Revelation
8:1 ķAnd when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence
in heaven about the space of half an hour.
Now observe what happens!
The 7th Seal is a "silence" and a lapse of time for "half an hour". Why?Rev. 8:1
And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
Something is about to happen. The 7 Trumpets are about to blow! But before they do, there is a period of quietness, of silence, that transpires. Let's call it silent meditation, or the calm before the storm.
Remember: The Seals are KNOWLEDGE that we must have in our foreheads in order to escape the "hour of temptation" that Christ spoke of to the church of Philadelphia in chapter 3 verse 10:
Notice what happens during that hour of temptation: there is a trying, a tribulation, to them that dwell on the earth.Rev. 3:10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
The 7th Seal is to KNOW when that "hour" is upon us, or as Christ would say "when all these things are fulfilled". Let's read what He told us just following the 6th Seal in Mark 13:
He just completed the 6th Sign/Seal and has now instructed us to LEARN the 7th Sign/Seal, contained within the parable of the fig tree, which is to KNOW (7th seal of knowledge) when the period of time has lapsed and the season (summer) is near.Mark 13:28
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
So observe the manner in which a fig shoot is planted and starts to put forth leaves. It is not done by planting a seed.[29] So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Let's ask some questions.
Q.) What are these things which come to pass?
A.) The other 6 Seals that He just gave us AND the planting of the fig tree!
Q.) What generation is He referring to?[30] Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
A.) The subject is the fig tree, so the answer is "the generation of the fig tree"!
Q.) When did that begin?
A.) May 15, 1948.
Q.) How do you know?
A.) To understand the parable of the fig tree (a comprehensive study reserved for another time) you must begin at the beginning, in the fig grove of the garden in Eden, and understand who the "children of disobedience" are, that they are the "seed" of the serpent, the "tares" of the Parable of the Tares in Matthew 13, #7007 the sons of Cain (kenites). This you must do in order to understand who the "bad figs" of Judah are spoken of in Jeremiah 24, which describes the setting forth of both the good and bad figs in Judea, in Jerusalem. Then you will KNOW that the United Nation's sanction of the State of Israel on May 15, 1948, planted the fig tree.
People are often shocked when they hear that statement, and not so much by the fact of the event itself, but by the connection to the Bible, i.e. by the identifying of a "modern event" with scripture, with the fulfillment of prophecy. It's as if they didn't know the Bible had any relevance to today except for its moral teachings. They have the mentality of "back in Biblical times", and it is no wonder when they hear the archaic, oh so holy, monotone style of the "selection from the Bible", "our scripture reading for today" that they hear when they attend church. You see, there's deception even in the way they read the Bible. Who communicates,who talks like that in the "real world"? Not you, not me.
Well, guess what? The Bible is not only relevant to today, but the prophecies contained therein are coming to pass almost daily. And so it fits absolutely perfectly that the next words Christ would say are:
Better listen to Him if you plan to escape the hour of temptation, that hour when antichrist is here in person, standing where he ought not, performing miracles in the sight of men, and successfully tempting the whole world into believing that he is Jesus Christ. Don't be deceived, remember that is the 1st Seal, the 1st Sign.[31] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
The Seals have now been removed and each and every one of them was opened by the Lamb of God Himself. The detail which He gives us sometimes seems overwhelming, but it is greatly appreciated by those who seek to know all the things that He has foretold us, and He has foretold us all things.
I suppose we could "sum up" the Seals in just a few words: They are to understand the powers and dark forces of the Four Hidden Dynasties (the 1st 4 Seals), what happen(s)(ed) to those who teach the true Word of God and confront the rider of the horses and the worldwide testimony of God's elect soon to be delivered up (5), to understand the Two Tribulations and the work (sealing) that must take place before the four winds blow (6), and to understand the parable of the fig tree and the season when all these things come to pass (7).
If you understand those 7 Seals, revealed to you by Jesus Christ, then you have eyes to see and ears to hear, and the scroll, His Word, will unroll before your eyes and you can read with understanding the marvelous mysteries of our God. There is nothing like it in the entire universe! It will turn your heart to Him with such love that you cannot contain it.
All
sealed?
Good,
we're ready for the 7 Trumpets.
We'll look into Revelations chapters 8 through 11 which covers all Seven Trumpets.
We'll cover My highlghted verses:Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Now we'll look at the
7 Vials of chapter 16 which contain the "wrath of God".
If
you have studied with us through the 7 Seals and the 7 Trumpets then you
will have no difficulty whatsoever with the 7 Vials, for you will see that
they are exactly the same as the 7 Trumpets and are exactly in the same
order. You will see!
We'll cover My
highlghted verses: Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed
is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and
they see his shame.
is.
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