So when you read that a creature opens a seal, and then something reacts to that, like peace being taken from the earth, do you think this is only a symbolic representation of something to take place in history, or do you think that it's something that will literally happen in the future? In other words, do you think this is literally and chronologically what will happen in the future, or do you think this is just designed and coordinated so John could relate what will happen through a series of symbolic visions?
I think that there is a time that would be able to be marked in history, as this happens in the heavens, the same continuum as ours, that there will be a time when Jesus, the Lamb Slain, will take and open the scroll, and redeem His people, Israel.
It is the time of Jacob's trouble, but he will be saved through it.
And as Jesus opens this scroll, the horsemen ride forth, angels sent on God's bidding, I'm not saying holy angels necessarily, sent to
- begin and accomplish the rise of the beast
- turn society hostile to itself
- turn economies against man
- turn ecology against man
That these will begin just prior to the start of the 70th week, which I think is marked in the heavenly ceremony by 1/2 hour of silence. Let's say that God actually was expressing the gravity of the occasion. Why not say that? Call our attention to it directly? Spare us all the confusion?
In the 5th seal, the martyred of Israel call for justice, but more martyrs will be coming during the greatest tribulation.
In the 6th seal is sudden destruction, the 7th seal, the end, and the beginning has come.
I see the earthquake of the 6th seal being the same worldwide earthquake written in Ezekiel 38:19 as Gog leads Magog et al to invade the mountains of Israel. And as the first trumpet sounds, the rain of blood and fire and hail destroys them, and burning up a third of the earth's trees.
I think that if you were to be able to look into heaven at the right time you would see what John saw, an angel, holding a trumpet, preparing to sound, then it sounds forth, into the heavens and fire, and brimstone, and blood begins to fall . . .
The destruction of Gog/Magog accompanied by a world wide earthquake makes coronavirus look like a page from a comic book.
A new empire rises from the crippled governments and economies. The beast.
My suggestion is to read the revelation in a single sitting just letting it flow like a movie through your mind. Read it many times this way, so as you recall various passages it will be with the imagery used. I believe there is a specific reason for each, but not necessarily found through examination of the text.
We examine the text, get into Greek, make sure we know it is really saying, but let it mold the mind.
This is a revelation given by God, it has a certain purpose in being written as it is, I think.
OK, anyway, I like to stay with what I can demonstrate from the wording, for instance, we know that the reg dragon is a symbol, because we're told it's a sign, and we're also told the dragon is actually Satan. So not just any old dragon.
So when it's like that, yes, otherwise, I just take it pretty straightforward.
Much love!