Prelude to the Black Horse …
On June 4, 2022, I had a strange yet brief dream. I found myself inside a large indoor shopping mall. I don’t know how I got in because it was closed and not accessible to the public. All the merchants, whether large anchor stores or small boutiques, kiosks, restaurants, etc., were empty. There was no one in sight and no light on except for some sunlight coming through the glass doors.
I was standing by one of the boutiques, my back facing its front wall, and trying to understand why I was there. I was wondering what had happened to this place when, suddenly, I heard a trot, and I looked to my right, from where the noise was coming. I perceived a brown horse nonchalantly coming in my direction. Usually, the walkways of the malls are separated by the booths in between. So, the horse was on the path opposite to where I was observing. When it came to proximity, it did not even slow down. It seemed like it did not notice that somebody was looking at it. So it went on trotting, all the way to the other extremity of the mall. And soon after, it came back with the same posture in the direction it had emerged from at first. I had the impression that it’s been doing that back and forth for a while, unhindered and enjoying itself.
The mall was abandoned, though it did not show any sign of decay. From what I could see, the high ceilings, the walls, and the nice tile floor were still in good condition. So, decrepitude was not at fault in this case. However, something happened that caused its permanent closure. Since no one goes there anymore, the horse had the whole place to itself to roam freely. Then I woke up still puzzled and reflected on what I had just witnessed. That’s when the black horse of Revelation came to my mind, and the Lord made me understand that the dream was a sign of a coming financial decline in America.
This is a nation that the Lord has greatly blessed in so many ways. Unfortunately, it has been slowly but surely walking away from God. There was a time when it was a “nation under God,” but now it no longer wants to submit to His authority. Even those who call themselves “Christians” are not always who they claim to be. Many are rebellious and live only by their own rules. They deliberately despise the Lord’s commands. God, being compassionate and merciful, has been very patient with this country. But the day is coming when He will withdraw His blessings from this land. The following verses describe the good outcomes for those who honor and obey Him.
Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands!
Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. Psalm 112:1-3
But does this country still fear the Lord, and can He continue to bless a people that so clearly reject Him? I don’t think so; therefore, we will certainly see the results of the rebellion and rejection sometime in the future.
Though the dream took place in a mall, it is not just about “a mall”. As people know here, you can find all kinds of businesses in these large shopping places. Clothing stores, jewelry shops, hair salons, restaurants, spas, nail salons, electronics, phone service providers, car dealers, toy stores, eye doctors, pet salons, arcade games, bookstores, sports materials, banking or financial services, movie theaters, etc., all of these are enclosed in one place. It is like a mini city; in other words, it is the representation of society and its finances. If many businesses go bankrupt or if some start using more automation services, consequently workers lose their jobs. Consumers can’t afford the things they used to, and their priorities get rearranged, as they spend only on essentials, which puts a strain on everything. It’s only one of the aspects of the matter, but it’s like a domino effect contributing to the financial system falling apart.
I am no financial expert, and the country is no stranger to stores closing. However, the trend is not slowing down or reversing. According to an article in “USA Today”, mall closures are on the rise and are not being replaced:
“Malls have been suffering since online sales ‒ where retailers don’t have to cover the costs of renting space in a brick-and-mortar building ‒ took a huge bite out of their revenues. An average of 1,170 shopping malls closed every year between 2017 and 2022 in the United States, according to Capital One, and no new indoor megamalls have been built since 2006.”
The government made great promises of economic growth and restoration, and people are eager to see them come to life. However, if it happens, it’s going to be short-lived, because God will not continue to bless a people who have removed Him from all their affairs. And when I speak of blessings that can be withheld, it is not just about the finances, but also protection from diseases, natural disasters, attacks from enemies, etc. The brown horse is paving the way for its black counterpart from the book of Revelation, which will affect the whole world.
When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice from among the four living beings say, “A loaf of wheat bread or three loaves of barley will cost a day’s pay. And don’t waste the olive oil and wine.” Revelation 6:5-6
It has been centuries since the Apostle John wrote about these things, but now more than ever, we’re closer to experiencing them. The world’s economy is being depleted over time. And if America, a world power, gets in trouble, imagine the less fortunate countries. The Bible is clear that everything will worsen in the end times, including financial struggles and the inability of people to provide for their families as they usually do.
The brown horse in the dream is a prelude to the black horse and the darker times to come. We will then have the reality of this Bible prophecy right before our eyes. Imagine working 8 to 10 hours a day only to bring home a loaf of bread, or something of similar value. And this is only for those who will be fortunate enough to have a job then. Let’s see what it looks like in numbers. For example, with a minimum wage of $13 an hour, for an 8-hour shift, you would get $104 for the day. After taxes, you may have something around $100 left. Can you imagine going to a store and paying that sum just for bread? It seems incredible and far-fetched, but one day these drastic changes will turn into reality, because the Word of God is true. Though it is not something anyone wishes to see, it will be a global experience. To sum it all up, the future doesn’t look great, especially for those who are not children of God.
Besides the fact that America abandoned His ways, God also hates usury, predatory lending, extortion, Ponzi schemes, and greed because they are all rooted in the love of money. People put money on an altar, and it becomes their god. Therefore, many are willing to do anything to become wealthy, even if they have to kill, steal, and destroy, just like the devil who is leading them. God detests when people take advantage of others and ruin lives for their own benefit. He is the protector and the defender of the poor and the oppressed.
A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. Proverbs 22:16
Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them. Proverbs 22:22-23
On the other hand, God is also well known as Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. In biblical times, we’ve seen how He cared for those who love and trust Him in difficult times. And since He did not change, He can do the same now or in the future.
It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly.
Day by day, the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine, they will have more than enough.
Psalm 37:16-19
Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Psalm 37:3
If only the nation would turn away from its sins and be truly “under God” as its ruler, it would receive grace and blessings once again. But if even the “righteous” is falling away from God, who is going to show the wicked the way back to Him? Nevertheless, repentance can be done on an individual level. It won’t affect the outcome for the whole country, but God will surely be gracious and merciful to the faithful. The next verses are part of a passage I pray regularly to stay focused on the right things. I hope everyone would do so as well.
Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you. Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. Psalms 119:36-39
By Nissi, 8-13-2025
Remember, God is Love, but He is also Holy and Just. Therefore, He will judge all unrepentant sinners. Turn away from sin and come to Him.
