RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-03-04	What Are The Seals of Revelation 6-8?
		The book of Revelation describes a scroll with 7 “seals.” After the 7th seal is broken or opened (Re.8:1), the wrath of God will be poured out through the Trumpet and Bowls. The seals are conditions that have to be met before the scroll is fully opened, and the actual judgments begin. Let's walk through the 7 seals to better understand what the seal-conditions are during Daniel's 70th Week. We could easily do a full study on any of the 7 seals, but we want to get a reasonable overview instead.   SEAL 1, WHITE HORSE (Re.6:1-2) This person will dominate politics and power by going out to conquer. He is generally called the Antichrist who will establish a peace treaty with Israel for 7 years. This corresponds to Daniel's 70th Week (Da.9:24-27) which is the same 7 year period. SEAL 2, RED HORSE (Re.6:3-4) The Seal 1, Antichrist will break his treaty he made with Israel 3 1/2 years later (Da.9:27, “middle of the week”). This starts the time of tribulation (Mt.24:21). Jesus quotes from Daniel and referred to this event as the “Abomination of Desolation” (Mt.24:15-28) Paul likewise referred to this same event where “the man of sin is revealed” (2Th.2:3) who even calls himself God (2Th.2:4). At this point he is known as the Beast (Re.13:1). SEAL 3, BLACK HORSE (Re.6:5-6) Seals 3-5 symbolize what happens as a result of the beast breaking the covenant and instituting beast worship, along with stringent economic controls. Now the Beast (Antichrist) via the second beast (False Prophet) sets up economic control where no one will be able to buy or sell without having his “666 mark” (Re.13:11-18). He will have control over resources so he has the authority to restrict buying and selling (Re.13:16-18). SEAL 4, PALE HORSE (Re.6:7-8) There will be death from sword, famine, disease, and wild animals. SEAL 5, MARTYRS UNDER THE ALTAR IN HEAVEN (Re.6:9-11) John is not seeing them being killed. These martyrs are already in Heaven. So this seal is not chronological but recognizes believers who have been killed for their faith. They are longing for justice. This symbol is not implying martyred believers are hanging out “underneath the altar” waiting for justice to be poured out. They are indeed in heaven experiencing peace and joy in the presence of the Lord. SEAL 6, COSMIC SIGNS (Re.6:12-17) Cosmic signs appear in the sky as Christ comes to rescue believers (Re.6:12-17; Mt.24:29-31). Before the 7th seal is opened (Re.8:1) two groups are delivered (Re.7). (1) the 144,000 (Re.7:1-8); and (2) the Great multitude from every nation (Re.7:9-17). Jesus (Mt.24:29-31), John (Re.6:12-14), Joel (Jl.2:30-31), and Isaiah (Is.13:9-11) all refer to these cosmic signs. These signs occur in conjunction with our deliverance (rapture) followed by God's Day of the Lord judgment. SEAL 7, OPENS THE 7 TRUMPET JUDGMENTS (Re.8:1) When the 7th seal is broken, the scroll is opened and the wrath of God begins. The 7th seal is the half hour of silence in Heaven, and becomes the first trumpet (Re.8:1-6). This silence portrays the magnitude of the judgment about to be poured upon the earth. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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