Introduction
Rev 6-16
As we continue the study on the Sevens in Revelation, we come to the second ‘sevens’ which we have titled ‘Seven miseries’. It is so titled not because there are seven miseries in the book of revelation but because the second category of sevens are related to the miseries as follows: Seals, Vials, Angels, Last plagues, Trumpets, Thousand men, Thunders- all seven each. As with the first sevens with the central issue relating to the church or churches, this second category will be discussed under three main events:
- The Seven Seals
- The Seven Vials
- The Seven Trumpets
One major question on the minds of many will be, “Will Christians be around when these things are happening?” Jesus clearly warned us about fixing times regarding end-time events, He said, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power” Acts 1:7. But He also counselled about discerning the signs of the end-time, He said, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors Mat 24:32-33. What God gives are signs, to warn the careless and unserious; to focus and encourage the faithful; to make ready a people fit for the Groom, even our LORD Jesus Christ at His return. If the prophesied signs are similar to our circumstances, what shall we do? Shall we not be further convinced of the truth of Scriptures? Shall we not awake from our slumber? Shall we not gird our loins, ready to go out and meet the LORD?
I would take the pain, if it is painful at all, to write these words of Paul out for our instruction and encouragement. Speaking concerning the day of the LORD, he said,
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thess 5:4-11
How could a Christian miss the day of the LORD? If he or she ignores the most vital thing- his or her relationship with the LORD. If he no longer takes seriously his communion with the Holy Spirit, in His Word and by obedience through faith that is revealed by love, darkness would have come upon him and sleep is inevitable. In that state of sleep, the second reason he would miss the day of the LORD is set. He will not see the signs the LORD has set like sign posts in the last days. When someone is travelling on a long journey and he falls asleep, can he see the sign posts on the way? I remember one such journey to an unknown field. I had been warned clearly to watch out for a sign post at a junction that divides a major road into two. Somehow I could not control myself from falling asleep on that journey. Suddenly, after hours of travelling, waking and falling asleep, I saw the sign post at the junction that divides the major road into two. Sleep immediately cleared off my eyes and from that point, I was watchful. I am not saying a Christian should be wayward or careless until he sees the signs, I am saying that the signs of the end times are important to keep us from being unserious with the things of the LORD and His return.
It is these sign posts we want to consider in the next studies. May the LORD open our eyes and His mercy be granted us again to understand His truth that we may be correctly aligned to His ways. Amen