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 thou hurt not the oil and the wine. (Revelation 6:5, 6)
After the third seal is opened a black horse and rider with balances will appear. This indicates that a great famine worldwide will occur on the earth. The affects of no rain and plagues by the two witnesses will only magnify the situation. The devastation of war will produce disease and hunger. Only one tenth of the normal food supply will be available. Many will suffer starvation. Others will steal to survive. It would not surprise me if strict rationing legislation were passed internationally, and the death penalty imposed for anyone caught stealing. These will be desperate times and certainly a time of lawlessness.
The warning “see thou hurt not the oil and the wine” is also mentioned. This indicates that even though the poor will be at starvation levels, the famine won’t have the same effect on those who are wealthy.