Revelation 8 "The Seventh Seal"

“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” (v.1)

Back in chapter 5 we were told of a Book, held in the right hand of God, with writings on both sides, and sealed with seven seals (v.1). And the question was asked, “Who is worthy to loose its seals and open the book” (v.2)? The question was answered by an elder in heaven saying, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seals” (v.5). This was none other than Jesus Christ. 

In chapter 6 He (Jesus) opened the first 6 seals ushering in the tribulation period. Chapter 7 described the sealing of 12,000 men from each of the 12 tribes of Judah (totaling 144,000), who bore witness to all the earth ushering in another great multitude, martyrs, who came out of the tribulation and into the kingdom (Ch.7:9-16).

Now here in chapter 8, Jesus opens the seventh seal which begins the seven trumpet judgments upon the earth. This brings a silence in heaven for about a "half an hour”. I believe this to be a time of solemn realization for what is about to happen. That is, the prayers of the martyred saints are about to be answered through the seven trumpet judgments, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (Revelation 6:10)

While these catastrophic events are yet future, and while they may or may not happen in our lifetime, the remaining verses of chapter 8 (7-13), describe these coming events as they relate to the first four trumpets in detail. And as the angel in verse 13 says, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, for they’re three more trumpets yet to sound.” In other words, it’s not over, there is more coming, and you do not want to be in that company, but in the company of the Lord.

The Truth: "Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)

Revelation 7 “Tribulation Saints”

“After these things I looked and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (vv. 9-10)

In verses 4-8 we are given a picture of a multitude which could be numbered. They speak of the 144,000 "Jews" who will be sealed at the beginning of the Tribulation and represent the passover of the church. These twelve thousand men from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, will have a ministry of "evangelism" during the "Great Tribulation.” And every person on earth (all seven billion), will have an opportunity to hear the "gospel of the Kingdom” (Matthew 24:14), and many will be saved.

The “great multitude” (here in our text) which could not be numbered, of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues” are those who came to the faith as a result of their (144,000) ministry. These Tribulation Saints are those who would not take the mark of the beast and became martyrs for their beliefs in God. For their faith, they will sit before the throne of God and dwell with Him (v.15), and rule and reign in His Kingdom to come (Revelation 20:4).

This last minute opportunity of hearing and accepting the gospel during the “great tribulation" is proof that, "He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to salvation “ (2 Peter 3:9 ) - and is paralleled by the conversion of the thief on the cross by Jesus just before His death, again showing His compassion for mankind. 

So why wait, why continue to put off what you know in your heart of hearts is right? Accept Him now and insure your place in heaven, don't be left outside the gates.

The Truth: "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Revelation 6 "Who Is Able To Stand?"

Revelation 5 "Who Is Worthy?"

"And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” (vv.1-2)

Here John refers to a book in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne written on both sides (front and back), and sealed with seven seals. This description does not fit how the book of Revelation (or any of the Epistles) would have been constructed. However, it does fit how other kinds of documents might be constructed, especially a title deed to a piece of property where the original owner had to relinquish it due to his inability to meet financial obligations. His debts would then be written on the backside of the deed. And, if at any time during the next seven years could repay the debt, the seals would be broken and the deed returned.

This is significant because because Adam, the original holder to the title deed to the earth (Genesis 1:28), transferred it to Satan with his overt and calculated act of rebellion against God’s word (Romans 5:14). This is why Paul called Satan “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and why Jesus called him, “the prince of this world” (John 12:31). This means the planet God gave to man is no longer under his control, but is under the control of Satan.

So the question arises in John’s vision, Who is worthy?  Who can redeem mans' sinful debt with a sinless life? The answer, "the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14), the root of David (Isaiah 11:1, 10), has prevailed (lived a sinless, sacrificial life) to open the scroll (Rev. 3:21) and to loose (Rev. 6:1) the seven seals” (v. 5), the God man, Jesus. Hallelujah!

The Truth: "This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1) "From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.” (Acts 13:23) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) "But you, Bethlehem (Ephrathah), who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.” (Micah 5:2)

Revelation 4 "The Throne Is Not Empty"

"After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. And Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne." (vv.1-2)                            

Here in chapter 4, we begin the third and final section of the Book of Revelation as outlined for us in Revelation 1:19, “the things which shall take place hear after.” After what one might ask? After the bride of Christ is complete, after the last person is added to the kingdom, after God’s long-suffering with man has come to its end. At that moment, we will be immediately transformed “in the Spirit” (just as John is here), before His throne, and face to face with God.

Let that sink in for a moment. He has defeated death, He is alive, He is seated on His throne, and will bring us unto Himself transformed. Meaning, for us in our transformed bodies, no more sorrow, no more pain, no more struggles with our flesh. Why? Because “we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). In our text, and through out the rest of this book, John will go on to describe many things he saw in his vision while in the spirit. But, the first thing he describes for us is, “the throne" and "the One" seated upon it:

"And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald, and Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal” (vv.3-6).

Of all the symbolism in this chapter, what speaks the loudest to me is that God is on the throne, that He is in control, and worthy to receive all glory, honor, and praise, forever and ever. As the prophet Isaiah said after having a vision of the very throne of God, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5) and over the throne of God the glorious seraphim said, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3).

It’s as if John is seeing the same thing that Isaiah saw but only describes it with different words. Two witnesses, testifying to the same thing, at very different times in history. The throne is definitely not empty!

The Truth: “But the Lord sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for justice.” (Psalm 9:7)

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness” (Psalm 45:6)

“God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne” (Psalm 47:8).

Revelation 3 “Hear My Voice”

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (vv.19-22 KLV)

John’s warning (rebuke) to churches of his time continues in this chapter. He concludes by discussing the three remaining churches. The seventh church John warned was the church of the Laodiceans. This was a “luke warm” ministry (v. 16). They had riches and many things the world had to offer, but they were doing very little for the Lord. God saw them as “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (v. 17). Their failure to do anything for the Lord disgusted the Father (v.16).

Unfortunately, this church reflects many in the age we are currently in. There is more concern for the bottom line, and the social interests of man, than the spiritual needs of the body. Preaching “Thus saith the Lord” is rarely heard anymore, and if it were, many who are use to having their ears tickled would be offended and leave the church, and that would create a decrease in attendance and church income. Physical wealth does not cover up the fact that the majority of churches are not heeding the tugging of the Holy Spirit and in God’s eyes are “… poor, and blind, and naked.”

But, the good news is, no matter the climate of churches today, the door of opportunity for both individual and church revival is still open at this time, if each would just "hear the voice of the Lord", and not mammon.

The Truth: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.”

Revelation 2 "Remember, Repent, Return, Reward"

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp-stand from its place—unless you repent. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God”  (vv.5,7)

Here in chapter 2 of the Book of Revelation, we come to the “things which are,"given to us in our outline in Revelation 1:19. As John begins to address the seven churches of which he was an overseer, we see that his messages have a pattern; remember, repent, return, and reward.

Here in our text Jesus is telling the church of Ephesus to remember when they were first established, the fire they had for the things of God, the passion for His doctrine. He then lovingly corrects them saying, “repent" and do your first works." In other words, recognize the fact that you have fallen away, that other things have become more important, and “return” to what you know in your heart is right and do it!

We've all made mistakes, we’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of God, but the only way back is through repentance and His forgiveness. And, as promised to the church of Ephesus, in doing so there is great reward. In this case, "access to the tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God," the gift of eternal life.

Therefore, if you find yourself drifting away from God, or even way down the road from where you once were with Him, grab ahold of the message here; remember from where you have fallen, repent, and return to God. He will forgive and forget the past, receive you unto Himself, and reward those who overcome through Him.

The Truth: "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-3)

Revelation 1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”

Do not be afraid; I Am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” (vv.17b-19)

The Book of Revelation was written by John (the one whom Jesus loved) on the island of Patmos where he was banished by Domitian (who succeeded Caesar Nero to the throne of Rome) after a failed attempt to boil him in oil for his beliefs. And it was on Patmos that John was given this Revelation of Jesus Christ. Why? because at the time believers were dying as a result of horrendous persecution by Rome for their belief in Jesus, and they needed a revelation (from Jesus Christ) to see that He was in control, and on the throne.

Where did this revelation come from you might ask? We find the answer in verse 1, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him to show His servants - things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John." 

The pronoun “him” refers back to Jesus Christ. In other words, the Father gave the revelation to the Son. The Son sent His Spirit (angel) to give the revelation to John. And John gave the revelation to us, that we might understand the things that must come to pass. The over simplified message behind the book of Revelation is that, King Jesus is on His throne and in control. That things are going according to the Father’s divine plan, and that Jesus Christ will return to establish His kingdom.

As we make our way through this book, keep in mind verse 19 in which the spirit of God gives to John the outline for the flow of his writings, “write the things which you have seen” (chapter 1 the Lord’s person), “the things that are” (chapters 2-3 the Lord’s people), “and the things yet to come” (chapters 4-22 the plan). By following this divine outline, the Book will unfold easier and you will be blessed by doing so, as promised in v.3.

The Truth: “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keeps those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (v.3)