In the following I shall endeavor to address our beliefs as far as I am able within the boundaries of this book. Briefly, ones belief is generally defined as that which one perceives in the mind to be true. Few appreciate that beliefs require a yardstick or criterion against which they are contrasted enabling them to be judged true or false. This criterion is distinctly separate from the beliefs themselves and is absolute in its nature. Traditionally the criterion generally employed has been that which we refer to as conscience, that inner voice.
On the outside people have compared the conscience to the ancient books written by holy men. In the West, the Judeo- Christian scriptures has been generally accepted as such. These external criteria provide a measure by which to judge the accuracy of both our own perceptions of what is true and that of others. If we assume that civil laws are not to compel one to act contrary to conscience then such laws too must also parallel conscience.
The above scenario reflects something of an ideal situation. However, in the reality many of us have come to know it does not work that way. Generally people are not true to conscience. They give little consideration to the books of the ancients, and civil law tend to reflect economic and political interests.
Deviations from the conscience are often related to a desire to satisfy the lusts of the senses, a choice available to man. It is understood that progression in these deviations results in the lessening of ones ability to respond to the inner voice of conscience. This finally ends in confusion, weakening the will to pursue harmony with conscience. Many choose instead to satisfy and to cultivate the sensual lusts, reflective of the prevailing situation of today. Being born into this situation places much stress on one to give little thought to conscience. Some abandon it altogether.
In my experience I have found people to be at different stages along this continuum. These varying positions have a profound impact on our ability to comprehend the meaning behind the written words of the scriptures. Logic would suggest, the greater the harmony with conscience the greater ones ability to perceive the meanings of scriptures. At the opposite extreme its pursuit and comprehension is abandoned altogether. Only to be replaced by an alternative generated through the imagination of the mind. In any event, the awareness of the mind games we play remains with us. In the final analysis we are really fooling ourselves, and these things have a way of catching up with us!
It is against this background of the inner workings of the human mind and the shortcomings of the heart that people form and utter their opinions of what they perceive to be true. Certainly, in the actions of man, faithfulness to the mind of conscience is sadly lacking. Often when faced with the challenge of being faithful at some loss to ourselves we sacrifice faithfulness. The heart of man is considerably weak and requires strengthening. How this is to be accomplished has been the inner struggle of man from time immemorial. As mentioned above, most have abandoned this struggle opening the floodgates to whatever pleases the fancy. But is this the answer? We may find temporary pleasure, but the morning after we are met with a sickly after effect. Only to find ourselves turning to something else to cure that, yet weaker for the experience. In the interim the inner voice of conscience is seeking to re-establish us again. Unfortunately this effort is often interpreted as condemnatory, sapping the will of it's power to return. The truth is this interpretation, arises out of our own imagination. It is we who condemn ourselves. We have been nurtured and cultured in this habit for generations. It is also we who judge ourselves, but we are still faced with the need for a criterion against which to judge. We are back where we started. There exist within us an inescapable realization that there is something called truth, be it relative to conscience or some other measure we devise ourselves. Consistency with it, affords us a necessary sense of peace and security. Without which our survival as, complete and healthy beings, is virtually impossible.
So then, ones expressed beliefs are a reflection of ones state of conscientious awareness. In order to understand a persons expressed beliefs, it is necessary to understand their state of conscientious awareness. This requires an atmosphere of openness, honesty and trust. Failure to do this results in interpreting such beliefs against the background of ones own state of conscientious awareness. This becomes judgmental and generally produces inaccuracies in understanding.
The scriptures reflect the state of conscientious awareness we identify with God. This is the subject matter of the Seven Seals. At Mt. Carmel we gave ourselves over to conscience without reservation. The United States government defined it as brainwashing. We like to think of it as being honest with ourselves! I don't need to question the integrity of its judgment. It knows what it did and the reasons it did it. As sure as night follows day we are all to be judged by the truth of conscience, the true measure of righteousness. Moreover according to our righteousness so shall we be rewarded.
The following, focuses on the book of Revelation, highlighting a significant part of our beliefs. It brings to view the nature and criterion against which we judge what is true or false, as it relates to beliefs and thinking. The book of Revelation itself is generally accepted as the last known revelation given to the Apostles and included in the Canon.
Briefly the Apostle John was on the Isle of Patmos. He received a visit from a being belonging to a distant reality, both in space and time. He gives John some information instructing him to write it in a book and send it to the seven churches in Asia. Following this initial encounter, John is taken a place he identifies as heaven. He is shown the judgment at the end of this world. He brings to view a throne with someone sitting on it. This is surrounded by twenty-four elders, also seated. Additionally he beholds four living creatures and an innumerable company of angels. In the right hand of the one on the throne is a book sealed with Seven Seals. A strong angel appears on the scene crying with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to take the book and to loose the seals thereof ?" The response was unequivocal, "No man!" John's attention is subsequently directed to a personality described as the Lamb. He comes and takes the book from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne and proceeds to open the seals. As he looses each seal he reveals a succession of symbolically coded information. The essential issue has been the book and the meaning of the seals. Since only the Lamb was identified as worthy to loose the seals, logic would suggest only he can show their meaning. Anyone therefore claiming to know the meaning of the seals, must either be the Lamb, or being his servant, was taught by him. The Apostle John was subsequently shown the meanings, but was not permitted to write them. The Apostle Paul made reference to this in his second letter to the church at Corinth. (II Corinthians 12:1- 5) The book called the Revelation which the Apostle John wrote, merely seeks to notify the inhabitants of the earth of the issues concerning the sealed book.
Mt. Carmel was a place where David Koresh opened the Seven Seals. The issue now facing everyone with any interest in the scriptures and the will of God is, what do these seals teach? Further, did David truly reveal them? If this is so, then the question must be asked who is he? It is not impossible for beings of spirit to take human form. Additionally by killing him what has the Gentile world done? On the other hand if it is not true, then by what criterion is it judged not true and by whom? Moreover, what then do the seals teach?
Had this government approached Mt. Carmel in a more rational fashion, David would be alive today addressing these questions in person as he offered to do. Nevertheless I shall now focus on the text of the book of Revelation. All the references will be taken from the King James Version. Our text begins with Revelation 1:9-20.
Revelation Chapter 1
1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in
tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God,
and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me
a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and,
What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven
churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and
unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto
Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being
turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto
the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and
girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white
as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a
furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his
mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance [was]
as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid
his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the
first and the last:
18 I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am
alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of
death.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which
are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my
right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars
are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven
candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
In this section, John introduces himself to his hearers, he also identifies where he is writing from, note verse 9. We are acquainted with the fact that, the Isle of Patmos was a place of exile. Speaking to the seven churches in Asia, John declares, he was sent there for the word of God and the testimony of Christ. During this time, the early believers were a target of persecution. In verse 10, John notes he was in the Spirit and heard behind him a voice, which sounded like a trumpet. This voice introduces itself, then instructs John to write what he sees in a book and send it to the seven churches in Asia, compare verse 11, and 19. In verse 12, John turns around to see the voice that spoke with him. He proceeds to describe what he saw, one like the son of man in the midst of seven golden candlesticks. In verse 17, John faints at the sight. After recovering consciousness, they both enter a dialogue, verses 18-20. This being was in fact identified as the angel of Christ, compare Revelation 1:1; 22:16. This explains why John describes him as one "like" the Son of man. Note he has the keys of hell and death. Evidently, the Apostle John is being used as an instrument by heaven, through the angel of Christ, to communicate certain information heaven deems important, to the churches.
In Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, John records the information the angel showed him, in the form of seven letters, one to each of the churches. They give us, who are living today, some insights into how Christ dealt with His church in the past.
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things
saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who
walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how
thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried
them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found
them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake
hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou
hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent,
and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly,
and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou
repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the
Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the
tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These
things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is
alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou
art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they
are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold,
the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be
tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou
faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the
second death.
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These
things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where
Satan's seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not
denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my
faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan
dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast
there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac
to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat
things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the
Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will
fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat
of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in
the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he
that receiveth [it].
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These
things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a
flame of fire, and his feet [are] like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and
thy patience, and thy works; and the last [to be] more than
the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because
thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a
prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit
fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she
repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit
adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent
of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the
churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and
hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to
your works.
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many
as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths
of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other
burden.
25 But that which ye have [already] hold fast till I come.
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels
of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I
received of my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches.
Revelation Chapter 3
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These
things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the
seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou
livest, and art dead.
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that
are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect
before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and
hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I
will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what
hour I will come upon thee.
4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled
their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they
are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white
raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of
life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before
his angels.
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto
the churches.
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These
things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath
the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and
shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open
door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength,
and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which
say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will
make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know
that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will
keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon
all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of
my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him
the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which
is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my
God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches.
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;
These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I
would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor
hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art
wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous
therefore, and repent.
20 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.
21 To him that overcometh 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.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith
unto the churches.
Clearly, the church had a direct link with heaven. What is the evidence of such a link today? There are so many churches today, which of them has that direct link to heaven, and what is heaven saying? We know there is a judgment to take place in heaven, how are we to know it's substance? Could it be possible that, the churches today are merely man made institutions, bereft of the spirit? Who is the spokesperson on earth, through whom heaven is communicating to man? From ancient times, God's always had a visible presence, or representative on earth.
In the interest of brevity, I shall focus on two of the above letters. Firstly the letter to the church of Smyrna. You will note, this church was the subject of persecution, from within and without. In the former, from people falsely professing to be believers, whilst in the latter, the civil authorities. Note carefully verses 9 and 10, of Chapter 2. Evidently following Christ knows no bounds. The followers in the church of Smyrna, are to experience prison and death, for which they are counselled to endure. You will further note the warning of verse 11. This counsel comes from the spirit. The rejecting of the spirit has been identified with the unpardonable sin. This is nothing really complicated. It is through the spirit that Christ communicates himself. To reject the spirit, merely cuts off communications with Christ. One is effectively left in darkness regarding matters pertaining to Christ and heaven. Ordinarily, the spirit elects an individual here on earth to be its mouth piece.
In the letter to Philadelphia, the spirit brings to view some interesting information. (Revelation 3:7-13) Note the key of David in verse 7, we saw this in Revelation 1:18. There, it was identified with hell and death, evidently it must open something. What has this got to do with David? We know David wrote the Psalms. Is there some mystery to the Psalms, that we have not yet fully understood? In verse 18, an open door is placed before the Philadelphians. What does this mean? What does John have to say about an open door? (Revelation 4:1) Note carefully verse 12. Christ informs the church, he is to have a new name! What is Christ's new name?
In addition to Johns initial encounter with the angel, or spirit of Christ, something extraordinary follows. In Revelation 4:1, John beholds a door opened in heaven. You will recall mention being made of an open door in the letter to the Philadelphians. John is invited to come up to heaven through this door, by the angel he met at the beginning, to be shown things future to his day.
Revelation Chapter 4
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in
heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of
a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I
will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne
was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine
stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in
sight like unto an emerald.
4 And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and
upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed
in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings
and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning
before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto
crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the
throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7 And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast
like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the
fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him];
and [they were] full of eyes within: and they rest not day and
night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was,
and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to
him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on
the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and
cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and
power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure
they are and were created.
As he was in Revelation 1:10, John again identifies himself as being in the spirit, verse 2. Once in heaven, he gives a graphic description of what he sees, the content of which takes up the remainder of the book of Revelation. In chapter 4, he describes the scene in God's throne room. Verses 2 and 3, brings to view the throne, having one sitting on it. John describes Him as a jasper and sardine stone. It is no wonder, the prophets called God a Rock! Surrounding the throne are twenty-four elders seated, verse 4. In verses 6-9, John introduces these four beasts, one of which is identified as having a face as a man. Later on in chapter 5:11, John also introduces an innumerable company of angels. In verses 10 an 11, the elders are seen worshipping the one sat on the throne. Additionally, in Chapter 5:7, John is to bring to view a personality described as the Lamb. The question arises, what are we seeing here? The Apostle Paul, describes this gathering as Mt. Zion; the City of the Living God; the heavenly Jerusalem; the general assembly and church of the firstborn written in heaven. (Hebrews 12:22-24) Paul was also permitted to see John's experience of going up to heaven. (II Corinthians 12:1-5)
An additional question arises, concerning the purpose of the above assembly? In Revelation 4:1, it was noted that, John went to heaven to be shown events future to his day. In Revelation 1:1, it speaks of a Revelation concerning events to come to pass. In Revelation 5, the issue of this assembly is clearly brought to view.
Revelation Chapter 5
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a
book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven
seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who
is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth,
was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and
to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the
Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed
to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the
four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as
it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which
are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him
that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four
[and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every
one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are
the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take
the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain,
and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred,
and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we
shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round
about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number
of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of
thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth,
and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that
are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory,
and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and
unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty
elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and
ever.
In the right hand of the one who sat on the throne is the book, sealed with seven seals, verse 1. Note the inquiry of verse 2; who is worthy to take the book and loose the seals thereof? The response in verse 3, was unequivocal, no man! You will recall these events are taking place in the realm of the spirit. The fact that no man was found worthy was of concern to John, evidently he wanted to know the contents of the sealed book, verse 5. John is comforted, having his attention directed to a personality described as the Lamb. He comes and takes the book, verses 6 and 7. In the rest of the chapter he receives all honor, worship, glory etc, being the only one accounted worthy to take the book and loose the seals thereof.
We noted earlier, the Apostle Paul had spoken of this event. He identifies the book as the new covenant, and the Lamb as Christ, the mediator of the new covenant. (Hebrews 12:24) So then, it is established in this first stage of the judgment, that only the Lamb is worthy to reveal the book. It therefore follows, that all authorities are subject to him. As we proceed further in our study, it will become apparent that, the sealed book in heaven, with all its symbolic codes written in a language heaven understands, is in fact the scriptures here on earth. The information contained therein, written in a language man can understand. What this judgment effectively means therefore is, the bible is a sealed book. This is particularly as it relates to the subject matter of the new covenant. We learn from the prophet Daniel, who wrote during the Medio-Persian empire, that the book would be sealed until the time of the end. (Daniel 12:4, 8-10) Naturally, someone was to emerge in the earth to open the book and reveal its meaning. The fact the scriptures is a sealed book, with regards to its meaning, helps us to understand the prevalence of so many churches offering their opinions and interpretations of its meaning. This is all well and good. No one is to be condemned for trying to understand the book, nevertheless the judgment of Rev 5, concludes that no one but the Lamb is worthy to reveal its true meaning.
In Rev. 6-22:5, the Lamb proceeds to open each seal. Rev 6:1-7:17, focuses on the first six seals. At the opening of the first four seals, we see a series of symbolically coded information:
Revelation Chapter 6
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I
heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts
saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him
had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth
conquering, and to conquer.
3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second
beast say, Come and see.
4 And there went out another horse [that was] red: and [power]
was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the
earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was
given unto him a great sword.
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third
beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse;
and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A
measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for
a penny; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of
the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat
on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was
given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill
with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the
beasts of the earth.
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar
the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for
the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord,
holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on
them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it
was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little
season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren,
that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo,
there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as
sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig
tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty
wind.
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled
together; and every mountain and island were moved out of
their places.
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich
men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every
bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in
the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide
us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from
the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be
able to stand?
Revelation Chapter 7
7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the
four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the
earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the
sea, nor on any tree.
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the
seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the
four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the
sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees,
till we have sealed the servants of our God in their
foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there
were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all
the tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of Reuben [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of
Gad [were] sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of Nepthalim [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe
of Manasses [were] sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of Levi [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of
Issachar [were] sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of
the tribe of Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand.
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no
man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people,
and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb,
clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God
which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and
[about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the
throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and
thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our
God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are
these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me,
These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have
washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the
Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him
day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne
shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed
them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
In Rev 6: 1-2, as the Lamb opens the first seal, note the sound of thunder. Rev. 10:3, has something to say about seven thunders and the open book. At the opening of each seal you will also note the invitation of the four beasts, for John to come and see. The first seal reveals a rider on a white horse. He has a bow, and a crown was given unto him. Evidently he's a king. Further, he goes forth conquering and to conquer. Maybe that's why he's got a bow, to shoot arrows at his enemies. In any event, that's all the information we get on the first seal. The question is, what does all this mean here on earth? Who's the one on the horse? Who are the ones he conquers? When do these things happen? Who on earth can teach us these things? It has already been established, that only the Lamb can reveal the seals. Therefore we are obliged to conclude that, only he can truthfully address the questions above. Whatever answers we offer, unless we are the Lamb, they amount to mere opinions and private interpretations. The apostle Peter counsels against such. (2 Peter 1:19-21)
He opens the second seal verses 3, 4 again a man riding a horse, this time a red horse! Power is given unto him to take peace from the earth, causing man to kill one another. Additionally, he's given a great sword. The third and fourth seals also reveal a man riding a horse, black and pale in color. Then there's some minor information concerning the task he has to perform, verses 5-8. We are faced with the same questions introduced under the first seal.
When the fifth seal is open we see some dead people on the other side. They were killed for the word of God and the testimony they held. I wonder why that is? These people are conscious in spite of their death, and cry for their blood to be avenged against those who killed them. They are told to wait a while, until the rest of their brethren that are to be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Note also that there are no more beast! (Rev. 6:9-11)
In Rev 6:12; 7:17, the sixth seal is brought to view. All hell breaks loose. Cataclysmic events occur in the heavens and in the earth. Fear possesses the inhabitants of this world as they seek to hide themselves from the one on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. I wonder why that is. I thought the glorious appearance of Christ was something to look forward to! How come these people seek to hide themselves? Evidently these things take them by surprise! It appears they had not taken heed to the subject matter of the judgment of Revelation 4 and 5. But some did take note. In chapter 7, an angel is seen ascending from the earth with the seal of the living God. Note he's ascending, not descending. Evidently, he must have been on earth. What is that seal of the living God, that he has? Further still, how does it relate to the sealed book? Who is this angel, and what's he got to do with the angel of Revelation 10, who comes to earth with the opened book? Maybe he wanted to give a bible study. Whatever this means, the inhabitants of the earth failed to take heed, consequently these things take them by surprise!
Rev. 8:1-22:5, focuses on the seventh seal and concludes the information on the seals. The following looks at some immediate topics:
Revelation Chapter 8
1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence
in heaven about the space of half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to
them were given seven trumpets.
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a
golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that
he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the
golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers
of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of
the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were
voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared
themselves to sound.
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire
mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the
third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was
burnt up.
8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great
mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the
third part of the sea became blood;
9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea,
and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were
destroyed.
10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star
from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the
third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third
part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the
waters, because they were made bitter.
12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun
was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third
part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened,
and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night
likewise.
13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst
of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the
inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the
trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Revelation Chapter 9
1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from
heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the
bottomless pit.
2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke
out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun
and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and
unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have
power.
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the
grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree;
but only those men which have not the seal of God in their
foreheads.
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but
that they should be tormented five months: and their torment
[was] as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find
it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
7 And the shapes of the locusts [were] like unto horses
prepared unto battle; and on their heads [were] as it were
crowns like gold, and their faces [were] as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were
as [the teeth] of lions.
9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron;
and the sound of their wings [was] as the sound of chariots of
many horses running to battle.
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were
stings in their tails: and their power [was] to hurt men five
months.
11 And they had a king over them, [which is] the angel of the
bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue [is] Abaddon,
but in the Greek tongue hath [his] name Apollyon.
12 One woe is past; [and], behold, there come two woes more
hereafter.
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the
four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the
four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an
hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the
third part of men.
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen [were] two
hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat
on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and
brimstone: and the heads of the horses [were] as the heads of
lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and
brimstone.
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the
fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out
of their mouths.
19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for
their tails [were] like unto serpents, and had heads, and with
them they do hurt.
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these
plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that
they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver,
and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor
hear, nor walk:
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their
sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Revelation Chapter 10
1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven,
clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow [was] upon his head, and
his face [was] as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of
fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his
right foot upon the sea, and [his] left [foot] on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roareth: and
when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was
about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto
me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and
write them not.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the
earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created
heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and
the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which
are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he
shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished,
as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again,
and said, Go [and] take the little book which is open in the
hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the
earth.
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the
little book. And he said unto me, Take [it], and eat it up;
and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy
mouth sweet as honey.
10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate
it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as
I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many
peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
Revelation Chapter 11
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel
stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the
altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and
measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the
holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.
3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they
shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days,
clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks
standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their
mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt
them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the
days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn
them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as
often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast
that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war
against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great
city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also
our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations
shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall
not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them,
and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because
these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from
God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and
great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them,
Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and
their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the
tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake wereslain
of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and
gave glory to the God of heaven.
Note Rev. 10:1-11:13, following the sixth trumpet of the sixth seal, an angel appears. He comes to the earth, from heaven with a little book opened. What is this book? What does he want to teach the inhabitants of the earth? In verse 3, he cries as when a lion roareth. Maybe he has some connection with the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, brought to view in Revelation 5:5, otherwise known as the Lamb. When he cries seven thunders utter their voices. Seven thunders! What's that got to do with Rev 6:1, where the Lamb opens the first seal? John claims he hears, as it were the noise of thunder. He was about to write what the seven thunders uttered but was told not to, verse 4. Note verses 5 and 6, when the angel comes to earth there is time is no longer. In verse 7, we find the statement;
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, When he shall begin to sound,
the mystery of God should be finished,
as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
What Mystery? What was John told not to write? Evidently John knew something. Has this mystery been shown to the prophets before hand? How about that. Ever wondered about the man on the red horse in Zechariah 1:7-8. What did the prophet Zechariah see? Who's that angel that comes down to earth in Zech 2:1-3, and who's that young man he speaks to? The one who goes to Jerusalem to measure the temple. What is he told about the events to occur in Jerusalem? Why is it that under the second deal, the man on the red horse takes peace from the earth? Is there a movement for peace in the Middle East? Does it bear the sanction of God? We know God has chosen Jerusalem for His dwelling place. What did Christ have to say about future events in the Middle East, and Jerusalem? (Luke 21:20-27, 35; cf. Zechariah 14:1, 2) In Matthew 24:2, he had stated not one stone of the building would be left upon another. We know the wailing wall remains to this day. Is there something to occur in Jerusalem? Why is it that Christ takes peace from the earth? (Mt 10:34-39) What did the Apostle Paul, have to say about all of this? (I Thessalonians 4:16-5:4; note 5:3) This angel that comes to the earth, could it be he's the one with the seal of God, ascending from the East in Rev. 7:2! How about that, what are we seeing here, who can show us the meanings of all of this? We know one thing, many serious events are here spoken of. But do they matter, are they of any importance to us? They seem to be important to God!
Revelation Chapter 11 (continued)
14 The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh
quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices
in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the
kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign
for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on
their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which
art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to
thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the
time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou
shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to
the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and
shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was
seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were
lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake,
and great hail.
HR>
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