Scripture Focus:
📖 “When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come and see.’ So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 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 6:5–6)
Dear Builders,
I found this prophecy interesting cause it informs us of a time that is coming. Depending on when you are reading this newsletter. It might have already come. It tells us of a season of scarcity and inflation in trade. A time when basic foods will become scarce and expensive. While luxury foods will be accessible regardless. It also educates us who love God and are called to his purposes on what to do and how to survive the times. From that scripture we can clearly see that inequality and scarcity and inflation is a spiritual battle tied to control of resources. Lets break down the scripture for easy consumption and digestion.
A black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand
Scales were used for measuring grain and setting prices in the marketplace. The visual image is about trade, commerce, and economic systems. The black color is often linked to famine, or hardship meaning a time of economic distress.
When the world is under pressure, the “scales” (pricing systems) can be manipulated, leading to scarcity or inflation. Builders in the marketplace should be alert to how systems, policies, and markets affect survival
Some may ask. What kind of pressure??
Agricultural / Environmental Pressure - Droughts, floods, climate shifts, soil depletion, pests, diseases → these reduce food supply. When supply drops, prices rise. (E.g., Joseph’s Egypt famine, Genesis 41.)
Political / War Pressure - Wars destroy farmland, block trade routes, and make transportation costly. In Revelation, the horsemen are tied to wars and famines, scarcity often follows global conflict.
Supply Chain Pressure - If imports/exports are blocked (pandemics, fuel shortages, strikes, global shipping crises), even food-rich nations feel scarcity. Prices rise because goods can’t move freely.
Spiritual Pressure - Behind the scenes, Revelation shows this isn’t just economics, it’s a spiritual shaking. Scarcity can be a tool of control (enslaving people through lack). Yet, God preserves “oil and wine” for His people, meaning covenant protection in times of testing
A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius
A denarius was one full day’s wage. Normally, that would buy enough food for a family. But here, it only buys one quart of wheat (enough for one person) or some barley (a cheaper, lower-quality grain). This shows hyperinflation, basic food costs skyrocket, and a worker can barely feed himself, not his family.
The prophecy shows us how basic needs (food, water, energy) become scarce and expensive in times of crisis. For us today, this links to inflation and food insecurity worldwide.
Do not harm the oil and the wine
Oil and wine were not basic survival food but luxuries and symbols of wealth, joy, and anointing. Spiritually, God preserves the “oil” (anointing) and “wine” (joy, covenant blessing) for His people even in scarcity.
During famine, the poor starved while the wealthy still had access to these luxuries. Don’t build your life or business only on luxuries; focus on essentials as well. Essential needs always sustain value; luxuries are vulnerable when scarcity worsens.
As a Business Builder, What can we learn from this?
Don’t Build Only on Luxuries (wants):
Many chase businesses in vanity markets (luxury fashion, fleeting trends) while neglecting essentials. But Revelation warns us: in times of shaking, only essential goods and services hold lasting value.Understand Wealth Gaps:
Inflation often doesn’t affect everyone equally. If your business or household is positioned only in “luxuries,” you’ll suffer when scarcity rises.God Protects His Own:
Notice—“do not harm the oil and the wine.” Even in scarcity, God preserves spiritual abundance for His children.
What To Do About It
Position in Essentials: Build businesses and investments around food, health, clean energy, housing, and education, things people will always need.
Hedge Against Inflation: Learn financial stewardship. Save, diversify, and avoid reckless debt that inflation can make unbearable.
Spiritual Anchoring: Pray over your household economy. The scales of the world cannot override God’s provision. Like Joseph in Egypt, God can give wisdom to store in plenty and thrive in famine.
Securing It for Generations in Christ
Teach Kingdom Economics: Train your children not just to “make money,” but to create value rooted in God’s wisdom.
Preserve Anointing & Joy: Oil and wine remind us that our true inheritance is not just financial, but spiritual. Guard prayer, worship, and obedience, they secure favor even in global scarcity.
Generational Stewardship: Proverbs 13:22 — “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” Store wealth God’s way (honest labor, faithful giving, kingdom priorities).
Build for Crisis-Proof Living: Establish food security (farming, agribusiness, local production), energy independence, and financial literacy. What you secure today becomes a covering for tomorrow’s generation.
🙏 Prayer
“Our Father in heaven, we bless your holy name. In times of shaking and scarcity, I will not fear. As the world inflates prices, You inflate my wisdom and capacity. My household will never lack bread, because I carry Joseph’s wisdom and Christ’s covenant. Oil and wine shall not be harmed in my life, for the anointing and joy of the Lord are my inheritance, and I secure them for my children and children’s children, in Jesus’ Name.” AMEN!!
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