Chapter 7 -- The Book of Revelation

Please read Revelation chapter 7.

God's People Will Be Preserved (Verses 1-8)

Verses 1-3:  Do you believe this "seal of God" is something we can see in our earthly/natural realm?  Or is this visible in the spirit realm only?

Verse 3:  "on the foreheads of His servants."

Verse 4:  This verse only mentions how many were sealed from the tribes of Israel.  It does not mention anyone else.  Do you think only Israelites are sealed?  Or are the other tribes not mentioned because there are too many of them(see verse three quoted above)?  Or is Israel mentioned to show how special they are/to set them apart?  Or possibly to show how few of them will be marked/protected?

Verses 5-8: Notice in these verses that the tribes of Dan and Ephraim are not included... Joseph and Manasseh make it the complete twelve.  After researching Dan and Ephraim, it appears no one (including myself) really knows why these tribes were excluded.  I will list a few verses, which might shed a little light on the subject.  But I want you to ask God, and let Him reveal the truth to you.  

Dan:  Genesis 49:16-17 Dan's "blessing" from Jacob before he died, Judges 18 talks about Dan's idolatry, Amos 8:14 "the god of Dan", 1 Kings 12:29-30 and 2 Kings 10:29 talk about sin in Dan.  Also, in 1 Chronicles chapters 2-12 Dan is omitted completely.

Ephraim: Hosea 4:17 and 9:11 some translations read, "Leave Israel alone, because she is married to idolatry." But in Hebrew it says Ephraim instead of Israel meaning the northern kingdom of Israel.

Dan and Ephraim: Jeremiah 4:15 Mentions Israel's destruction from Dan to the hill country of Ephraim.


Praise from the Great Crowd (Verses 9-17)

Verses 9-10: That means everyone!  Not just the Israelites!

Verses 11-12:  The angels and elders praised God by saying "so be it!" Notice also, that wisdom is included in this blessing.

Verses 13-14:  Who are these people clothed in white?  Well, if you look back at 6:11 (6:9-11 the fifth seal) that is where the white robes are handed out!  These verses explain who these people are: "These are the ones who died in the great tribulation."  These verses in conjunction with 6:10-11 and 9:4 lead me to believe that at this point the martyrdom may be complete.  Anyone left on earth whose name is written in the "Lamb's Book of Life" will live through the rest of the end times or live until the rapture.

Verses 15-17:  The blessing/reward for those who die in the tribulation!  Awesome!

Now, I am not claiming to have any or all of the answers here... But this is how I've been inspired to  interpret these scriptures.  I pray for wisdom when writing my blog, and I believe I will be blessed for taking the time to study His Word. (Even when I don't understand everything).

Thanks for reading, and I encourage you to study too!  Look at a particular passage of scripture that God has brought to your attention, and dig deeper into what God is teaching you through it!

Blessings!

~ S*

Chapter 6 -- The Book of Revelation

Please read Revelation chapter 6!

The Lamb Breaks the First Six Seals

First Seal (Verses 1-2): White horse, rider had a bow, and a crown was placed on his head. He was to gain victory!

Second Seal (Verses 3-4): Red horse, rider given a mighty sword and authority to take peace from the earth.

Third Seal (Verses 5-6): Black horse, rider held scales to ration food.

Fourth Seal (Verses 7-8): Pale "green" horse (some translations just say pale, while others say ashen)... rider's name Death with a companion named the Grave.  Authority was given to him to kill one fourth of the population of the earth through various plagues...

Fifth Seal (Verses 9-11): White robes were given to the souls under the alter, and they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of souls had joined them.

Sixth Seal (Verses 12-14): Earthquake, dark sun, red moon, stars fall, sky rolls back like a scroll, mountains and islands are moved from their places...

Verses 15-17: Every single person on earth, important or not, hid and wanted to die. But there is no sign of repentance.

I believe it is important for us to know about these predicted events.  We need to be prepared in season and out. (2 Timothy 4:2)

Have you ever wondered why there are four horses and riders?  To me, they all seem to accomplish the same thing... Do the red and white riders only affect one fourth of the earth?  Or are their jobs implemented on everyone?

Do you believe any of these things have happened?  Do you think we are on the verge of any of them?  It seems to me that peace has been taken from the earth... Disease, famine and the threat of war seem to be constantly in the news.  We did have what they call a "blood moon" not too long ago... Do you think that applies?

I believe, after prayer, much thought, reading, and re-reading, that the book of Revelation is in chronological order.  I have asked God about it, and upon further study, I've realized that God is a God of order not disorder.  I don't believe He wants us to be confused or thrown off by what the Bible says.  He is compassionate and desires that we be "wise virgins"(Matthew 25:1-13). What do you think?

What are your thoughts on this chapter?  Did anything stand out to you?

Hope you're having a great month!

~ S*