The
7 Seals
of
Revelation
The 7 Seals of Revelation
The Bible’s Book of Revelation, the
seven seals of God are the seven symbolic seals (Greek: σφραγῖδα, sphragida) that secure the book or scroll that John at Patmos saw in an apocalyptic vision given to him by God. The opening of the first four seals releases the Four Horsemen, each signifying different events that will occur on Earth between the time of Christ and His second coming.
This article will provide only a summary and brief overview of each seal, further focusing on the Sixth Seal and the opening of the Seventh Seal.
THE FIRST SEAL
“Then I saw the Lamb break open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice that sounded like thunder, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there was a white horse. Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown. He rode out as a conqueror to conquer.” (Revelation 6:1-2 GNT, Emphasis Mine)
When the first four seals were opened, the four horsemen were seen, one in each seal (cf. Rev. 6:1- 8). The first horse and its rider, seen when the first seal was opened, signifies the Church in the first century and Christ. The first seal, therefore, is the beginning of the Christian era at the time of Christ and the apostles.
THE SECOND SEAL
“Then the Lamb broke open the second seal; and I heard the second living creature say, ‘Come!’ Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given the power to bring war on the earth, so that people should kill each other. He was given a large sword.” (Revelation 6:3-4 GNT, Emphasis Mine)
The second horseman riding a red horse, seen when the second seal was opened, symbolizes the false prophets who led the apostasy of the Christian Church and its transformation into the Catholic Church. Hence, the second seal is the period of apostasy.
THE THIRD SEAL
“Then the Lamb broke open the third seal; and I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there was a black horse. Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand. I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living creatures, which said, ‘A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages. But do not damage the olive trees and the vineyards’!” (Revelation 6:5-6 GNT, Emphasis Mine)
The black horse and its rider, seen at the opening of the third seal, prefigure the further corruption of the Christian faith at the hands of those whom the Bible calls “wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (cf. Jude 1:13). These were the Protestant preachers who emerged in the Reformation period.
THE FOURTH SEAL
“Then the Lamb broke open the fourth seal; and I heard the fourth living creature say, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there was a pale-colored horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades followed close behind. They were given authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill by means of war, famine, disease, and wild animals.” (Revelation 6:7-8 GNT, Emphasis Mine)
The horseman, seen as the fourth seal was opened, indicates the continued spread and expansion of the Catholic Church, the extent of whose power had reached over a fourth of the earth.
THE FITH SEAL
“Then the Lamb broke open the fifth seal. I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed because they had proclaimed God’s word and had been faithful in their witnessing. They shouted in a loud voice, ‘Almighty Lord, holy and true! How long will it be until you judge the people on earth and punish them for killing us?’ Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the complete number of other servants and believers were killed, as they had been.” (Revelation 6:9-11 GNT, Emphasis Mine)
When the fifth seal was opened (cf. Rev. 6:9), a vision depicted the souls of those who had been slain by the apostate church. These souls were seen imploring for justice and vengeance. However, the vision also revealed that they shall not be avenged until Judgment Day comes.
THE SIXTH SEAL
I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand’?” (Revelation 6:12-17 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
When the “sixth seal” was opened, there was a “great earthquake.” Although there were many “great earthquakes” that happened in the past, the Bible explicitly tells us that this “great earthquake” is followed by the “sun became black as sackcloth of hair,” the “moon became like blood,” and the “stars of heaven fell to the earth.” This distinguishes this “great earthquake” of Revelation 6:12-13 from other earthquakes that occurred in the past.
The fulfillment of this “great earthquake” is the earthquake of 1755 in Lisbon, Portugal. The Lisbon earthquake is one of the strongest earthquakes recorded in history, which was felt over a radius of about forty times larger than the United Kingdom and claimed 6,000 lives:
“GREAT EARTHQUAKE”
“In 1755 the city of Lisbon was reduced to rubble in six minutes during one of the most devastating earthquakes ever recorded. The sea withdrew from the harbour and rushed back as a 17m-high (55ft) Tsunami, drowning hundreds. Smaller aftershocks caused landslides, fires broke out and by nightfall 60,000 people were dead. The shocks from this earthquake were felt over an area nearly 40 times as large as United Kingdom.” (The Physical Earth by William A. Nierenberg, Phd, MA, BS [Physics], 1977, pp. 21-21, Emphasis Mine)
We are certain that the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 is the fulfillment of the “great earthquake” prophesied in Revelation 6:12-13, because this is the earthquake followed by the “sun became black as sackcloth of hair,” the “moon became like blood,” and the “stars of heaven fell to the earth.”
The fulfillment of the “sun became black as sackcloth of hair” and the “moon became like blood” is what history called as the “Black Friday” of May 19, 1780:
“DARK DAY”
“DARK DAY: Any day in which the sunlight appears to be remarkably dim or altogether absent In New England the term is specifically applied to May 10, 1780 also known as Black Friday… it was attributed by the superstitious to supernatural cause.” (The New International Encyclopedia, volume VI, p. 50, Emphasis Mine)
This is how the said event was further described:
“On that day, referred to as New England’s Dark Day or Black Friday, the skies over New England and New Jersey were as black as the boots of the British soldiers, prompting many agitated colonists to seek solace and salvation in taverns or churches. The newspapers of the day commented upon it and many diarists recorded it in their journals. In the Diary of the American Revolution, Frank Moore noted that 2 o’clock in the afternoon was the darkest period, when a candle was needed to see anything. ‘The dunghill fowls went to their roost, cocks crowed in answer to each other as they commonly do in the nights; wood-cocks, which are night birds whistled as they do only in the dark; frogs peeped; in short there was the appearance of midnight.’ By four o’clock, ‘there appeared quick flashes or coruscations, not unlike the aurora borealis’.”
(Reference: Sons of the American Revolution s.v. “Black Friday”: https://bit.ly/DARK-DAY-May-19-1780, Emphasis Mine)
The prophecy fulfillment of the “stars of heaven fell to the earth” that followed the “sun became black as sackcloth of hair” and the “moon became like blood” is the “meteor shower” of 1833.
On the night of November 12, 1833, hundreds of thousands of meteorites (also called “falling stars”) were seen in the whole eastern part of the United States:
“stars of heaven fell to the earth”
In the early morning of November 13, 1833, the entire United States east of the Rocky Mountains was treated (or terrified) by what may have been the greatest meteor shower in recorded history. That chilly night, the stars rained down like snow, onlookers remembered. An estimated 72,000 meteors criss-crossed the sky each hour, prompting some people to fall to the ground prostrate, praying to God to save the world. At the time, the true cause of meteors was not known, so many religious persons assumed the end of days had arrived.” (The greatest meteor shower in recorded history by Ross Pomeroy, The Highland County Press: https://bit.ly/Stars-of-Heaven-Fell-to-the-Earth, Emphasis Mine)
Take note of the following:
(Revelation 6:12-13)
“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.” (Emphasis Mine)
01
‘there was a great earthquake”
1755
The “great earthquake” in Lisbon
02
“and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.”
1780
The “Black Friday” of New England
03
“And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.”
1833
“Meteor shower” seen in the whole eastern part of the United States. 72,000 meteors crisscrossed the sky each hour with an estimated total of 648,000 in a span of 9 hours.
AT THE END OF THE SIXTH SEAL
The “great earthquake” followed by the “sun became black as sackcloth of hair,” the “moon became like blood,” and the “stars of heaven fell to the earth” mentioned in Revelation 6:12-13 is followed by the coming of the “great day of their wrath”:
“the sky separated like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the military commanders, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of Their wrath has come! And who is able to stand’?“
(Reference: Revelation 6:14-17 The Holman Christian Standard Bible, Emphasis Mine)
Because of the “great day of the wrath” the “sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.” The “great day of the wrath” prophesied in Revelation is not the Day of Judgment. The “great day of the wrath” mentioned by the Book of Revelation is not the Day of Judgment, but a war which is also mentioned in the prophecy written in the Book of Isaiah:
“Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is upon all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter.
“All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree.”
(Reference: Isaiah 34:1-2, 4 NIV, Emphasis Mine)
Prophet Isaiah also mentioned the “sky rolled up like a scroll” that the Book of Revelation also mentioned. The Book of Isaiah also mentioned “wrath” of the Lord. He says, “Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is upon all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter.” Thus, the prophecy is referring to a “great war.”
The hiding in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains were the “kings of the earth, the nobles, the military commanders, the rich, the powerful, and every slave and free person” mentioned by the Book of Revelation took place during the Great War of 1914-1918. This is the testimony of the history:
“The First World War was unlike any war in the past. … This was the first war, ‘in three dimensions,’ the first war in which cities were bombed from the air and winged warriors fought among the clouds. Of course the airplanes of 1914 were not so fast, so formidable, nor so numerous as those of today… The soldiers had to turn themselves into beavers and moles and dig deep trenches…” (World History, Vol. 2, pp. 478–479, Emphasis Mine)
The Great War of 1914-1918 was the first war fought on the ground, at sea, and in the skies, where cities were bombed from the air. Thus, “soldiers had to turn themselves into beavers and moles and dig deep trenches…” to take cover, while others took shelter in air raid shelters or went underground and in caves:
“The First World War: The British public’s very reasonable response to the growing number and severity of air raids from 1915 onwards was to take shelter. The scientist J. B. S. Haldane reported that in London as many as 300,000 went into underground stations, while another 500,000 slept in cellars and basements. Railway viaducts such as the Tilbury Arches in Stepney were also popular refuges, although the protection offered is doubtful. In Ramsgate, caves and tunnels in the chalk cliffs were employed as shelters for several thousand people.”
(Reference: https://www.military-history.org/feature/air-raid-shelters.htm, Emphasis Mine)
As a result of this “great war,” according to the Book of Revelation, “The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place…” The “sky” or “heaven” mentioned by the Book of Revelation refers to the “heavens of men” (Lev. 26:19 NKJV) and the “glory of the kings” (Is. 14:18 NKJV). The “mountains that were removed” refers to “kings” (Rev. 17:9-10 NKJV).
The prophecy indeed came to pass. The emperor of Russia, Austria and Germany were dethroned, and also the kings of Greece and Bulgaria, because of the First World War. Also, the government of these nations was changed:
“Momentous changes in governments were brought about by the war. Three great empires, Russia, Austria, and Germany, ceased to exist as empires, and two of them, Russia and Austria, were literally torn to pieces. The emperors of all three lost their thrones, as did also the kings of Greece and of Bulgaria.”
(Reference: Modern Times And The Living Past By Henry W. Elson, A.M., Litt.D. p. 687, Emphasis Mine)
The “islands” that were “removed from its place” were the “colonies.” The colonies of Germany in the Pacific were taken over by Britain, France, Japan, and other Allied nations after the Great War:
“All Germany’s overseas colonies in China, in the Pacific, and in Africa were taken over by Britain, France, Japan, and other Allied nations.”
(Reference: Britannica: Treaty of Versailles: https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Versailles-1919, Emphasis Mine)
Thus, the “great war” referred to by the biblical prophecies is the “Great War of 1914-1918,” also known as the First World War (WWI).
THE FOUR ANGELS HOLDING BACK THE WIND
Take note that the Book of Revelation also prophesied that after the “great day of the wrath,” the “four angels” are seen holding back the “four winds of the earth.”
“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.”
(Reference: Revelation 7:1 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
Before we continue lets us first clarify the meaning of the word “Angel.” The word “angel” does not only refer to spiritual beings but also to human beings sent by God. The word “angel” itself comes from the Greek word “aggelos. This Greek word translated by many English versions of the Bible as “angel” does not mean “a heavenly being” or “a spiritual being.” According to the Greek Dictionary the term “ἄγγελος” (aggelos) literally means “one sent” or “a messenger.”
There are others who do not accept that a human can be called an “angel.” They insist that when referring to the Book of Revelation, when the word “angel” is employed, it only refers to “heavenly beings.” Again, this belief is also based only on their own false understanding and not on biblical facts. The Book of Revelation used the word “angel” about 83 times to refer to both heavenly and human beings as messengers and pastors:
“Agg’-el-os: …a messenger; … by implication, a pastor: – angel, messenger.”
(Reference: King James Bible Strong’s Greek Dictionary by James Strong, p. 114, Emphasis Mine)
According to Apostle Peter, the kings, governors or leaders of nations are also His messengers and are “sent by Him”:
“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.”
(Reference: I Peter 2:13-14 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
“What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? …”
(Reference: Isa. 14:32 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
Governments, leaders, or rulers of nations are also called by the Bible as “ministers of God.” They are sent neither to preach the gospel nor to establish a nation of God but to serve God’s purpose similar to that which was fulfilled by leaders of ancient nations who, whether they acknowledged Him or not, were sent by God and called by Him as His servants:
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”
(Reference: Rom. 13:3-4, NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
“The government is God’s servant working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid. The government has the right to carry out the death sentence. It is God’s servant, an avenger to execute God’s anger on anyone who does what is wrong.”
(Reference: Rom. 13:4 GOD’S WORD® Translation, Emphasis Mine)
With the clarification of the word “angel,” let us now focus on Revelations 7:1 which prophesied that after the “great day of the wrath,” the “four angels” are seen holding back the “four winds of the earth.” Let us read once again:
“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.” (Revelation 7:1 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
Or from the Literal Standard Version:
“And after these things I saw four messengers, standing on the four corners of the earth, …”
(Reference: Emphasis Mine)
The “wind” mentioned here in the Book of Revelation refers to a “war”:
“At that time it will be said To this people and to Jerusalem, ‘A dry wind of the desolate heights blows in the wilderness Toward the daughter of My people— Not to fan or to cleanse— A wind too strong for these will come for Me; Now I will also speak judgment against them.” “Behold, he shall come up like clouds, And his chariots like a whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are plundered!”
“O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart! My heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, Because you have heard, O my soul, The sound of the trumpet, The alarm of war.”
(Reference: Jeremiah 4:11-13, 19 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
The Book of Jeremiah mentioned a “war” likened to a “wind.” Wind, as mentioned in the verse came “not to fan or to cleanse” as the literal wind does, but it came up with “chariots like a whirlwind” and “horses [that] are swifter than eagles.” The use of these instruments or weapons of war, as described, is heralded by “the sound of a trumpet” (“air raid sirens” that were used to warn civilians to take cover during the Great War), which was prophesied to cause pain in people’s hearts. This is a war unlike any seen or occurred in the past. Let us cite this historical event once more:
“The First World War was unlike any war in the past. … This was the first war, ‘in three dimensions,’ the first war in which cities were bombed from the air and winged warriors fought among the clouds. Of course the airplanes of 1914 were not so fast, so formidable, nor so numerous as those of today. They were really more important as scouts (a kind of ‘aerial cavalry’), photographing enemy movements from above.”
(Reference: World History, Vol. 2, pp. 478–479, Emphasis Mine)
Thus, “horses swifter than eagles” were the planes or wing warriors that were first used as war machines during the First World War, used as “a kind of aerial cavalry,” “which cities were bombed from the air.” Then “chariots like a whirlwind” were the Battle tanks, first used in this Great War which carried such destructive force that is likened to a whirlwind that turns 360 degrees and travels on rough ground like a battle chariot and built like a tractor:
“…British had invented the tank, or land battleship – an armored automobile which could move on rough ground because it was built like a tractor.”
(Reference: World History, Vol. 2, p. 479)
Thus, indeed, the First World War was unlike any war in the past. This war was prophesied by Christ to occur when the end of the world is near or “at the doors” (Mat. 24:33 NKJV), marking the commencing (time element)―“end(s) of the earth” (Isa.43:6), and the “beginning of sorrows” (Mat. 24:8 NKJV). A war that will be rumored throughout the world―“you will hear of wars and rumors of wars” (Mat. 24:6 NKJV). World War I was the first war to use modern technology such as the telegraphic line, as a form of communication by using “mores code.” During World War I, wireless radiotelegraph and radiotelephone communication was also employed extensively by the navies of the world and had a major influence on the character of naval warfare. High-powered shore and ship stations made wireless communication over long distances possible:
“Wireless telegraphy became an integral part of warfare on the ground, in the air, and at sea by 1918. Wireless helped to make the war global. …”
(Reference: International Encyclopedia Of The First World War: Wireless Telegraphy By Heidi J.S. Tworek. [https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/wireless-telegraphy] Emphasis Mine)
Hence, “rumors of wars” (Mat. 24:6 NKJV).
This three-dimensional war is a clear manifestation foretold by biblical prophecy that “knowledge shall increase,” and people will travel “to and fro”:
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
(Reference: Daniel 12:24 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
Earlier, we established that the “wind” mentioned in Revelation 7:1 refers to a “war.” This wind or war is what the four angels or messengers, as mentioned in the prophecy, must stop or hold back. No man can stop the blowing of the natural wind. However, the war referred to by “wind” can be stopped, and such is the work of the prophesied four angels or messengers that are seen “holding the four winds of the earth.”
Does this mean that the Book of Revelation is referring to “four wars?” Revelation 7:1 is not referring to “four wars” although it mentions “four winds,” the verse also mentioned the following:
“…HOLDING the FOUR WINDS of the earth, that the WIND should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.” This is a wind that is being held back.
In the Book of Revelation, it is noted that the passage emphasizes “that the WIND should not blow on the earth,” although it mentions “four winds of the earth.” The verse itself explained why it mentioned “four winds of the earth.” Let us again cite Revelation 7:1, but this time from the Bible Basic English translation:
“After this I saw four angels in their places at the FOUR POINTS of the earth, KEEPING BACK THE FOUR WINDS IN THEIR HANDS, so that there might be no moving of the wind on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree.”
(Reference: Rev 7:1 Bible Basic English, Emphasis Mine)
Four angels or messengers standing at the four corners or points of the earth “holding back the four winds in their hands.” Truly, the Bible is referring to the “wind at four corners of the earth.” The “four corners of the earth” refers to the “four directions of the earth”:
“To the four winds they were opening these gates, to the East and to the West and to the North and the South.”
(Reference: Chronicles 9:24 Peshitta Holy Bible Translated, Emphasis Mine)
Thus, “the wind at the four corners of the earth” refers to the war at the four corners of the earth a ― GLOBAL WAR.
Thus, the “four angels standing at the four corners of the earth” are four leaders of a nation representing the world, holding back the “wind at the four corners of the earth” or the World War. Revelation mentioned that the “four angels” were seen “after these things “ (after the “day of the great wrath” mentioned in Revelation 6:14-17). Thus, the Bible prophesied that the “four-nation leaders” would hold back the Great War. The following is the fulfillment of this prophecy:
“The BIG FOUR”
“Orlando of Italy, Lloyd George of Great Britain, Clemenceau of France, and Wilson of America who were called the Big Four when they met in Paris to confer concerning the Treaty of Versailles.” (World History, Vol. 2, pp. 478-479, 494, Emphasis Mine)
David Lloyd George, Prime Minister of Great Britain; Vittorio Emanuele Orlando, Prime Minister of Italy; Georges Clemenceau, Prime Minister of France; and President Woodrow Wilson of the United States.
The four greatest political leaders in the world at the time met in Paris in 1919 to negotiate the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the Global War and fulfilled the biblical prophecy.
AT THE END OF THE SIXTH SEAL
Revelation 7:2-3 explicitly mentions that during the time when the “four angels” or messengers were holding back the “wind of the four corners of the earth,” the “other angel” or “messenger” was seen “ascending from the east” or “from the rising of the sun“:
“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
(Reference: Rev. 7:1-3 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
OR from the Literal Standard Version:
“And after these things I saw four messengers, standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind may not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree; and I saw another messenger going up from the rising of the sun, having a seal of the living God, …”
(Reference: Emphasis Mine)
The “other angel” or “messenger” ascending from the east was contemporary of the “four angels.” These make us more certain that Revelation 7:2-3 was not referring to the Lord Jesus Christ, nor other messengers of God from the past.
But, the prophecy also explicitly said that the “another angel ascending from the east…And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels.” This messenger is no other than the late Bro. Felix Y. Manalo. Because of this statement, “cried with a loud voice to the four angels” of the biblical prophecy, others immediately dismiss Brother Felix Y. Manalo as the fulfillment of Revelation 7:2-3 because he did not have any communication with the “Big Four.”
To understand what the biblical prophecy meant when it said that the other angel “cried with a loud voice to the four angels,” let us refer to the preaching of John the Baptist. The preaching of John the Baptist was depicted in the prophecy of Isaiah as a “cry in the wilderness.” He said, “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Make straight the way of the LORD,'” (cf. Jn. 1:23, NKJV). Why is John’s preaching depicted as a “cry in the wilderness”? Below is the account of the evangelist Luke:
“And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.
“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’. For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.”
(Reference: Lk. 3:3-4, 8 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
John’s preaching was contrary to what the people believed during his time. Hence, his preaching was likened to a “CRY in the wilderness” – a lone and righteous voice among the multitudes of his time.
In like manner, the function of the angel ascending from the east having the seal of the living God was to seal the servants of God on their foreheads for their salvation, which signifies the stark contrast between his work which is evangelization and salvation whereas the work of the “four angels” (Big Four) which was purely secular and had something to do with destruction through war.
Hence, the biblical prophecy mentioned that the other angel “…cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads” only shows that the work of the “other angel” was contrary to work of the “four angels.”
The “four angels” were granted the power “to harm the earth and the sea” or they had the authority either to continue the war or to stop it. Such really was the case as recorded in history:
“Early in May, 1919, the representatives of Germany were invited to the Peace Conference and asked to sign the treaty which was handed to them. They objected to the hard but just conditions which the treaty imposed upon their country and spent several weeks in pleading for easier terms. Some minor changes were made in the treaty, and on June 16th the final conditions were presented to the Germans, who were told that if they did not accept them the Allies would resume operations against their country. When faced with this possibility, Germany gave way and agreed to accept the terms of the Allies.”
(Reference : Glories and Virtues of Mary, p. 43)
History affirms that it was within the power of the “Big Four” to resume military operations against Germany. Had the Germans refused to accept the provisions of the treaty, the Allied powers would have certainly resumed operations against them. Hence, the cry: “Do not harm the earth and the sea.”
In contrast, the work of the “other angel” is to seal the servants of God. The sealing function is the preaching of the gospel of truth of salvation, and those having received the gospel and believed were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. For sake of clarity let us turn to Ephesians 1:13-14:
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.” (Eph. 1:13-14, NIV, Emphasis Mine)
The Holy Spirit is the “seal” and the act of “sealing” is the preaching of the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation, unto those who believe. This sealing function is done by God’s messenger (cf. Rom. 10:14-15). “Sealing” or preaching the Gospel is a work leading to salvation, unlike the work of the “four angels” or the “Big Four” who were granted the power “to harm the earth and the sea.”
The Bible also explicitly mentioned that the “other angel” is “ASCENDING from the East” when the “four angels” was seen holding back the “four winds of the earth.” So, during the time when the Big Four met in Paris in 1919, the work of the “other angel” was already seen “ascending” as a grand evangelist from the Far East accompanied by his workers or minister under his commission. Hence, “till WE have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” The prophecy indeed came to pass and was fulfilled in God’s last messenger, the late Bro. Felix Y. Manalo.
In the year 1919 (five years after the Church was registered with the Philippine government on July 27, 1914, concurrent with the outbreak of World War I), there were already 21 local congregations of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) throughout the City of Manila and the provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Pampanga. The young Church was already spreading throughout Luzon (Northern Philippines) rapidly growing and attracting attention. Presently, in 2024, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) has an international membership comprising 151 racial and ethnic backgrounds. It maintains nearly 7,000 congregations and missions grouped into more than 178 ecclesiastical districts in 165 countries and territories on six of the world’s inhabited continents.
THE SEVENTH SEAL
“When the Lamb broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” (Revelation 8:1 GNT, Emphasis Mine)
At the end of the “sixth seal” when the “seventh seal” was opened, there was “silence in heaven for about half an hour.” As already mentioned, the “heaven” refers to “heavens of men” (Lev. 26:19 NKJV). Also take note that “one day to God is one thousand years to man.”:
“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
(Reference: II Peter 3:8 NKJV, Emphasis Mine)
One day to God is one thousand years to man. One day for man is 24 hours. Dividing one thousand years by 24 hours is: “41 Years and 8 Months”
1000yrs ÷ 24Hrs = 41.66
(One Year is 365 Days)
365 X .66 = 240.9
Day 240 or 241 = August the 8th Month
Thus = 41 Years and 8 Months
Half of 40 Years = 20 Years
Half of 1 Year = 6 Months
Half of 8 Months = 4 Months
Total: 20 Years and 10 Months
1000 ÷ 24 =
41 Years 8 Months
Half Hour =
20 years 10 months
The First World War ended on November 11, 1918 .The Second World War commenced on September 1, 1939, that would mean the outbreak of WWII commenced after:
20 Years
9 Months
20 Days
By computing the above with God’s time and man’s time, it falls 10 Days short of a “HALF AN HOUR.” Hence, “there was silence in heaven for about HALF AN HOUR.”
Many critics of the Church of Christ argue that the interpretation and calculation of the church concerning Revelation 8:1 is inaccurate. They question whether this prophecy truly refers to the starting and ending of both World Wars, given that the Great War ended on June 28, 1919, when the treaty was signed in Versailles by the “Big Four.” They ask, why then, is the calculation based on November 11, 1918?
What our critics have failed to realize or are unaware of is that World War One, also known as “The Great War” at the time, officially did ended on June 28, 1919, when the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles in France. However, fighting on land, at sea, and in the air between the Entente and Germany ended seven months earlier, on November 11, 1918, when the Armistice of Compiègne was signed. The Armistice came into effect at 11 AM Central European Time, marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, and is celebrated as Armistice Day or Veterans Day. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
IN CONCLUSION
1
The topic of the Seven Seals is extensive and detailed. A more comprehensive version may be forthcoming in the future of the first 5 seals, pending the sourcing of information from the Church Administration and “God Message” archives.
2
WE KINDLY EXTEND our visitors an invitation to explore the pristine, unadulterated teachings of Christ and His apostles as they were taught in the first-century Church Of Christ.
The Apostasy
AFTER THE DEATH of Jesus Christ and His Apostles, the Apostasy took place. Christians were hunted down, persecuted, and killed, causing the church to drift from the original teachings of Christ and His Apostles. False teachings emerged, leading to the contamination of the pure doctrine. With the Apostles no longer around to defend the truth, the Church Of Christ evolved into a different organization ( the Catholic Church), adopting many pagan rituals and deviating from the pristine gospel established by Christ. This era is known as the “Great Apostasy.”
Reach Out
If you wish to acquire a deeper understanding of our Church Doctrines and have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would be delighted to direct you to one of our local resident ministers in your vicinity. Kindly include any queries you may have so that we may forward your inquiry in advance. Thank you.
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“Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].”
(Eph. 4:29, Amplified Bible)
“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.”
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5, Amplified Bible)