Fulfilled Biblical Prophecies (#3)

Welcome back to the third segment on fulfilled biblical prophecies. In this segment we transition from the Old Covenant and Gospel writings to Revelation. And one in-particular regarding the seven seals. We have a lot to get into, so let’s get started.

The Vision and the Purpose

Revelation is probably the most mysterious and misunderstood book of the Bible. When people  think about the book of Revelation, they think of end times, armageddon, war, and disturbing imagery— and while there certainly is that aspect to it, Revelation 1:1-2 immediately tells us the real purpose of John’s revelatory vision:

“¹The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John:

² Who bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”

So, we can see that while Revelation does include some information about future events, that’s not its primary focus.

The chief focus and point of revelation is mentioned right at the start of verse 1, The revelation (the revealing) of Jesus Christ. Which God gave him to show His servants (not just John) which must (shortly) come to pass.

Now look at verse 2, because the sentence doesn’t end with verse 1… who bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all the things he saw.

It’s clear that the main point, and the theme of Revelation is Jesus Christ.

With that in mind, let’s take a look now at the seven seals.

The Seven Seals of Revelation

When I first read Revelation chapter 5, I didn’t think much about what it was saying, but the more I read it, the more something just seemed a bit off. So let’s first read the text and then dive in. Revelation 5:1-5:

“¹ And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

² And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

³ And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

⁴ And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

⁵ And one of the elders said to me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”

Now, something about these verses, really struck me as odd the more that I read it over the years, because as you read the next chapter of the book of Revelation chapter 6, you find that each time the Lion opens a seal, hell is unleashed on earth. So why then does John weep bitterly in chapter 5 verses 2 through 4 that no-one is worthy to open the book and loose the seals?

I don’t know about you, but if loosening a seal unleashes hell on earth, I won’t be crying if no-one can open it!

But John does cry— for what reason?

To answer that question, we must know what the seals actually are, and what opening each seal ultimately accomplishes.

The seals are indeed seals of judgment, but the question is, judgment for whom?

Before we saw that no-one was found worthy to open the book or loose the scrolls, but now after the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Jesus) prevails, the angel proclaims to John, Come and see! — the obvious implication here is that something has changed; a change has occurred which suddenly made John worthy to see… but let’s move on for now.

Which Seal is on You?

Each seal written in chapter five pertains to a particular curse… whether it’s famine, poverty, war, etc.

You don’t need to look very far to see the effects of these things in the world even now. And I submit that this is why John wept… because the curses of sin must be righteously judged and put to an end; something which John prophetically sees in his vision.

Now remember what we learned at the beginning of today’s study. That Revelation is first and foremost centered around Jesus Christ and His testimony— and this is precisely what the seals are about as well.

You see, each time a seal is “loosed” it results in judgment being poured out— but notice on whom the judgment is measured… the fallen world. These seals represent the judgment for sin on a fallen world. And while some may say this hasn’t happened yet, I would like to point out one very specific, very personal aspect of this prophecy, which has very much occurred for each of us… the loosing of the seal of judgment, and the sealing of God’s Holy Spirit upon us.

Ephesians 1:13 states that we have been sealed— but it’s not a seal of judgment— it is the seal of the promised Holy Spirit of God. This is what makes you and I “worthy” in the sight of God. Through Jesus’ sacrificial atonement, and His spirit being placed on us and in us for eternity. We have been made Holy and righteous (Hebrews 10:10) and perfected forever, complete in Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:10)

I encourage you today to meditate on the truth of what Jesus has accomplished, and rejoice in your standing in Christ right now. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has prevailed (not going to, but has) and as the elder of John’s vision says “weep no more.”

Be blessed