Revelation 4-5-6
Chapter 4 The Rapture & Glimpse into Heaven
v. 1 A trumpet sounded and John was called up to Heaven so that he could view from overhead the things that were to happen on the earth. Unlike the former three chapters, the Church is never mentioned or seen again, until – - – .
v. 2 John was in the Spirit. Heaven is a Spiritual place and one can only enter “by the Spirit” (no fleshly bodies).
v. 3-11 These verses give a brief description of Heaven and the “cast of characters” found there – such as the 24 elders. There is no indication as to who these elders are but it is obvious that they hold positions of authority – seated on thrones with God.
The “four living creatures” are also a mystery but have some characteristics of the two cherubim as installed on the Ark of the Covenant (Exo. 25:18). They constantly bring forth praise and worship to the Godhead.
Notice that before God ALL creatures are overwhelmed by His presence and enter into a period of worship.
Chapter 5 The Book of Judgments and the 7 Seals
vs. 1-5 The scroll (book) contains “instructions” for the deployment of the prophetic judgments that had been planned for the end-time tribulation on the earth. The seals contain the actual curses that will be released at the appropriate time.
Consider the seals as “boxes” or containers that, when opened, will release and set into motion the effects of the enclosed contents.
Vs. 6-14 Jesus steps forward as the only one worthy who can take the scroll and place into motion the Tribulation (open the seals). Because of His sacrifice, He is the only one who can do this.
Jesus (the Lamb of God) appears as with “seven horns, seven eyes”. This relates back to Chapter 1 and the seven angels that were placed over the seven churches mentioned. In short, Jesus is representing His Church (the believers). Horns are symbolic of power and authority. Eyes signify insight, watchfulness, and comprehension.
It is exciting to see that nothing takes place in Heaven (by those in “authority”) except after a time of intense worship of God, the Father, and Jesus, the Son of God!
Chapter 6 Release of the First 6 Seals
This chapter describes in an overview (not in detail) the release of the various curses contained in the seals. Each curse will be described with much detail in a later Part, as a “flashback”.
Seal seven is held back for now because of its uttermost devastating effect upon the earth!
After opening the fifth seal (vs. 9-10), the saints who were slain during the Tribulation (and obviously had gone to Heaven) appealed to Jesus with the question “How long – - – ?” until their deaths are avenged. They were given white robes for their martyrdom and told they should wait (rest) a little longer.
This is an indication to us that a “multitude” of unsaved people who remain after the Rapture of the Church will seek and receive salvation, and will eventually be martyred (killed) for making this choice. More on that later.
Vs. 17 ”For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”. This refers to all those “left behind” on earth – the unsaved. This is also a message to us who are saved and will be in Heaven with Jesus to get our friends and family saved so as to avoid the Tribulation.
End of Part 2
