7 Seals of Revelation

This 1st Seal shows the history of the majority of the followers of Jesus Christ of the Apostolic church actively spreading the pure gospel truth around the world which allowed the truth and Christ to conquer error and sin, and more victories would continue occurring throughout all ages of earth’s history. So this period is seen covering about most of the first century AD, while the gospel truth would continue to conquer hearts for Christ till the end of time.

This 2nd Seal shows the history of the faithful followers of Jesus Christ enduring persecution and suffering martyrdom for their faith. This bloodshed continued on for many years until the majority of the members of the Apostolic church decided to compromise their faith in order to unite with half-converted pagans (see Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 42-46), and this evil union eventually brought an end to this persecution during the reign of Constantine. Remember, Paul stated that even in his day the mystery of iniquity was already at work. So this period is seen extending from about the last part of the first century through to about the time of Constantine in the 4th century.

This 3rd Seal shows the history of the of the majority of the Christian church compromising and apostatizing from the true faith because of their union with paganism, thus allowing great darkness and error to corrupt the once pure faith. During this period the civil power was allowed to control the affairs of the church beginning with Constantine in 323 AD, and thus one man balanced and controlled both powers. This one-man control of both state and church power was then transferred from one civil ruler to another until Justinian transferred this one-man control over to the Bishop of Rome or the Pope in 538 AD. So this period is seen extending from about the time of Constantine in 323 AD to about the beginning of papal control of church and state in 538 AD.

This 4th Seal shows the history during the dark ages when the Pope had unlimited and unrestrained power to use the civil power of the nations of Europe to persecute and kill all her opponents of the then corrupted and apostate Apostolic faith which had been adopted by the Roman Catholic church. This murderous killing spree continued on for 1260 days/years (Daniel 7:25, 12:7 and Revelation 12:6, 14, 13:5) – commonly referred to as the dark ages, and through the Reformation, until in 1798 the papacy suffered a deadly wound (Revelation 13:1-3) when General Berthier of the French Army under Napoleon took the Pope Pius VI prisoner and removed him to France, where he died in exile in 1799. So this period is seen extending from about 538 AD through the time of the Reformation to about 1798.

– These dead souls are allegorically shown crying out to the Lord about how long until the Roman Catholic church is judged, and their spilt blood avenged upon such a harlot murderous church. They are told that they must rest in grave for a little season longer as more persecution by the papacy was prophesied to occur. This indicates that as the persecuting power of the papacy had been stopped, yet it would resume again after just a little season. We know that in 1798 the papacy suffered its deadly wound which prevented it from continuing to use the civil power to persecute all her opponents. But after a short time this deadly wound of the papacy would be healed and she would regain her persecuting power. And on February 11, 1929, the Lateran Treaty was signed between the kingdom of Italy and the Pope, which guaranteed international sovereignty to the Vatican State under the absolute and sole jurisdiction of the Holy See. This date then signaled the beginning of the healing of this wound, and soon thereafter this papal wound will be completely healed, and the papacy will again be able to use the power of the state to persecute God’s faithful followers, which is just as predicted in Revelation 13:3 when “all the world wondered after the beast”.

"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: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, Holy and true, doest Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them [They were pronounced pure and holy]; 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" [Revelation 6:9-11].” Manuscript Releases, vol 20, p 197-198 [Brackets by sister White].

So these dead souls were pronounced pure and holy, and judged worthy to be given to wear these white garments of righteousness, as well as to have their names retained in the book of life. Now before anyone that has already died can be pronounced and judged pure and holy, given white robes and have their names retained in the book of life, their character has to first be investigated. This means that an investigative judgement had to have begun into the lives of these righteous dead during the short time when the papacy no longer had power to persecute – so sometime after 1798 and before the papal wound would be completely healed. And we know from prophecy that in fact the investigative judgement of the righteous dead did begin on October 22, 1844 when the 2300 d/y prophecy of Daniel 8:13-14 ended, our High Priest Jesus Christ entered into the second apartment of the heavenly sanctuary, and this sanctuary began to be cleansed.

“When the fifth seal was opened, John the Revelator in vision saw beneath the altar the company that were slain for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. After this came the scenes described in the eighteenth of Revelation, when those who are faithful and true are called out from Babylon [Revelation 18:1-5 quoted.]”. Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 968.

So it was not the scenes of Revelation 14 and the first 3 angels’ messages that were seen coming directly after the ending of the 5th seal, but the scenes connected with the fourth angel of Revelation 18! So then, when are these scenes of Revelation 18 to take place? We already know that as early as 1888 the light of truth about the righteousness of Christ was being preached, and this precious message was to be given in the loud cry of Revelation 18, but was sadly being rejected by the SDA church.

“An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis [in 1888] against the Lord’s message through Brethren {E.J.} Waggoner and {A.T.} Jones. By exciting that opposition Satan succeeded in shutting away from our people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit that God longed to impart to them. The enemy prevented them from obtaining that efficiency which might have been theirs in carrying the truth to the world, as the apostles proclaimed it after the day of Pentecost. The light [of Christ’s righteousness] that is to lighten the whole earth with its glory was resisted, and by the action of our own brethren has been in a great degree kept away from the world.” Selected Messages, book 1, p 234-235.

“The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth.” Review and Herald, November 22, 1892.

So then this 5th Seal shows the history from about the time when the Papacy received its deadly wound and could no longer use the civil power to persecute, through the beginning of the investigative judgement of the righteous dead, until some time around or before the beginning of the loud cry message of Revelation 18. So this period is seen extending from about the time of 1798 until around 1888.

– Stars of heaven fell = The spectacular Leonid meteor shower of the night of November 12-13, 1833, when for several hours some 100,000 - 200,000 meteors/hour lighted up the night sky to the point that one could read a newspaper without the help of other forms of light.

– Winds not fully allowed to blow until after 144,000 saints are sealed = these 144,000 saints will be sealed while still alive and without seeing or tasting of death (Desire of Ages, p 421-422; Early Writings, p 164; Prophets and Kings, p 227; Review and Herald, April 29, 1875).

– 144,000 saints are made up of 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes in last days = not from literal Israelite tribes under the old dispensation, but from spiritual Israel under the gospel dispensation, and thus represents those in the last days of earth’s history who had the same characteristics and weaknesses of these 12 listed tribes, but who were able to overcame these same weaknesses through the strength and grace of Christ.

– All 12 tribes are mentioned except Dan and Ephraim = the last offspring of the tribe of Dan and Ephraim were lost without salvation. The tribe of Dan was caught up in the traffic and merchandise of Babylon, and the tribe of Ephraim was joined to his idols (Hosea 4:17). Thus those living in these last days of earth’s history who retain these same weaknesses and evil characteristics of Dan and Ephraim will also be lost as they were and not saved.

– 144,000 in number = John heard a literal number of the amount of saints that were sealed, and sister White agreed stating that these “living saints” were “144,000 in number” (Early Writings, p 15). After the last saint is sealed, then probation closes (Revelation 22:11-12), the 4 winds over all the earth are loosed, and the 7 last plagues fall (Revelation 16:1-21).

– Heavens departed as a scroll, and every mountain and island moved out of their places = occurs after the 7th plague begins, when God the Father parts the heavens as a scroll from which His voice coming directly from His throne in the temple of heaven is heard declaring that “It is done” (Revelation 16:17). A stupendous earthquake occurs that moves every mountain and island out of their places. The saints are then delivered from their captivity, they are given the covenant of peace (Selected Messages, book 3, p 388), and then God the Father tells these patient waiting saints the exact day and hour of Christ’s return (See Revelation 16:17-21; Early Writings, p 41).

“It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Everything in nature seems turned out of its course. The streams cease to flow. Dark, heavy clouds come up and clash against each other. In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, saying: ‘It is done.’ Revelation 16:17.

– The lost wicked call for mountains and rocks to fall and hide them = occurs at the second coming of Christ as they see Him coming in all His glory, and in His Father’s glory and in all the glory of the angels (Matthew 16:27, 25:31; Desire of Ages, p 739). These wicked cannot stand to remain in sight of all this glory of Christ, and then try to hide.

“The sight of the inexpressible glory of the Son of God will be intensely painful to those whose characters are stained with sin. The pure light and glory emanating from Christ will awaken remorse, shame, and terror. They will send forth wails of anguish to the rocks and mountains, ‘Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?’” Review and Herald, April 1, 1875.

“When Christ comes in the clouds of heaven only two classes, the obedient and the disobedient, will meet him. And only those who, having had the light upon God's requirements, have been obedient to him, can meet him with joy. Those who have persisted in a course of disobedience, will flee in terror, hiding in the dens of the mountains, and saying to the rocks and the mountains, ‘Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.’ But those who have honored God by their obedience, will look up, and say, ‘Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord, we have waited for him; we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’” Signs of the Times, February 11, 1897.

– Hide us from him on the throne and from wrath of lamb = as Christ comes arrayed not just in His own glory but also in the glory of all the angels and also in the glory of His Father, and as God the Father has exalted God His Son to sit and rule with Him on His throne (Revelation 3:21, 22:3; Hebrews 8:1, 12:2), then it is not just Christ and all His angels who come in the clouds of heaven, but God the Father is there as well! And even though inspiration does not directly mention it, I know that God the Holy Spirit will be there as well, because it was only through His constant and untiring working upon human hearts that they were enabled to be saved in the first place (Genesis 6:3; John 14:26, 16:13-14; Romans 8:26; Ephesians 4:30; Matthew 12:31-32). As this is true, then why wouldn't the Holy Spirit also be there as well to witness the gathering of all those whom He spent so much time and effort to save?

As the brightness of Christ destroys all the wicked (2 Thessalonians 2:8), He sounds the last trump raising the righteous dead, and together with the 144,000 living saints, both are changed from mortality to immortality and are then caught up to meet their Lord in the air never to part again (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Early Writings, p 285-288).

This 6th Seal shows the history from the great Lisbon earthquake, the sun becoming black, the moon becoming blood, and the stars falling; through the time when the living saints are being sealed, the winds of strife being loosed, the plagues falling, the heavens departing as a scroll and the great earthquake that moves all mountains and islands out of their places, and God the Father delivering the saints from captivity and declaring to them the day and hour of Christ’s return; Christ then being seen coming in the clouds of heaven, the lost calling for the rocks and mountains to hide them from Christ and then being destroyed by His brightness, and the resurrection and gathering of all the righteous saints off the earth to be with Christ in the air. So this period is seen extending from 1755 to all that the second coming of Christ accomplishes.

– Space of ½ hour in prophetic time (day for year) is 7 ½ literal days = the amount of time it actually takes for all this heavenly throng to travel from heaven to the earth to get the redeemed after God the Father’s voice had delivered the saints and declared the day and hour of Christ’s return. It will be during these 7 days, that the lost who make up the synagogue of Satan will bow and worship at the feet of these now delivered and glorious saints, hoping that this act of humility and honor will somehow prevent them from being destroyed when Christ arrives (Revelation 2:9, 3:9-11; Testimonies, vol 2, p 41-42): but it is a vain hope as their probation has already closed.

“You think, that those who worship before the saint's feet, (Revelation 3:9), will at last be saved. Here I must differ with you; for God shew me that this class were professed Adventists, who had fallen away, and ‘crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.’ And in the ‘hour of temptation,’ which is yet to come, to show out every one's true character, they will know that they are forever lost; and overwhelmed with anguish of spirit, they will bow at the saint's feet.” Word to the Little Flock, p 12.

Now since it took 7 literal days for Christ -- who is also human as we are -- to travel from heaven to earth, then after the redeemed saints meet Jesus in the air and join Him in the cloud, it will take these saved human beings another 7 literal days to travel from the earth to heaven and arrive on the sea of glass.

Once on the sea of glass, Jesus will individually place crowns of gold upon each of the heads of the redeemed. Afterwards we will travel to the gates of the city of God, where “We see a retinue of angels on either side of the gate” (Selected Messages, p 316). Christ Himself then opens up the entrance gate into the city of heaven bidding His faithful and obedient ransomed people to enter in (Sermons and Talks, vol 1, p 248; Review and Herald, October 28, 1909).

“We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought the crowns, and with His own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet. Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the city. Jesus raised His mighty, glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate, swung it back on its glittering hinges, and said to us, ‘You have washed your robes in My blood, stood stiffly for My truth, enter in.’” Early Writings, p 16-17.

After Christ opens up the gate and bids all to enter into the city, who do you think will be the very first Person that all these redeemed saints will see standing in this opened entrance gate? It will be God the Father Himself who eagerly waits to personally welcome each and every redeemed child of His into the city!

“Jesus will welcome you, and with His own hand place the crown upon the brow of all those who enter there. Then they sing the song of Moses and the Lamb in the kingdom of glory. Well, now, is there not inducement enough that God has set before us so that we should think upon heavenly things? And the best of it is, we do not enter the city as convicts, but as sons and daughters of the Most High God. The Father stands at the gate and welcomes everyone to His bosom. There we shall show forth the matchless charms of our Redeemer. And the song will echo and re-echo through the courts of heaven, ‘Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.’" Sermons and Talks, vol 1, p 45-46 (see also Great Controversy, p 645-647).

This 7th Seal shows the history from the time that God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and God the Son Jesus Christ and all the angelic host leave heaven for their 7 day journey to get the redeemed saints, the redeemed saints then entering the cloud to be forever with their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, their 7 days of traveling to the sea of glass, the reception of their crowns, and the welcoming into the city of God by the Father Himself. So this period is seen extending from the time the Godhead and heavenly throng leave heaven to bring the redeemed saints home, to the beginning of eternity in sweet and loving fellowship with each one of the Godhead, the heavenly angels, and with the rest of the unfallen beings in God’s universe for ever.