What does Revelation say about the rider on the black horse?

In Revelation 6:5-6, the rider on the black horse represents a dire spiritual situation where the gospel is scarce, leading to a state of oppression. The imagery of scales and the declaration of a measure of wheat for a penny suggests that spiritual truth is becoming increasingly hard to obtain. This metaphor illustrates how the genuine preaching of the gospel is rare, and people may find themselves spiritually bankrupt despite their labor. The message of this rider warns believers of the consequences of complacency and neglecting God’s Word, urging them to seek His truth with fervency and not take His mercies for granted, lest they experience a famine of the soul.