In
the scene of the fifth seal, we saw that the cry of God’s oppressed
people reflects the cry of the faithful of all ages. These faithful ones
were portrayed as souls under the altar, crying to God for justice and
vindication, saying: “ ‘How long, O Lord?’ ” (Rev. 6:10, NKJV). The
voice from heaven urged them to wait, because the day was coming when
God would judge those who harmed them. Revelation 6:15–17 pictures Jesus
returning to this earth and bringing judgment upon those who did evil
to His faithful followers.
The scene of the fifth seal represents the experience of God’s suffering people throughout history, from the time of Abel until the time when God will finally judge and avenge “ ‘the blood of His servants’ ” (Rev. 19:2, NKJV).
Chapter 6 portrays the opening of the first six of the seven seals. Chapter 7 is parenthetical in that it interrupts the opening of the seals to show that God has a true people who will be able to stand through the terrors that have been portrayed (see on ch. 6:17). Now the vision returns to the opening of the seals.
The vision of the seven trumpets shows that, throughout history, God already has intervened on behalf of His oppressed people and has judged those who harmed them.
The seven trumpets (Rev. 8:2–11:18) build on a vision of the heav¬enly ministry and the incense altar (Rev. 8:3, 4) and contain an “interlude” (Rev. 10:1–11:14) that offers a view of God’s people in the midst of the horrific sixth trumpet (Rev. 9:13–21).
The purpose of the trumpets is clarified in connection with the fifth seal (Rev. 6:9–11). Reference to both the golden altar of incense and the altar of burnt offering, as well as to the prayers of the saints in Revelation 8:3, 4, connects the trumpets with the scene in Revelation 6:9, 10. The seven trumpets answer the prayers of the saints for judgment on those who have persecuted them. Therefore, the events portrayed in the trumpets likely fall on the opponents of God’s people throughout Christian history. The purpose of the seven trumpets is to assure God’s people that heaven is not indifferent to their suffering.
Opening of the 7th Seal
Revelation 8 Verse 1 And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
The first verse of this chapter relates to the events of the preceding chapters, and therefore should not have been separated from them by the division of the chapter. The series of seven seals is here resumed and concluded. The sixth chapter of Revelation closed with the events of the sixth seal, and the eighth chapter begins with the opening of the seventh seal. Hence the seventh chapter stands parenthetically between the sixth and seventh seals, and it appears that the sealing work of Revelation 7 belongs to the sixth seal.
Silence in Heaven. —The sixth seal does not bring us to the second advent of Christ, although it embraces events closely connected with that coming. It introduces the fearful commotions of the elements, described as the heavens rolling together as a scroll, the breaking up of the surface of the earth, and the confession by the wicked that the great day of God’s wrath is come.
The scene of the fifth seal represents the experience of God’s suffering people throughout history, from the time of Abel until the time when God will finally judge and avenge “ ‘the blood of His servants’ ” (Rev. 19:2, NKJV).
Chapter 6 portrays the opening of the first six of the seven seals. Chapter 7 is parenthetical in that it interrupts the opening of the seals to show that God has a true people who will be able to stand through the terrors that have been portrayed (see on ch. 6:17). Now the vision returns to the opening of the seals.
The vision of the seven trumpets shows that, throughout history, God already has intervened on behalf of His oppressed people and has judged those who harmed them.
The seven trumpets (Rev. 8:2–11:18) build on a vision of the heav¬enly ministry and the incense altar (Rev. 8:3, 4) and contain an “interlude” (Rev. 10:1–11:14) that offers a view of God’s people in the midst of the horrific sixth trumpet (Rev. 9:13–21).
The purpose of the trumpets is clarified in connection with the fifth seal (Rev. 6:9–11). Reference to both the golden altar of incense and the altar of burnt offering, as well as to the prayers of the saints in Revelation 8:3, 4, connects the trumpets with the scene in Revelation 6:9, 10. The seven trumpets answer the prayers of the saints for judgment on those who have persecuted them. Therefore, the events portrayed in the trumpets likely fall on the opponents of God’s people throughout Christian history. The purpose of the seven trumpets is to assure God’s people that heaven is not indifferent to their suffering.
Opening of the 7th Seal
Revelation 8 Verse 1 And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
The first verse of this chapter relates to the events of the preceding chapters, and therefore should not have been separated from them by the division of the chapter. The series of seven seals is here resumed and concluded. The sixth chapter of Revelation closed with the events of the sixth seal, and the eighth chapter begins with the opening of the seventh seal. Hence the seventh chapter stands parenthetically between the sixth and seventh seals, and it appears that the sealing work of Revelation 7 belongs to the sixth seal.
Silence in Heaven. —The sixth seal does not bring us to the second advent of Christ, although it embraces events closely connected with that coming. It introduces the fearful commotions of the elements, described as the heavens rolling together as a scroll, the breaking up of the surface of the earth, and the confession by the wicked that the great day of God’s wrath is come.
