Revelation 6:6 says, “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, and do not harm the oil and the wine!”” This verse comes in the midst of the opening of the first four seals, which unleash the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The voice speaks of economic hardship – it will take a whole day’s wages just to buy some basic food staples. But the voice tells them not to harm the oil and wine. What is the significance of this command?
Background on the Setting
To understand this verse, we need to understand the background. Revelation was written by the apostle John around AD 95 while he was in exile on the island of Patmos. The book is a prophetic vision about the end times. In Revelation 6, the Lamb (Jesus) opens the first four seals of the scroll with the seven seals. As each seal is opened, a horse and rider emerge bringing various types of catastrophe and tribulation.
The first seal brings a rider on a white horse who is given a crown and goes out to conquer (Revelation 6:2). The second seal brings a rider on a red horse who takes peace from the earth and causes people to kill each other (Revelation 6:4). The third seal brings a rider on a black horse holding scales used for weighing food. This indicates famine, scarcity, and economic upheaval (Revelation 6:5-6). The voice speaks just after the third seal is opened.
So the setting is one of increasing turmoil, violence, and hardship leading up to the end times. There will be war, bloodshed, famine, and severe economic disruption. Yet even in the midst of this, the voice commands not to harm the oil and wine.
Oil and Wine as Luxury Items
Oil and wine were luxury items in the ancient world. Olive oil was used for cooking, cosmetics, medicinal purposes, lighting lamps, and ceremonial anointing. Wine was consumed at meals, festivals, and pagan temples. While grains, vegetables and water were staples for the common people, oil and wine were prized commodities, afforded only by the wealthy.
By specifying oil and wine, the voice is providing an exemption for the higher classes of society. The poor will struggle to even buy bare essentials like grain, but the elites are not to be harmed. Their luxury lifestyles will be maintained even amidst the surrounding calamity.
Some commentators note that oil and wine were also used in religious ceremonies. James Moffat says, “Oil and wine were essential elements in meal offerings; despite the high prices, they must still be available for the services of the temple.” So there may also be a religious component to preserving the oil and wine.
A Picture of Inequality
This verse paints a sobering picture of economic and social inequality. The poor laborer earns a meager wage that buys less and less, while the rich continue indulging. It calls to mind how the French peasants had no bread before the French Revolution, yet Queen Marie Antoinette lived in luxury at Versailles palace.
The command protects the indulgences of a privileged few, while the masses struggle to avoid starvation. This disparity often characterizes times of widespread crisis – the elite are buffered while the poor suffer greatly. The voice does not call for redistribution or shared sacrifice, but rather maintains stark divisions along class lines.
Foreshadowing Unjust Social Structures
This verse portends unjust social structures leading up to the end times. Economically, it reveals severe inflation and wage stagnation, where ordinary workers can hardly afford essential foods. The scales symbolize commerce and business operating normally, but at the expense of exploited laborers. The elite will preserve their high standard of living in the face of worldwide hardship.
Socially, it reveals indifference to poverty and deep inequality between the haves and have-nots. Luxury and excess for a few will stand side by side with the starvation and desperation of the masses. This disparity leads to civil unrest and revolt when it becomes too extreme.
Theologically, it reveals how God permits suffering in the world to unfold according to people’s choices – preserving free will rather than intervening. God sustains the world not out of obligation to social justice, but rather to accomplish His ultimate plans and purposes.
This foreshadows an unsettling social order under the sovereignty of God. Thankfully, these inequalities and injustices will not last forever. God’s kingdom will ultimately bring righteousness, justice and peace for all peoples.
A Reminder Not to Trust in Riches
This verse reminds readers not to put their hope in material wealth, which can quickly lose its value. Jesus taught that one’s life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). He instructed His followers not to store up treasures on earth but rather in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
James 5:1-6 specifically warns the rich who live in luxury and self-indulgence. When hard times come, their wealth will corrode and testify against them. Their only option will be misery, weeping and despair.
This verse echos those sober warnings against materialism. When famines and economic crash strike, accumulated wealth can disappear instantly. Those who trust in riches more than God will be devastated. Only by storing up eternal treasure through godliness can believers have unfailing hope (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
Foreshadowing God’s Impartial Judgment
While this verse paints a sober picture, it also hints at God’s impartiality. All people, rich and poor, will be judged by the same standard. The poor will not be spared from suffering in the turbulent end times. But neither will the rich be able to fully escape through their wealth and luxury.
The book of Revelation repeatedly warns that on the great day of God’s wrath, all will be judged according to their deeds (Revelation 2:23; 20:12). Both the impoverished and the wealthy stand condemned before God for their sins. Those who persevered through poverty will receive their reward, just as the self-indulgent rich will receive wrath.
This verse portends a dire crisis coming on the whole world to humble all people before Christ. The love of money will be revealed as false hope. As James 5:8 says, “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
A Message Both Stern and Merciful
This verse delivers a message that is both stern and merciful. It is a stern warning against economic exploitation and indifference toward the poor. God detests those who enhance their own wealth by impoverishing others. It also warns against luxury in times of widespread want. Amos 6:1, 4-7 pronounces woe on those living comfortably in Zion while the nation suffers ruin.
Yet the verse is also merciful. It indicates God’s restraint and patience during a time of severe upheaval. Despite intense tribulation, God preserves provision to sustain life. He also upholds social order and basic commerce. God temporarily allows injustice, but his mercy mitigates the full consequences of sin. Eventually his justice will right all wrongs.
So this verse offers both warning and assurance – a call to repentance yet also confidence in God’s ultimate control. As bleak as the end times unfold, saints can trust God will redeem their suffering. The arrogant and unjust find no escape. But the righteous poor endure with hope in God’s coming kingdom.
Conclusion
The command in Revelation 6:6, “do not harm the oil and wine,” offers a complex picture of economic disparity, injustice, indulgence, judgment, patience and hope. It points to stark inequalities and hardships facing the lower classes, yet protections maintained on the wealthy. Luxuries remain untouched even when staples become scarce. This foreshadows end time social structures under God’s sovereign hand. The passage calls all people to reject materialism and worldliness and to rely on God alone for provision. His justice will someday right all wrongs. The righteous poor must persevere in hope.