, and potentially dangerous. Disposing of nuclear waste is a headache, within our increasingly hungry world—not only for energy, but even for food itself.

Yes, we also need more food. Today we are rapidly approaching the point at which even “donating food to those in need” may no longer suffice—for a new problem arises, of having the food to donate (or purchase) in the first place! A recent Wall Street Journal article, for example, highlighted the changing pattern of global food distress now facing us. For in the recent past poorer nations were actually discouraged from farming their own lands, since food was so plentiful in the wealthier nations (like the US) that it was far more economical for locals to find “gainful employment” through local and unique opportunities (such as mining natural resources, and tourism) instead of by growing their own food.2

Now, suddenly, with an increasingly robust third world starting to make demands of its own, the local “supermarket” is being crowded with new customers and their ready cash, on hand. (Remember those “cheap” clothes and toys we bought at Walmart? They were made in the third world—mostly China, of late. They used to be mass produced in Mexico, and South America, Singapore, South Korea . . . but of late China has undersold them.) “Ready cash, on hand” now means that, as the demand for cheap goods has continued to rise, and the pool of workers has started to shrink, with the salaries of those in the third world underclass rising. Thus, a new middle class is beginning to emerge throughout the underdeveloped world—breaking out of its “under developed” status very quickly. This emergence from an under privileged status, is exactly what Red China hoped to highlight, when showcasing her hosting of the Olympic games.

So, what happens, when the number of apples being sold at the local fruit stand is suddenly in demand by more people than there are apples to sell? The price goes up! If prices remain the same, then are long lines develop, with those privileged enough get one, able to resell the apple (or, more likely, iPod) on eBay for three, four –a hundred times what they purchased it for.

This describes what is commonly called “supply and demand.” When the supply is limited, and the demand for a product is skyrocketing, the price of goods and services is bound to rise: people are willing to pay—and may even demand the right to pay, more for the product.

Yet, there is more to this, than at first meets the eye.

As I love to point out, Scripture forecasts a day wherein the third world is given dominion, on the earth. In other words, Scripture forecasts a time wherein the entire planet will be “empowered,” not just a privileged few. The leopard of Daniel 7 & Revelation 13, represents the “common” peoples of the earth: including the downtrodden, and little respected.4 If not openly given respect, it will soon become evident that they have truly acquired increasing economic clout (if one’s eyes are not shut, we may readily recognize the same: the Arab world is part of the third world. The transference of wealth to that segment of the world now seems rather obvious . . . .).

What Scripture projects, however, is more than a mere transference of wealth. For, like it or not, we live in a global economy, today. Take the Arab world, for example—where do they get food to eat? Do they grow it in the sand? (Israel does, but that’s another topic, entirely (Is. 35).) So we all must learn to get along, and to stretch (and share) our resources accordingly.

Yet the prophecy in our opening describes something more awesome and disturbing than all we have thus far discussed. For, behind the scenes (as we shall see) are other forces at work demanding attention—although increasingly ignored by an increasingly secular world. For there is One other, whom our industrialized world tries desperately to ignore in the nuts and bolts of every day living: He is the One who has made us. He is the One who has placed the oil reserves in the sand, and under the ground, of the nations of our world.

He is the Lord of Hosts.

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."

Revelation 6:6

Thus far we have only noted the first level of the above prophecy—noting what appears to be an obvious reference to inflation. Please notice carefully, however, that economic collapse is not here implied, for the “denarius” in the text, denotes a laboring man’s wage for a full day’s work. Thus, what we do see is the world’s “middle class” effectively being reduced to subsistence living. This is not, in the fullest sense, economic collapse, therefore. For when an economy collapses entirely (as in the case of hyper inflation, where a suit case of money is required to go shopping) the government is eventually forced to completely revamp the economic money supply (new currency, and new rules for investing, are instituted). This is what happened to Germany in the 1920’s –with the issuance of a new currency, and to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2005, with the strict enactment of stringent monetary controls.

What the above prophecy denotes is a world entering divine judgment. It is our economy hovering over the black hole, while experiencing a maximum “misery index.” There is just barely enough to get by—but not comfortably. It is as if Heaven is sounding an alarm: demanding our attention and warning us to get ready: to surrender all (Matt. 6:21-33). And this is exactly where a ray of hope begins to appear within this coded prophecy.

First, let us recognize that at the same time of this physical shortage, there is a spiritual short fall, as well. Notes Amos:

"Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD.”

Amos 8:11

Please notice the similarity of distress and urgency, in the contrasting prophecies: with the black horse, a high demand and urgent need, as we deal with a scarcity in economic supply. Within the prophecy from Amos, there is a realization of spiritual draught, suddenly experienced no doubt, because of a loss of more trivial distractions. The TV suddenly seems inadequate to these, whose souls are suddenly made more alert to needs more fundamental than laughing at silly jokes on sitcoms.

Thus, society’s divide widens—with each individual now facing the prospect of suddenly giving up hope in God, altogether—or of reaching out to Him with a new urgency that makes the shallow experience of “sunshine Christianity” seem totally inadequate. Now, faith must either be anchored in an actual, living and dynamic, relationship with the living God—or die. Amos continues:

They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, But shall not find it.

"In that day the fair virgins And strong young men Shall faint from thirst.”

vss. 12,13

Now the sleeping virgins of Christ’s parable (Matt. 25:1-10) are suddenly prodded in their sleep: being nudged to awaken and look to God for tomorrow’s daily bread. Suddenly, the Lord’s Prayer is accessing new resources from Heaven, along with the faith and hope to go on, in spite of the hardships being faced, as we pray (in earnest) “Give us this day, our daily bread. . . ”!

—And yet most will go back to sleep, as a new divide emerges between those who truly trust, and those who totally lose hope. These will demand an “easy fix.”

Antichrist and his new currency, awaits them.

Thus, a new silver lining appears, as the faithful begin to find themselves making fewer compromises: “getting down to business” and discovering more than merely “daily bread” in the Father’s hand. No longer do they boast, with empty bombast, “I am rich, increased with goods, and have need of nothing,” (Rev. 3:17)! Oh, no. We have need of much: we need You, O Lord! We are utterly dependent upon You, at long last.

The Challenge:

Now, within a world turning rapidly from the true Church (the one that Heaven recognizes) –the sleepers in Zion become increasingly bitter, as the faithful are challenged to go well beyond “subsistence farming” and do exploits for God (Dan. 11:32) —rediscovering the wine and oil of Holy Spirit living.

“. . . and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

Revelation 6:6b

Thus, what may well appear as a scourge of scarcity, with humiliating defeat for many (and a clamoring for new currency?) —will actually result in a new discovery of holy oil in the power of the Holy Spirit, among those truly faithful, just prior to His returning. For all of this is to wean a sleeping church from its more trivial pursuits, so that Christ may present to Himself a glorious Church, without spot or wrinkle (Rev. 3:18, Eph. 5:27, I Pet. 1:6,7, Malachi 3:3 . . .)

—At His returning.

Come, let us buy oil, and wine, without price (Is. 55:1,2)!

Amen.

2Food Crisis forces new look at Farming. Wall Street Journal. 6-10-08. http://online.wsj.com/article_print/SB121305872754859449.html. 7-1-08.

3Hyperinflation. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperinflation. 7/2/2008.