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52 The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

with famine. That command simply does not fit into the picture of famine at all -- see the Biblical
symbols of famine in Genesis 41:1-7. The true explanation will fully reveal the Biblical signifi-
cance of the color of the horse (BLACK), the scales or balances, and the things mentioned by the
voice from the midst of the cherubim, i.e. wheat, barley, oil and wine.

Furthermore, it should be noted that to the rider ON THE PALE HORSE (fourth seal) power
is given to kill “with hunger.” This in itself is enough to demonstrate that the black horse rider sym-
bolizes something more and different than famine, otherwise we have a duplication here. That we
have something directly in contrast with the gospel itself should be very clear -- for black is the dia-
metric opposite of white. Not only that, but the gospel freely gives the bread of life, while here we
find something that sells the prime necessities, both for rich and poor at fixed prices. The Good
News of the Kingdom of God brings blessings for all; but here is something that would “hurt” the
oil and the wine if not restrained by divine command.

The Balances of Deceit

To get a clear understanding of this
part of the vision, we need to go to the
Book of Hosea. Notice!

Israel is swallowed up: now shall
they be among the Gentiles as a vessel
wherein is no pleasure (Hosea 8:8). My
God will cast them away, because they did
not hearken unto Him: and they shall be
wanderers among the nations (Hosea
9:17). He (Jacob) is a merchant, the bal-
ances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to
oppress (margin, deceive) (Hosea 12:7).

Here we have a clear prophecy of
the characteristics of apostate Israel during
the time the gospel was going out to the
The Black Horse of Revelation 6. The famished
world. As a nation it was to be “swallowed
look indicates a famine of the true gospel.
up” among the Gentiles. As individuals
they were to be “wanderers among the na-
tions.” AND THEY WOULD ADDICT THEMSELVES TO THE DECEITFUL
MERCHANDISING OF THE GOSPEL!

The passage last quoted above matches the symbol of the black horse rider so perfectly that
we cannot doubt that the former is given us to unlock the meaning of the latter. The color BLACK
symbolizes that which is hidden (deceit), as white fitly represents that which is truthful and open.
And the balances are plainly shown to represent THE MERCHANDISING OF THE GOSPEL, to
which our nations of Israel have addicted ourselves!

The Berean Voice September-October 2002