ACC ~ Revelation 6 v5

THE LORD PROMISES FAMINE. VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM: The black horse signifies famine. For the Lord said, “And there will be famine in many places.” However, this passage is also properly extended to the time of the antichrist, that is, to that time when there will be a great famine and people will be injured. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.2.

THE TEACHING OF CHRIST. OECUMENIUS: The third mercy of Christ toward us opened the third seal and restored us, who had been condemned, to God the Father. This is his salvific teaching and the benefits of his miracles, for these contributed to the dissolution of the devil. For, through these we know who is truly God by nature, so that we may “no longer be children, tossed about by every wind of doctrine”nor honor that which our hands have made but that we might exchange the corrupting demons for the glory of God. As yeast draws flour, the divine teaching of the Lord drew to itself those being taught according to the discourses of the Lord and those who were benefiting from the miracles that were healing souls rather than bodies. And when this occurred, a black horse came out, and the rider had a balance in his hand. The black horse is indicative of shame and sorrow, for the destruction of the devil had received increased intensity by the divine teaching, and therefore he laments his dissolution which lasted for such a long time. The balance … is a figure of equality and righteousness, for “he who judges in righteousness sat upon his throne and rebuked the nations of demons, and the impious One who led them was destroyed.” The balance is, therefore, a symbol of the righteous judgment of the Lord on our behalf, so that we may speak boldly to him, “You have executed my right and my cause,” and so that we nations might know that we are men, and that we may not be pulled about like beasts with bit and bridle or allowed to be led astray by destructive tyrants. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.5-8.

THE WICKED DECEIVE BY A SHOW OF RIGHT. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: In the black horse we recognize an evil people which works in concert with the devil. “He had a balance in his hand,” which indicates that while evil persons feign to have the scales of justice, they deceive many. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.5, HOMILY 5.

THE SINFUL USE OF FREE WILL BRINGS ON SORROW. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: I believe that the third living creature here is the man and that [this passage] shows the fall of men and for this reason his punishment because of his inclination toward sin by the power of free will. … We think that the “black horse” depicts the sorrow that comes upon those who have fallen away from faith in Christ on account of the abundance of torments. The “balance” is he who tests those who either by inconstancy of mind or by vainglory have fallen from the faith through weakness of the body. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6.5-6.

FALSE BROTHERS. BEDE: This black horse is the troop of false brothers, who have the balance of right confession but harm their fellows through works of darkness. For, when it is said in the midst of the living creatures, “Do not harm,” it is clear that there is someone who is doing harm. And, concerning this running horse, the apostle says, “Outside there are wars, inside there are fears.” EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 6.5-6.

Rev