Tuesday 15Mar2022
This afternoon as I read from Revelation chapters 6 to 11 the breaking of the Seven Seals by the Lamb of God, followed by the sounding of the Seven Trumpets, right until the moment when the Seven Bowls are about to be poured out, I am reminded of the vision that was revealed to the Apostle John in an earlier chapter:
In Revelation chapter 5, John saw a vision of God sitting on His throne surrounded by twenty-four elders. In the midst of the elders appeared four living creatures. On the right Hand of God on the Throne John saw a book sealed with seven seals.
When no one was found worthy to break the seals and to read the book, John began to weep.
After one of the twenty-four elders comforted John, telling him not to weep because the Lion of Judah has overcome to open the book and its seven seals (Rev5:5), John saw in his vision a Lamb standing in the midst of the elders and the living creatures, "a Lamb standing, as slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God [which are] sent into all the earth:" (Rev 5:6 JND).
When the Lamb took the book from the right hand of God on the Throne, a series of sinnging and praises rang out:
First, from the four living creatures and twenty-four elders:
- Revelation 5:6 - 10 JND J.N.Darby's Translation
- 6 And I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God [which are] sent into all the earth:
- 7 and it came and took [it] out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
- 8 And when it took the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, having each a harp and golden bowls full of incenses, which are the prayers of the saints.
- 9 And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou hast been slain, and hast redeemed to God, by thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
- 10 and made them to our God kings and priests; and they shall reign over the earth.
Then, a host of angels, ten thousands of ten thousands and thousands of thousands, joined the four living creatures and twenty-four elders:
- Revelation 5:11 - 12 JND
- 11 And I saw, and I heard [the] voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and their number was ten thousands of ten thousands and thousands of thousands;
- 12 saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that has been slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Finally, every creature in the heaven, upon the earth and under the earth, upon the sea and all things in them, joined in to glorify God and the Lamb:
- Revelation 5:13 - 14 JND
- 13 And every creature which is in the heaven and upon the earth and under the earth, and [those that are] upon the sea, and all things in them, heard I saying, To him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb, blessing, and honour, and glory, and might, to the ages of ages.
- 14 And the four living creatures said, Amen; and the elders fell down and did homage.
The breaking of the seven seals of the book from the right Hand of God sets in motion a long series of calamities and judgments that will sweep across the world.
Over the last two years, I have put together an outline of these calamities and judgments under the Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets and Seven Bowls, link below:
