Seals 5, 6, & 7 – Part 2

In Part 1 of Seals 5, 6, & 7, we covered the last three seals in a simple way. Part 2 is for older kids or adults who want to explore these seals in more detail.

Let’s dig deeper to look at some of the symbols in these last three seals and the full meaning of them. Remember when Jesus breaks the seals in Heaven, things happen on the earth as a result.

To understand difficult passages of the Bible, we must look for clues in other parts of the Bible. Studying the Bible is like putting a big puzzle together. The more pieces we find that match, the more we can understand the “big picture”. The same goes for finding the meaning of symbolic language. Other parts of the Bible teach us what the symbols mean.

The Fifth Seal Opened. Read about it here:

Revelation 6:9-11

This word picture of the altar is taken from way back when the Israelites offered animal sacrifices on the altar of burnt offering in the courtyard of the tabernacle. Lev. 4:7, 18 The killing of these animals was a symbol of the horrible consequences of sin. The person’s sin was transferred to an innocent and spotless animal that was then killed on the altar. The blood of the animal was poured out under the altar. Exod. 29:12, Lev. 4:7 The blood was a symbol of life. Lev. 17:11 The consequence of sin is death, so the life blood was poured out symbolizing the serious nature of sin. It causes death. But this sad ritual also symbolized hope. Someday, God’s son would come and his own innocent life-blood would be spilled out for us on the cross to make an atonement for us. Matt. 26:28 Atonement simply means at-one-ment. Sin separates us from God. But Jesus died in our place, for our sins, so that we could become connected to God again. Beautiful!

The souls under the altar had been slain, or killed, for the word of God. Jesus predicted this would happen. John 16:2, Matt. 10:38-39 They literally followed Jesus to the altar of sacrifice where he died for us. As Jesus sacrificed his life for us, these martyrs sacrificed their lives for Jesus. They followed Jesus even if it meant death. Now they are resting until the plan is finished. Others will join them who will also die for their faith. Rev. 6:11 People are still dying for Jesus in many parts of the world today. The white robes are their righteous deeds and the purity of Christ they had in their hearts. Rev. 19:8, Rev. 7:14, Gal. 2:20

Eventually God will answer the cries of all his people for justice. God will avenge his people when the sixth seal is opened. God’s judgment will come on all those who “dwell on the earth”. Those who “dwell on the earth” do not include God’s people. Rev. 3:10 God’s people are depicted as “dwelling in heavenly places” even though they haven’t gotten there physically yet. They are there spiritually. Rev. 13:6, Eph. 2:5-6

The Sixth Seal Opened. Read about it here:

Rev. 6:12-17

When the sixth seal is opened, thing are shaken! There’s a great earthquake, the sun is darkened, the moon becomes as blood, the stars fall and mountains are moved out of their places. Wow! This sounds serious. While much of the book of Revelation is symbolic, some things may also be literal. For example when it says there will be an earthquake, I believe the earth will literally quake. It says the moon will become as blood. The moon may not literally become blood, but it may look like blood – that is, turn red. All these things are signs of Jesus’ very soon coming. Matt.24:29-30, Joel 2:31

Now for the people of the earth (those who are not following Jesus), these things are terrifying. It won’t matter if you’re a king, a captain, a rich man or a poor man. You will want to hide from the wrath of God. However, there will be nowhere to hide. The big question at the end of the sixth seal is, “Who shall be able to stand?” Rev. 6:17

Chapter 7 of Revelation will answer this question. Those who will be able to stand in the presence of God will not be asking the rocks to fall on them, but will be praising God and thanking Him for saving them.

Friends, Jesus is coming soon! Ask Him to come into your heart today, to wash your sins away, and to help you be ready for his glorious second coming. I want to learn more about Jesus, so I can be in that group of people. Don’t you? Keep reading His word, the Bible, and God will reveal more and more about His great love for you!

The Seventh Seal Opened. Read about it here:

Rev. 8:1

The description of what happens when the seventh seal is opened is very short. “There was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” Rev. 8:1

In between the sixth and seventh seal is chapter 7 of Revelation where the people of God are sealed. It appears that between the sixth and seventh seal being opened, the last plagues fall on earth and Jesus comes to rescue his people. There are different views on what this silence in heaven means. There is no other text that explains it fully. So sometimes we just have to use our best reasoning. Here’s one possibility. When Jesus comes to earth again with all his holy angels (Matt. 25:31, Mark 8:38) then Heaven will be empty for a short time. It will be silent in Heaven because no one will be there. When we return to Heaven with Jesus and the angels then surely it will be very noisy with everyone praising God. Rev. 7:9-10 There may be other reasons why Heaven is silent, but we know it will only be for a short time.

I believe we are very close to the end of this earth’s history as we know it. Jesus has almost finished opening the seals that fulfill this earth’s destiny. God’s plan will be completed, with or without you. Which side do you want to be on? Chose to follow Jesus today! He loves you and is waiting patiently for you to invite Him into your heart.