Revelation 6:6 — 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!”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse continues the vision of the third seal being opened. After the black horse and its rider holding scales appear (Revelation 6:5), a voice speaks up—one that sounds like it’s coming from among the four living creatures near God’s throne.
The voice describes a situation of extreme scarcity. A day’s wages (a denarius in the original Greek) buys only two pounds of wheat—barely enough to feed one person for a day. Or it can buy six pounds of barley, a cheaper and lower-quality grain, enough to feed a small family with the bare minimum. This means people will be working all day just to survive, with nothing left over for anything else.
Then the command comes: “Do not damage the oil and the wine!” This part is more mysterious. Oil and wine were essentials for cooking, health, and even joy in biblical times. The command could suggest limits on the judgment, or perhaps a sign that the wealthy still have their luxuries while the poor suffer.
Altogether, the verse paints a picture of a broken economy and social imbalance—a world where food is scarce, life is hard, and survival is uncertain.
Historical Context
In the Roman Empire, daily wages were often just enough to cover basic food costs. People lived on the edge—if crops failed or prices rose, starvation quickly followed. In times of famine, the poor were hit hardest, while the wealthy often had access to preserved stores of oil, wine, and luxury goods.
This verse reflects that historical reality. John’s readers would have understood how fragile the food supply could be. They would also have seen the injustice when the rich lived in comfort while the poor struggled to survive.
This moment in the vision pulls back the curtain on what happens when God allows human greed, war, and imbalance to run unchecked. It’s a world where the systems that people trust begin to fall apart.
Theological Implications
This verse shows us that God’s judgment is not only about war or sudden disaster—it can also come through the slow breakdown of daily life. When God allows famine or economic hardship, it forces people to face their dependence—not just on food or money—but on Him.
The command not to harm the oil and wine may point to God’s restraint. Even in judgment, He sets limits. This reminds us that God is not cruel or reckless. He allows difficulty for a purpose, but He also sets boundaries.
It also warns us about injustice. When systems are broken and some go hungry while others indulge, it shows a world out of alignment with God’s design.
Literary Analysis
The voice in this verse likely comes from one of the four living creatures near God’s throne. It speaks not in poetic terms but in economic reality: weights, prices, wages, and food. This grounds the vision in the day-to-day struggles of life. The use of familiar measurements (two pounds, six pounds, a day’s wages) gives us a window into real human suffering.
The contrast between wheat (more expensive) and barley (cheaper and often used for animal feed) highlights growing inequality. The preservation of oil and wine may suggest limited luxury items remain, untouched, possibly for the privileged.
This vivid image uses everyday items to show how judgment impacts normal life—not just grand battles, but kitchen tables and family meals.
Biblical Cross-References
- Leviticus 26:26 – “When I cut off your supply of bread… they will dole out the bread by weight.”
- Ezekiel 4:10-17 – God tells Ezekiel to eat food by measure during a famine as a symbol of judgment.
- Amos 8:11 – “The days are coming… when I will send a famine—not of food, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”
- Proverbs 11:1 – “The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”
- Matthew 6:31-33 – Jesus reminds us not to worry about food and drink but to seek God first.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse reminds us that comfort and abundance are not guaranteed. The systems we rely on—jobs, banks, food chains—can fail. When they do, we are pushed to remember who truly provides: God.
It also challenges us to care about those in need. If God’s Word shows us a time when basic needs become expensive and unequal, we should respond now with compassion and generosity toward those who are struggling.
This verse also speaks to trust. When things get tight—whether economically, physically, or spiritually—we must learn to rely not on the world’s supply but on God’s faithfulness.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse doesn’t paint a soft picture, but it still reveals God’s love. Why? Because God does not let a sinful world continue in comfort forever. Sometimes love means allowing difficulty so that people wake up to what truly matters.
Also, we see God’s mercy in the middle of judgment. He sets limits. The command not to damage the oil and wine shows that He hasn’t unleashed total destruction. His purpose is not to crush but to correct—to bring people back to Himself.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the one opening the seal. He’s not just a distant figure observing events—He is actively involved in bringing God’s plan forward. This shows us that Jesus not only saves but also rules. He is both Redeemer and Judge.
But Jesus also knows what it means to be hungry. He fasted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). He had compassion on hungry crowds (Mark 8:2). He taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).
- John 6:35 – Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.”
- Luke 4:18 – He came to bring good news to the poor.
- Philippians 4:19 – “God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus understands need, and He promises to provide—not always with abundance, but always with enough.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How do rising costs or shortages in the world today reflect this verse’s warning?
- What does this verse teach us about trusting God in times of scarcity?
- Why do you think God sets limits even in His judgment?
- How can Christians be a light in the midst of economic hardship?
- What are some practical ways we can depend on God—not just when we have little, but also when we have plenty?