Four living creatures surround the throne of Yah as seen by John in Revelation 4:8. As the much-discussed Seven Seals are opened in the following chapters, they each say, “Come and see.” The opening of these last seven barriers to the total restoration of Creation is a series of events that ALL are to witness. They are the final events before the complete annihilation of sin and suffering from the universe, and serve as beacons of both warning and comfort for those who know and understand the symbols our Almighty One reveals to us.

This essay is actually one of a set of twins. It is the counterpart, the mirror reflection, of another article which I called, The Desire of Ages. That study discussed the seven “Church Ages” of Revelation 2 and 3, revealing the state of Yahshua’s Bride from the time of Its creation in the 1st Century AD to the very end of time, and His glorious return.

One of the essential factors to keep in mind when reading the book of Revelation (particularly in attempting to understand the timeline) is the style of its author. John the Revelator, in all of his works, is constantly using the device of repetition in order to make an important point. In a previous article, one in which I discussed the nature of Hell, I showed at least one example in every recorded work of John that demonstrated this. John will say something, say it again, say it in a different way, and then remind you that he said it. By this method, all could get a most clear understanding of what he was trying to get across to his readers.

In Revelation, this is also quite the case. This article will demonstrate that not only is the number seven significant in that there are seven ages as well as seven seals, but also that these events take place at the same time. By this I mean that each seal is broken during one of the church ages – the events in Revelation do not unfold along a linear path (as many who have incorrectly arrived at such conclusions as the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and absolute Preterism believe), but are in many places the same events recorded twice or even three times, but from different angles, so that all may examine and understand the times they are living in.

“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.” (Rev 1:3) Let us endeavor to do just that, then: to read with understanding, so that we may truly keep the things written herein close to our hearts.

This article and “The Desire of Ages” may be read in any order. I will attempt to make them as parallel as possible; however, since “The Desire of Ages” is the first one written, this essay may make references to the former work, so it may be advisable to have at least a brief read through it before continuing here, but my prayer is that each will truly be fully comprehensible on its own. So we will begin shortly with the first seal, and the first Church Age.

It may be important to first examine what that scroll is, however, and what those seven seals are, before we continue. In that age of the world, important documents were held together by wax which was pressed against the paper by a ring or signet bearing an emblem representative of the individual who composed the letter. The more important the document was, the more seals were used to secure it.

A document of seven seals was generally considered to be the most important. In fact, seven seals were most often used to secure a will. Yes, a document containing a last will and testament was generally the paper that was sealed in this way. To a Christian, this should bring several concepts to mind. First of all, we could say that this scroll is the Will of God, that is, the events He has planned for the world. It is written, “And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.” (Rev 5:1) The Will of God is written on both the front and the back – in other words, the Will of God is full, and complete, so much so that there is scarcely enough room on the paper to hold it.

Secondly, and just as significantly, it is not merely a will, but a “last will and testament,” which is what someone leaves behind when he or she dies. The Church, as we know, was ransomed into being by the death of Yahshua. We, the “called-out ones,” are the very thing He has left behind at His death. That scroll in the Father’s hand, sealed with seven seals, is the inheritance that Christ earned with His life, and secured with His death – it is our deed and title to Heaven, and the fact that it is locked with seven seals shows us that it is truly God’s “will” for that which He has left behind; it is the history of His church from its beginning until the end of time.

One more thing to note. I have seen the Seven Seals represented as holding the scroll closed in this manner:

However, history shows us that this is not the way that multiple seals were arranged in a Greek document, whether they be a will or otherwise. Rather, the seals were arranged in such a way that each time one was broken, the roll of paper could be opened a little more. In essence, the scroll would be “unrolled” even as the seals were being broken one by one:

Now we have a beautiful picture of the last events recorded in Revelation. In each age, the Scroll is unrolled a little more, and another section of Yah’s Will is revealed to the universe, and to those on earth who have the Spirit to interpret the signs of the times. In every age, there have been men and women who have understood this, and were ready to reveal the new light shed by the unrolling scroll. What seal is open now, and what events are going on on earth and in Heaven to reflect this? This essay will speak of such things. So we begin here, with the first seal, and the first age of Yahshua’s beautiful Bride.


The First Seal


“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it where the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, ‘Come and see.’ And I saw, and behold, a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Rev 6:1,2)

In a recent conversation with someone concerning the seven seals of Revelation, he tried to explain to me that this first rider was the antichrist. He made a fair case for it too, explaining the symbols like the bow and the crown in such a way as to make it seem like a reasonable interpretation. The question becomes, then: what is it the rider is conquering? If we can discern the nature of the rider, then we may be able to more fully understand what the breaking of this first seal means.

Well, one of the most obvious characteristics of this first horseman is that he is on a white horse; in fact, it is the horse that is specified; the rider is mentioned as a secondary entity. The only other place in Revelation where a white horse is mentioned is here: “And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.” (Rev 19:11) If the identity of that rider is not yet clear, a continued reading of that chapter reveals that it is indeed Christ who sits upon this white horse.

All throughout Revelation, white is a symbol of purity. The redeemed, for example, wear white robes (Rev 3:4, 4:4, 7:9 and a few other places). While it is true that the antichrist will appear as an “angel of light,” we need to examine properly the prophetic pattern of the seals breaking, that Scripture will interpret Scripture properly.

Of the white horse and its rider, we have these characteristics: a cherub declares, “Come and see,” and the steed’s rider has a bow, a crown and rides forth to conquer. Now we will look at the first church age of Revelation 3 and see if we can find a parallel to this.

“Unto the angel of the church in Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, ‘I know thy works and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say the are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Rev 2:1-7)

The first age of church history is called Ephesus, which means “Desirable” in Greek. The study which deals with the church ages specifically goes into greater detail than I will here, but as you read that, you will find that the Ephesian age of the Church was one in which great pains were taken to preserve doctrinal and individual purity. They who were of Christ “tried them which say they are apostles” to ensure that they words and teachings were truly of Heavenly origin.

Fueled by the miracles and presence of those who had been personal witnesses to Yahshua’s mission on earth, the apostolic age was truly crowned with the glory of the Son of God. Moreover, they had the shining Victory message that taught a complete and undiluted triumph over the fallen nature of each individual that was “dead indeed unto sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:11) With this bow, and this crown, the church in its first manifestation rode forth to conquer – and to conquer all the world, for they truly took to heart our Redeemer’s great commission, “‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ Amen.” (Mat 28:19,20)

Had this continued as it should have, the Gospel (the Victory in Christ) would truly have encircled the earth by now, but for this: even in the Ephesian age, there was something Christ had to point out about His followers – they had left their first love. Even by the time of Paul’s ministry, a few years later, the apostle to the gentiles gave this warning, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29,30) Earlier in that very chapter, we find this, “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.” (Acts 20:17) The elders to whom Paul gave that warning were those of the Ephesian church!

The doctrine of the Nicolaitans as mentioned in Rev 2:6 are primary among the errors which would later creep in, and that – as the other article describes more clearly – is primarily a misunderstanding of the Victory, the very crown of the first church age. The church did indeed lose its “first love,” (Rev 2:4) for every version of the Gospel which went out after that was diluted, or otherwise tainted, and it is only in these last days that the true majesty and beauty of Yahshua’s redemptive work is being restored to Christians. We will examine more on this near the end of the article. The purpose of this essay is not to repeat the information set forth in the “Desire of Ages” article, but merely to show that the same continuity which flows through Revelation 3 and 4 is also reflected in the breaking of the Seven seals.

For that reason I have discussed the warning of Paul and the admonition of Yahshua. Errors did creep into the first church age, and the Victory message was damaged. Now, the symbolism of the white horse and its rider with a crown (a symbol of kingship reflected by the Apostolic Presence) and a bow (a symbol of Military Victory) will make more sense, as well as the image reflected by the next seal to be broken in the sequence.


The Second Seal


“And when He had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, ‘Come and see.’ And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” (Rev 6:3,4)

Rather than the bow, a symbol of victory, that the first rider had, this second horseman, astride a less pure horse, wields a sword. This has ever been a symbol of conflict rather than victory; striving rather than overcoming; war rather than triumph.

Of the second church age, Christ said this, among other things, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev 23:10)

For no other church or age does it contain the instruction to be faithful unto death, and rightly so. This second age, written to the church of Smyrna (which means myrrh, a fragrance which must be crushed in order to produce its sweet scent), indeed outlines the first great persecution of the church under pagan Rome. During the second, third and fourth centuries, Satan was truly “wroth with the Woman,” and fire and swords did indeed try the faith of the followers of Yahshua unto death. The letter to Smyrna concludes with, “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death,” (Rev 2:11) meaning the first death was sadly to be expected in many cases. This second seal took peace from the earth, and men killed each other for the love of Heaven.

Of the “ten days” of tribulation; history tells us that among all the Roman emperors who raised their hands against the Church, the ruler named Diocletan was the most fierce. His opposition to the Bride of Christ lasted from 303 to 313 A.D. So was fulfilled the time of trouble spoken of by the Redeemer to John, for as it is written, in regards to prophetic time, “... I have appointed thee each day for a year.” (Eze 6:4)


The Third Seal


“And when He had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, ‘Come and see.’ And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat upon him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, ‘A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and wine.” (Rev 6:5,6)

A black horse – darkness. A spiritual “night” even worse than the red conflict of war. This rider has a scale of balances, which speaks of judgment; moreover, the prices for the food mentioned there was extremely high for the minds of John’s intended audience. See also Leviticus 26:26 for an expansion of this analogy, concerning wheat, measures and balances. The condition during the third seal’s opening is that of a famine. As the Word indicates, however, sometimes it’s not for earthly food that this often signifies.

“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” (Amos 8:11,12)

Of course, it should be noted that “the oil and wine” are not affected by the famine. This is a most important point, for this is the food of the rich. In other words, this famine for the word of Yah is the result of those with power, in this case military and political, imposing the errors of their own dark spirituality (symbolized by the black horse) upon the Church. This is a lot of interpretation, so let’s see if history reflects this view.

The city of Pergamos was built upon a high hill in Asia Minor. It was to this church that John’s third greeting was addressed. The meaning of this city is “marriage,” and it was during this church age, after the breaking of the third seal, that Rome, which had up until this time held no love for Christianity, turned its scaly tail completely around. Rather than breathe fire, the Dragon began to “speak companionably” unto the Woman, and just as the serpent beguiled Eve, so did this proposed union (which would certainly elevate the Bride to a “high place” in the world) tempt the Church to lose much of its virginal purity.

Loss of the Sabbath doctrine quickly followed after the Victory aspect of the Gospel was torn from our grasp during the preceding seal/age. One cannot exist without the other, it seems. The pagan ceremonies and rites of unregenerate Rome began pouring into the church. Polytheism, under the thin veil of veneration of the angels and saints, Sunday-keeping, perversions of the priesthood... these were just the natural results of the Roman emperor Constantine elevating the church to his own state religion. Nominally, Rome had converted to Christianity. Spiritually, Christianity was overcome by a dark rider on a dark horse.

Tempted by the promise of political power and rest from persecutions, the leaders of the church in that day quickly surrendered their integrity to the might of the world. But the rider of the black horse bears with him a pair of scales. Unto those causing this spiritual night, this doctrinal famine – the Romans and the faltering leaders of that day – will be pronounced the sentence: “TEKEL: Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” (Dan 5:27)

To all those who are still followers of this great Roman-Church beast, or of any of the resulting daughter-religions which yet contain those awful errors, Yahshua’s words are applicable: “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” (Rev 2:16) This was the message to literal Pergamos, and this is the message to any who yet hold to the awful lies introduced in that age.


The Fourth Seal


“And when He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, ‘Come and see.’ And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” (Rev 6:7,8)

Whereas before there was a gradual degeneration in the purity of the Gospel message: from white, to red, to black... we now have a pale horse. Commentaries tell us that the word used by John denotes the livid hue of a human corpse. In fact, we are specifically told that the rider, the personification of this awful age, is death. Hell (the word here is Hades, or, more correctly, “the grave”) also follows, signifying that this is not a mere spiritual death, but actual, physical termination of life. It also serves to reinforce an important point: that though the seals are broken in Heaven, it is on earth that the effects of the horses and riders are seen. This is a most important point for the 5th seal, which we will look at next.

Of a “fourth part of the earth” we find that death reigned. With swords, and hunger, with wild beasts, power was given unto the “Grim Reaper,” as he has come to be known in contemporary language. At this time, not coincidentally, in the fourth age of the church, the Roman Empire was at its peak in terms of power and persecution. During this time, those who faithfully resisted the pagan influences of Rome, and protested the newly formed papal system suffered death by the sword, starvation (after fleeing for their lives from their homes) and both political and literal “beasts.”

The name of the fourth church, “Thyatira,” means “Continual Sacrifice,” and literally millions of true Christians shed their testimony upon the soil of the earth, rather than join in the illicit marriage instituted during the third age, and continued into the fourth. Though the works of the fallen apostate church were commendable to a degree (as I examine more closely in this article’s forerunner), from about 538 A.D. until the very time of the Reformation, the spirit of death polluted Yahshua’s professed servants, and His true followers bore upon their shoulders the curse of such abominable events as the Inquisition.

Even during this darkest of ages, our Redeemer and Father in Heaven did not forget them, and said, “But unto you I saw, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” (Rev 2:24,25)


The Fifth Seal


“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, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?’ And white robes were given unto every one of 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.” (Rev 6:9-11)

Upon the breaking of the fifth seal, we see a dramatic change in the resultant events. No rider is sent forth unto the earth when this barrier is penetrated. No horse bears further desolation and corruption of the doctrine of our Lord. Instead, we find something of a vindication given to those that have been slain prior to this age. The reader will note that at the time the 5th seal is broken, “the souls of them that were slain for the word of God” are already under the altar. This is to say that John sees them at this point, not that they are slain during this age.

The event which occurs during this time is that the souls are given white robes. They are comforted, and given rest, being now seen in their true light. During my discussion of the prior seal, I asked my reader to note this: all the events that precipitate upon the unfolding of the ages occur on earth, and not in Heaven. It is at this point that the observation comes into play.

During my recent articles which dealt with the state of the dead, and the nature of hell, I supported the Biblical teachings of silence in death. As the Word clearly teaches, “The dead know not any thing,” (Ecc 9:5) their thoughts, concept of time and memories cease (Psa 146:4), they are raised again with a mind restored along with their bodies for judgment (Dan 12:2, 1Th 4:16) and at that time are they given their reward or punishment, no sooner, as even the words of Christ Yahshua reflect (Mark 12:24-27 and also Rev 20:13, 1 Pet 5:4, 2 Tim 4:8).

In one of those articles, I looked at those passages of Scripture which seem (at a cursory examination) to conflict with this teaching. I left this section of Revelation out, however, for it finds its place more fittingly in this study; although based on what I have already said, an examination need only be the most basic, for a thorough reading of all the events connected to the preceding seals should make it obvious what Rev 6:9 is referring to.

According to the verse from Psalms, upon death, the body of a man dies, and his mind, thoughts and memories go with it. The Spirit, however, which is the “breath of life” that Yah puts into us to make us living creatures, returns to Him in Heaven. Upon taking Revelation 6 verses out of context, a dissenter can happily point out that it is not “spirits” of the dead that are under the altar, but “souls,” implying that those now dead are already in Heaven, conscious even before the resurrection.

Even from that passage, a Christian reader should find problems with that assertion, however. For one thing, the poor souls mentioned there do not seem to be experiencing heavenly peace! Indeed, the deceased are crying out for vengeance, for judgment against those who martyred them for their faith in our Lord. This does not at all match the pattern of the eternal rest that a believer experiences even now in Christ, and looks forward to in an even greater degree at Yahshua’s return. Surely it should be remembered that it is the Resurrection, and not death, that is the “blessed hope” of Christianity.

A reader may protest that the altar under which the souls reside is obviously in Heaven, from such passages as Rev 8:5 and 14:18. Yes, there is surely an altar in Heaven, but even from one of those verses, Rev 8:5, this is shown to be the golden altar of incense, and not an altar of sacrifice. Going back to the description of the earthly tabernacle, which was a reflection of that in Heaven, (Exo 25:8,9), we find that there were two altars. One was for sacrifice (Exo 27:1,3) and it was overlaid with brass, which symbolized judgment (Exo 27:2). The other was for incense (Exo 30:1) and this one was coated with gold, signifying purity and value (Exo 30:3).

Again, in Revelation 8:3 we see the “altar” here described as “the golden altar which was before the throne,” and upon it was offered “much incense.” We will discuss this more when we look at the seventh and final seal.

For now it it sufficient to note that there is NO altar of sacrifice described in the Heavenly kingdom, and that the “souls” of them under the altar are those which were killed during the great persecution of the preceding fourth seal. And what of the event which clothes them in white robes? That’s easily answered – the breaking of the 5th seal signifies the start of the Reformation.

The fifth church age, called “Sardis” (which means “Remnant”), has this written of it, “...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” (Rev 3:1,2) Truly, the church at that time was a mere relic of what it once was; oh, it was now truly great and mighty in the eyes of the world – for kings and princes submitted to the judgment of the papal rulers, but it is not with earthly eyes that we must consider the events of our past.

Because of the degeneration under the ages of the four “horsemen of the Apocalypse,” the name of Christianity was hardly one that bore the seal of Yah’s approval. To the Jewish, to the poor in both goods and spirit, to those who did not yet know Christ, to the foreigner, and sick and oppressed – in short, to those very ones to whom we were to minister, the cross became a symbol of persecution rather than freedom. The bride had a name that signified life, yet it was itself dead, and meant death to others, lost as it was in the cold formalism of thinly veiled Roman rituals, and the spirit of oppression that was never burned out of the bloodthirsty empire by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

When the reformers began to stand up, however, and speak against the atrocities committed in the name of Christ and the Church, those who were martyred in the preceding centuries were seen in a new light. Whereas they had died under the shameful banners of heresy, blasphemy and, in some cases witchcraft, through the lens of the reformation they were hailed as just men, sacrificing even their lives for their spiritual integrity. The Word assures us, however, that these valiant men and women have crowns of life laid up in Heaven for them, as surely as do we who now follow the teachings they died to preserve.

Christ told those in the age of the reformation to “strengthen the things which remain,” and so they did; but many things which were lost as the close of the first and second seals were not yet to be restored. Concepts such as the Victory over sin, and the Sabbath doctrine were still not fully understood, and their importance was not seen in those times. Nevertheless, salvation by faith, grace as a free gift of Christ, the validity of immersion as the only Biblical mode of baptism: these things remained, or were strengthened by the work of the reformation, and it paved the way for the continued upswing signified by the 6th age of the Church.


The Sixth Seal


“And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” (Rev 6:12-14)

All that I have written before was merely a preliminary to this 6th seal. All that I have described above was merely the prologue, and truly Revelation itself reflects this, because whereas a few verses in chapter 6 are used to give a record of the events in each of the preceding phases of the scroll’s opening, all of chapter 7 is dedicated to seal 6. Much occurs between the breaking of the 6th and 7th seal, including those events which are taking place on the earth even now.

I described at the end of my discussion of Seal 5 an “upswing”; however, this is to be applied only to the Church. The world itself has been ever degenerating, and although Satanic deceptions such as evolution would have us believe that we as a people, as organisms, are improving, this is not the truth. Yes, as the scroll unrolls, more and more light is revealed to honest seekers after Yah’s face, but the work of the demons and the enemy of souls has likewise intensified, and were it not for Yahshua’s continuing and fervent intercession on our behalf, there would be no hope at all for salvation. As it is written, during the last days, “there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Mat 24:24)

Looking at the signs which are said to be associated with the breaking of the 6th seal, they seem to be fairly dramatic. In fact, as they concern the sun, moon and stars, those things which were to be “for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years,” (Gen 1:14) it’s rather to be expected that there would be some record of these events, if indeed we are living in the time of the 6th seal, and on the borders of the 7th.

In another work on this website, Letters to Rachel #7, I examine these signs: the darkening of the sun, the reddening of the moon and the falling of the stars, including their precise dates and references made to them by both secular and religious publications. Since then, I have found a few more external references, and they are included here.

The first of the signs to accompany this stage of the unfolding is this: “And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake...” (Rev 6:12a) No ordinary earthquake was this, but one that would shake practically all the continents, all the world. “The Lisbon Earthquake, which occurred on November 1, 1755, is the most notable earthquake of history,” says Nelson’s New Loose-leaf Encyclopedia. There is even mention of it made in the Encyclopedia Britannica, which gives damage estimates, and lists off the areas which were affected by this mighty turmoil in the earth’s crust; among them were Scotland, Italy, Switzerland, Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, Asia Minor and so on. According to Principles of Geology (11th edition) – published in 1872, the death toll is estimated to have been about 60,000 persons in the course of a mere six minutes, and other sources claim another 30,000 met their deaths during the aftermath.

After the earthquake, we were told to expect this: “... and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.” (Rev 6:12b) Now, earthquakes may happen all the time, and that the Lisbon one was the greatest in recorded history is merely a matter of degrees – but this is something different, something a little more above “natural.”

Twenty-five years after the earthquake, in 1780, this second set of signs did indeed appear. In the 7th Letter to Rachel, I gave several sources describing this event, which is still referred to as “the dark day,” by various publications. Some sources claim that the darkening of the sun began at 9am on May 19th, and other say it was not noticeable until 11am, but all agree that although there were a few factors that may have contributed to the gloom of the preceding days (such as the haze of forest fires and low clouds), nothing could fully account for the almost palpable darkness that lasted from the morning hours until past midnight.

In The Independent Chronicle a Boston publication, a letter appearing in the May 25th edition describes it thus: “Perhaps it was never darker since the children of Israel left the house of bondage.” This was an obvious reference to the book of Exodus, specifically the following verse, which speaks of the ninth plague. That was the second-to-last in the series of ten, just as the sixth seal is the second-to-last in the series of seven: “And the Lord said unto Moses, ‘Stretch out thine hand toward Heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.” (Exo 10:21)

Among those who commented upon the unnatural events of that day were not only common folk, but also university professors from such esteemed establishments as Harvard and Yale. In Letters to Rachel #7 I quote several sources, and here are a few more also: “If every luminous body in the universe had been shrouded in impenetrable shades, or struck out of existence, the darkness could not have been more complete. A sheet of white paper held within a few inches of the eyes was equally invisible with the blackest velvet.” (Samuel Tenney, Letter in Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1792 ed.)

“Candles were lighted up in houses; – the birds having sung their evening songs, disappeared, and became silent; &8211; the fowls retired to roost; – the cocks were crowing all around, as at break of day; – objects could not be distinguished but at a very little distance; and everything bore the appearance and gloom of night.” (Samuel Williams of Harvard University, as appears in Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1783) Of the spiritual impression such an event made in the minds of the observers, Timothy Dwight, president of Yale, writes, “A very general opinion prevailed, that they day of judgment was at hand. The House of Representatives, being unable to transact their business, adjourned.” (Connecticut Historical Collections, 2nd ed., 1836)

“In connection with this extraordinary phenomenon, the moon was reported to appear red.” (Bible Readings for The Home, p.276 – Review and Herald Publishing) The other sources listed in the 7th Letter also make mention of this deep red appearance of the moon upon its reappearance after the midnight hour.

The signs connected with the 6th seal’s breaking continue: “And the stars of Heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” (Rev 6:13)

This last great sign in the heavens was seen in the month of November, 1833. On the thirteenth day, more specifically, on that night, a tremendous meteor shower was seen all over North America. In my previous discussion during the Letters to Rachel series, I quoted from The Portland Evening Advertiser and its Nov. 26th edition of that year. I quote here instead from another source. “This language of the prophet [John] has always been received as metaphorical. Yesterday it was literally fulfilled,... as no man before yesterday had conceived to be possible that it should be fulfilled. The falling stars did not come, as if from several trees being shaken, but from one... and they fell, not as ripe fruit falls. Far from it. But they flew, they were cast, like the unripe fruit, which at first refuses to leave the branch; and, when it does break its hold, flies swiftly, strait off, descending; and in the multitude of falling some cross the track of others, as they are thrown with more or less force.” (New York Journal of Commerce, Vol. 8, No. 534, Saturday, Nov. 16, 1833)

1833 happened to be the very year when William Miller began his ministry. His work later led to the formation of the Seventh-day Adventist church, and it is under this name that the work of the reformation was to continue unto the last seal. Upon the appearance of this last sign, the sixth seal could be said to have been “fully” opened, and thus would begin the events in Revelation chapter 7.

Of the sixth age that this seal ushered in, the earlier chapters of Revelation record these statements: “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou has a little strength, and has kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” (Rev 3:8) It was also in this age that the doctrine of the heavenly sanctuary became known. No other form of Christianity but Seventh Day Adventism teaches this as important: that the earthly sanctuary which was among the Israelites in Moses’ time is a copy of the true Heavenly Tabernacle as described here: “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.” (Rev 15:5) When this became clear, it was understood that the final atonement of man by Christ (the true “High Priest”) was following the same pattern as described for the Day of Atonement outlined in Leviticus 16.

The timing in the book of Daniel was applied to this, and it was seen that Yah has never left us without an indication of how close the end truly was. The final judgment was even then beginning, and continues to this day. The events which take place during the sixth seal are described as follows: “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.’” (Rev 7:1-3) We find that at the 6th seal, the winds of destruction are about to blow – indeed, are being actively held back while the servants of our Father prepare themselves.

By 12 tribes are the people of the Most High sealed, and as these 12 tribes are described as the 144,000 and “them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name,” we understand that the “Three Angels’ Message” of Revelation 14:6-11, which deals with these very issues, comes into play fully at this time. One of the aspects of this message of victory is the return to the commandments of Yah as being valid for the Christian, including the 4th commandment concerning the Sabbath day. This was one of the things implied in the 5th age as having been lost, for it was not one of those things “which remained” that they were encouraged to hold unto, and because they did not know this, the reformer’s works were “not found perfect” before God. Notice it was their works that were not found perfect, not their faith, and so these individuals were fully justified before the Father. That their works were found wanting was simply an indication that there were things yet to be revealed.

I have gone into the matter of the Sabbath in numerous places on my site; however I am never hesitant to add further evidence to the whole. Here is a quote from the Greek historian and philosopher Socrates, who writes, “Almost all churches throughout the world celebrate the sacred mysteries on the Sabbath of every week, yet Christians of Alexandria and at Rome, on the account of some ancient traditions have ceased to do this.” Ecclesiastical History, Book 5, chapter 22, in A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 2d series, Vol.2, p32. It should be noted that Socrates wrote this during the fifth century AD – long after most Christians contend that Christ or the Apostles somehow (and for some bizarre reason) changed the day of worship to Sunday, or abandoned it altogether.

This great truth of Christianity was restored during the sixth seal, and after that the full force of the Gospel began to be proclaimed to the earth once again. New light continued to be shed on the paths of those who were willing, and did not fall away into unbelief, and did not go after “strange gods” of the world, or the civil system; and so even now, the Victory message that gives a child of Yah the “seal of God in his forehead” and protection from the mark of the beast goes forth to the world. The sealing has begun, and will continue until the very close of earth’s history – the breaking of the 7th barrier.


The Seventh Seal


“And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” (Rev 8:1)

One of the other things that was made clear by the understanding that the final atonement was pointed to by the shadows described in the Day of Atonement ceremony was that there was a time of probation assigned to mankind. When the high priest entered into the most holy place and sprinkled blood on the ark of the covenant (Lev 16:15), this was the final cleansing of the congregation of sin before Azazel the scapegoat was burdened with the transgressions and sent off to its destruction. (Lev 16:22) After that, if any maintained a sin upon them, he would have to bear it until the following year’s ceremony.

As this is the final work of atonement, however, there will be no following year’s ceremony. Upon those who continue to ignore or rebel against the abundant opportunities for salvation now, the “sharper end” of this decree will fall: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” (Rev 22:11) The breaking of the seventh seal is the end of the sealing, and the close of this time of grace. The Seventh Church age is known as “Laodicea,” or “The rights of the people.” It can also, however, be interpreted, “The Judgment of The People.” Had all things gone as they should have by “law,” the sixth age would have been the last one. The Seventh Seal would have broken, and all that were unrighteous would have been swept away, like those who would not listen to Noah’s warning.

We note, however, that while the sealing is going on, 4 angels are holding back the “winds of strife.” (Rev 7:1) The seventh seal’s breaking is being actively delayed, to give mankind every possible opportunity to repent before the plagues begin to fall, and the final judgment begins. For this reason the “silence” has not yet fallen upon us, that dreadful time when the Spirit of Yah will be withdrawn, and those who know not His Son will feel no desire for repentance or even restraint of their sinful tendencies. At that time, the persecution of the faithful will reach a frenzy the likes of which this planet has not yet seen, and at least in the spiritual sense, it will be the hardest time in history to be a Christian.

During this seventh age, which even now spills over as the seventh seal approaches, all things declared in prophecy are coming to pass. The Beast and his image make war with the saints: the U.S. Government, in perfect, horrifying parallel to ancient, pagan Rome, has joined itself unto a once pure Ecclesiastical body, and the resulting entity is being used to (attempt to) deceive, destroy or otherwise trouble “the very elect.” My article The Mark and The Seal covers these events in more specific detail.

During the edge of this seventh age, the fourth great Gospel Angel gives its cry, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” (Rev 18:2,3) Immediately following this last warning, we hear this: “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.’” (Rev 18:4,5) Right after this final message is given, the plagues begin!

“And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.” (Rev 8:1,2) Of the seven angels which stand before God, we have very little information from the Canon Itself. We know Gabriel is one of them, “And the angel answering said unto him, ‘I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.’” (Luke 1:19) From the Apocryphal book of Tobit, we find out what the name of another of them might be: “I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints and enter into the presence of the glory of the Holy One.” (Tob 12:15) The others are given various names by various other sources. Apparently it’s not so important to us who they are, but what they do.

“And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” (Rev 15:6-8) These seven mighty angels carry the final plagues of judgment unto the earth, and these are they that are released right after the Angel’s message in Revelation 18. It specifically says that “smoke from the glory of God” – that which ascended to the Throne in Rev 8:3 & 4 – fills the temple, and no man can enter it (in order to make atonement) until the plagues are fully poured out. By the time the plagues start to fall, the sealing of the saints will be complete, and either one is a member of the blessed company of the redeemed, or he is experiencing “a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” (Heb 10:27)

May Yah save all who read this from such a fate. And the way by which this is done is to accept the Gospel in all Its fullness. Accept Yahshua the Messiah, and all His promises – for this is the Victory over sin; and then the Spirit will order your steps – away from death and into the kingdom of life. “For He saith, ‘I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2) As surely as the Lord awaits outside the worldly churches at the end of the Seventh Age (Rev 3:20), so now, at the very lip of the seventh seal’s opening, the message is to “come out” and to take the seal of Yah in the forehead, shunning the mark of the Beast – that icon of force and hatred. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” (John 5:25)

David.

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