It becomes necessary at this point to comment on the structure of the following chapters of John's Revelation, and some basic concepts. Please note the Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets and Seven Bowls are parallels. That is, rather than a sequence of different events, it remains a description of what is from the eternal viewpoint. Thus, the three sevens overlap a great deal in meaning, and repeat some ideas. To the degree there is a sequence, it is a logical one, not chronological. In a broad general sense, they reflect God's judgment against sin. Judging sin means people on the earth will suffer, both saved and lost. John describes something of the nature of sin and judgment in these sequences.
Why would Christians desire to see suffering and judgment? This is hardly some spite for having been persecuted, since such suffering afflicts all equally. Rather, they ignore the suffering as they grasp the greater importance of truth revealed. Regardless of what it costs our flesh, we should pray more than any thing else to see God's revelation. Such revelation cannot come without destruction of a fallen world. Sin has so deeply stained the universe, all Creation cries out for such a cataclysm (Romans 8:18-23). That which sin has brought must be removed, and it cannot but be painful. Still, we rightly cry out for the justified suffering of sin's removal. Bear in mind all which falls upon earth from the Judge of Creation falls equally on sinners and saints.
So it is we cry, "Maranatha -- come Lord Jesus!" All the while, we know it will mean immense suffering for all flesh. What John describes in the three sevens is a blessing on us. We don't wish to see the bulk of humanity descend into eternal punishment, but we did not choose for them to remain outside grace. Those who understand God's viewpoint on things look forward to the end of things.
Further, we cry out for The End even knowing it will only get worse before it gets better. John makes it clear as these Last Days draw to a close, Satan will be loosed to deceive the nations as he did in Eden. The curse against him in the Garden was a binding, which John describes in crytpic symbols, but that binding will be lifted at the very End. We don't look forward to that, but to what follows. Let us understand what we look forward to as John's vision continues.
The famous Four Horsemen echoes Zechariah's vision (ch. 6). These represent spirits which serve the purpose of God in judgment. They tend to appear together, as easily shown in human history. John describes the symbols clearly. The white horse and rider is political domination, specifically in the form of conquest. This spirit is sent into the world to drive men to endless jockeying for power. It is altogether natural such activity brings war, symbolized by the red horse and rider. When war's work is done, we typically expect economic collapse. War is the fast means to transferring wealth from the many to the few. In this case, the prices symbolize a standard day's ration of food for one adult jumping to the cost of a whole day's labor -- just barely surviving. The price of everything else no longer matters. With such turmoil, no one is surprised at widespread death from warfare itself, starvation, disease, and resurgent natural predators. It's all part of the same package, and John's comment regarding a quarter of the population is actually typical.
The Altar of God in Heaven has already seen the sacrifice of His Son. Often in ancient religions, the altar would contain sacred ashes stored for future use. Here, we see those who joined Christ on the Cross, and became a sacrifice with Him. In the normal process of human political wrangling, oppression and widespread suffering, true believers are frequently targeted, as they cannot ever give full allegiance to any earthly master. When these martyrs ask how much longer before the thing for which they died comes -- the full revelation of God's judgment and full reign on earth -- the answer indicates God's patience and purpose. The inclusive sacrifice of Christ's followers is not complete; the store of ashen souls is not yet large enough for the final ritual.
If the results of opening the sixth seal are taken literally, then several events in following chapters could not happen. Stars do not literaly fall to earth, and the phrase as used today meant the same thing in John's day. Throughout human history, having the visible luminary bodies move, darken, change colors, or fall down was a standard symbol of grave events on earth. John's paints the symbol lavishly, adding the whole thing rolled up, and the earth disturbed, to boot. Sewing it up, John mentions seven classes of men showing no part of humanity can escape the judgment of the first four seals. Much as they strive to have peace, it will never happen. Peace can only come from peace with God, and they cannot face Him with the consciousness of their sins. So they beg the earth to bury them, but it could never do any good. There is no place so far, no barrier so solid, God cannot touch you.
Thus, the first round of revealing God's wrath.
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Ed Hurst
24 August 2007
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