Chapter 5:
The Sixth And Seventh Seals
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Chapter 5: The Sixth and Seventh Seals
As we continue our prophetic journey through the Book of Revelation, we now arrive at a critical juncture - the opening of the sixth and seventh seals. This chapter will explore these momentous events and their significance in God's prophetic timeline.
In our previous chapter, we discussed the aftermath of peace being taken from the Earth and the emergence of the beast as the undisputed world leader. We examined the government he established, the religious system represented by the harlot, the economic system, and the widespread sexual immorality and materialism. We also noted how the beast's continued 42-month reign coincided with the Lord's protection of the faithful, symbolized by the Church of Philadelphia or the woman in Revelation 12.
It's important to understand that there's significant overlap in these prophetic events. For instance, the two witnesses testify from the beginning of the beast's continued 42-month reign until the seventh angel sounds, which occurs after the opening of the seventh seal. The beast appears around the fourth seal, while the fifth seal reveals the cry of martyred saints asking how long they must wait for justice.
Now, we turn our attention to the sixth and seventh seals. Let's begin by revisiting the Lord's words in Matthew 24:22-29:
"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened... Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken."
This passage describes a time of such intense tribulation that all life is threatened. The darkening of the sun symbolically represents the shortening of these days, as the sun typically defines our concept of a day.
Continuing our examination of the sixth seal, let's turn to Revelation 6:12-17:
"And when He had opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake. And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs when she is shaken by a mighty wind."
This passage describes cataclysmic events in both the Earth and the heavens. These are not merely natural disasters but signs and wonders that can only be attributed to God's direct intervention. This occurs just as all flesh was in great danger, demonstrating God's sovereignty and His power to halt the course of events.
The impact of these celestial events is profound. The text continues:
"And the heaven departed like a scroll when it is rolled together. And every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him sitting on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of His wrath has come, and who will be able to stand?"
This reaction shows that people from all walks of life recognize these events as divine judgment. They understand that the day of God's wrath has arrived, and they seek to hide from it, albeit futilely.
Remember in Chapter 4, "The Solution," we discussed how the world marveled at the beast's power, asking in awe, "Who is able to make war with it?" However, as we now explore in Chapter 5, we see a dramatic shift in perspective. While the beast seemed invincible, a far greater power is revealed:
While the world once boasted of the beast, asking "Who is able to make war with it?", they are soon confronted with a far greater power, reducing them to crying out in terror, "Who will be able to stand?" before the wrath of God and the Lamb. This stark contrast exposes the foolishness of their earlier awe - for how can one wage war if they cannot even stand? It's a powerful reminder that despite the beast's seeming invincibility, it is God who holds true dominion over the earth, reducing even the mightiest to cowering in fear of His presence.
Following the dramatic events of the sixth seal, we encounter what seems to be an interlude before the opening of the seventh seal. Revelation 7 begins with a vision of four angels holding back the winds of the earth. This is when we witness the sealing of the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel. It's worth noting that of the original 12 tribes, Dan is not mentioned, and the half-tribe of Ephraim is also omitted. We know that Israel blessed Ephraim, saying he would become a multitude of nations.
In Revelation 7:9, we're introduced to a vast multitude that no one could count:
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands."
This group represents those who have come through the Great Tribulation. They are all dressed in white, symbolizing their purity and redemption. This chapter provides a glimpse of the body of Christ - a huge gathering that includes the 144,000 and those who gave their lives during the Great Tribulation.
This vision in Revelation 7 serves as a preparatory scene, showing us what's about to unfold. It reveals the protection of the 144,000 during this tumultuous time and presents those who emerged victorious from the Great Tribulation, all dressed in white and prepared for eternity. The chapter even uses terminology reminiscent of Revelation 21, speaking of a time when there will be no more death or pain.
Moving to the actual opening of the seventh seal in Revelation 8, we encounter a unique phenomenon:
"And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour." (Revelation 8:1)
During this period of silence, the prayers of the saints are taken into account. Recall our earlier discussion about prayer - you can imagine the fervent supplications of the saints during the Great Tribulation. These prayers, likely echoing the cry we heard in the fifth seal, are now being considered. In Revelation 6:10, the martyred saints cried out, "They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
As the silence continues, we see the preparation of seven angels who are about to sound their trumpets. The first three angels' trumpets bring about events related to heavenly bodies falling to Earth - likely meteors or asteroids. These are massive, catastrophic events, with the Earth being pummeled under God's direction. This is clearly associated with God's wrath.
The fourth trumpet results in a third of the celestial bodies being struck, again emphasizing that these events are divinely orchestrated. Then, with the fifth trumpet, we see a fallen star given the key to the bottomless pit:
"And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit." (Revelation 9:1)
From this pit emerge locust-like creatures with scorpion tails. These beings sting those who bear the mark of the beast, tormenting them to such an extent that Revelation 9:6 tells us:
"And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them."
This is clearly an extremely terrible time for those who have aligned themselves with the beast system.
When the sixth angel sounds its trumpet, we witness the release of four prepared angels associated with a vast army of 200 million. This immense army proceeds to kill about one-third of the Earth's inhabitants.
The sounding of the seventh trumpet marks a pivotal moment. Revelation 11:15 declares:
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."
This proclamation signifies that while there are still events to unfold, the sovereignty of God is now beyond question. The physical rule and presence of the Lord on Earth are yet to come, but the outcome is assured.
Following the seven trumpets, we encounter three angelic messages in Revelation 14. The first angel brings forth the everlasting gospel, fulfilling Jesus' words in Matthew 24 that the end will come when the gospel has been preached to the whole world. Revelation 14:6 states:
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
The second angelic message announces the fall of Babylon. Revelation 14:8 proclaims:
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."
This fall is further detailed in Revelation 17, where we learn that the beast and its ten horns turn against the Babylonian harlot. Revelation 17:16 describes this betrayal:
"And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire."
The beast, once allied with Babylon, now strips her of all authority, sovereignty, and riches. It's crucial to note that Revelation doesn't always present events in chronological order. For instance, in Revelation 18:4, we find a warning issued before Babylon's destruction:
"And I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that you may not be partakers of her sins, and that you may not receive of her plagues."
This call to God's people to leave Babylon precedes her judgment, even though her fall is mentioned earlier in the narrative. This non-linear structure underscores the importance of understanding the overall flow of events rather than assuming a strictly chronological progression.
The third angelic message delivers a stern warning against receiving the mark of the beast. Revelation 14:9-11 states:
"And a third angel followed them, saying with a great voice, If anyone worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark in his forehead or in his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the anger of God, having been mixed undiluted in the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented by fire and brimstone before the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. And they have no rest day or night, those who worship the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name."
This warning is crucial, emphasizing the eternal consequences of aligning with the beast system. The punishment described here was not intended for humans, underscoring the severity of this choice.
Following these angelic messages, we witness the reaping of the righteous. Revelation 14:15-16 describes this event:
"And He sitting on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple in Heaven, also having a sharp sickle."
This reaping corresponds with the Lord's return for His saints, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
This event marks the gathering of both living and dead saints to meet the Lord. It is important to note that this is the rapture that many speak of, which clearly occurs after the tribulation period. Some mistakenly identify earlier events as the rapture, such as the protection of the Church of Philadelphia mentioned in Revelation 3:10 or the safeguarding of the woman for 3.5 years in Revelation 12. However, these earlier events are distinct from the rapture itself.
Those who are protected during these earlier events - the Church of Philadelphia and the woman of Revelation 12 - are not experiencing the rapture but rather a divine safeguarding. Importantly, these protected believers will be included in this final gathering, joining those who have died in Christ and those who have survived the tribulation. They are guaranteed to never taste death, being transformed along with all the saints at this momentous event.
However, there is also a second reaping described in Revelation 14:19:
"And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God."
This second reaping represents the gathering of those left behind, who will face God's wrath. This wrath is associated with the last seven vials or bowls, which the saints do not experience.
It's important to note that up until this reaping, the saints were present on Earth during the earlier judgments, including the falling of heavenly bodies. Their patience, adherence to God's commandments, and faith in Yeshua led to their redemption.
The next time we encounter the saints is in Revelation 15:2-3:
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb."
This scene depicts the victorious saints, symbolizing those who kept both God's commandments (represented by the song of Moses), and faith in Yeshua (symbolized by the song of the Lamb).
Following this, the last seven plagues are prepared to be poured out on the Earth. At this point, the saints are with the Lamb, and no one can enter the temple until these final judgments are complete. This setting suggests that these individuals will participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb.
The marriage supper appears to take place just before the great day of God Almighty, as described in Revelation 19. Shortly after the marriage supper, heaven opens, and the Lord returns to overthrow the beast and his kingdom.
Chapter 16 of Revelation details the seven vials or bowls of God's wrath. Let's briefly examine each:
The first vial causes painful sores on those who have the mark of the beast.
The second vial turns the sea into blood.
The third vial turns the rivers into blood.
The fourth vial causes the sun to scorch people with fire. This reminds us of Malachi 4, where the sun of righteousness burns the wicked like stubble.
The fifth vial plunges the beast's kingdom into darkness.
The sixth vial dries up the Euphrates River, allowing the kings of the East to cross. At this time, the dragon, false prophet, and beast send out evil spirits to gather the world's armies to fight against God.
Around the time of this gathering, the marriage supper takes place in heaven (Revelation 19). Following the marriage supper, the Lord, referred to as the Word of God, and His host, dressed in white (the previously mentioned saints), return to physically take the kingdom.
The seventh vial brings the greatest earthquake ever, removing islands and mountains, symbolizing God's complete dominion over the earth.
In our next discussions, we will delve deeper into the marriage supper, the overthrow of the beast, the imprisonment of the dragon, and the establishment of Christ's millennial reign. We'll explore how this connects with Old Testament prophecies about His government and ultimately leads to the eternal state described in Revelation 21 and 22.
