The Oil and The Wine

"When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” - Revelation 6:5-6

Two pounds of wheat for a day's wages? That's one day's worth of food for working all day. And you thought inflation was bad now!

The cost of barley is not much cheaper during the Tribulation. But then a voice calls out. Is it Jesus? The Voice says "don't damage the oil and the wine."

It sounds like the guy on the black horse is going to wreak havoc on the wheat and barley crops. In other words, there is going to be a famine.

But what if these two verses are not only about WHAT is going to happen, but also WHEN they will happen.

When is the barley harvest in Israel? Do you know? It's at the end of March (between the Passover and Pentecost).

As a side note, the timing of the barley harvest gives great insight to the story of Ruth and Boaz.

"Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor." - Ruth 3:2

That's the barley harvest! Now we know that it was likely March and a little chilly. Now it makes more sense when Ruth says, "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian -redeemer of our family.” Ruth was cold! Boaz was wearing a coat!

And what about the wheat harvest. When is that? It is between Pentecost and Tu'B'Av or the 15th of Av - a Jewish holiday commemorating love. Av is the 5th month on the Hebrew calendar. Basically, it lasts through the end of August.

"And the love of many shall grow cold." - Matthew 24:12, Jesus

When is the grape harvest in Israel? It lasts from the end of the wheat harvest until Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). That day is October 11-12 of 2024

"The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the nation of Israel." - Isaiah 5:7

And the olive harvest? October - November.

The voice in the midst of the four creatures from Revelation 6 said, "don't damage the oil and the wine." So, whatever the Black Horse and its rider are going to do, it will stop in the fall. By the Day of Atonement.

What's so special about the day of Atonement? It is the highest holy day on the Jewish calendar. In the Old Testament the "high priest" made an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the people. That sounds like what Jesus did for us, doesn't it? Yom Kippur is the final day of judgment when each person's fate is sealed by God for the upcoming year.

The final day of judgement. Hmm. That's 19 days from today!

Just a few things to consider as we see the day approaching. Is Jesus your Lord?

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:23-25