(tm)The third seal

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And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. (Revelation 6:5,6)

The opening of the third seal, the rider on the black horse holding the pair of balances in his hand, speaks of commerce. Buying and selling have become the chief activities of the nations of the earth. The kingdom of Antichrist is based on buying and selling.

The spirit of commerce is so widespread it is difficult to conceive of a civilization not based on economics. Yet, it is a black horse. There is no quicker way to kill the spiritual life in a human being than to occupy him with acquiring material goods. No man can serve God and money.

One measure of wheat or three measures of barley was not much grain for the amount charged (a day’s wages), speaking of the endless cheating that takes place wherever merchants are active. The masters of commerce were overcharging the poor for their staple food while paying great attention to the luxuries of oil and wine. So it is today as the poor are continually abused while the rich surfeit themselves with luxury.

The day is at hand when the poor will take their ease in the Paradise of God while the rich are in torment in Hell.