Tag: Seven Sealed Scrolls

The Sixth Seal

On By Donald N. NorrisIn End Time2 Comments

Revelation 6:12-17
The End Times

In my last post, we continued our journey in Revelation 6 as the fifth of the seven seals was opened.  In this post, we look at the Sixth Seal.

The Sixth Seal

The sixth seal contains terrible convulsions that will shake the earth and affect the sun, moon, and stars.  A meteor shower will bring destruction, and the earth’s crust will shift.  This is not a localized natural disaster but worldwide terror.  It will be so terrible that everyone – including the mighty – will realize that these events are “acts of God” in the most horrifyingly real sense of the term.  They realize that this is judgment, and that the end cannot be far off.  In some respects, this is like the description of the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-21) which we will look at in a later post.

“12 Then I watched as he broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, the sun turned black as sackcloth worn in mourning, and the full moon became blood-red. 13 The stars fell from heaven to earth just as a fig tree drops its figs when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15 Then the earth’s kings, the rulers, the generals, the rich and the mighty — indeed, everyone, slave and free — hid himself in caves and among the rocks in the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us, and hide us from the face of the One sitting on the throne and from the fury of the Lamb! 17 For the Great Day of their fury has come, and who can stand?’” ~ Revelation 6:12-17 (CJB)

The description of the breaking of the sixth seal alludes to descriptions of the end of the world found in Isaiah 2:10-12, 2:19, 13:10, 34:4, 50:3; Jeremiah 4:23-29; Joel 3:4(2:31), 4:15(3:15); Nahum 1:5-6; Haggai 2:6 (compare Matthew 24:29, Luke 23:30).

“‘But immediately following the trouble of those times, the sun will grow dark, the moon will stop shining, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in heaven will be shaken.’” ~ Matthew 24:29 (CJB)

Then I watched as he broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, the sun turned black as sackcloth worn in mourning, and the full moon became blood-red. 13 The stars fell from heaven to earth just as a fig tree drops its figs when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.  Up to this time, the Lord, revealed as the Lamb in Revelation 5:6-7, has opened five of the seven seals.  The carnage of human debris is primarily brought about by man’s injustice to man.  It is God’s judgment, but it is initiated by the evil in the hearts of men.  As we examine the sixth seal, we discover a direct hit of divine judgment on a sinful world.   Go back and re-read these verses noting the conjunction and, and how it is used to introduce six cataclysmic judgments.  God’s wrath is being poured out in an unprecedented way.  Because of this we find in next three verses the world’s largest prayer meeting going on!  However, they are praying for the wrong thing.

According to one commentary I read: [1]

It was a matter of faith to men in general, and Israel in particular, that the ordered movements of the heavenly bodies were a token of God’s providential control.  A breakdown of this order was a grim reminder that the “end of the world” was at hand.  Such is the general consensus in the still-existing non-biblical apocalyptic literature.  This had its original basis in Scripture, where physical manifestation of God’s interventions on earth are clearly taught as, for example, when God descended at Sinai “the whole mountain quaked greatly” (Exodos 19:18). There is no problem whatever with the understanding of the literal terms used; taking the language as it stands it would be difficult to depict a more terrible, or for men, a more terrifying scene.  The earth shaking, the sun darkened, the moon as blood, the stars falling, show in the plainest terms the catastrophic judgment of God. When some of these things have occurred on earth in the past, even in a very partial way, men have recognized them as “acts of God”.

Then the earth’s kings, the rulers, the generals, the rich and the mighty — indeed, everyone, slave and free — hid himself in caves and among the rocks in the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us, and hide us from the face of the One sitting on the throne and from the fury of the Lamb! 17 For the Great Day of their fury has come, and who can stand?  This is a clear picture of the arrogance of man and the wickedness of sin. One would think that in the reality of this type of judgment, man would fall down before God and cry out for mercy.  But pride won’t let him; instead, this prayer is directed to the created, not the Creator. When man thinks he can regulate a sinful nature without divine assistance, he is a fool.  The Word clearly teaches in Romans 6:23 (ESV), The wages of sin is death.  In James we read, “Then, having conceived, the desire gives birth to sin; and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.” James 1:15 (CJB)

The reaction to these cosmic happenings of the people of earth belonging to all levels of society confirms that the literal interpretation of the phenomena is the only one tenable. Any symbolic interpretation does not give a convincing picture; it is very questionable whether the collapse of governments and institutions affecting social, political and ecclesiastical life would bring the terror and panic here described.  Such an idea is refuted by history.  When the fabric of society crumbled in the French Revolution (1793) and every stable institution was shaken men did not betake themselves to caves and cry for the rocks to fall upon them.  Men and women joined in the anarchy.  On the other hand, any disturbance or unusual happening in the astronomical realm causes fear and even panic; men seem to sense that here they are confronted with the divine.  H. B. Swete is often quoted in this connection, “What sinners dread most is not death, but the revealed presence of God”.

Happenings in the universe show man his weakness and bring him face to face with God. A society embracing atheists, evolutionists, and humanists and that has publicly denied the very existence of God is now forced to acknowledge God and the Lamb. Instead of seeking mercy through repentance men call on the very rocks, whose testimony to a God of creation they have denied, to hide them from His face. If the mountains and rocks are literal, and there seems no other way of interpreting them, then it is strange exegesis to deny the same literalness to the mountains of the previous verse.

Men in all levels of society have found that their make-believe world has collapsed and they must face God. Reality has displaced the sham of their lives.  Royal lineage or humble origin makes no difference, whether a military commander or a captain of industry, all are conscious that there is a God dealing with earth. Atheism has no answer, agnosticism is inadequate in this crisis.  Suddenly they know that, having rejected the blood of the Lamb, they must now face the wrath of the Lamb. This is a direct fulfilment of the word spoken by Isaiah in connection with the day of the Lord, “People will enter cracks in the rocks and holes in the ground to escape the terror of Adonai and his glorious majesty, when he sets out to convulse the earth.” ~ Isaiah 2:19 (CJB)

Special Comparative Note on Chapter 6:12-17 [2]

Historicist Approach:

At least one Historicist sees these great apocalyptic signs as symbolizing the fall of paganism to Christianity in the Roman Empire associated with Constantine’s accession and conversion.  Some relate the vision to the division of the empire in 395 CE between the East, under Honorius, and the West, under Arcadius.  It is taken as a portent of the eventual fall of the empire which did not occur until 476 CE.  Barnes applies the seal differently, seeing in it the invasions of the Roman Empire by the northern hordes of Goths and Vandals between 376 and 418 CE.  Adam Clarke waffles at this point between the view of the Preterists ~ that this is 70 CE ~ and that of the other Historicists.  Matthew Henry, in most respects a Historicist, concurs with the Preterists on this seal.

Preterist Approach:

Some Preterists view this vision to depict the end of the Jewish state and the fall of its leaders symbolically in 70 CE.  In the Tanakh, cosmic calamities are seen in Isaiah 13:10; 34:4 and Ezekiel 32:7-8.  Yeshua also uses similar images in Matthew (cited above).  Not all the language is strictly symbolic.  Yeshua predicted that the people would seek refuge in caves and under rocks in Luke 23:28-30 and is verified by Josephus.

Futurist Approach:

Some Futurists do take much of this passage symbolically at the end of the age, but most take it literally.  Bullinger writes:

“It is impossible for us to take this as symbolical…The difficulties of the symbolical interpretation are insuperable, while no difficulties whatever attend the literal interpretation.”

Ryrie, Walvoord, Morris take this passage quite literally (except in the case of stars falling refer to a meteor shower).  Mankind will surely know that the Tribulation has begun.  Hal Lindsey contends that this seal describes the first nuclear exchange which would trigger an earthquake.  He also asserts that the falling stars are Russian bombs.

Idealist Approach:

Almost all Idealist interpreters recognize, in this seal, the end of the world at the Second Coming of Yeshua.  Some consider this too early in the book to portray the final judgment of the world since Yeshua’s Second Coming does not occur until Revelation 20:11-15.  These interpreters would view these calamities as representing the judgment of God upon those oppressing Believers in Yochanan’s day.

In my next post, we will begin to explore Revelation 7.

Click here for PDF version.

[1]  What the Bible Teaches – Revelation

[2] Material in this section is taken from “Revelation: Four Views, Revised & Updated” by Steve Gregg

 The First Seal: The First Horseman

On By Donald N. NorrisIn End Time5 Comments

Revelation 6:1-2
The End Times

In my last post, we concluded our study of Revelation 5.  In this post, we begin our journey in Revelation 6 as the first six of the seven seals are opened.  As you can quickly see, we will be taking each seal individually as the Four View interpreters have much to say about each.

Chapter 6 begins the account of the events that take place on the earth during the seven years of tribulation.  Futurist interpreters believe that these events begin immediately after the rapture of the church in chapter 4.  The sequence of seals marks a progression during the tribulation period.  It is interesting to note that these signs follow in the exact same order as the signs that Yeshua speaks of in Matthew 24, where He is responding to His talmidim questions regarding the signs that will foretell His return and the end of the age. (These parallel verses from Matthew 24 will be included as we explore each seal.)

The First Seal

“1 Next I watched as the Lamb broke the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living beings say in a thundering voice, “Go!” 2 I looked, and there in front of me was a white horse; its rider had a bow and was given a crown; and he rode off as a conqueror to conquer.” ~ Revelation 6:1-2 (CJB) Continue reading ” The First Seal: The First Horseman” →

The Sealed Scroll, The Lion & The Lamb

On By Donald N. NorrisIn End Time13 Comments

Revelation 5:1-7
The End Times

In my last post, we finished exploring Revelation 4.  In this post, we begin our journey in Revelation 5.

The theme of chapter 4 is the creative power of God; of chapter 5, the redemptive power of Yeshua. Yochanan continues to describe the scene in heaven.

Sealed Scroll


(Image courtesy of Google)

The scroll contains the secrets of the future, the final stage of Yeshua’s redemptive work.  All creation wants to know the outcome, but the only way to open the scroll is to break the seven seals.  And only one Person in all of creation can do this, not because He is strong, but because He is worthy – that person, of course, is Yeshua.

As the seven seals are broken by Yeshua, one by one, there comes into Yochanan’s vision a panorama of the future.  The opening of each of the seven seals results in terrible happenings on earth.  It is not until all the seals have been broken that the ultimate future becomes clear:  the New Heaven and the New Earth – God living with His redeemed and restored creation.

The last seal was the most terrible of the seven.  When it was opened, it turned out to contain seven trumpets, each of which heralded more disasters.  And some interpreters see the seventh trumpet as containing the seven-bowls filled with plagues that are poured on the earth before the end. Thus, we see seven seals (6:1-8:1), seven trumpets (8:2-11:19), and seven bowls (15-16).

Halley’s Bible Handbook has this to say about the outline of the Book of Revelation from this point forward:

Many interpreters, however, see the seven seals and the seven trumpets in chapters 6-11 as the complete sequence of judgments. In this interpretation, it is assumed that the seven bowl judgments occur concurrently with the seven trumpet judgments. (However, the bowl judgments are not shown to Yochanan until the visions in chapters 15 and 16.) The same event takes place at both the sounding of the seventh trumpet (11:15-19) and after an angel pours out the seventh bowl (16:17-18): all heaven reverberates with the glad hallelujahs of final victory (11:15) as God’s wrath is showered on the earth in the form of lightning, thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm. Chapters 12-20 are, then, a retelling of the events of the preceding chapters.

The seven seals and the seven trumpets together form the main framework of Revelation and carry the story swiftly forward to the end. Then the writer, following a common literary method of Scripture, returns to the beginning and, starting with chapter 12, begins over again with additional or explanatory details.

“1 Next I saw in the right hand of the One sitting on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals; 2 and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 But no one in heaven, on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it. 4 I cried and cried, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. 5 One of the elders said to me, “Don’t cry. Look, the Lion of the tribe of Y’hudah, the Root of David, has won the right to open the scroll and its seven seals.’  6 Then I saw standing there with the throne and the four living beings, in the circle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been slaughtered. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven-fold Spirit of God sent out into all the earth.  7 He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One sitting on the throne.” ~ Revelation 5:1-7 (CJB)

 
(Image courtesy of Google)

Next I saw in the right hand of the One sitting on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.  It is very important that we understand the nature of this scroll and what it contains.  We need to understand that this contains the legal requirement for the redemption of this planet. What was lost in Adam through the Fall is about to be redeemed and reclaimed through the Lamb of God. It would be helpful to read Leviticus 25; Jeremiah 32:6-15; and all four chapters of the Book of Ruth to gain a better understanding of the laws of redemption.  In the Tanakh, we actually have the law concerning the redemption of three things:

  1. Redemption concerning a slave.
  2. Redemption concerning a wife.
  3. Redemption concerning property.

 As we begin Chapter 5, the rapture has taken place and the Messianic Community, represented by Yochanan, is in the presence of God in heaven.  Therefore, the first two kinds of redemption have already taken place. When we come to Yeshua and experience salvation, we are redeemed from the slave market of sin. Then, when Yeshua appears and the rapture occurs, we, as His bride, experience a second kind of redemption. Thus, there remains only the redemption of land (this earth) at this time. M. R. DeHaan explains:

The earth and the creatures of the earth, both vegetable and animal, are still under the curse. The earth itself is still groaning under the curse of man’s sin. These also must be redeemed, for Yeshua is a perfect Redeemer, and every realm which came under the curse of Adam’s sin must also be delivered by the redemption of the Last Adam.

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”   Since this is the title deed to this planet and requires one worthy, that is, one qualified to redeem it, a search is made for such a person. Keep in mind that there are three requirements that one must meet in order to qualify as a kinsman-redeemer:

  1. He must be a kinsman (a close relative).
  2. He must be willing to act as a redeemer.
  3. He must have the necessary resources to make it all happen.

Again, as we review the Book of Ruth we can find all the qualifications for the redemption of both property and a wife.

  1. Boaz is a kinsman. Ruth 2:20; 3:9; 4:3, 6, 14.
  2. Boaz is willing. Ruth 4:4-6.
  3. Boaz is able. Ruth 2:1

But no one in heaven, on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it. This search touched all the bases, left no stone unturned.  It seems as if every attempt to find somebody worthy came up short.

The emotional response of Yochanan indicates his knowledge that this book was the key to all that was to happen hereafter, thus, everything seems to have come to an apprehensive standstill.

One of the elders said to me, “Don’t cry. Look, the Lion of the tribe of Y’hudah, the Root of David, has won the right to open the scroll and its seven seals.’  6 Then I saw standing there with the throne and the four living beings, in the circle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been slaughtered. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven-fold Spirit of God sent out into all the earth.  7 He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of the One sitting on the throne.”

Is Yeshua really qualified?  Does He meet the requirements of a redeemer?  There are three titles provided in the text to assist in identifying the one who takes the scroll. The first name supplied is the Lion of the tribe of Y’hudah.   In Genesis 49:8-10, Ya’akov gathers his sons about him and tells them that out of Y’hudah would come the promised Messiah.  The second name to appear in the text is the Root of David.  The text does not say the root was in David, but that He was the root of David. This implies Yeshua existed before David.

In Revelation 22:16 Yeshua declares, “I am the Root and the Offspring of David…”  As the offspring of David, His humanity is revealed. Yeshua was a descendant of David and therefore could qualify as a near relative (kinsman) of the human race.  He became a kinsman when He was born into humanity through the virgin birth.  As the root of David, we see the deity of Yeshua, and thus He is fully able to function as a kinsman-redeemer. The third name to appear in our text is the Lamb that appeared to have been slaughtered.  The word Lamb is a direct reference to Yeshua and is used twenty-eight times in this book alone.

There can be no doubt as to His willingness to act as our kinsman-redeemer; that is the sole reason He came to earth as a man. He paid the sum total of our sin debt on the cross with His own blood.  There He satisfied the righteous demands of a holy God. When Yeshua said, “It is finished”, He could have as easily said, “Paid in full.”

Before getting into the Four Views on this passage, please enjoy:

The Lion and the Lamb – Big Daddy Weave – Lyric Video

Special Comparative Note on Chapter 5:1-7 [1]

Historicist Approach:

Most Historicists see this vision as showing that no other than Yeshua can disclose the future dealings of God in history.  According to the flesh, He is of the tribe of Y’hudah, as to His divine nature, He is the Root of David.  Interpreters agree that the seven horns and seven eyes represent “all power” and “all knowledge and wisdom.”  Most view the seven-fold Spirit of God as the Ruach, while Clarke as angels of providence.

Preterist Approach:

 Jay Adams’ view of the scroll is the sentence handed down by the judge (God) against Jerusalem for the shedding of the blood of the martyrs.  Although He was the sacrificial Lamb, as the Lion, He is avenging the righteous blood that was shed by the Tribulation Saints.

Futurist Approach:

Most Futurists view the scroll as the title deed to the earth.  Roman law required a will to be sealed seven times.  The opening of the document is part of God reclaiming for Himself the control of earth which was forfeited to Satan by the Fall.  Ryrie believes that the seven eyes represent the fullness of the Spirit of God.  Morris sees the seven horns as a reminder of the invasion of Jericho.

Idealist Approach:

According to Morey, the scroll is the “redemptive plan of God” seen as “God’s Last Will and Testament.”  There is no question that Yeshua fully meets the qualifications for the Messiah.  The seven eyes are seen as an emblem of omniscience and the seven horns suggest omnipotence.  Therefore, Yeshua is the ideal judge, prosecutor and executioner.

In my next post, we will conclude our exploration of Revelation Chapter 5.

Click here for PDF version.

 

[1] Material in this section is taken from “Revelation: Four Views, Revised & Updated” by Steve Gregg

Summary of the Four Views of the Seven Letters and Sealed Scroll

On By Donald N. NorrisIn End Time2 Comments

The End Times

In my last post, we completed the seven letters to the Messianic Communities in chapters 2 & 3.    In this post, we will examine a summary of the Four Views of all Seven Letters and begin to look at the Four Views of the Seven Sealed Scroll.

Before we get started on the Four Views, I wanted to share a crib chart produced by the ESV Study Bible.  Due to the limitations of WordPress in handling large charts, you need to download the PDF version here.

Special Comparative Note on Chapters 2 ~ 3 [1]

Having considered Yeshua’s assessment of the historical state of the seven churches, we are prepared to go on to the prophetic events about which He wished for them and us to be informed.

In view of the Historicists, the letters contain cryptic reference to the conditions in which the whole church would be found at varying times in her history.  The church at Ephesus represents the church in Yochanan’s own day, while the church at Laodicea stands for the church in the End Times.

The Preterists consider the letters to apply to little else than the contemporary situation of the seven churches as they existed in Yochanan’s time.  As with all biblical epistles, however, application to similar churches of any time is acknowledged.

Futurists may side with the Historicists or, alternatively with the Preterists and the Idealists interpreters regarding the application of the letters, though they see the reference to what is now, and what will happen afterwards ~ Revelation 1:19 (CJB) as referring to the end of the present age.

Idealist interpreters see the purpose of the book as communicating to the whole church the facts of God’s sovereignty in history and His vindication of the righteous.  The seven churches symbolize the church of all times, and the letters apply to any churches in which relevant circumstances prevail.

Special Comparative Note on the Seven Sealed Scroll [2]

What events do the mysterious scroll and its unsealing represent?  When do these events occur?

Historicist Approach:

  • Unsealing of the scroll represents the beginning of the fall of the Roman Empire.
  • The seal-sequences begins the reign of Domitian (who died in 96 CE) and follows the decline of the Empire through the invasions of the Goths and Vandals in the fourth and fifth centuries.
  • Alternative Historicist opinions will be surveyed as we go through the remainder of our study.

Preterist Approach:

  • Unsealing of the scroll represents the judgment of God upon Jerusalem (66-70 CE). 144,000 Judean Believers escape to Pella.
  • The Four Horseman represent the Roman invasion of Israel to quell the Jewish rebellion (66 CE), bringing bloodshed, civil war, famine, death, and ultimately the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE.

Futurist Approach:

  • The scroll and its unsealing represents the Rapture of the church and the beginning of the Great Tribulation (4:1, per the dispensational view). 144,000 Jews of the End Times are saved.
  • In the End Times, the Antichrist rides forth conquering on the white horse; war, famine, and cosmic disturbances (possible nuclear war) follow.

Idealist Approach:

  • The scroll and its unsealing represent God’s dealings with mankind, seen in cycles of war, martyrdom, and judgment recurring repeatedly throughout history.
  • The visions underscore God’s sovereignty in the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms and His protection of the saints in the midst of political upheavals, without tying thee experiences to specific Historicist.

In my next post, we will begin to explore Revelation Chapter 4.

Click here for PDF version.

[1] Material in this section is taken from “Revelation: Four Views, Revised & Updated” by Steve Gregg

[2] Ibid.