A wonderfully divine and ethereal occurrence manifested before John, the apostle, who was placed on the Isle Patmos as a punishment for preaching the Gospel of Yeshua.
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him so that he could show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass. And he sent and showed it by his angel to his servant John. Rev. 1:1
A great voice, that sounded like a trumpet blast, said to John:
I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. That which you see, write in a book, and send it to the seven congregations that are in Asia… Rev. 1:11b
Overwhelmed, by the inexplicable majesty of God before him, John lost ability to stand. He fell or fainted. The Lamb re-introduced Himself and told him about the 7 angelic malechim (messengers) that will take specific messages to 7 congregations. This is such a great demonstration of care and concern of good father to rebuke, reproof and commend His children- and counsel them out of His concern to help them.
Rev. 2, 3 – The Seven Churches
These are the messages to all 7 major churches of Asia representing all The Throne room The Throne room churches for all time. There are some rebukes some warnings and instructions for each church, He commends them where they are efficacious and encourages them to continue to endure in oppression and distress.
Rev 4 – The Throne Room
After these things I looked, and behold, a door was standing open in heaven. And the first voice, which I had heard speaking with me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Rev. 4:1
John is transported “Up here” into the celestial Heavenly Throne room where he witnessed 24 Elders (representing the saints) and 4 holy other worldly creatures along with multitudes and multitudes of angels worshipping the One on the throne. The throne room was described in unmatched splendor.
Rev 5 – The Worthy Lamb
2 I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” Rev 5:2
And in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as having been slain—having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Rev 5:6
This is the disclosure of the One worthy to open the seals to start the events that have been restrained from happening on the Earth until a set time. The only One worthy is the Lamb that was slain. As He opens each seal, judgement is released on the Earth. The culminating purpose of all the judgement is the complete separation process of the righteous on Earth from the unrighteous. The righteous are those who enter into the Heavenly Kingdom with Messiah when He sets up His Messianic Reign on Earth.
Rev. 6 – The Opening of the Seals
The opening of the first 4 seals releases 4 messengers on colored horses from the Presence of God. Other prophets have seen facets of the very same harmonious scene in Heaven as God has disclosed His plans to His prophets for the benefit of the saints.
Zechariah is told by an angel what the 4 horsemen are,
“They are the four spirits of heaven, who GO OUT FROM THEIR STATION before the Lord of all the earth. Zech. 6:5
To go out from their station means – to be absent from a designated place of work or duty– The 4 creatures are always before the throne – Are they commanded to leave their station before the throne?
Commands of Judgement from Heaven
First Seal – Conquering and to conquer. a crown was given to him.
Second Seal – Cause people to kill one another. A great sword was given to him
Third Seal – Famine, scarcity and inflation. But he was not to harm the oil and the wine (so there will be some meager sustenance) – notice these “foods” are symbolic for the Messiah and the Spirit. (why didn’t he say olives and grapes)? This is actually a reference to the believers – Do not harm them!
Fourth Seal Death, and Hades. power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. 25% of the earth are destined to eternal death and Hell.
Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs
9 When the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those slaughtered[g] for the sake of the word of God and for the witness they had. 10 And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “O Sovereign Master, holy and true, how long before You judge those who dwell on the earth and avenge our blood?” Rev 6:9-10
More on this is connected below.
Sixth Seal – The great Earthquake
12 I saw when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as black as sackcloth made a great earthquake; stars of heaven fell to the earth, Rev 6:12
These Cosmic disturbances are connected to the fallen angels that are released during the end-times.
12 I saw when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as black as sackcloth made a great earthquake; STARS OF HEAVEN FELL TO THE EARTH, Rev 6:12
These stars in apocalyptic literature depict fallen angels (along with the probability of cosmic disturbances (meteors or space debris) as they fall from the heavens. Yeshua mentions that the stars in His hands in the beginning as Malechim (angels/messengers) in Rev. 1:20.
We must remember that in God plan He uses His chosen ones to testify as His witnesses to bring the good news of God’s mercy to the repentant ones.
The Lord cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: Rev. 7:2-4
Those who aren’t sealed are subject to the elements of tribulations.
“Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” Rev 6: 16
Martyrdom
While protects those sealed as His witnesses, there are also those destined to martyrdom as this battle is against God and His Kingdom saints .
9Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, 11and many false prophets will arise and deceive many. 12Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. 13But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Mat. 24:9-14
Rev. 7:9-17 A Multitude from the Great Tribulation
9 After this, I looked; and there before me was a huge crowd, too large for anyone to count, from every nation, tribe, people and language. They were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands; 10 and they shouted,
“Victory to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
11 All the angels stood around the throne, the elders and the four living beings; they fell face down before the throne and worshipped God, saying,
12 “Amen! “Praise and glory, wisdom and thanks, honor and power and strength
belong to our God forever and ever! “Amen!”
13 One of the elders asked me, “These people dressed in white robes — who are they, and where are they from?” 14 “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” Then he told me, “These are the people who have come out of the Great Persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. 15 That is why they are before God’s throne.
“Day and night they serve him in his Temple; and the One who sits on the throne will put his Sh’khinah upon them.
16 “They will never again be hungry, they will never again be thirsty,
the sun will not beat down on them, nor will any burning heat.[a]
17 “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will shepherd them, will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
God protects His sealed saints to grow and advance His Kingdom during this time of tribulation. Many, many come to faith. The righteous Kingdom grows even though they are subject to the intense persecution, imprisonment and martyrdom that is unleashed upon the Earth. This group grows in number being counted in God’s specific number of martyrs.
Fullness” of the Gentiles – Melo Ha Goyim
25 For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be ignorant of this mystery—lest you be wise in your own eye—that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, For God has shut up all in disobedience, so that He might show mercy to all. Rom.11:25,26a,32
Ok – So what is Melo ha Goyim, this mysterious FULLNESS OF THE GENTILES?
The Word can be brought together in a m’drash to explain this mystery.
First there’s SCATTERED ISRAEL IN THE NATIONS – Essentially, these 10 tribes were a son sacrificed. You could say The King of Israel, Jeroboam sold God’s son to “Egypt as slaves”
Ok- Who is Jeroboam and what did he do?
After the death of Solomon, the united kingdom split, and Jeroboam became the first king of the northern ten tribes, establishing his capital at Shechem. Jeroboam formed a separate kingdom called Israel (also called Ephraim as HE was from the tribe of Ephraim), splitting away from Judah. He led the northern ten tribes into widespread idolatry to prevent his people from worshipping at the Jerusalem temple. He built golden calf idols in Bethel and Dan, appointed non-Levitical priests, and changed the dates and locations of worship, causing judgment and complete exile among the 10 tribes. Then God allowed the Assyrians to conquer the tribes, selling them into slavery all over the nations. (Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Manasseh, and Ephraim)
So what does this scripture actually mean?
Romans 11:25 For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be wise within yourselves, that hardness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the nations/gentiles comes in.
Northern Israel was hardened to the things of God. Their hardness of heart brought them their desire to be like the Gentiles, into a reality. They were captured and sold as slaves and servants into the nations. They eventually lost their identity as Israel and became in essence – “Gentile”.
But they were actually destined for this as we read of Jacob’s powerful prophetic Words spoken over his adopted sons Ephraim and Manasseh:
And his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know. He (Manasseh) also shall be a people, and he shall become great. But his younger brother (Ephraim) shall become greater than he, and his seed shall become the *FULLNESS OF THE NATIONS*. Genesis 48:19
So it’s recorded in Kings:
22 And the Israelites continued walking in all the sins that Jeroboam did. They didn’t deviate from them, 23 and the Lord finally removed Israel from his presence. That was exactly what he had warned through all his servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from its land to Assyria. And that’s still how it is today. 2 kings 17:22-23
Yeshua refers to the scattered tribes in John:
15just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep (of the covenant promises) that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16
Ephraim – lost in identity – now known as Gentiles, begins to marry among the nations and worshipping the false gods of the Gentiles. You could say seeds of Israel are sown into the nations – these are the seeds of Abraham that blesses the nations.
And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.” Gen. 22:18
So Yeshua commanded the Jews to go into the nations spreading the good news to find the scattered seed!
18 Jesus approached and spoke to them saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age.”Mat. 28:18-20
So Paul’s words fit perfectly in context!
Romans 11:25 For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be wise within yourselves, that hardness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the nations/gentiles COMES IN.*
COMES IN? Comes into what? Comes into the covenant of Israel!
The Spiritual covenant and also the ingathering at the End of Days when all of Israel becomes supernaturally reunited.
And today – Could the ones from THE NATIONS be “grabbing” or establishing relationships with the Jews (whom God is softening right now – in these days) to become one?
When this happens, ten people from nations with different languages will grab a Jew by his clothes and say, “Let us go with you. We’ve heard that God is on your side.” I, the LORD All-Powerful, have spoken! Zech 8:23 CEV
And so all the tribes of Israel will be saved* (the 10 lost in the nations), even as it has been written, “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away iniquity from Jacob. Romans 11:26
The Seventh Seal
8 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.
Silence = Heaven enters into time – thus a portal opens – the veil is lifted and what God is doing in the Heavenlies is now directly affecting the Earth with purpose.
Back in ancient Israel, the prayers of the high priest concerned the people of Israel and the nations. I can’t help but think that all their prayers are still lingering and in this scenario are being combined with all the prayers for God’s will to be done and now are being realized as God combines His divine power. The prayers are activated upon the earth.
The Trumpets
According to verse 6, the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound and the Earth and those in it are judged. Remember there is the positive and merciful side of judgement when God remembers His grace to His own.
First Trumpet: Vegetation Burned
Second Trumpet: The Destruction in and on the Seas
Third Trumpet: The Poisoning of Waters
Fourth Trumpet: The Lights in the Sky diminished
Fifth Trumpet: The Locusts from the Bottomless Pit Released
Sixth Trumpet: The Angels from the Euphrates Released
Seventh Trumpet: The Separation process
Now “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord. This means the Kingdom of Light has now claimed triumph over the dark kingdom and God’s angels are now preparing to pour out the 7 Bowls of wrath.
In ancient times, palm branches were a symbol of victory. In John 12:13 we read about Jesus and his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The people are crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed in he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” Remember that the people who are crying out these words are holding palm branches. In John 12 the palm branches denote the victory of Christ as the ruling king. In Revelation it is the great multitude that is pictured victorious. They are wearing white robes and holding palm branches signifying the victory this unnumbered multitude has obtained.
This victory and deliverance is not because of themselves or because of who they are. Verse 10 tells us why this unnumbered multitude has victory. The multitude is crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” The multitude recognizes that their victory is really God’s victory. Salvation belongs to our God and because of this truth we experience salvation and deliverance.
We will see this further explained in verses 14-17.
Worship God (7:11-12)
Verse 11 brings back the scene revealed to us in chapter 4. All the angels around the throne of God fall on their faces before the throne and worship God. They worship God declaring that God is worthy of worship. Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to God forever and ever. Verse 12 is a statement about who has the power. God has the power. Nations do not have the power, even though they are killing the people of God. God brings salvation and deliverance. God has power and is in control.
The Unnumbered Multitude (7:13-17)
Verse 13 draws the question to the forefront – Who are these that are clothed in white robes and where have they come from? One of the 24 elders asks John this question. It is not that the elder does not know because is going to give an answer in a moment. Rather, the elder is wanting John to consider this question. Who are these people? John reveals that he does not know but that the elder does.
The first thing we are told is that these are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation. This is a very important statement and gives a picture about who is the object of God’s wrath. We noted in chapter 5 that the scroll whose seals are being opened is the same scroll that is sealed in Daniel 12. We have also noted that the contents of the scroll are the same. Notice the similar language about this tribulation in Daniel 12:1.
At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1 ESV)
There are a couple key pictures to keep in mind. It is called a “time of trouble.” Some other translations read, “time of anguish” or “time of distress.” However, this is a unique event because it unequaled somehow. We are not told how this time of tribulation will be different. The prophecy is simply that it is such that never has been since there was a nation till that time. Jesus spoke about the same event and used the same language that we are looking at in Daniel 12:1 and Revelation 7:14. In speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem Jesus said,
Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. (Matthew 24:20–21 ESV)
Outside of the book of Revelation there is only one place in the New Testament where the phrase, “The great tribulation” is used. It is right here in Matthew 24:21. Notice how Jesus speaks of it the same way that the angel spoke of it in the prophecy of Daniel. This event is one that never has been from the beginning of the world. The people of God are pictured coming through and enduring the tribulation. We know that these are the servants of God because they are described as having their robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb.
So how do we explain the image of the 144,000 in Revelation 7:1-8 and the image of the great multitude in Revelation 7:9-17? The 144,000 represents the complete number of God’s servants and now shown the great multitude to also be the complete number of God’s servants? How can these two images be the same group of people? When we put this chapter back into its context, I think we can see the point of both of these images. Chapter 7 began by declaring that these sweeping judgments cannot begin until the servants of God are sealed. The first eight verses of chapter 7 show the servants of God are sealed. They are spiritually protected from these judgments. Further, every servant of God is sealed, hence the numbering of 12,000 from each tribe. The second image of the great multitude that cannot be numbered is showing what happens to the 144,000. Verses 9-17 reveals that what was promised to the sealed people of God came about. The first half of the chapter show the promise of them being sealed. The second half of the chapter shows the promise being kept. They are protected and they are before the throne of God. They are wearing white robes and holding palm branches. The promise has been kept. They have remained faithful and they are victorious in Christ.
Victory In Christ (7:15-17)
Notice that this is the point of the rest of the chapter. One of the 24 elders is explaining the outcome of the people of God. They have come through the tribulation. Piecing the images together in this book the implication is that these are Christians who have died for their faithfulness to Christ. Revelation 6:11 revealed that more of the servants of God must die. Now the servants of God are pictured in heaven around the throne of God. Why are they there? They are there because they lost their lives for the cause of Christ. They are still praying. There are many prayers concerning vindication.
Verses 15-17 are showing the victory these slain servants of God have received. Look at what these have been given. (1) They are before the throne of God day and night. This is a priestly picture of serving in the temple before the Lord. These servants are before God’s throne continually because of their faithfulness. (2) He who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. Nothing distressing is going to happen to these Christians any more. God is with them and sheltering them. They have nothing more to worry about. (3) They are no longer suffering, but are comforted. They cannot be afflicted by the world anymore. They are safe in the hands of the Father. (4) The Lamb is their shepherd who is shielding them and comforting them. This picture will be amplified in Revelation 21 when we see the Lord in the midst of New Jerusalem. (5) The Lamb will act as a shepherd and guide them to living waters. Living waters is use consistently by Jesus to refer to eternal life (John 4:14; 7:38)
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13–14 ESV)
This is the life of eternal fellowship with God and Christ. Notice that this fellowship is offered to those who maintain their faith in Christ, even though experiencing physical suffering and death. These are the ones who remain faithful to the Lord no matter the circumstances. It is important to also observe that these images refer to a prophecy in Isaiah. Isaiah spoke about the restoration of God’s people.
“Come out,” to those who are in darkness, “Appear.” They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. (Isaiah 49:9–10 ESV)
Revelation shows us that it is the Lamb who is guiding and protecting his people. The Lord comforts his people as he wipes away the tears from their eyes. While the book of Revelation is speaking to those early century Christians who were going to suffer persecution for the cause of Christ. But their reward is no different from the reward given to all Christians. What a blessing to know what lies ahead for us if we will remain faithful and steadfast to the Lord!
Revelations 8
When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for what seemed like half an hour. 2 Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven shofars. 3 Another angel came and stood at the altar with a gold incense-bowl, and he was given a large quantity of incense to add to the prayers of all God’s people 4 on the gold altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense went up with the prayers of God’s people from the hand of the angel before God. 5 Then the angel took the incense-bowl, filled it with fire from the altar and threw it down onto the earth; and there followed peals of thunder, voices, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. 6 Now the seven angels with the seven shofars prepared to sound them. Rev. 8:1-6
Be watchful for more teaching on the effect of the Trumpets of God in future articles.
