Introduction to the Seven Seals

“Chapter 4 of Revelation is considered by most bible students to represent a view of the heavenly Father on a throne, with the scene in heaven consisting of various heavenly beings and articles. It’s interesting that the first view of God starts at the throne, which is in the most holy. In other words we are getting a description of this scene from God’s perspective or viewpoint. As the vision progresses, we will see the living creatures and the 24 elders, who are further out from the throne. The last thing that we will see in the book of Revelation is the temple that God will dwell in when his kingdom comes to earth.” (Revelation Notes: Southern Wisconsin)

(Preface to Revelation Chapters 4 and 5)

“The introduction to the Seven Seals is far larger than those to the Seven Churches or Seven Trumpets because this introduction serves to make an all-important connection between Father and Son and between Old Testament and New Testament times. Thus these two chapters provide both a general explanation of what the Seals are, and why it is the Lamb who is opening them.

THE THRONE SCENE

Chapter 4 stresses the dominance of the Father in the plan —something which the Introduction to the Churches (Chapter 1) did not do. Chapter four, in essence, shows us conditions at the opening of the Gospel age in terms of Him Who had pre-plan the age. It (and part of Chapter 5) gives us a list of the forces which serve God AND which will be active entities in the unfolding of the age (viz. God, the 24 Elders, the 7 Spirits, the Sea of Glass, the 4 Living Ones, and, finally, the Sealed Scroll —the outline for the age.) Compare Rev 1:1. Most of these symbols have not heretofore been mentioned in Revelation. Their presence is needed, however, in the ensuing unfolding of prophecy.

THE LAMB

Chapter 5 introduces him who is “worthy” to open the book and to reveal its meanings: The Lion-Lamb. The chapter ends with a rapturous ahead-of-time look at the glory and glorious results which follow the opening of all the Seals. Once this introduction is complete, the details of the opening of each Seal (Chapters 6-8) begin.

THE ANCHORS OF NEW TESTAMENT PROPHECY

It is an important and interesting fact to keep in mind that Revelation is, in a large sense, the only prophetic book of the New Testament. While the Old Testament abounds with prophetic books, the New Testament is primarily history (Gospels and Acts) and admonitions (epistles). True these books CONTAIN prophecy, but they are not primarily prophetic books.

Hebrews is unique as an explanatory treatise to let us know the import of tabernacle types. Revelation, however, stands alone as the prophecy book of the New Testament. The forth chapter stands mightily as a reminder of the God which the Old Testament elucidates. He is not to be minimized or forgotten. This chapter makes a point of that. Chapter 5 explains the shift of emphasis to the Son.” (New Albany Notes on Revelation)

We will begin our look at the Introduction of the Seven Seals shortly.