THE SIXTH SEAL continued

Revelation Chapter 6

VERSE 14 “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.”

THEN THE SKY RECEDED AS A SCROLL WHEN IT IS ROLLED UP:  HEAVEN WAS SPLIT (DEPARTED).

Translators seem to disagree on the meaning of the word. Strong’s seems to define it as a splitting rather than a departure. NAS translates it SPLIT. Split seems preferable when we look at history, but either can be explained.

(Again, it is important to note that a similar event is forecast for the Laodicean period by Isaiah 34. That will be more major in scope as it will involve 9/10ths of the city. This event in Chapter 6 only involves France.)

Prior to the Revolution, France had but ONE heaven — The Roman one. Then it had NONE because religion was outlawed early in the Revolution.

But when religion was again legislated, it allowed, encouraged, and protected Protestantism along with Catholicism. Thus, the heaven (the ecclesiastical heaven) was SPLIT into two factions which, by law, WERE REQUIRED to respect and tolerate each other – a scroll rolling together.

(An interesting comparison can here be noted. When the Seals are introduced in Chapter 5, we find that the intent is to have the Lamb gradually OPEN the scroll by removing a seal at a time. Thus, GOD’S PLANS AND PURPOSES have been gradually unfolding all during the age.

Satan, however, has meddled in the affairs of the Church and has developed his own (apostate) heavens. Unlike God’s scroll which will open to completion, Satan’s rolls together before it is prophetically departed. This contrast seems no accident.

AND EVERY MOUNTAIN AND ISLAND WAS MOVED OUT OF ITS PLACE:

Mountains are kingdoms; islands are more democratic nations. Note, they are NOT RE-moved, just moved. The French Revolution spread concern all over Europe. Napoleon’s advances frightened the monarchies which feared the spread of French republicanism and the breakdown of society which France had experienced. All kinds of measures were subsequently taken to prevent such a spread of revolution. Perhaps the most visible result was the so-called Holy Alliance of 1846. Nothing would ever be the same again in Europe.

VERSE 15-17 “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?”

Not only were nations moved by the experiences, but individuals from all segments of society were also— kings to slaves! It was not only the aristocracy which suffered in France, but the common people also. Thus Verse 15 shows them all doing things to insure a better future.

Some fled France to other “mountains.” Some “hid” themselves in protective strongholds. The French Revolution began a rush to insulate with nationalism, fraternities, alliances, institutions, societies, treaties, trusts, guilds, etc. During this period of the Revolution, END OF THE WORLD prophesying and theorizing became popular. It gained support from the Scriptures when the Adventist movement grew.

The Reign of Terror terrorized well beyond France. Historians confirm that fears of Armageddon gripped many. Even unbelievers began to think that some sort of retribution was being meted out. Thus, in Verses 16 and 17, when many are seeking hiding places in kingdoms and institutions, they claim fear of the “day of wrath.”

This shows us THEIR FRAME OF MIND. It does not tell us that this is the time for the Great Time of Trouble. It IS, however, a 1/10th picture of what is yet to come.

Continued with next post.