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The Seals (The Preview)

I n this chapter we will concern our self with the book of Revelation chapters one through seven. In order to understand this book I think it might be wise to consider the author.

This book was written by John the beloved. John was a fisherman with his brother James and their friends Peter and Andrew. Andrew was also a disciple of John the Baptist and no doubt influenced his brother and friends spiritually. I can almost hear Andrew asking Peter, James and John “ What time shall we meet to hear the prophet “John the Baptist” speak?

These men even know they were fishermen, had a strong desire for the Lord. One day Andrew met the Lord through John the Baptist and ran to tell his brother Peter “ We have found the Christ”! Through the Jewish teaching, and through John the Baptists teachings these men looked for “The Christ”. Knowing the way Peter was, he probably invited Jesus to come down and see his boat. Jesus did happen to visit the beach where they worked and called them into service.

John became Jesus' closest friend and where ever Jesus was; there was John beside Him. John was at Jesus' transfiguration, and at the last supper; whom do we find resting his head on Jesus' breast? Who was standing at the cross with Mary, Jesus' mother? Jesus shared His most precious secret (The Revelation) with John.

The Revelation begins by telling us whom this prophecy is written to, “ to show unto His servants ” this means you and I, “ things which must shortly come to pass ” the subject matter is of future events.

In verse three of chapter one, God gives special blessing to those who study this book of prophecy and keep it.

Revelation CP 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.

Whenever you hear someone belittle a student of prophecy, then know that the words of that man are not ordered of the Lord. Blessed is He that readeth, and keepeth the book of Revelation. To reemphasize exactly whom this book is written to, John addresses the seven churches. This book is written to “The Church” , God has subdivided His church into seven churches.

The church awaits one thing, the return of it's groom (The Lord) In verse seven John tells us:

Revelation CP 1:7 “Behold He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him”

John affirmed to the church that Jesus will come back in the clouds just as He had taught, and every eye will see Him. This alone puts to rest the idea that there will be a secret rapture, for every eye shall see Him coming in the clouds .

John in verse eight records Jesus' own words

Revelation CP 1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, The beginning and the ending saith the Lord, which is, which was, and which is to come the Almighty.

In this statement God claims to be the originator of time, the God of the Old Testament, the God of the New Testament, the God that shall return for you in the clouds. John had just finished informing us of Christ's triumphant return in the clouds when, Jesus steps in to authenticate Johns message.

In verse nine and ten John professes to be on an island (Patmos) and in the spirit when Jesus revealed to him the prophecy of the Revelation. It is only through the Spirit one can understand what the Spirit has revealed. John is instructed to write down, the things that he has seen, the things that are, and the things that shall be hereafter. What John has seen is the glorious appearance of Jesus and His control over all things.

What John is instructed to write to the seven churches would be the things that are, for this was the state of those churches at that present time.

It also has been considered the spiritual state of the church through time from the time of Jesus until His return. Some theologians have divided the history of the church into seven spiritual ages of the church.

There has also been teaching that every church falls into one of the seven categories of a church. In this respect each of the seven letters define a church character and the teaching indicates that every church will exemplify one of these church characters.

I am of the belief that, knowing the complexity of God all of, or most of these ideas could be applicable.

After John is finished writing the seven churches (the things that are), John is invited into Heaven to hear the thing that must be hereafter.

Jesus has opened the door of heaven so that John may enter therein to witness the glory of Jesus Christ in Gods' own home (Heaven), and also to receive the knowledge of the future.

People Like to hear pleasant things, comforting things, and so it has become popular to spiritualize Revelation CP 4:1 Common teaching of this verse proclaims the door opening and Johns ascension into heaven to receive the prophecy is actually a symbol of the rapture of the church.

To believe that God decided to hide the most glorious event to ever grace the history of time, in this verse is hard to accept; When God has spent so much time in scripture teaching on this very event, that it should be open, every eye shall see, that the sun shall go out and the moon shall turn red. Men want to stand on this teaching, not knowing this very teaching is doctrine from the devil himself.

This Doctrine cloaks the devils entrance into society. Granted it would be nice if the Church escaped the day of the antichrist; however, the Word teaches no such thing. You shall witness this frail and fragile argument for this doctrine of Satan loose its elusive grip on your intellect as this book progresses and as your hunger for the truth grows toward Gods Spirit of prophecy.

Will you fashion the Word of God to suit you or will you accept Gods' word no matter what it reveals? That is the question you must ask your self. Are you willing to overlook the traditions of men and the acceptance of denominations to further your understanding of the future? If your answer is “yes” I will divorce myself from the doctrine of man when Gods Word proves otherwise, I will subject myself to the reproach of the religious world, even to the reproach of those of my own denomination for the understanding of truth. Yes I'd rather die then lie to others and myself about what God teaches the future holds for the Christian. If this is your testimony to our heavenly Creator and King, as should all true believers be, then God Shall bless you with spiritual understanding as you continue to reap from His Word.

If you are satisfied that you have had enough council on the subject and that it doesn't really matter what the truth is because God takes care of his own; If you feel that the most important thing is the Gospel and Jesus wouldn't let the Christians go through the tribulation anyway; If your position is, and why should I believe you and your interpretation, for greater men than you have taught me otherwise; Then Wisdom cries against you, but humble yourself O man of pride for your folly shall reach into the pit, There is a way that seemeth right unto man, but the end there of is death.

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

For the Antichrist to enter into the society of this World and assume the position of the Messiah, there must be some deception. The Word of God clearly teaches of him, so what better deception is there than to use the Word to deceive. The Jewish nation did not accept Jesus as Messiah; they are still waiting for their Messiah. The Bible teaches that the Jews will accept the Antichrist as Messiah. The Bible also teaches that the world will also accept the Antichrist as god.

If it were commonly known by Christian teaching that the next Supernaturally empowered visitor to the world would be the Antichrist, it would be hard to convince them otherwise; however, If one was to convince Christian leadership that there was no need to worry about the Antichrist because all the believers would be raptured before his arrival, this would be sufficient to cloak the arrival of the deceiver. This would cause even the believers to, in essence await the arrival of the Jewish Messiah when they think they are waiting for the Rapture.

In 2Thessalonians 2:1-6 Paul writing to the Christians, warns them that the Antichrist would show up first. Paul begins,

2Thessalonians CP 2:1-6 Now we beseech you, Brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him. Verse 3 - 5 Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed , the son of perdition. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, Shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things.

This message Paul reminded them of, clearly defines the Antichrist as the first figure of God to appear on the world scene. Verse nine tells us that this figure shall have powers, signs and lying wonders. This is what the mortal man would call supernatural power.

In order to overturn the essence of Paul's point here; the deceiver has taught Christian leadership that verse seven in this same passage proves the exact opposite of what this passage teaches.

2Thessalonians CP 2: 7 for the mystery of iniquity doth already work: Only he who now letteth, will let, until he be taken out of the way.

The power that restrains evil is the Holy Spirit; He lets the devil accomplish some evil and some He restrains. One day Jesus will move His Spirit out of Satan's way allowing him to reign for forty-two months. This does not infer that the church will be taken out of the way, this only tells us at some point in time God will let Satan appear to be God to send strong delusion to unbelievers to believe his lie. We will find this point asserted throughout God's prophecy.

Is it no wonder Pastors can't find any help in the church today? Church patrons have been lulled to sleep with this don't worry you won't be here message. That was not the message taught by Paul in his time. Paul taught that the Antichrist would show up first. He received this from John the beloved.

John was translated into the third Heaven to hear this message when he was called up through that door in Heaven. Paul even wrote of this in 2 Corinthians CP 12:2-5

2Corinthians CP 12:2-5 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, Whether in the body I can not tell, or whether out of the body, I can not tell: God knoweth; such an one caught up to the third heaven. How he was caught up to Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Paul was speaking of John and the seven thunders that John heard while in the third heaven.

Revelation CP 10:4 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.

Paul was never called up to the third heaven, but his fellow Apostle John was and shared the experience with him. Paul was stating how he could not glory in his own life, but he had found someone who had reached the pinnacle of heaven and returned to earth to tell the story.

John is in heaven and a witness to the awesome glory of God. All types of beast and twenty-four seats with twenty-four elders, a sea of glass and everything gave glory to God. John was called up there to see the things, which must be hereafter.

The information of the hereafter is contained in a Book. God the father has the book in his right hand and the book has seals on it so that no one might know what was therein. Search was made for someone to reveal the books contents, but no one was found worthy to open the book. Then Jesus reveals that He will open the book and expose the contents.

It has been thought that if one was to track time through the Revelation it might start here with the first seal; however, this is not the case.

To effectively trace time through Revelation one must place emphasis on the contents of the book and not on the seals. The seals are in order and do represent a chronological order of events; however, they refer to specific events that take place within the book itself.

The seals are rather a preview or snapshot of future events to be reveled in the book. You will notice that in Chapter six, events that occur will also be found contained within the chapters containing the trumpets.

Revelation CP 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.

The four beasts are part of the throne, a better observation of this can be found in Ezekiel CP 1. The fact that John was instructed to come and see, insinuates that John must step closer and possibly pear down into the sea of glass that is found before the throne. In Rev. CP 5:1 we find that this book is sealed on the backside with seven seals, and it has writing within the book. I picture the cover of the book as one that folds around from the front too the back and the seals are in a row on the backside. All seven seals must be removed in order to read within the book.

In verse two John observes a white horse, and he that sat on the Horse had a bow, and a crown was given to him: and he went forth conquering to conquer. There are two distinct world powers and worldviews,

One is the free world system with its economic engine and dominant religious leader, the Pope, and the Christian message; and then there is the communist economic engine, and religious philosophy, which is predominantly Muslim.

This white horse seems to infer a somewhat peaceful domination through economic and religious means. I will suggest that this White horse and rider represent the Pope and the free world machine that recognizes the position of the pope. America is known for its willingness to buy peace, by subsidizing countries that conform to our wishes. The popes favorite color is white, white pope mobile, white dress, and his position commands supreme authority over his followers.

When the second seal is opened, John is again encouraged to come and see. John sees a red horse and rider with power to take peace from the earth that they should kill one another. The red horse would represent the Muslim communist alliance, which has it's own economic trade system, and rejects the religious system adopted by the free world system. The communist ideology is to kill and conquer the world by force.

The pope has not been welcome in the communist countries, and the color red is the banner that the communist fly.

The bible teaches that there will be a war started by the red horse (red Muslim communist system) and there shall be enormous destruction as a result of this war. Let us examine some reasons why it should be obvious to man of this approaching doom.

•  1) The capability of the worlds armed forces to impose destruction on our planet. The earth is now closer to global war than at any other time in world history. Third world countries now poses the nuclear capacity to force their will on other third world states and may even decide to hold the USA hostage.

America traditionally used its wealth to control the third world, but American buying power is dwindling as we consume debt at alarming rates. Third world nations feel the pinch of their heavy debt loads, and as the third world countries default on their loans to American banks their respect for the dollar to buy peace is diminished. The result is the collapse of the American banking system or a very diluted dollar as the fed prints cache to fill the void.

This in turn creates a world with rouge nations holding great power to destroy and little or no incentive to submit to the world system. The communist alliance is still intact. Most people believe that the fall of the wall in Germany ended the threat from the communist. How much trade does the USA have with Libya, North Korea, Iran, Iraq,

The answer is that the communist countries trade among them selves and are not subject to American sanctions. North Korea has launched missiles over Japan, china is preparing for the invasion of Taiwan. America is planning actions against Iran as Americans and British troops continue the gulf war. India and Pakistan prepare for war against each other as they demonstrate their nuclear power with under ground testing.

This all seems insignificant when you consider that any day Israel can begin their assault on the dome of the rock to build the temple thus causing a holy war such as we cannot even imagine.

•  2) Increased instability of tectonic plates causing abnormal seismic activity . The earth is experiencing increased seismic activity causing, volcanic mountains to blow up, earthquakes far more numerous, flooding of catastrophic proportion and tsunami waves through out the world. This increased activity is clearly a sign of the instability of the ground we walk on.

3) Abnormal weather patterns causing severe catastrophic events . The planets weather patterns are deviating from their normal circuits causing droughts, floods, and inconsistent weather for the growth of crops necessary to feed the populations.

When the third seal is opened, again John is instructed to come and see. There is a black horse and he who sat on it had a pair of balances in his hand. John hears a voice from the midst of the four-beast 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.

This is the implementation of the one world financial system. All through time measurement for trade has used the balance to meter out goods. The official seal of the department of treasury for the United States also displays this symbol and you can find it on every dollar used in the USA. This step is a prerequisite for the Antichrist's forty-two month world government; he will use food and money as a weapon to compel people to receive his mark.

The fourth seal is opened and for the fourth time John is told to come and see. This seal reveals a rider on a pale horse, the name given to the rider is Death and we are told that hell followed him. He is given power to kill one fourth of the world's population. This is a clear representation of the Antichrist in action. Mr. Death has instituted his Mark of the Beast and his army combs the world to eliminate those who will not receive his mark in their right hand or forehead.

The fifth seal is opened and this time john is not told to come and see. Instead John sees the souls of the saints that died for their testimony of the Word of God under the alter that stands before the throne of God. These would not receive the mark and rather chose death than to maintain their existence on earth. There was a cry made unto the Lord, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood? White robes were given to everyone of them and they were instructed to rest till their fellow servants should be killed as they were. We find that the killing of the Christians shall go on for a prolonged time and every one shall receive a garment of white. Jesus has given Satan 42 months to reign, it will not be shortened, and he shall have his 42 months.

With the opening of the sixth seal you will see cataclysmic end of time events. There is a great earthquake, the light of the sun is extinguished, The moon glows red hot, The stars are removed from the sky, and every mountain and island are moved out of place. Verse 15 continues to demonstrate the severity of the time,

Revelation CP 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bond man, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains. All these men called on the rocks to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of God.

One might say that here is the end of time and these verses do refer to that point in time; however, Revelation Cp. 11 seems to give account to the same time.

Revelation CP 11:18 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.

In Rev 11:19 there is mention of a great earthquake. This same event in time is also recorded in Matthew 24:29-31

Matthew CP 24:29-31 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken: and then shall appear the sign of the son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Notice that in each reference, this time period is preceded by the antichrist, a great earthquake, and changes in the sun, moon, and the stars. You see the same picture painted in each reference.

Matthew Chapter 24 states that there will be wars, then a huge war, the abomination of desolation (the antichrist in God's temple), and the killing of the believers, then the change in the sun, moon, and stars, and finally the Lord coming in the clouds to receive His saints.

Revelation Chapter 6 proclaims two major powers the white and red horses with riders, A great war, a worldwide monetary system, a governor for the system “Mr. death” (the Antichrist), the killing of the believers, the earthquake and the changes in the sun, moon, and stars. And then finally the Lords return to punish the wicked and rewards for the saints.

The trumps shall reveal the same scenario, as we shall see in the next chapter. We will briefly point out the same structure of events in the seven trumps before continuing on to chapter seven.

Revelation Chapter 8: describes the ramifications due to the Great War between the red and white horse armies, the grass is burnt up, trees are destroyed, fish are killed and ships are sunk.

Chapter nine opens the pit so the beast may ascend out of it, and then describes the Antichrist army, and the killing of those who don't accept his governmental monetary system (“The Mark”).

Chapter 11 describes the forty-two month reign of the antichrist, and ends with the great earthquake, finally in chapter 14:14 we find Jesus coming in the clouds to reap His harvest (“The Rapture”).

Chapter seven is contained within the seven seals, and expounds on specific notable events that would occur immediately before and after the trumps. Before the first three trumps should sound, and the earth should receive damage; an angel commands that the remnant should be sealed in the forehead with the seal of God. There was sealed twelve thousand of each tribe if Israel. After this, John sees the raptured believers stand before the throne of God, clothed in white and comforted by Jesus. It seems as if God wanted to fill in some information before the opening of the seventh seal and thus revealing the contents of the book.

The fact that the wind is commanded not to blow till the saints are sealed signifies the severity of the impending events that should occur there after. This is the beginning of an enormous amount of super natural activity that ushers in the redemption of the chosen. When a person is saved they are sealed with the Spirit and God does not mention those who have already been sealed, however, the 144 thousand are special to the Lord and He records the sealing of them. The 144 thousand are the first fruits to the lord;

Revelation CP 14:3&4 And they sung as if it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beast, and the elders: and no man could learn the song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they, which were not defiled with woman; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.

The first fruits are fruit that become ripe first on the vine; they are gathered while the other fruit is left on the vine to ripen. To say that the 144 thousand are the first fruits and to further define them as to be redeemed from among men; is to say the 144 thousand will be reaped and presented to God before the reaping of the main harvest.

After John sees the sealing of the 144 thousand, he then sees a multitude of all nations and kindred and people that no one could number standing before Gods throne in heaven. John is asked who these were, and then he is told whom they are.

Revelation CP 7:14 These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

To say they came out of great tribulation is to insinuate that they were in the great tribulation. God promises they shall never hunger nor thirst, and that Jesus shall feed them and wipe away their tears.

This brings us to the end of the seventh seal, which is opened, in CP 8:1.

Review: What have we learned it this Chapter?

•  1) The Revelation is written to His servants, what must shortly come to pass.

•  2) There is a blessing from God Given to those who study and keep the revelation.

•  3) John addresses the seven churches, each one different from the other, together make up the “Church”

•  4) We are told that every eye shall see Him upon His return, coming in the clouds.

•  5) Paul warned the Christians that the Antichrist would show up before our gathering together unto Jesus.

•  6) The seals are a preview or snapshot of what will happen in the trump period.

•  7) The World is divided into two different philosophies or schools of thought. Free world Christian & Muslim communism.

•  8) The same event structure is defined in Matt 24, Revelation CP 6 the seals, and Rev CP8-14 the trumps.

•  9) The 144 thousand are first fruits, and are received unto God first.

•  10) The bible teaches that the believers shall be taken out during the great tribulation.