148    The Bible and the Future of the World 

The Second Seal (Rev 6:3 4) 

     And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take 

peace from the earth, so that men should slay one another; and he was given 

a great sword.  (Rev 6:4). 

    The second horseman represents conflict within countries; the violence of 

one person against another, or of one small group against another. The 

sword of this horseman is called great because the violence and killing will 

be great. This violence will begin during the Arab war against Europe and 

will be partially caused by that war. This violence will be widespread over 

much of the earth. It will begin not long after the war begins and it will 

continue during the 2010's. Faithful Christians will be able to refrain from 

taking part in this violence. Prayer and self denial bring peace. 

The Third Seal (Rev 6:5 6) 

     And I saw, and behold, a black horse, and its rider had a balance in his 

hand; and I heard what seemed to be 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; but do not harm oil and wine!'   (Rev 6:5 6). 

    The third horseman represents a great famine. Wheat and barley are 

rationed or hard to obtain, but oil and wine are available. At the time the 

book of Revelation was written, wheat and barley were considered to be 

staples, basic necessities, and the denarius was the payment given for a day's 

wages. Thus a day of work will obtain the basic necessities. But oil and wine 

were considered luxury items, signs of prosperity. There have often been 

famines in human history, but this famine will be different. Basic necessities 

will be scarce, but luxury items will be obtainable. This great famine will 

occur in developed, formerly prosperous countries. 

    The Great Famine will occur in Europe during the Arab occupation. The 

famine will spread outside of Europe and beyond the occupied lands. Even 

the United States will be affected. It will begin during the war and will be 

partially caused by the war. The famine will begin in 2013, will be widely 

acknowledge as a famine in 2014, and will  be widespread and severe by 

2015. The great famine will continue until the early 2020's. It will end by the 

year 2023. 

    This famine will be more severe in some countries and less severe in other 

countries. That is why Holy Scripture says that a denarius buys only one 

quart of wheat, but three quarts of barley. Different grains are prevalent in 

different parts of the world. In one part of the world, where the famine is 

more severe, a day's wages obtains less of the basic necessities (represented 

by the one quart of wheat). But in other areas, where the famine is less