Seventh Seal is Opened

Revelation 7:1-5

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.  And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,  and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.  Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

John’s vision entails the final seal of God’s scroll being opened, and the completeness of the apocryphal plan is revealed.  Recall that with each seal, an additional part of the scroll was revealed as a part of God’s plan for the end days.  The significance of silence in heaven for 30 minutes is a matter of fear, respect, honor, and awe of God’s majesty.  Following the great multitude and angels bowing low and worshipping God in Chapter 7, this silence is in preparation for what is now to come.  

There are seven angels standing before the throne, which means all others are kneeling or bowing in reverence still.  These angels are given seven trumpets.   Again, seven is a significant number in the bible.  A number of completeness, of finality, and closure.  We will read that each of these seven trumpets will unleash wrath in the skies and elements upon the earth. This is all in part due to the great tribulation for those who remain.

John sees an additional angel approaching the throne of God.  Upon the golden altar before the throne, this angel burns incense with prayers for the saints who had gone before.  These prayers of the saints are also referenced in Revelation 5:8 as the prayers for justice for the martyrs.  God will be just in His timing.  Once again, these prayers are lifted before God as a cry from the saints for justice.  

The angel then takes the fire from the altar and throws it down upon the earth.  This act from God is one of cleansing and refining.  God is the all-consuming fire of redemption, and by throwing the fire down to the Earth, He has begun his refining process of purification and righteousness.  The Earth is impacted by earthquakes, lightning, and rumblings from within.  Recognition that God is in control of all things and all elements upon and in the earth.  

God is above all things and over all things.  The earth is but a part of His domain.  We talk of global warming, of mankind destroying the Earth.  These are nothing more than scare tactics played out in politics by individuals using them to prosper themselves and those they are controlled by.  God created the Earth, and all that is within; He alone will determine when it is complete.  Over the next few days, we will read on in Chapters 8 and 9 about the Seven Trumpets, and then the Seven Bowls of judgment.  God has revealed His end plan for the Earth.  It has nothing to do with melting ice caps and greenhouse gases.  Believe me, His plan is much worse than anything man could comprehend.  Put your faith and hope in His plan, for He wrote the ending.  In His time and only in His time will the Earth come to an end. Until then, be faithful and strong in spreading His love and message to everyone you meet.  That is why we are here, and that is why He is being patient with us.