Day 144

“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” Rev 8:1 NASB.

This is probably the best place to review Revelation 4-7 and think briefly about the implications of the big picture. (I’m a big picture person.) 

Chapter 4- This is a general description of the heavenly throne room with no particular point in time being expressed. 

Chapter 5- The scene moves to a decisive event. A crisis is averted in heaven when the Lamb that was slain proves worthy to take the scroll and break its seals. The ascending crescendo of worship in this chapter was amazing! 

Chapter 6- Seven further events, each tied to the breaking of one of the seven seals closes with the climax of earth’s history in the sixth and seventh seals. 

Chapter 7- Here we see two visionary groups that represent the answer to the question of Rev 6:17: “Who is able to stand?” 

The best interpretation of these chapters is found in Rev 3:21. It contains the essence of Revelation 4-7 in advance. Rev 3:21 mentions the Father’s throne (Rev 4:1-11), Jesus joining His Father on His throne (Rev 5:1-14), and His people joining Jesus on the throne (Rev 7:15-17). This incredible promise is given to all who “overcome.” That is what Revelation 6 is all about. It is about the struggle of God’s people to overcome from the cross until the Second Coming. 

Sitting with Jesus on His throne implies power, but there is something even more exciting in this image. It is about squeezing together on a throne! (Never forget the conceptual, metaphoric, symbolic nature of much of the language we find in this book.) 

I see something like that in the image of Revelation 3:21. Jesus not only offers us a place of importance and purpose, but He also offers a relationship that is really close and will never end. The greatest Person in the universe wants to spend really intimate time with me at His place. That makes me want to “overcome” more than anything! That is motivation enough for a lifetime. C.F. Psalm 23:5-6.