The Rider on a Black Horse

1. The message of the third seal perfectly corresponds to the third letter, addressed to the church of Pergamos, also found in the book of Revelation. Which historical period covers the events foretold by the third letter and the third seal?
   The period from A.D. 31 to 100.
   The period from A.D. 100 to 313.
   The period from A.D. 313 to 538.
   The period from A.D. 538 to 1517.

2. The rank of the living creatures corresponds with the rank of the seals they introduce. So the third seal is introduced by the third living creature, whose nature carries a symbolism that is very relevant to the period of the third seal. The book of Revelation indicates that «the third living creature had a face...»
   «... like a man.»
   «... like a lion.»
   «... like a calf.»
   «... like an eagle.»

3. The color of the third seal's horse also bears an interesting symbolism. The Gospel according to John explains the meaning of this color: «Walk while you have the , lest overtake you; he who walks in does not know where he is going.» As a sign of darkness and obscurity, the color black thus indicates a spiritual state that is far away from light, from the truth manifested in Jesus Christ.

4. What part did God play in the spiritual darkening that took place during the period of the third seal? In his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul answers: «They did not receive the love of the , that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong , that they should believe the .» So, God wants to save all men, but He respects our freedom of choice: if we reject His offer of salvation, He will allow us to sink into spiritual darkness.

5. The rider of the third seal holds an object. According to many passages of the Bible, this object indicates that God will judge the works of men. What is it?
   A ruler.
   A pair of scales.
   A rope.
   A sword.

6. At the opening of the third seal, Jesus utters the following words: «A quart of wheat for a denarius.» Knowing what a quart of wheat and a denarius represent, we then understand that by these words, Jesus announces:
   a period of great abundance.
   normal living conditions.
   a severe famine.

7. The symbolism of wheat and barley, in the third seal, is explained by these words from God, reported in the book of Amos: «I will send a on the land, not a of , nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the of the Lord.» The third seal indeed describes a period during which the Church caused a scarcity of the Word of God, by laying aside the Bible to better adapt itself to surrounding paganism.

8. At the opening of the third seal, Jesus also says: «Do not harm the oil and the wine.» In the prophetic Word, what does the oil symbolize, giving us the ability to work in God's harvest?
   The Holy Spirit.
   The breath of life.
   Spiritual gifts.
   The talents God has given us.

9. As for wine, Jesus explains its meaning, in the Gospel according to Matthew: «Drink from it, all of you. For this is My of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of .» Jesus thus indicates that, despite the grave errors of the Church, salvation in Christ is still offered to the believer.

10. Finally, one of Jesus' parables illustrates that «the oil and the wine» are also a balm on the wounds of bruised and famished believers, which describes very well the conditions prevailing during the period of the third seal. What is that parable?
    The parable of the wheat and the tares.
    The parable of the wicked vinedressers.
    The parable of the good Samaritan.
    The parable of the lost son.

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