We looked at the scroll. We know that the scroll holds the future of our world. We know that Jesus is the only one with the power to manage the scroll. Starting today, Jesus is breaking the seals found within the scroll. Over this seven-part series, we are looking at what the different seals represent and how we can be interpreting these seals in our world today. This series will be called “Sealed No Longer.” Again, my goal is to look deeper into what the seals represent and how we can be mindful of how to interpret those events in our world today. The third seal is in Revelation 6:5-6:

Revelation 6:5-6

5            When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and a saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.

6            And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.”

An interesting thing I just noticed (as I wrote this) that this horseman represents our resources. We are not wasting those things that cost us our daily pay. The things that are needed for our basic living and can be helpful to our community around us. This has been one of those quick Holy Spirit revelations. Now, let’s look into the symbolism of the color black and the scales.

Black is associated with evil, death, and mourning. It conveys darkness, such as sin and judgment. With my realization of the intentionality of managing our resources, the horse represents our battle with managing our resources ourselves. We can often let our wealth and greed become our personality instead of allowing God to manage our resources and even giving a percentage of those resources back to God.

The scales are a yoke, a wooden beam used to join two animals together for the purpose of pulling a load of plowing a field. It represents our servitude, burden, or bondage. Does this sound familiar? Jesus encourages us to take his yoke, one that is light and easy to manage. To carry the responsibilities of being a follower of God instead of carrying the struggles of living in a sin-filled world. We often hold on to our own anxieties, fears, insecurities, shame, and guilt because we’re afraid of what would happen if that became public. Society throws this yoke on us because of the societal pressure to be individualized, and to do it in a fast-paced world.

The world puts us in the battle of resources where we mourn the loss of our money and time to survive instead of attempting to give it all to God and swap those yokes out for one that’s lighter, easier to carry, and is more manageable in the long-term. Until next time, stay blessed.

Associated Scripture:

Revelation 6:5            Zechariah 6:2, 6-8