OPENING THE BOOK OF REVELATION- PART 24 Listen to Audio

                                 September 16, 2009

 

6:9- “Opened the fifth seal..under the altar the souls of those..”

There is a definite shift with this ‘seal’—John’s attention is focused on those

who have been martyred (called tribulation saints) during the early period

of Daniel’s 70th week.  A question may arise as to the identity of the “altar”-

#1- an altar in heaven near the throne of God --see 4:1- in heaven and 8:3 and

   5 – mention of a censer & a golden altar before the throne, also 11:19

#2- an altar on earth – at the restored Temple in Jerusalem, see 11:1,2 and

   desecrated by the Antichrist- II Thess.2:4 (human sacrifice?)

#3- use of “altar” as figurative as in a parallel with Lev.4:7 (base of the altar)

    expressing the martyrs likened to animal sacrifice of OT and therefore,

    accepted by the Lord

  If one accepts a more literal interpretation, then #1 is likely here in ch.6.

These have been martyred due to “slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held”- their simple fidelity to Christ cost them their

lives!

 

6:10-11- their prayer relates to when will God vindicate them and their

suffering.  They seek justice from the Almighty (called “holy and true”)

in view of their having been murdered (“avenge our blood”).  As this group appears after the first 4 seals have been opened, it is likely they are martyrs

from the early part of the Great Tribulation, rather than the church age.

“White robes” were presented as they “rest” awaiting further martyrs

to arrive.

   That God will eventually avenge His suffering people is seen in many

OT passages where those who persecuted Israel (called whip nations) received divine judgment—Zeph.2:8-15; Isaiah 13:17-19; Jere. Ch.46-50. 

 

6:12-17- brings us to the 6th seal and the initiation of divine intervention

through celestial disturbances!  “a great earthquake” accompanied by the often stated “sun became black….moon became as blood”.  This

destabilizing of the earth and negation of the sun & moon is found in several

prophetic passages—Isaiah 13:10, 24:23; Joel 2:10, 31 and 3:15.  Such action serves to express God’s sovereign power over the natural elements—Psa.18:7,

89:11; Isaiah 13:13; Joel 3:16; Hagg.2:6, 21.

   The obvious destruction caused by this divine intervention cannot be over-estimated—cities destroyed, highways twisted, flooding, loss of electrical

power and much more.

   Verse 15-17 describes the reaction of those who have arrogantly used or

abused their authority, while disregarding God’s call and God’s word.  The effect is global and so is the reaction.  Divine judgment is intended to bring a humility in proud man that is a pre-requisite to repentance—see Isa.2:11-22.

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  Further, there appears to be an awareness or consciousness by such unsaved men/women that these catastrophic disasters are expressive of God’s wrath—

Note “hide us from the face of Him…and from the wrath of the Lamb”.

Yet, it appears as though these frightened people do NOT turn to the Lord

in repentance or faith—see 9:20-21—even later rejoicing over the murder of two of God’s witnesses—see 11:9-10—and blaspheming God—16:11.

  With the 7th seal yet to occur and with trumpets (8:6-7) and bowls (16:1-2) to yet be observed later, a question arises as to the chronology of these 3 aspects of God’s judgment--- are they sequential (seals, then trumpets, then

Bowls)?, or are they concurrent (each occurring simultaneous to the other)?

It appears as though the 7 trumpets come out of the 7th seal, with the 7 bowls come out of the 7th trumpet.

        Seals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,                7

                              

                                  Trumpets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,      7

                           

                                                    Bowls         1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

This is suggested by the layout in the Book of Revelation and that it allows

for an intensifying of judgments as the 7 years of judgment unfold.