Introduction to Seals.

1. Introduction to Seals. • Summary. • Process of Interpretation.

2. SummaryBook of Daniel. • Daniel 2 - image of four world empires following each other until the fifth the Kingdom of God – which will not end. • Daniel 7 - little horn to arise from fourth beast to make war against believers – continues until Christ comes.

3. SummaryGeneral Book of Revelation. • Personal message from the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven to servants. • Centres on Jesus Second coming and Throne of authority in Jerusalem for 1000 years. • Contains blessings and warnings for those who seek to understand it and keep its sayings.

4. SummaryRevelation Chap 1. • Rev. Chapter 1 - Opening vision - future glory of Jesus and believers - multitudinous Christ man. • NT writers warn of Apostacy - false doctrines to supercede Truth of Gospel.

5. SummaryLetters to Ecclesias Rev. 2 & 3. • Personal letters from Jesus to seven typical ecclesias – encouragement, reproof and promises for those who overcome world around them. • Decline in state of ecclesias as Jesus pronounces foreshadows decline of Truth into Apostacy in ages to come.

6. Summary Vision Rev. Chap. 4 • Glorious vision of future throne of Kingdom of God occupied by Christ surrounded by redeemed saints portrayed using symbols - originally used of Israel - four living creatures and twenty four elders, ruling nations then at peace.

7. Summary Unsealing the Scroll. • Daniel unable to know of content of sealed scroll – Jesus as victorious Lamb, now worthy person - unseals that same scroll – is in control of events depicted. • Chapter 5 - Highly symbolic vision follows - shows Jesus as King giving sealed scroll to Jesus as Redeemer. Saints in state of prayer and praise.

8. Summary Roman Empire – History - 1. • Rome on seven hills grew from small beginnings in 8th century BC into large powerful empire. • Passed through seven systems of government (seven heads of the beast) - City of Rome its central enduring pinacle.

9. Summary Roman Empire – History - 2. • AD 324 Constantine became first sole Christian emperor - whole pagan empire became Christianised. • Dissenters to State Catholic system persecuted, exiled or killed. • Empire became divided – Western empire ended AD 476 subsequently revived. • Pope crowned Charlemagne emperor AD 800.

10. SummarySymbols in Revelation. • Heaven frequently used in scripture and especially in Revelation as symbol of ruling earthly powers and governments – not referring to atmospheric heavens or where God dwells.

11. SummarySymbols in Revelation. • Symbols help meaning – becomes more vivid and memorable - but only symbols. • John saw drying river, three frogs,seven headed dragon - no literal river or frogs or dragon - these signs of other things. • If carefully remembered, result is enlightenment.

13. First Seal Period AD 96-183. • 6:1- 6 The Lamb breaks the first seal. • 6:1 John is summoned to “come and see” - the faithful are to have an interest in the events. • 6:2 The Lamb has the power and authority to bring to pass the events unfolding “conquering and to conquer.” • “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matt.28:18)

14. Thunder Heralds Period of Peace. • Death of Emperor Domitian ushers in period of peace for believers. • 6:2 White horse symbolises peace. • Gibbon “the most happy and prosperous time of the human race...” • Why a horse? Horse - known symbol of Roman state - dedicated to Mars, god of war. • Horse appears on coins and in Roman literature.

15. “If man were called to fix the period in the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous, he would, without hesitation, name that which elapsed from the death of Diocletion to the accession by Commodus.” Gibbon, “Decline and Fall..”

16. Medals depicting the Roman Horse sacred to Mars. Emperor Trajan going forth to war. Emperor Marcus Aurelius going forth to war.

17. Bowman - Crown But No Arrows. • During peace, believers made great impact - resulted in Pagan Rome being converted. • 6:2 Bowman wears crown of victory. • Victory by words of Gospel - not arrows. • Achieved without bloodshed. 2 Cor 10:4 and Eph 6:2 • Still occasional persecution - Pliny records.

18. Overcoming by the Gospel. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (2 Cor 10:4)

19. Faithful Overcoming. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph 6:12).

20. Pliny Younger to Emperor Trajan. • “The number of culprits (Christians) is so great as to call for serious consultation. The contagion of the superstition hath spread not only through cities but even villages and the country.” • “I have asked them in person if they are Christians, and if they admit it, I repeat the question a second and third time, with a warning of the punishment awaiting them…

21. Pliny Younger – cont’d. • …If they persist, I order them to be led away for punishment, f0or, whatever the nature of their admission, I am convinced that their stubbornness and unshakeable obstinacy ought not to go unpunished.”

22. Second Seal Period AD 183 – 211. • Death of Marcus Aurelius in AD 180 - change to time of tumult, confusion and assassination. • 6:3 Red horse symbolises bloodshed in Roman Empire. • 6:4 Rider carries assassins short sword or dagger. • AD 183 accession of Commodus – strangled after cruel reign by own servants AD 192.

24. More Assassination. • Subsequent Emperors included Pertinax - assassinated by own guards after 68 days. • Julian beheaded after 66 days. • Civil war raged until Septimus Severus came to power, consolidated position, much violence, persecuted true believers. • Severus died AD 211 ending second seal period.

25. Third Seal AD 212 – 235. • 6:5 Caracalla succeeded Severus - assassinated rivals to throne. • Distributed to soldiers treasures accumulated during Severus’ reign. • Extravagance and extortion reduced populace to poverty and oppression. • Extended citizenship to whole Empire - collected more taxes.

27. Rider and Black Horse. • Black signifies famine and distress in Empire. • 6:5 Rider on black horse carries pair of balances. • Roman coins of period display pair of balances symbolising Emperor as Administrator of Law and Justice. • When bread eaten by weight - sign of scarcity and famine - “A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny.” (6:6)

29. Extravagance and Unrest. • Wild extravagance and high taxation continued. • AD 217 Macrinus succeeded - followed by Elagabalas and Alexander Severus - some alleviation but general unrest and mutiny followed. • Discontent in army finally led to killing of Emperor.

30. Summary of Seals 1 - 3

31. Reflections and Observations. • Empire left “black” - distress and misery - land uncultivated led to further famine. • European history shows stream of confusion and bloodshed repeated age after age. • Revelation predicts particular periods highlighted by symbols and events. • Provides evidence God is in control. (Dan 4:17).

32. God In Control. 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (Dan 4)