It is only an interpretation of some Bible scholars that seals, trumpets and vials are sequential order of end-time happenings.
How can one explain that The narrations of a woman and her son in chapter 12 (And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne) is something which is take place after the incidents John was brought to see (“.. the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;[sup] [/sup]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.) on the opening of the 6[sup]th[/sup] seal?
In fact it is easier to understand, on opening the sixth seal, John is brought to see what exactly is going to happen following the “ LITTLE SEASON” John heard as being told to the souls of the martyrs in the previous vision.
(Rev 1 :9-11 “[sup] [/sup]And when he had opened the fifth seal, …..it was said unto 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.”)
It may be even assumed that most of all the incidents which are to take place on the sounding of the first six trumpets happen during the “LITTLE SEASON”.
It is evident that the Book of Revelation is God’s revelation to the servants of God on things going to happen according to his plan.
But when we relate the first part of the verse, “Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave unto him” to Luke 10:22 we may find a new truth that God the father revealing ( unveiling ) Jesus Christ to His servants through this book.
In chapter 5 we find the apostle John is told by an elder that Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has conquered to break the seven seals. But we read John writing to the saints in 7 churches that he SEEING the Slain Lamb coming to break the seals.
Here a powerful message is send to the saints in the 7 churches that any authority in heaven or in earth is vested upon the slain Lamb, our Lord himself. (Matt 28 :18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth ).
The saints in the 7 churches are said to be going through perils and tribulations because of their faith in word of God and for the sake of the name Lord Jesus Christ. The message through chapter 6 for them is again the manifestation of what seen in chapter 5, that Lord Himself is the supreme authority over any power or force of any principalities on earth (Rom 13:1 For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. , or on the angels in heaven and thus the saint needn’t have to be troubled on the trials and tribulations they are subjected to suffer. (John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me).
Now let us look to see what is revealed on breaking each of the seals. ( I don’t see anywhere, the order of seals are any indication of things going to happen in the end-times only)
John is brought to see the Lamb of God opening breaking the first seal.
John tells the saints that he is brought to see a man riding a white horse and he was given a crown. We read of him, “ he went forth conquering, and to conquer.”
Rom 13:1 tells “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
The first power entrusted to mankind is to go forth to win and conquer. Go and read Genesis 1:28.
( And God blessed them,(man) and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.)
We have to keep in mind that God the father is unveiling the divinity of Jesus Christ as He is in the triune God.
Now look at what power he is giving away to mankind on breaking the second seal.
“..power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another..”
Till the time our Lord gave away that power how can someone kill his brother?
The fallen man cannot be seen on a white horse.
He mounted onto the red horse.
Let us see how the first application of that power effected.
Gen 4:8 reads like this: “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
God makes it plain that Cain caused to take away peace for the first time on the face of the earth.
(Gen 4:9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?)
He was also given power to take away peace from earth. (We know only Lord will be restoring the peace back on earth on his own authority and power).
What do you suppose which power man used next to it in his quest to conquer?
Nothing but he seizing power to control the supply system and that too to ensure his luxury and comforts.
Only on God granting the power, anyone can implement power. Lord is telling his saints that, are you suffering from famine, or sanctions on supplies, do not be troubled on it, it happens only upon the authority your lord has granted.
John tells the saints that only on Lamb of God breaking a seal, the man with the pair of balance came on to the scene.
Lord has granted power to him on the black horse to impose sanctions, control granary and also him to enjoy the luxury for himself, wrested from those under his control.
Lord’s chosen servant Abraham was also subjected to that peril on earth.
measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Let us look to see the first instance mentioning ‘famine’ in the word of God.
Gen 12:10 “And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.”
We read the first mention of Pharaoh along that line. The man who tortured and slaved God’s dear servants.
The servants in the seven Churches are shown to look at the Lord in control of anything happening on the face of the earth.
The opening of the fourth seal declares how far the perils can go and how much freedom Lord granting to the authorities and rulers. Yes it was a real concern for the saints undergoing tribulation from the ruthless Roman government.
John says, he has got the answer from the Lord.
He tells it like this:
Rev 6:8 “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.”
Some are killed, some are put to hunger and some others are thrown to the beasts. Lord says, I have not given him the power to use his authority to destroy all the world, but only to the extent to do away with one fourth of it. This declaration enables any servant of God to proclaim a prophecy, that no government or any authority of man cannot destroy this world, but only to the extent of one forth of what exists on earth.
John is next brought to see something which give answer to the crucial query out of their troubled mind.
“How long it will go?”
This is John’s narration on what he was brought to see on breaking the fifth seal.
Rev 1 :9-11 “[sup] [/sup]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? [sup] [/sup]And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto 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.”
Take note, John says he saw the souls of ALL who have been martyred for the word of God; not those who were martyred during any particular time or era.
All those who were martyred for the word of God.
[sup] [/sup]We read of the first cry in gen 4 :10. (“And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.’)
John is brought to see that cry. It is not that all the martyrs together making a loud cry at the breaking of 5[sup]th[/sup] seal. John was brought to see a depiction of that cry of the souls of the martyrs heard in heavenly place. One more important aspect we can note there. Lamb of God, our Lord and Savior alone is in authority to judge on those making the torture and inflictions.
On the opening of the sixth seal, John is brought to see what God plans after the time point of the last one of the fellowservants of those in the church is killed as martyr and the prophecy concerning the martyrdom fulfilled.
The saints in the churches are very much bolstered to the assurance that the ‘LITTLE SEASON” as well as the season following it, is in complete authority of the Lord who is in control of the seals.
On continueing in this understanding, we can find the chapter 7 as an explanation to a possible question in the anxious hearts of the saints in the churches, if or how or who are under any protection in the time of the “LITTLE SEASON” and the ‘SEASON’ following it.
Nowhere in the scripture is said, the sealing of saints is an endtime phenomenon. Apostle John clearly tells he was brought to see an angel with the seal of God and he in the continuous process of sealing of saints. We have a clue when he will stop his sealing, but we are not told when he started his mission. If he is on mission to stamp a seal on the forehead of all the servants of God, all the servants of God, you and me and everyone from Adam are not an exempt. John was brought to see that blessed arrangement. Take note, all those from the tribes of the sons of Israel are in the category of those who were sealed. Their number is completed. No one more will be sealed for the reason he comes ‘from tribes of the son’s of Israel’. John audaciously tells he seeing a multitude in the array of servants of God and they have a very special subtitle, “those who have washed their clothes in the blood of the Lamb”. They are from every tribe, nation and creed.
Isn’t it a clear message of consolation to those who were under blasphemy from the so-called Jews (Saints from Smyrna and Philadelphia)?