7 Seals

A predictable path begins that has been repeated several times in human history, but the prophecy is that at the appointed time, the path concludes at the foot of the Throne of Heaven where we bowed last week by claiming He is worthy. The Lamb who was slain is perfectly just in opening these seals and has all authority to see the process brought to godly completion.

This predictable path is rooted in the pain associated with human power. This weekend we Americans celebrate liberty from a British Tyrant. But as long as we are in a fallen world, frequently we find ourselves exchanging one tyranny for another. The one whom appears to be a liberator, becomes intoxicated by power and passes along pain to others so that his or her prestige can be maintained until another liberator arises.

We have learned that political freedom has limitations because one’s liberties end where another’s begins. World leaders posture for prominence by expanding personal influence and when 2 leaders expect to influence the same region, property or people, conflict is inevitable.

Transition: We have seen it repeated in history and John prophecies through a vision that it will only get worse. John sees a future day that was prophesied hundreds of years before his first breath.

Daniel 9, Matthew 24 & Revelation 6-22

69 x 7=483 years

Time of Gentiles

New Covenant Joel 2:19-20/Pentecost

70th week = time, times ½ a time [] GREAT Tribulation.

Church is not mentioned in these chapters

Chapter 7 specifically names 12 JEWISH tribes as those sealed

Abomination of Desolation – Daniel 9:27, Mt 24:15, 1 Thes 5:3; 2 The 4:2,9-10

Transition: John sees a future period when the evil of our days gets multiplied and concludes in final judgment.

Humanity Endures Increasing Discomfort (Rev. 6)

John begins by describing 4 horsemen connected to the first four seals. It is helpful to do away with the idea that 1 horseman comes and goes before the next arrives. I see these seals be opened and new challenges emerge while the earlier ones continue.

1 The White Horse – the Rider Conquers (6:1-2)

Bow without arrows – threat of military action, but no actions

A Superstar in the mind of people. He conquers the court of public opinion and perception.

2 The Red Horse – the Rider brings Conflict (6:3-4)

Unable to overcome by a threat, this one introduces conflict to the earth

Intimidation often forces a bully into action.

3 The Black Horse – the Rider Constrains Crops (6:5-6)

The inevitable result of war is famine and distribution limitations as we are now experiencing in response to global conflict.

4 The Pale Horse – the Rider distributes Casualties (6:7-8)

As resources are diverted to the war effort, others experience unintended side-effects like disease and plague that is extremely terminal.

Our hearts were shattered this week when we learned of dozens of migrants who perished in the back of a Semi-trailer. Regardless of their immigration status, desperate people take drastic measures and the unintended consequence is that many unnecessarily perish in the process.

5 The Cries of the Martyrs (6:9-11)

These 3 verses get expanded in chapter 7

When we experience distress, our inclination is to rush the move of God. His delay” is not due to deafness, but to a determinedoutcome.

God is not moved early, because even if we see the pain, Hesees the final prize—Paradise forever!

More on this in a moment

6 Calamity on a Global Scale (6:12-17)

If the 5th seal is a look behind the lines at God’s camp, the 6th is a look into the camp of those who have chosen the losing side.

The earth, the skies and the seasons are beyond the control of the prince of this earth. All the politicians and powerful people find the futility of their policies and resources against the wrath of God.

Lifetimes of mocking and belittling the God of the Bible are now revealed for the empty claims that they held onto.

Just as countless people jumped from the WTC to immediate death rather than succumb to the inevitable and torturous death, these in v.15 are wishing themselves dead rather than continue under the wrath of the One seated on the throne and the Lamb.

Transition: The devastating calamity of the workers of evil in chapter 6 are contrasted with those who experience God’s power and protection.

Humanity Experiences Different Circumstances (Rev 7)

Witnesses – sealed by His Power (7:1-8)

Before the climate and celestial signs are revealed that leave people wishing for death. I see, before the winds are allowed to blow, God preserves servants who will speak His name and advance His kingdom during the calamity.

3b = sealed

Hospitals and relief efforts are reflections of the value God puts on human life. I tend to think that calling people to repentance and extending compassion in the name of Christ is what is being done by the servants of our God who are sealed.

Rather than gloat in the destruction of the wicked, the very nature of our God is to rescue them from pending doom, if they would only repent and call upon the name of the Lord.

Martyrs – sheltered in His Presence (7:9-17)

15c = shelter

experienced Physical death but were granted spiritual rest.

One of the lyrics the children led us in singing is “the body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still” For centuries the Christian Church has held on to the hope of eternal life at the end of earthly suffering.

My friends, God’s accounts are never settled before we breath our last! There awaits eternal life and eternal death.

For many of us, suffering on earth does not end until we are with God. He never promises earthly comfort.

I’ve noticed a theme in some of the Christian music on the radio. It seems to be repetitive appeals for God to change circumstances because the singer wants it. Yes, Jesus prayed for the cup of suffering to pass (Mt 26:39), but that was only ½ of His prayer. Daniel 3:17-18 expresses a desire, but the desire is secondary to unwavering faith in a sufficient God. In the Disciples’ prayer Jesus modeled that the request for daily bread is conditioned upon God’s kingdom and will.

In contrast to the human-centered prayers that we frequently offer, Mercy Me sings:

You've been faithful, You've been good All of my days Jesus, I will cling to You Come what may 'Cause I know You're able I know You can

I know You're able and I know You can Save through the fire with Your mighty hand But even if You don't My hope is You alone I know the sorrow, I know the hurt Would all go away if You'd just say the word But even if You don't My hope is You alone

I believe this is much closer aligned to the heart of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul:

Philippians 1:22–23 ESV:2016

22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

Our comfort on earth is temporary at best! Yes, God is more than able to change circumstances, but often our circumstances are the path toward His blessing!

Transition: Paul expresses that sheltering in God’s presence is “far better” because remaining on earth involves distress!

Humanity Encounters Global Devastation (8:1-5)

Silence (8:1-2)

1. Calm before the storm

2. Hand out 7 trumpets and things are about to get noisy!

When I first went to college in Chicago, this Kansas boy was in a dormitory full of young men from all over the world. Early in my first year a rainstorm blew into Chicago that unlike any that had ever been witnessed by my California friends. As the wind blew against the skyscrapers and the clouds whirled, they began to fear one of the Midwest tornados they had only heard about. As a self-respecting Kansan who uses the Tornado siren as a warning to go outside and see for myself, I was able to comfort my fellow Freshmen from California. I told them, “you don’t have to worry until it gets real still and you see the wall cloud forming on the horizon.”

3. I get the sense that this hour of silence and passing out of the trumpets is a sign that the sound of a locamotive is about to blow through.

Prayers (8:3-4)

1. The more difficult things become, the more our prayers seem necessary.

2. If the servants of our God mentioned in chapter 7 are doing what I believe they are doing, they are filled with compassion and praying fervently for the repentance of their fellow-man.

7 Complete Wrath [Fire] (8:5)

The delayed and restrained wrath upon sin is now poured out from the censer from the altar of God.

For all those holding on to some one-world Utopia of equality, equity and kindness, The prophecy of Daniel, the words of Jesus, and the vision of John portray a VERY different future.

Transition: We have traveled many times on the beginning steps of the path portrayed in these 7 seals.

Conclusion:

John saw these seals sequentially opened like this

Jesus described the same order in Matthew 24, leading up to the parables of Matthew 25 that prompt believers to live in total expectancy of the Lord’s Return.

As I watch news reports, I can identify the progression in our world in 2022. This gives me confidence that if 1-4 can happen, then 5-7 are just as reliable.

There is a coming judgment against sin. Right now we have the privilege of promoting God’s kingdom as we 1) make sure we are living worthy of His calling and 2) call our neighbors to accept the forgiveness of sin that is available only through the shed blood of our Savior.

My prayer for us this morning is that we would use our freedom to freely spread the Gospel that we have freely received.

Song of Response #447.. “Freely, Freely”

Benediction: Acts 20:32 (ESV) — And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.