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During the period between 1914 and 1925 in postwar Germany, hyper inflation raged, triggered by a huge increase in money supplies, which was caused in part by the heavy demands of the reparations placed upon Germany following its loss in World War I. Germany facing a huge debt, printed more currency to meet the demand, which eventually devalued it to the point where workers needed suitcases and baskets to carry their pay to their local bank. This hyper inflation also caused people to horde goods, thinking they would go up in value, which only caused nationwide shortages.
Our parents and grandparents could tell us stories of folks selling apples and pencils on the street corner to earn food money for their families, and about ration cards being required to purchase many hard to find staples, such as meat, milk and butter, after the stock market crash and resulting depression of the 20’s and 30’s.
On a closer note, for those of us old enough to remember the decade of the 70’s, the sight of long lines at the gas pumps, and drivers only being able to purchase fuel on odd or even days, depending on their license plate number, are indelibly imprinted on our memory. In a matter of only a few months, gas prices went from .40 to 50 cents per gallon, to $2.50 to $3.50 per gallon, if and when you could find some.
As I write this article, the Dow Jones has reached a new four year low today, and on a poll conducted by CNN, the public was asked which is the most vital issue we now face - (a) the war on terror, (b) the pending Iraq war, or (c) the economy. Over 75% voted (c), and think the economy is the most serious problem we now face in the U.S.A.
The Bible tells us of a time just prior to the return of the Lord, Jesus Christ, when the world will go through a period of hyper inflation unlike any the world has ever seen. We read “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see that thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” Revelation 6: 5-6
It is interesting to note that the rider is on a black horse, with black being symbolic of impending disaster and dread. This rider was also carrying a pair of balances, which are scales used to measure valuables like grains, jewels, gold and the like.
During the first century when the Book of Revelation was written by John, the average working mans wages were about a “denarius” or a “penny”. These wages had to cover purchasing food, clothing, shelter, taxes, and all necessities of life, in much the same way our pay check does today. But we read here that in this time to come, a days wages would only purchase “a measure of wheat or 3 measures of barley”. This is significant!
A measure of wheat, being highly nutritious, could sustain an average family for a day. Barley, however, being much less nutritious, would take 3 measures to supply the same amount of nutrition. During this soon-coming period of hyper-inflation, the average weekly paycheck will only be worth enough to sustain a family with the most basic of foods, and little else of life’s necessities. This gives new meaning to the term “bread winner”, since grain is the basic ingredient in bread.
If such a hype-inflation should occur on a global scale, it would likely require the need for global intervention, perhaps by a one-world government with a solitary leader having the authority to bring about a resolution. A study in Eschatology reveals that scripture points toward exactly these global conditions during the same period prior to the return of Jesus to establish His earthly kingdom.
While hyper-inflation has occurred in the past, it has always remained somewhat localized, and not had not migrated world wide. We might ask, “how then could the whole world be brought to such a sorry economic state of affairs”?
With the invention of the Internet, the global marketplace has become a much smaller, and interdependent. Events that effect one country, now effect all countries.. When the U.S. stock market sustains a severe decline, the other major stock exchanges of the world usually follow suit. The world economy is now interconnected and interdependent through the use of today’s computers and technology.
The rapid inflation of the 1970’s was brought about by a shortage of oil coming out of the Middle East, and some claim that there was never really an actual shortage to begin with. The majority of the worlds oil reserves are located in the Middle East, and controlled by countries not always friendly to the US, and indeed, very hostile toward Israel, the only democracy in the region. The Middle East is a tinder box, waiting to explode in all out war, fueled by hatred of what God loves dearly . . . National Israel, and His Chosen people, by the Arab nations.
If such a war does occur, a likely result would be that oil supplies would be cut off ir greatly diminished to all the industrial nations of the world, causing a rapid collapse of the global economy, and an escalation to a world war of untold proportions.
There are, of course, other scenarios that could also bring about global hyper-inflation, but whatever the cause, the Bible tells us that it will happen. One more interesting point about verse 6, the rider is told “see thou hurt not the oil and the wine”. Oil and wine are symbols of prosperity to the rich and the powerful. Apparently, while the world is reeling under the burden of an unprecedented hype-inflation, there will be a small privileged class who will still enjoy the world’s riches.
Only a few years ago, our country was celebrating a budget surplus, major decrease in our national debt, and even tax rebates for all Americans. America was riding high economically. Now, in the relative “snap of a finger” the once thriving stock market is on the verge of collapse, our national debt is again climbing and, our budget surplus is history. The events of 9/11 have cost us 10’s of trillions of dollars that come from our wallets, a west coast shipping strike is draining a billion dollars a day from our economy, and few are naive enough to believe that there is not more to come.
While there may be not much Believers can do to prepare for these coming events, with the exception of getting out of debt and seriously reconsidering their investments, there is much we can do to bring light into a dark, and even more darkening world.
The vision that the scriptures give us into these coming events only serves to underscore the unfailing truth and accuracy of Gods Word. The world’s source of supply is dependent of the global economy, but the Believers source of supply is our heavenly Father who wants to give his children all things, and supply our daily need. This should not be a time of fear for Christians, but rather a wake-up call to be about our Fathers business while time remains. Keep your eye on Israel . . . Gods Timepiece!
Ron Cusano
Shiloh Ministries
November, 2002 Edition
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