Seal 4 - Rumor notes 29

 

When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see!" And behold, a pale horse, and he who sat on it, his name was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him. (Revelation 6:7-8)

This is likely announced by the creature looking like a flying eagle. Given the global nature of this event that would make sense. As a flying eagle has greater perspective than any of the other creatures, thus able to better expose the diabolical nature of the great imposter who has been implementing his plans to destroy the most people.

He who sat on it...

Each of these horses has a rider. Compare these to what we find at the end of Revelation related to horses and riders.

I saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, "Come! Be gathered together to the great supper of God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, and small and great." (Revelation 19:17-18)

I see this as a strong clue relating to all of these horses and riders who are on the opposing side from the Lamb. Their purpose, whether openly or secretly, is to deceive in order to steal, kill and destroy, or to openly exploit and subjugate all who resist them. This is the pattern of Satan's kingdom, to begin with subtle deceptions and enticements in order to seduce people into handing over their authority, and when that fails to accomplish their designs the next step is to threaten and coerce all who resist conforming. This is the method of the dragon, but it is in sharp contrast to the true methods exercised by the Lamb and all those who follow Him. Remember, the key to appreciating these symbols is to ever keep in mind that the war is over methods and motives, not over winning through raw force and power.

This describes a heyday of death and hades in sharp contrast to their own defeat and demise in Revelation 20:14 when they are exposed by the full revelation of truth in the books. This parallels what Jesus experienced during the last hours of His life described as being in the heart of the earth.

When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn't stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. (Luke 22:53)

his name was Death. Hades followed with him

This is the first bookend with its counterpart found near the other end of the book. Through breaking this lie-seal open, the Lamb reveals who is the instigator of death and the grave – and it is not God. This begins to introduce the grand originator of death onto the scene. It is important to note that the counterpart of this introduction is linked with the opening of a scroll/book, very similar to how all this will meet their demise through exposure of what is revealed in the opening of other books in the context of the lakes of fire.

I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

(Revelation 20:12-14)

Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the (1) sword, with (2) famine, with (3) death, and by the (4) wild animals of the earth was given to him

What might this 1/4 mean? We will discover later that 1/3 constitutes a trademark linking activities as originating with Satan. We learn that 4 generally indicates having to do with his earth and humanity. If we correlate 1/3 as meaning a divisive opposite of the perfect number 3 denoting the composition of the Godhead, 1/4 could be a divisive opposite of what God's original design was for humanity on this planet.

What is identified here are the natural outcomes of the infection Satan brought in when sin took control of how things operate in our world. Listed here are 4 ways of killing. This is counter to our original design to be only about life, receiving life from the Tree of Life and generously giving life outside the parameters of trading and expectations of return.

By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God.... (Ezekiel 28:16 NAS95)

These four ways of killing might also possibly correspond with the 4 horsemen themselves.

Horseman 1 carried a bow, a weapon for killing; horseman 2 carried a great sword; horseman 3 inferred famine and now horseman 4 might summarize and finalize this grouping.

Note that wild beasts in Scripture allude to demonic harassing spirits, not merely physical beasts.

Again, the way authority really functions is that it is derived from the willing choices of those coming under authority. Humans through exercise of their will give permission to one or the other side to have authority in their lives. If we refuse to give our will to God and cooperate with His will for us, we give permission for the enemy to control our thoughts, our impulses, our desires and ultimately squeeze us into reflecting his image rather than that reflected by the Lamb.

We might assume we are safe interpreting this last horseman as clearly being connected to the enemy, and we could be right. However, we can still be in danger of subtle deception if we continue to harbor beliefs that at times God will resort to using some or all of these things to manipulate or punish those who resist His will. Because this war is primarily over methods and motives, we must be very alert to the reality that what we believe about God is the focal point of contention. This war is primarily one putting God on trial, not us. Only from this perspective can we see how everything fits together perfectly and that those who follow the Lamb will not participate in accusing God of ever employing tactics or having motives like those of His enemies.

When sword, famine, death or exposure to violent wild animals come to people, it is often a strong temptation to imagine God is directly at work to punish, and we can easily get sucked into assuming His motives are similar to how He is portrayed to by the enemy of souls. This is precisely why the Lamb of God was sent to take away the sin of the world, for the sin of the world is distrust of God resulting from lies we believe. These kinds of attitudes about how God treats His enemies are what has given sin such power to influence not only our perceptions about Him but have also affected many of the unfallen beings who likewise needed their perceptions restored to see God in a true light.

Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all [people] to myself. (John 12:32)

First we must realize that any word inserted after the all here does not originate in the original language. It comes from translators who think they know what Jesus meant to say and don't allow it to read the way He actually intended. This is because of our self-focused obsession with making sinners the center of the war instead of God. The influence of Lucifer's subtle deceptions that instigated the original rebellion in heaven before this world was even created caused enormous damage to God's reputation, and that damage is still being remedied through the ever increasing light of truth brought to view by the Son of God whose main purpose is to restore complete confidence in God, not just among humans but throughout the entire universe of intelligent beings far beyond our tiny planet.

What we are witnessing in Revelation is merely what is being acted out on the main stage that the whole universe is intently watching. For it is on this stage that the contest between the truth and the lie about God are confronting each other with increasing intensity. What the Lamb is exposing in this first wave of His assault is the enemy's concentration of lies saturated on our planet that fill the minds and hearts of humans. This world is the primary location of this war, but its influence extends far beyond the confines of humans alone, which is why Jesus often addressed far more than mere humans when He spoke at times. He was addressing not only supernatural forces directly involved in various situations but also had vital revelations of truth directed at heavenly watchers and other observers with a keen interest in clearing up every last doubt about the true nature of God's character.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them. To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, they ministered these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Good News to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:10-12)

Breaking the Seals - Rumor notes 28

 Revelation 6 – Breaking Open Seals

As discussed in the previous chapter, I believe the best way to view the nature of these seals, given the context of how they appear in the flow of this narrative, is that they most likely represent a perfect (7) system of compelling lies and insinuations crafted by the most brilliant created mind, designed to distract and derail attention from God as the source of all life, wisdom and knowledge. Because this attack has resulted in a serious erosion of trust in God's system of governing, the evidence desperately needed to diffuse the power of these charges must be publicly exposed. Yet the lies themselves are designed to reinforce each other and keep truth covered up, making this matrix of complex lies so effective that it appears God's reputation can never be restored fully.

This is exposed in chapter 5 where John feels the enormous stress of seeking a solution for God's seemingly unsolvable problem. Then he hears the most exciting news of all history as it is revealed that a hero has been found who can effectively unmask and dismantle this nemesis of deception that threatens the entire universe,. The Hero is a Lion that presents itself as a completely vulnerable Lamb. This is key for understanding the rest of the book beginning with how we come to view the meaning of each of the seals as they are broken by the Lamb one by one. Remember, only by viewing all of these symbols from the perspective and disposition of heaven who side with the Lamb can be begin to discover the shocking revelations each of these seals exposes about the nature of the subtle and sinister opponent bent on exploiting God's creation.

The only way I believe we can appreciate the nature of what is released each time a seal is broken by the Lamb is to maintain our perspective that God is exactly as portrayed by the Lamb. This alone will guide us to look through the right lens as we peer into heaven to see what John describes. Any other lens or interpretation will be distorted by false notions about how God relates to sin and sinners because we are predisposed to view everything based on paradigms from our flesh instead of the spirit.

So let's begin with the first broken seal and observe the symbols to see what might emerge.

I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, "Come and see!" And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.

(Revelation 6:1-2)

Is it possible to discern using clues, which of the 4 creatures it might be who announces this seal-breaking ceremony? Let's check out other passages that might guide us in this.

I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had in his hand a little open book. He set his right foot on the sea, and his left on the land. He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices. (Revelation 10:1-3)

This is the only creature heard using a voice of thunder. The lion represents intense emotion, either terrifying fear or intense joy. It would come from the East side of the encampment of Israel whose standard was the Lion of Judah. The entire arrangement of Israel around the sanctuary represents the psychological and social design of what it means to live together as humans.

In the context of these first four seals, this invitation to come and see might be expressed as 'bring it on'. This is like saying, it's time to expose the counterfeits - let's get on with exposing all the lies with the real truth.

behold, a white horse

Does the symbol of a white horse always mean the good guy must be riding it? In a war initiated and perpetuated through use of lies, intentional deceptions, insinuations and vicious slander, it would only be expected to find that the first lie exposed would be the most subtle. After all, these seals are intended to prevent truth from coming into the open. And the greatest truth to counterfeit would be the character of the hero commissioned to defend the reputation of God who is the main target of attack.

I believe this to be a counterfeit of Jesus riding a white horse. Having said that, it does not necessarily follow that the white horse itself could still represent professed followers of Jesus who are misled as those in leadership rely on wrong methods that increasingly leads them deeper into deception and confused notions about God and His character of selfless love.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ's apostles. And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)

What are subtle clues in this passage that could alert us here that something is suspicious?

Compare this description of a rider on a white horse with a more positive ID of Jesus later on.

I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.

I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him who sat on the horse, and against his army.

The rest were killed with the sword of him who sat on the horse, the sword which came forth out of his mouth. All the birds were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:11, 19, 21)

Emerging out this first broken seal we see a rider with a bow, a crown that is given to him and who is bent on conquering. This does not perfectly correspond to the true character of the Lamb.

This actually counterfeits the lion creature as well as the Lion/Lamb Himself. It seems to appear like courage, yet it uses ungodly methods to conquer rather than the methods of the Lion of Judah who is presented as a willingly vulnerable Lamb. It is vital to be anchored in a correct appreciation of the motives and methods of the true Hero before we go on to the things we will encounter further along in this book. The way the Lamb overcomes is never through conquering others with a bow, rather with words of truth and love alone represented as a sword that comes out of His mouth. A bow is not part of the weaponry of our Hero of Revelation. But it can be discerned through descriptions of the attacks of the enemy. A bow, remember, is for shooting arrows, which are fiery darts of Satan.

In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16 NAS95)

Why does it say the crown was given to him? If this is really Jesus then the crown would most likely already be in place. If it needs to be given to him it might indicate it is borrowed, or at least not inherently self-evident of having a good character. The crown might also represent authority given to him originally belonging to Adam. Satan acquired the crown of authority and dominion originally intended by God for Adam, but who gave it away to Satan, betraying God's trust in him.

Also note that this crown is in contrast to the many crowns seen on Jesus in Revelation 19:1.

Do we continue to give away our kingly power of our will to Satan, allowing him to conquer us and keep us in subjugation under his system of manipulation through rewards or threats of punishment?

Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head." Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

(Romans 12:20-21)

This verse highlights the stark contrast of motives and methods between the two warring camps. This is how we test every spirit, by comparing the subtle nuances of deceptions to see how they hold up to the light from Jesus. The words here translated overcome in this verse are the same Greek word that is translated as conquer we are studying here in the first seal. Satan insists that to counter evil and deter it must be accomplished by inflicting evil back on offenders. However, Jesus comes to defeat and overcome evil by responding to it with its opposite, not more of the same.

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4 NAS95)

I see this masquerading horseman as possibly the greatest master deceiver exposed in this first seal. The Lamb begins with the most difficult one to unmask and works His way through all of them to arrive at the most obvious evils in the last horse and rider released by the broken seals.

The Lamb's method of making war in Rev 19:11 and Isa 1:1-66:24 is to liberate others, in contrast to this sort of conquering. This kind of conquering means to dominate, to rule over others. This is really a counterfeit of what is actually needed, a conquering of internal selfishness and gaining self control. This exposes the extreme subtlety of this deceiver, appearing as a champion for righteousness while deftly employing methods of the dragon.

Note also that there is no mention here of clothing on the rider, in contrast to the blood-sprinkled robe seen on the authentic Jesus in Rev 19:13.

Given that these seals are likely lies being exposed as counterfeits, it could be possible that each horse might also be a counterfeit one of the 4 creatures around the throne, starting with the most subtle deception. This white horse and its rider masquerading as the 'good guys,' is in fact being controlled by the masterful imposter. Compare this with the nature of the activity of similar horses and riders in Zechariah 1:8-11, all patrolling the earth and found again in Zechariah 6:1-8. There we find the phrase 'walk back and forth through the earth' as connected with their activities which provides even more evidence that they may really be assertions of Satan's authority over the earth, just as Satan asserted to God in the story found in Job 1:7; 2:2.

The strong went out, and sought to go that they might walk back and forth through the earth: and he said, "Go around and through the earth!" So they walked back and forth through the earth. (Zechariah 6:7)

Yahweh said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." (Job 1:7)

When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come!" Another came forth, a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. There was given to him a great sword. (Revelation 6:3-4)

the second living creature

This might be announced by the second creature like a calf. This horse may relate to a counterfeit of the red heifer. Note that this is the only creature who does not say 'come and see'.

The calf connects to what might be viewed as being counterfeited by Aaron when he claimed to have thrown the people's gold (faith and love?) into the fire (of human passion and lust?) resulting in a molten idol in the likeness of raw power. This symbolizes a terrible misdirection of faith and love. That kind of gold is offered to us in exchange for our garbage (remember the counsel to Laodicea) to make harps and censers for fighting the enemy with praises and petitions. Don't waste it on indulging in power plays or lustful passions.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Phillips translation says, Don't be squeezed into the world's mold. This entire book is all about methods, motives and messages that need to be properly understood in light of the Lamb. It portrays the contest between the methods of the dragon which are all about power, versus the methods of the Lamb which is all about self-sacrificial love.

So long as we long for power, we are being conformed or squeezed or molded into the image of this world, for that is the goal and desire of the flesh. The gold used by Aaron to make a symbol of Egyptian power was molded by melting down the gold to make it conform to the shape Aaron wanted in order to please the debased cravings of the people for selfish indulgence. This was only days after they had solemnly promised to obey everything God had told them from Mt. Sinai. This demonstrates the weakness of power, for power devoid of true, selfless love only produces death. Paul calls this the law of sin and death.

This rider carries a great sword, implying that it rules with great force through use of intimidation and violence. This is a trademark attribute that emerges in this book as the primary method the enemies of the Lamb rely on consistently. This power may at times purport to be exercised for the good of the people, yet it always robs the earth of true peace which can never be established through violence and fear. Killing one another and robbing others of their freedoms is the means whereby earthly governments control the masses in their efforts to enforce artificial law, but it will never transform the heart for good but only produces the heart of a rebel.

Power to take peace from the earth

Our first parents gave Satan their dominion which he used to steal their peace and that of all the earth, introducing violence and death seen most clearly starting with Cain.

given to him a great sword

Note that in many instances the source of the giving is not identified. We must not always assume the direct source is God.

The passive nature of this action is part of the exposing nature of this war that contrasts God's methods with the forceful, coercive nature of Satan's methods.

This sword is a counterfeit of the sword of truth. This can be seen currently in compelling deceptions backed by threats, media control and coercion to suppress any truth that might expose the lies used to manipulate the masses.

Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven. Don't think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn't come to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me. He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me.

He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:32-39)

Why would Jesus say He did not come to send peace but a sword when one of His titles is Prince of Peace? Is this a contradiction or a confrontation, a protest against the counterfeit kind of peace we imagine we need?

I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. (Luke 12:49-51)

We must come to appreciate the contrast of methods relating to how the Lamb comes to restore peace.

Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak peace to the nations: and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Zechariah 9:9-10)

What kind of sword does Jesus bring?

He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. (Revelation 1:16)

Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:16)

Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.

The rest were killed with the sword of him who sat on the horse, the sword which came forth out of his mouth.... (Revelation 19:15, 21)

For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Notice the significant difference in the location of the war being fought from two opposing sides. The sword used by the hand signifies external control through fear, intimidation, force, coercion and killing that robs the earth of peace. Jesus comes with a sword, but the sword is in His mouth meaning it is words, not violence used to control others. The sword Jesus relies on exclusively is designed to operate at the heart level and can only be wielded effectively by the Holy Spirit through inward promptings. This is in stark contrast to the external abuse of power relied on by the Lamb's opponents in attempts to compel conformity to their demands or suffer the consequences.

So how are we to explain the divisive nature of the sword Jesus uses? How does this relate to peace? Maybe we need to understand the true nature of peace as well as the meaning of a sword.

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. (John 14:27)

When a person begins to respond and become synchronized with the Spirit of Jesus, a division increasingly develops between their heart and those around them that they previously depended on to give them comfort or identity or security. When relatives and loved ones become angry and resentful at these changes of dependence and affection, division is inevitable. It is then that we are faced with a painful choice, whether to continue to make the Lamb our highest priority or whether we will go back to our codependent and familiar ways of relating to others.

It might appear that because of this division that takes place, instead of bringing peace Jesus has introduced dissonance, and this is true. However, the peace that the world gives is not a heart peace but an artificial kind of peace, a superficial peace where conflict and tension between the opposing sides of the war is maintained through fear or appeasement. The world's peace is measured by conformity to the will of those in power, while the peace of heaven is entirely internal, rooted in the heart connected to the heart of God as its exclusive source of identity, value and trust. This always results in tension and conflict with anyone we have depended on to provide our sense of worth and identity in the past, which is why the internal peace results in external division brought on by the resistance of all who refuse to follow the Lamb with us.

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come and see!" And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand. I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius! Don't damage the oil and the wine!" (Revelation 6:5-6)

This announcement is from the creature with a face like a man. A man partially represents calculating and protecting assets, especially from our fallen thinking in the flesh. This is signified by the use of balance scales alerting us to the fact that this involves the counterfeit system designed by Lucifer to replace God's original design for governing. Scales are associated with all three foundations of the counterfeit design: trading/commerce, artificial law and hierarchy. In fact, one of the most recognized symbols of our version of justice is the scales.

The face of a man is related to knowledge as well. Remember, these things that emerge upon the breaking of each seal are all full of lies mingled with truth designed to prevent us from seeing the pure truth that will exonerate God and His methods and motives. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is directly linked to these symbols found released by this seal. The man is linked to the knowledge part of the tree while the scales are used to measure good and evil in our design for keeping order by keeping good and evil in balance.

What often is not noticed here is that this word translated scales also means yoke. Here is Strong's definition of this word in the Greek.

(to join, especially by a "yoke"); a coupling, i.e. (figuratively) servitude (a law or obligation); also (literally) the beam of the balance (as connecting the scales):--pair of balances, yoke.

Compare this with the following quotation from the writings used as the foundation of this earth's system as explained by Albert Pike.

At the same time that we judge that a free agent has done a good or a bad act, we form another judgment, as necessary as the first; that if he has done well, he deserves compensation; if ill, punishment …That judgment may be expressed in a manner more or less vivid, according as it is mingled with sentiments more or less ardent. Sometimes it will be a merely kind feeling toward a virtuous agent, and moderately hostile to a guilty one; sometime enthusiasm or indignation … The judgment of merit and demerit is intimately connected with the judgment of good and evil… Merit is the natural right which we have to be rewarded; demerit the natural right which others have to punish us… Reward accorded to merit is a debt; without merit it is an alms or a theft … The Good is good in itself, and to be accomplished, whatever the consequences… Virtue without happiness, and crime without misery, is a contradiction and disorder … … This law that attaches pleasure and sorrow to the good and the evil, is, in general, accomplished even here below…To the moral law in the reason of man, corresponds liberty in action. Liberty is deduced from obligation, and is a fact irresistibly evident. Man, as free, and subject to obligation, is a moral person; and that involves the idea of rights. To these ideas is added that of merit and demerit, which supposes the distinction between good and evil, obligation and liberty; and creates the idea of reward and punishment.

The distinction of the two Principles was admitted in all the Theologies, and formed one of the principal bases of all religions. It entered as a primary element into the sacred fables, the cosmogonies and the Mysteries of antiquity… The harmony of the Universe is a combination of contraries, like the strings of a lyre, or that of a bow, which alternately is stretched and relaxed.” “The good,” says Euripides, “is never separated from the Evil … The two must mingle, that all may go well.” …“And this opinion as to the two principles, continues Plutarch, is that of all antiquity. From the Theologians and Legislators it passed to the Poets and Philosophers. Its author is unknown, but the opinion itself is established by the traditions of the whole human race, and consecrated in the Mysteries and sacrifices both of the Greeks and Barbarians, wherein was recognized the dogma of opposing principles in nature, which, by their contrariety, produce the mixture of good and evil … We must admit two contrary causes, two opposing powers, which lead, one to the right and the other to the left, and thus control our life … This doctrine … has been generally received by most nations, and especially by those who have had the greatest reputation for wisdom ...

All have admitted two gods, with different occupations, one making the good and the other the evil found in nature. The former has been styled “God,” the latter “Demon” … Morals and Dogma p.246-247; Albert Pike – founder of the Masons

This horse represents the exposure of the source of the philosophy of this world, relied on throughout history by governments and religions of every stripe. Albert Pike simply points this out as an undeniable fact, and he is right. This is the way our world operates, but it is challenged by a new kingdom introduced by the hero of Revelation, the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. But His advance is not without fierce resistance and opposition at every step, which is why we find ourselves immersed in so much conflict whenever we begin to respond to the invitations to change sides and join the Lamb. The battle is not merely over our allegiance but primarily over our heart, for where our heart chooses to anchor itself, everything else in our lives will follow.

a voice in the midst of the four living creatures

There are many possible ways to look at this, but given other references using the phrase in the midst of I would view this as being a statement likely in harmony with heaven's view of what is going on here.

A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenix of barley for a denarius!

Scholars have puzzled over this ever since it was written, for one reason being that no one seems to know just what a choenix is. What does seem to be a consensus is that these prices are extremely high. A denarius was a full day's wages, so to buy a measure of wheat for a full day's wages is way out of line, and the only reason the barley is less is because it was less desirable than wheat. But still this is an insanely high price.

One view is that these exorbitant prices indicate that a famine is taking place, making all food very scarce and thus difficult to purchase reasonably. Given the symbolic aspect of all of these passages, what sort of famine might this refer to? This is not necessarily a prediction of a literal famine where literal wheat and barley soar in economic value. So what do these symbols inform us about and how can we benefit from what we read here?

The beginning of the wheat harvest was used to determine the timing for the Feast of Weeks festival.

All of the things listed here were used in worship activities during the sanctuary services.

Wheat and oil are foundational ingredients for bread. Jesus is represented as our bread of life.

Wheat was associated with the idea of blessings from God.

Wheat is connected to the idea of God's people bearing fruit, similar to grapes or fruits of the vine.

Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat. He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly. (Psalms 147:14-15)

I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:11-12)

He set another parable before them, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away. But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the darnel weeds appeared also. The servants of the householder came and said to him, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where did this darnel come from?' "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and gather them up?' "But he said, 'No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, "First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn."'" (Matthew 13:24-30)

Destroyers are come on all the bare heights in the wilderness; for the sword of Yahweh devours from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh has peace. They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and you shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of Yahweh. (Jeremiah 12:12-13)

There seems to be two distinct sources of scarcity mentioned here. First are mentioned destroyers, which might indicate outside interference, while it is pointed out that they are not reaping what they thought they planted but something useless and even disturbing.

The field is laid waste. The land mourns, for the grain is destroyed, The new wine has dried up, and the oil languishes. Be confounded, you farmers! Wail, you vineyard keepers; for the wheat and for the barley; for the harvest of the field has perished. The vine has dried up, and the fig tree withered; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all of the trees of the field are withered; for joy has withered away from the sons of men. (Joel 1:10-12)

Note how this following passage links wheat with balance scales.

Saying, 'When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel large, and dealing falsely with balances of deceit; that we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes, and sell the sweepings with the wheat?' (Amos 8:5-6)

What may be emerging from consideration of these references is that the famine or shortage resulting in such exorbitant prices, might just be a scarcity of true followers of the Lamb who are producing much fruit as He designed for them to do.

I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man doesn't remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. (John 15:5-8)

Don't damage the oil and the wine!"

Anointing Oil and Worship Elements

This is the thing that you shall do to them to make them holy, to minister to me in the priest's office: take one young bull and two rams without blemish, unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat flour.

Then you shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head, and anoint him. (Exodus 29:1-2, 7)

Every meal offering, mixed with oil or dry, belongs to all the sons of Aaron, one as well as another. This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to Yahweh. If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mixed with oil. (Leviticus 7:10-12)

He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

(Leviticus 8:12)

You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting, lest you die; for the anointing oil of Yahweh is on you." They did according to the word of Moses. (Leviticus 10:7)

Samuel said to Jesse, Are here all your children? He said, There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is keeping the sheep. Samuel said to Jesse, Send and get him; for we will not sit down until he come here. He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful face, and goodly to look on. Yahweh said, Arise, anoint him; for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers: and the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:11-13)

Oil of Favor and Joy

as I was in the ripeness of my days, when the friendship of God was in my tent, when the Almighty was yet with me, and my children were around me, when my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out streams of oil for me, (Job 29:4-6)

You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. (Psalms 45:7)

You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows. (Hebrews 1:9)

The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of Yahweh's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh, that he may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Beauty Oil

Each young woman's turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying women). (Esther 2:12)

Your oils have a pleasing fragrance. Your name is oil poured forth, therefore the virgins love you. (Song of Solomon 1:3)

They shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow to the goodness of Yahweh, to the grain, and to the new wine, and to the oil, and to the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. (Jeremiah 31:12)

Oil Shortages

For she did not know that I gave her the grain, the new wine, and the oil, and multiplied to her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. (Hosea 2:8)

The field is laid waste. The land mourns, for the grain is destroyed, The new wine has dried up, and the oil languishes. (Joel 1:10)

I called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on that which the ground brings forth, on men, on livestock, and on all the labor of the hands. (Haggai 1:11)

Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' (Matthew 25:1-9)

Wine

Drink no wine nor strong drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the Tent of Meeting, that you don't die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations: (Leviticus 10:9)

Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them: When either man or woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to Yahweh, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of fermented drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried. All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is made of the grapevine, from the seeds even to the skins. (Numbers 6:2-4)

You shall keep the feast of tents seven days, after that you have gathered in from your threshing floor and from your winepress: (Deuteronomy 16:13)

Because you didn't serve Yahweh your God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things; therefore shall you serve your enemies whom Yahweh shall send against you, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron on your neck, until he have destroyed you. Yahweh will bring a nation against you from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flies; a nation whose language you shall not understand; a nation of fierce facial expressions, that shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favor to the young, and shall eat the fruit of your livestock, and the fruit of your ground, until you are destroyed; that also shall not leave you grain, new wine, or oil, the increase of your livestock, or the young of your flock, until they have caused you to perish. They shall besiege you in all your gates, until your high and fortified walls come down, in which you trusted, throughout all your land; and they shall besiege you in all your gates throughout all your land, which Yahweh your God has given you. You shall eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters, whom Yahweh your God has given you, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemies shall distress you. (Deuteronomy 28:47-53)

I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes have not grown old on you, and your shoe has not grown old on your foot. You have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong drink; that you may know that I am Yahweh your God. (Deuteronomy 29:5-6)

Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don't eat any unclean thing: (Judges 13:4)

but he said to me, Behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

She may not eat of anything that comes of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing; all that I commanded her let her observe. (Judges 13:7, 14)

Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase: so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine. Don't look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. (Proverbs 23:29-31)

Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul: (Proverbs 31:6)

I said, "I will climb up into the palm tree. I will take hold of its fruit." Let your breasts be like clusters of the vine, the smell of your breath like apples, Beloved Your mouth like the best wine, that goes down smoothly for my beloved, gliding through the lips of those who are asleep.

(Song of Solomon 7:8-9)

I would lead you, bringing you into my mother's house, who would instruct me. I would have you drink spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate. (Song of Solomon 8:2)

He dug it up, gathered out its stones, planted it with the choicest vine, built a tower in its midst, and also cut out a winepress therein. He looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.

(Isaiah 5:2)

In this mountain, Yahweh of Armies will make all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of choice wines, of fat things full of marrow, of well refined choice wines. (Isaiah 25:6)

Gladness and joy is taken away from the fruitful field and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to cease from the wine presses: none shall tread with shouting; the shouting shall be no shouting. (Jeremiah 48:33)

Prostitution, wine, and new wine take away understanding. (Hosea 4:11)

They haven't cried to me with their heart, but they howl on their beds. They assemble themselves for grain and new wine. They turn away from me. (Hosea 7:14)

The field is laid waste. The land mourns, for the grain is destroyed, The new wine has dried up, and the oil languishes. (Joel 1:10)

Yahweh answered his people, "Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied with them; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations." (Joel 2:19)

"Behold, the days come," says Yahweh, "that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the one treading grapes him who sows seed; and sweet wine will drip from the mountains, and flow from the hills. I will bring my people Israel back from captivity, and they will rebuild the ruined cities, and inhabit them; and they will plant vineyards, and drink wine from them. They shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them." (Amos 9:13-14)

For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins. (Zechariah 9:17)

Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved. (Matthew 9:17)

No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins. (Mark 2:22)

No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved. No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, 'The old is better.' (Luke 5:37-39)

Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, (Ephesians 5:18)

Another, a second angel, followed, saying, "Babylon the great has fallen, which has made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality." (Revelation 14:8)

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality, and those who dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her sexual immorality."

The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of the sexual immorality of the earth.

I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered with great amazement. (Revelation 17:1-2, 4, 6)

Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. (Revelation 19:15)

Given these insights related to grain, oil and wine, what might we deduce as being in shortage?

What might it mean that the oil and wine should not be damaged?

Do they need to be guarded, protected, preserved from loss or vandalism or spoilage?