Biblical Q&A Form: A Question On Revelation 6:6. Why Is The Olive Oil And Wine Not Harmed?

A Christian asks:

Re “not harming the olive oil and the wine”–a friend has told me this has reference to Christians, but she was not able to discuss completely as she has also just heard it recently from a preacher and it’s a new concept for both of us. Would you know anything about this? ‘Would appreciate if you could explain–only if you have the time, please! Many thanks. ‘Appreciate very much your posts.

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Thank you for your question, I hope my answer(s) help.

The person’s question is in regards to Revelation 6:6 which says, 6 Then I heard something like a voice among the four living creatures say, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius—but do not harm the olive oil and the wine.”

In verse 6 it doesn’t allude to the wine and olive oil as being completely symbolic but is used as a play on words (having a double meaning) to describe the hyperinflation that it’s going to rise to a day’s earning and something that Jesus is going to accomplish. The wine and olive oil will be off limits and not be touched.

The reason that God doesn’t harm the literal wine and olive oil is that it represents healing according to the parable of Jesus that’s found in Luke 10:33-34 which says, 33 But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. 34 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Even though the Lord was bringing judgment upon the earth He will heal it afterward when He comes to reign for 1000 years and bring true peace (Isaiah 11:5-10; Isaiah 65:17-25)

The conclusion would be that the wine and olive oil is literal but also has a meaning behind it which it is used for healing a wound. After the Lord wounds those on the earth for rejecting Him through His judgments, He will bandage it and heal it through reigning on earth with righteousness and wiping out for those 1000 years the influence of Satan on earth (Revelation 20:1-3).