THE SIXTH SEAL OPENED
Revelation Chapter 6 continued
VERSE 14 “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.”
“The sky receded (departed, split)” Translators seem to disagree on the meaning of the word. Strong’s seems to define it is a splitting rather than a departure. The NAS translates it split. The latter seems preferable when we look at history, but either can be explained. (Again, it is important to note that a similar event is forecast for the Laodicean period by Isa 34. That will be more major in scope as it will involve the other 9/10ths of the city. This event in Chapter 6 of Revelation only involves 1/10th of the city, France.)
Prior to the revolution, France had but ONE heaven — The Roman Catholic one. Then it had NONE because religion was outlawed early in the revolution. But when religion was again legislated, it allowed, encouraged, and protected Protestantism along with Roman Catholicism. Thus the heavens (now plural, the ecclesiastical heavens) were SPLIT into two factions who, by law were required to respect and tolerate each other – a scroll rolling together.”
“Every mountain and island was moved out of its place”
“Mountains are kingdoms; islands are more democratic nations. Note, they are NOT re-moved, just moved. The French Revolution spread concern all over Europe. Napoleon’s advances frightened the monarchies of Europe which feared the spread of French Republicanism and the breakdown of society (the rise of the Beast “THAT WAS“), which France had experienced. All kinds of measures were subsequently taken to prevent such a spread of revolution. Perhaps the most visible result was the so-called Holy Alliance of 1846 A.D. Nothing would ever be the same again in Europe.”
VERSE 15-17 “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
“Not only were nations moved by the experiences, but individuals from all segments of society were also — from kings to slaves! It was not only the aristocracy which suffered in France, but the common people also. Thus Verse 15 shows them all doing things to insure a better future. Some fled France to other “mountains.” Some “hid” themselves in the "caves and rocks of the mountains" protective strongholds. The French Revolution began a rush to insulate with nationalism, fraternities, alliances, institutions, societies, treaties, trusts, guilds, etc.
During this period of the Revolution END OF THE WORLD prophesying and theorizing became popular (as they are now). It gained support from the Scriptures when the Adventist movement grew. The Reign of Terror terrorized well beyond France. Historians confirm that fears of Armageddon gripped many. Even unbelievers began to think that some sort of retribution was being meted out, Thus, in Verses 16 and 17, when many seek hiding places in kingdoms and institutions they claim fear of the “day of wrath.” This shows us their frame of mind. It DOES NOT tell us that this is the time for the Great Time of Trouble. It IS, however, a 1/10th picture of what is yet to come.”
The chapter division obscures the connection of Chapter 7 to what has come just before at the end of Chapter 6.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to our understanding to see this connection.
Rev 6:12-17 has just shown the terrible troubles of the French Revolution period. These troubles could have spread. But it was not yet time for the general Time of Trouble. Only 1/10th of the city was to fall during the sixth period of the church (Rev 11:13). 9/10ths must remain for the trouble of the Laodicean period. Therefore, Chapter 7 begins by saying:
ENOUGH! STOP THE SPREAD! IT IS NOT TIME FOR THE WHIRLWIND (THE GREAT STORM). THE CHURCH MUST BE FINISHED FIRST. THEN THE WINDS CAN BE SET FREE.
Thus the Beast “THAT WAS” was contained, corralled and went into the bottomless pit or abyss (the state of powerlessness), the “IS NOT” condition. Now keep in mind the people make up the body of the Beast, therefore the Beast still “IS“, it still exist, just not in the sense in which it existed during the French Revolution, that element or character of the Beast (the unrestrained anarchist masses, the destroying element) was held in check by the Lord until the completion of the Church after which time IT “IS TO COME AGAIN” come back into power.
This, in essence, is the entire message of Chapter 7. But the statement about finishing the church before the final trouble allows the sender of Revelation to tell how many will ultimately be sealed as part of the body of Christ and what will happen to those (the Great Multitude) who did not prove worthy of their calling. Obviously, the church is not completed during the sixth stage of the church — That’s the message of Verse 3 but, as is so often the case in the sixth church narrative, the Revelator Looks forward to events in the seventh stage of the church. He here looks forward to the completion of the church and the Great Multitude.”
In our next post we will continue to examine how the scriptures interpret the Beast “THAT WAS”, “IS NOT”, and “IS TO COME AGAIN”.
