As we approach the beginning of the seven year Tribulation Period, we are seeing increases in the price of certain items that are spoken of in the Book of Revelation. As the Tribulation begins in chapter 6 of Revelation, a world ruler will make peace with the nations of the world surrounding Israel for a period of seven years. After just three and one half years this peace will end upon the declaration of this world leader that he should be worshipped as God.
World war will break out causing massive famine and the eventual death of one fourth of the population of earth. It is interesting that although the world will have a short supply of the basic food necessities, it appears that there will be no shortage in many luxury items.
Revelation 6:6 describes the fact that just a quart of wheat will cost a person’s entire daily wage.
Revelation 6:6 “And I heard 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.”
One quart of wheat is approximately the amount of daily food required for one person. In order to feed yourself after this world war has broken out, it will require an entire day of labor. Yet, a command is given to not touch the oil and the wine. Oil and wine are items that represent luxury products that only the wealthy could afford during the time that the Book of Revelation was written by John.
During the Tribulation Period, items such as the oil to burn a lamp, heat a home, run a car or operate a factory will be in ample supply at a premium price, but completely affordable to the wealthy an well to do. Gold, silver and fine jewelry will still be purchased and hoarded by the rich, even in the midst of world wide famine.
A report today by the major news sources states that oil has reached a price of $90.00 per barrel while Gold has attained it’s second all time record high of $1,384.00 per ounce. These may seem like subtleties of any impending future tribulation spoken of in the Bible, but they are most certainly the exact type of signs we would expect to see if the tribulation period was imminent.
Jesus said that the wise servant watches for signs of his master’s return so that when his master comes and finds him watching for his return, that master will make him ruler over all that He has:
Luke 12:37 “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.“
Luke 12:42-44 … “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.“
Every day there are signs all around us of Jesus soon return. When we compare these current events with what Jesus said 2,000 years ago regarding His return for us, we realize that the Lord knew exactly what was going to happen around the world just prior to His return.
The effect of a belief that Jesus will return any day, causes a person to purify their life of all the unnecessary and worthless things of this world. If we really believe that Jesus could come for us today, then we will want to be saying and doing those things that we know will please Him. Is there a relationship with a family member or friend that is fractured or broken? Perhaps today would be a very good day to call, write or visit them to make that relationship right again. Who knows that tomorrow it may be too late to tell those you care most about, how much they mean to you.
Rob Robinson
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