[THE LION, THE LAMB, AND THE SEVEN SEALS,
CONT.]
[the seventh
seal]
Immediately after the
opening of the seventh seal, 'there was silence in heaven
about the space of half an hour.'
(Rev. 8:1). The 'silence'
would indicate an inactivity with regard to certain
things, or a 'holding' of
action. Keep in mind that the seventh seal does not
follow the completion of the sixth seal. It is
opened shortly after the sixth seal is opened, as are
all of the seals opened in rapid succession over a
short period of time. But the various
effects of that which is unleashed or described under
each seal continues until the end. Thus there is an
overlapping of the seals. The 'silence in heaven'
which comes after the seventh seal is opened
is the direct result of the
'hold'
order given to the angels in charge of the four winds
of the earth. (Rev. 7:1). In other words the 'silence'
indicates an abeyance in the complete fulfillment of the
'day of wrath'
through atomic destruction. The purpose is to
give an added period of time to prepare and seal
a minimum number of the servants of God. It is
during this period of 'hold action' or
'silence'
with regard to full atomic wrath, that the seven warning trumpets of judgment blow, portraying
events that are leading up
to the final wrath. This is why there is a 'pick
up' just
before the first warning trumpet blows,
of that which is portrayed as being unleashed under the
sixth seal. It is recorded that an angel filled a censer
with fire from off the heavenly
altar and ‘cast it into the earth: and
there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings,
and an earthquake.' (Rev. 8:5). The 'earthquake'
which comes after fire is cast on the earth, is the same
as the atomic 'earthquake'
described under the sixth seal. (Rev. 6:12).
Then again, fire is cast upon the earth as the
first warning trumpet blows. (Rev. 8:7). Although
full wrath is delayed for a time, the first trumpet
blasts its warning that the discovery of atomic power and
its incorporation into
destructive weapons will eventually affect all the
inhabitants of the earth (the
green grass) and completely destroy one third of the
earth's inhabitants and nations (trees). (Rev. 8:7).
The seventh seal sees the blowing
of the seven trumpets which carry through until the end.
At the close of the seventh trumpet, the
seven vials of wrath are poured out to
prepare the way for the coming King. The 'day
of wrath' is a necessary prelude to
the answering of the prayer which
Jesus taught His disciples to pray: ‘Thy
kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth, as it is
in heaven.' (Matt. 6:10).
This prayer has ascended from the lips of multiplied
thousands, down through the present age. The acceptance
of such prayers is portrayed in the very midst of, and
as a part of, the heavenly episodes which prepare for
judgment. Just before the
seven trumpets begin their blasts of warning
judgments, John sees an angel come and stand at the
heavenly altar of incense ‘having a golden censer; and
there was given to him much incense, that he
should offer it with the prayers of all saints on the golden altar which
was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense,
which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up
before God out of the angel's hand.'
(Rev. 8:3-4). The angel ministering at the
heavenly altar, adding the incense to the prayers of the
saints, is representative of the high
priestly ministry of Jesus Christ. In the symbolic
picture, the angel adds the
intercessory prayers (incense) of Him who 'ever
lives to make
intercession for them.' (Heb.
7:25). As a result of these prayers, the preliminary
trumpet judgments are set in motion,
preparing the way of the final vials of wrath.
When the earth is swept clean of
its refuse, the way will be prepared for the full
implementation of the Kingdom of light and
love, ruled over by saints in
glorious splendor,
giving full allegiance to Him whose name is the
Word of God (Rev. 19:13),
and who bears the title 'KING
OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.'
(Rev. 19:16).
Even so pray [ ] that the day will hasten, that your
prayers may also ascend and fill
the temple in heaven with sweet
fragrance, and that your God may respond to
give to His
people rest from the oppressor, and a full and
abundant entrance into His
everlasting Kingdom.
[postscript and
conclusion]
There is yet one more prophetic
insight which I would give to you at this time.
The black horse rider had a pair of balances in
his hand, and a voice was heard to say, 'A
measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of
barley for a penny; and see you hurt not the oil and the
wine.’
(Rev. 6:5-6). You were given to
see the incipient fulfillment of this in
Hitler's Germany. But in the final manifestation
of the 'false prophet',
who heads the beast of world government, there will
be a more complete fulfillment. The 'balances' portray the strict
rationing which will be in effect throughout the
world because of food shortages.
Those
nations which have more will be required to share
with those which have little. Also pictured is the
extreme inflationary economy of that day. The 'penny'
mentioned is from the Greek denarius, which was a
standard day's wage in the Roman era.
The 'measure' is
from the Greek ‘choenix,’ which was a
dry measure of about a quart. Thus in the coming days of
extreme world crises, inflated money and soaring prices
will bring about conditions where a
day's labor
for many will mean little more than
being able to provide a bare subsistence. But
the inspired record adds the
assurance, ‘hurt
not the oil and the wine.'
Regardless of the difficult times; the strife,
war, bloodshed, and privation;
and also much persecution of those who will not
submit to the beast system; those who are fully mine
will not be harmed. The 'oil' or
100 fold Christians, and the 'wine' or
60 fold Christians, will have my absolute protection.
Only those whose commitment includes the laying
down of their lives for the sake of the gospel
will suffer harm of any kind. And that only when
their time
arrives.
Therefore fret not, my people,
because of the evil doer and his way. For evil doers
shall be cut down like the grass (Psalm 37:2), and shall
be cast into the furnace of affliction. (Matt.
6:30). But those who do my will shall abide for the
eons. (I John 2:17). Forces unto judgment have been released
which are beyond recall. Apocalyptic horsemen ride
into the night. Martyrs many abide under the altar
waiting. The earth quivers in orbit, anticipating
release from sin’s displacement. Angels on every hand
minister to heirs of salvation, sealing many for
the Kingdom’s finest hour,
making ready for the downpour from heaven, midst clash
of arms and fiery blasts. Trumpets sound
their ominous warning to
sleeping multitudes, drunk in the stupor of sin's
dark night. But watching virgins are arousing, trimming
lamps at sound of Bridegrooms steps. Oh my people, watch
ye, watch ye, for the hour is
late. Make haste while there is yet time to
prepare, that you be not found
wanting in the age’s decisive hour. Hearken, for
the Lord speaks to you; come into the
chamber and abide with me."
[end of prophecy]
TOP
RETURN
TO
INDEX