16. The Seven Seals What? and When? Part 1

THE   SEVEN  SEALS: WHAT? WHEN? Part 1

Prayer Thought:  

"The Book with Seven Seals contain the History of the World - (Rev 5:1-3quoted)…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…..His commandments, His laws, the whole 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…" Letter 65, 1898, pp 9-9, 12" (E.G. White).  Also - Manuscript Release No. 667.

"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." 9T.267.

Aims fo the Study:
Based on the statement from Ellen G. White, the study of the Seven Seals focus on understanding the prophetic history of the world as recorded in the sealed book of Revelation. This study aims to answer two key questions:

What is the significance of the Seven Seals?

The Seven Seals reveal the unfolding of God’s providences throughout history, covering both nations and the church from the beginning of time to the end.

The book contains God’s laws, commandments, and His rulership over the affairs of men, symbolizing divine judgment and governance.

The seals disclose the influence of every nation, tongue, and people and how they relate to God's redemptive plan.

When does the fulfillment of the Seven Seals take place?

Since the sealed book contains history from the beginning of the world to its close, the opening of each seal marks progressive stages in divine history.

The study must determine the timing of each seal’s fulfillment in relation to biblical prophecy, church history, and end-time events.

Revelation 5 highlights the importance of Christ as the Lamb, who alone is worthy to open the seals, signifying a crucial transition in prophetic events.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the historical and prophetic significance of the Seven Seals as revealed in Revelation.

To identify how and when these prophetic events unfold in connection with the church and the nations.

To understand God’s justice, mercy, and judgment in history as revealed through the seals.

To apply the lessons of the Seven Seals to the present and future role of God’s people in these last days.

This study will help God’s people gain a deeper understanding of prophecy, recognize their role in the last-day work, and prepare for the final events leading to Christ’s kingdom.

INTRODUCTION:  

As we have already observed, the Book of Revelation is in two parts: 

Chapter 1-3 - the introduction - consists of messages to the seven periods of the Christian church; and 

Chapters 4 to 22 - the events of the 7 seals.  In Rev 4, the 7 seals begin with the Sanctuary scene then the opening of the seals.

AA 585 "In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end" 

CG 482-483 "As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God.  Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the Living.  Every name is mentioned.”

THE JUDGEMENT TRIBUNAL - REV 4 AND  5

Rev. 4:1-5: “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 show thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne. 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. 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. 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.” 

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. 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. 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. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 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, 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.”  

REV. 5:1-11 “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. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof…. 

“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.  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 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. 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;  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 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…”