AN EXPOSITION OF BIBLICAL-PROPHETIC INTERPRETATION
The Seven Seals (Revelation 4-8)
Prayer Thought
When the Lord works through human instrumentalities, when men are moved with power from on high, Satan leads his agents to cry, "Fanaticism!" and to warn people not to go to extremes. Let all be careful how they raise this cry; for though there is counterfeit coin, this does not lower the value of that which is genuine. Because there are spurious revivals and spurious conversions, it does not follow that all revivals are to be held in suspicion. Let us not show the contempt manifested by the Pharisees when they said, "This man receiveth sinners." [Luke 15:2.] {GW 170.2}
There is enough in the life of Christ to teach us not to sneer at His work in the conversion of souls. The manifestation of God's renewing grace on sinful men causes angels to rejoice, but often this work has, through unbelief, been termed fanaticism, and the messenger through whom God has worked has been spoken of as having zeal that is not according to knowledge.
Introduction:
The Ministers should present the TRUTH in a clear, simple manner. {GW 170}
The Fundamental Rules in Biblical-Prophetic Revelation
These fundamental rules were taken from the bible as its own interpreter.
1. Rev. 1:3 – “Blessed [is] he that READETH, and they that HEAR the words of this prophecy, and KEEP those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.”
Let everyone who has been blessed with reasoning faculties take up the Bible and search its pages, that he may understand the will of God concerning him. In this Book divine instruction is given to all. The Bible is addressed to everyone--to every class of society, to those of every clime and age. Everyone should read the Bible for himself. Do not depend on the minister to read it for you. The Bible is God's Word to you. And Christ has made this Word so plain that in reading it, no one need misunderstand. Let the humble cottager read and understand the Word given by the wisest Teacher the world has ever known, and among kings, governors, statesmen, there is none greater than He. {ST, July 11, 1906 par. 6}
2. Tim. 3:16, 17 – “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
3. Isa. 28:13 - But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
4. Isa. 8:20 - To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.
5. Please read Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
Background:
John wrote letters to the 7 churches in Asia, namely; Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Rev. 1:11 EGWhite says that 7 signifies completeness (AA 585). A complete history of the churches in the New Testament era and predicts the characteristics of Christian churches in the future.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John: What was the things which must come shortly? The fulfillment of first church – Ephesus in chapter 2:1-7 not Rev. 4:1 because it says, “After this I looked” note: the 7 churches had already been shown – it does not says, After THESE, KJV says, After “THIS” it only points to the one church (Laodicea) preceding the event in verse 1, a door [was] opened in heaven: It denotes that the event in Chapters 4, 5 predicted here (the open door in the Most Holy Place – in the investigative judgment, Dan, 7:9) would be fulfilled in 1844 (EW 42). Take note: the last church spoken of before John saw, a door opened in heaven is Laodicea – It came from two Greek words, ‘Laos’ which means people, ‘dicea’ means judgment – meaning people declaring judgment – it connotes a time where God’s judgment is at hand – 1844 as the year of Great Disappointment which our pioneers understood as a cleansing of the sanctuary (Dan. 8:14) on earth, but Hiram Edson and Ellen G. White had been shown a vision that it was not the earth but the Most Holy Place opened for an investigative judgment.
Inspiration says, “The fifth chapter of Revelation needs to be closely studied. It is of GREAT IMPORTANCE to those who shall ACT A PART IN THE WORK OF GOD for these last days.” There are some who are deceived. They do not realize what is coming on the earth. Those who have permitted their minds to become beclouded in regard to what constitutes sin are fearfully deceived. Unless they make a decided change they will be found wanting when God pronounces judgment upon the children of men. They have transgressed the law and broken the everlasting covenant, and they will receive according to their works. {9T 267.1}
Notice the nature and scenes of the vision, there’s a GREAT IMPORTANCE to really understand the representations, keys that unlock the symbolic language (9MR 7). What are the keys to understand the scene depicted in vision?
1. One sitting on the throne (v. 2) same as shown to Daniel 7:9 – the throne cast down and the Ancient of days did sit – represents the Father, the Judge! Daniel had seen it as it was prophesied but John had seen as it was revealed to be fulfilled hereafter (1:19) ‘a door opened in heaven’ (v.1).
2. A rainbow around the throne (v. 3) representing God’s promises (Gen. 9:12-15; COL 148) and token of His covenant to Noah – it is a pledge of God’s mercy (Ed. 178; DA 83) to repentant, believing soul (CTr 314.5). Note: It’s a judgment in progress/process!
3. The 24 Elders (v. 4) representing the Jury – in any court proceedings there are jury selected convened to render an impartial verdict. In this case John had seen a vision to happen hereafter (Rev. 1:19) not before he was exiled but somewhere in the future. The 24 elders are from among those who ascended with Christ clothed in white raiment – purified and they had crowns of gold on their heads – denoting authority who had past the trials and sufferings on earth and are able to attend the investigative judgment. Please read: Mat. 27:51-53; DA 785-6; EW 184.
4. The 7 lamps of fire burning before the throne (v. 5) representing the completeness (AA 585) of truth (Ps. 119:105), the churches throughout all ages. EGWhite commented on this vision, “Christ walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks. Thus is symbolized His relation to the churches. He is in communion with His people. . . .Although He is High Priest and Mediator in the sanctuary above, yet He walks up and down in the midst of the churches on earth. . . . {CTr 314.4} It’s a crystal clear indication to prove that it is an investigative judgment scene.
5. The 7 Spirits (v. 5) – This shows that the Holy Spirit has been guiding the churches from the very beginning by revealing light and truth to God’s servants in each generation. Read COL 127 Read the context.
6. The sea of glass (v. 6) – In prophetic symbol, sea denotes endlessness, glass as crystal which means pure/eternal, so, together it represents life eternal. There’s an eternal life offered as reward to those saints.
7. The four beasts full of eyes before and behind (v.6) – They represents the saints, the defendants, those to be judged. Rev. 5:8-9. Only human beings have been redeemed. The saints are not physically there, yet are represented there symbolically as beasts (EW 54, 92) in the same way that the beast of Daniel and Revelation symbolizes nations.
a. First beast was like a Lion – being the king of the jungle – represents the first period of the history of the world (9MR 7) before the ceremonial system, from Adam to Moses.
b. Second beast like a Calf – it represents the period of the ceremonial system (Moses to the Cross) - the ceremonial system ended in Christ crucifixion.
c. Third beast had a face as a man – Christ as the son of man (AA 55.1) in the New Testament times – representing the third beast – from the cross to the harvest period.
d. Fourth beast was like a flying eagle – The eagle is considered as the “king of the skies” and messenger of the highest gods. With its keen eyes symbolized courage, perspicacity, strength and immortality. Take note the word ‘FLYING’. Therefore, it represents a period when the saints (church) is to be translated (the 144,000 and the Great Multitude). The harvest of the first fruit and the second fruit – the first and second fruit period.
8. The four beast had each of them six wings (v. 8a) – wings in this vision could not represent strife or swiftness because all of them had. It only represent periods of time when the judgment begins, which is clearly identified in the sixth period of the history of the world (1844) – when the sixth seal was unlock.
9. They were Full of Eyes within (v. 8b) – Eyes give light to the body providing sight. Thus it shows that God’s people have had sufficient light in every age (COL 127.4 – new development of truth, a message of God to the people of that generation).
10. A Book written within and on the backside, sealed with Seven Seals (5:1) The Book With Seven Seals Contains the History of the World.-- "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. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon" (Revelation 5:1-3). {9MR 7.1}
There in His open hand lay the book, the roll of the history of God's providences, the prophetic history of nations and the church. Herein was contained the divine utterances, His authority, His commandments, His laws, the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and the history of all ruling powers in the nations. In symbolic language was contained in that roll the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of earth's history to its close. {9MR 7.2} This roll was written within and without. John says: [Revelation 5:4, 5, 8-14; 6:8-11; Revelation 8:1-4; quoted.] {9MR 7.3}
Note the highlighted quotes: Facts in relation to the Book with the Seven Seals
1. History of the WORLD,
2. History of God’s Providences,
3. Prophetic History of nations and the church,
4. divine utterances,
5. His authority,
6. His commandments,
7. His laws,
8. the whole symbolic counsel of the Eternal, and
9. the history of all ruling powers in the nations
10. the influence of every nation, tongue, and people from the beginning of earth's history to its close.
With these in mind, could we say that the Seven Seals begin in the First Century – Christian Era or beginning with Adam until the end of World’s History.
This paper will prove that it didn’t started in the Church of Ephesus – 31-100 A.D.
Knowing that verse 2-4, John wept much because nobody in heaven, on earth, or under the earth was worthy and able to open and loose the seal, but verse 5, exclaimed, “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.
The Book which only the Lamb is worthy to open – it is called the Book of the Lamb – the Book of life. The Book that decides every man’s destiny (Rev. 13:8; 20;12; 21:27; 22:19; Exo. 32:33).
“Thus the Jewish leaders made their choice. Their decision was registered in the book which John saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, the book which no man could open. In all its vindictiveness this decision will appear before them in the day when this book is unsealed by the Lion of the tribe of Judah. {COL 294.1}
That’s the scene shown to John in Patmos, a very significant truth for those who will be investigated first the dead (1844) then closes to the living. The judgment reviews every case beginning with Adam through each successive generation and closes with the living (GC 482-3).
Note: When the book was taken from the hand of one sitting on the throne, the four beasts and twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb – acknowledging him as the advocate, they have harps and golden vials full of odours – representing the prayers of the saints. They sung a new song – a song of thanksgiving for the lamb who is able to open the book that they may be vindicated/judged. They are representing the redeemed of every kindred, tongue and people, and nation, saved by the blood of the Lamb who was slain (5:10)
11. Stood a Lamb as it had been slain (5:6a) – Representing Jesus (John 1:29) our advocate (lawyer) and substitutionary offering, also as a priest, a lamb bleeding – denoting that it is a scene of a heavenly court – the MOST HOLY PLACE where the investigative was cast down as Daniel saw it (Dan. 7:9) but John had been shown the whole proceedings.
12. Lamb having seven horns (5:6b) – Jesus having complete authority and power (Mat. 28:18)
13. Lamb having seven eyes (5:6c) – Jesus has complete vision – knowledge – the attribute of Christ (Ps. 139:12. Zech. 4:10)
14. The Seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth (5:6d) – denoting God’s activity or work in all ages (John 14:26).
15. The Many angels round about the throne (5:11-12) – the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands – singing songs of praise, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. These angels are witnesses of the judicial proceedings in heaven. “The witnesses, angels who record and testify to all events from Adam down to the end of time” GC 482-3
Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
It was used by some theologians to say that the vision shown to John in chapter 4 and 5 is applied to the Early Christian church but notice the passage and I quote, “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter”. It was seen by John in vision then he wrote those things! And the things which are – events at present (time of John), and the things which shall be hereafter! SO, there are three phases, 1. things seen in the past, 2. things which are in the present, and 3. things hereafter. God reveals to John what has been in the past, in the present and in the future.