There is one book that has occupied the minds of men more than any other for the last two thousand years- Revelation. The finale of the Holy Bible that tells how the world will end.
There are many curiosities in this book that are merely referenced by authors like Daniel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Details that make many scratch their heads and wonder how such things could be possible.
If anyone says they understand everything in the Bible, they are lying. Even those who penned the words were stumped by their meaning.
One such passage is found in Revelation 5:1- And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Who wrote the book and when was it written? Who sealed the book and why did they seal it?
I can tell you that I've searched the scriptures and have only a slight understanding as to the answer.
Hebrews 5:9- And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Hebrews 12:2- Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
I believe the author of the book is the Lord Jesus Christ. He it is that is the Word of God in John 1. He is not only the author of eternal salvation, but is also the finisher of our faith in that salvation.
So, if Christ is the author of this book, then when did He write it?
Ephesians 1:4- According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
1 Peter 1:18-21- Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
John 17:24- Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
If you look at what the Bible says took place before the words "Let there be..." were ever spoken, you'll understand that a plan was made before the earth was formed. God had decided what the ending would be in the event of every possible outcome of humanity.
It was before time that the Word of God wrote this book.
So, then the question remains, who sealed it? And why?
Again, searching through Scripture I could find what I believe may be the answer to these questions.
Isaiah 8:13-16- Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
One of the seals was placed there at God's command by Isaiah. It would seal the law so that those who would use it to for wickedness could not. God goes on to tell Isaiah that there would be those who would seek out devils while trying to pass it off as God's Word.
That's why there's a sealing of the law.
Daniel 9:24- Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Daneil 12:4- But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Another seal was placed there at God's command by Daniel. It would seal the vision and prophecy of the future of Israel. Mankind would go all over the globe and their knowledge of almost every subject imaginable would increase. But the understanding of the end times prophecies would be sealed until God says it's time for mankind to know them.
Daniel 12:9- And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
The words are sealed until God is ready for them to be let loose, and I believe that is why the seal in Revelation 10 was placed.
Revelation 10:4- And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
Whatever these thunders say, it is not for men to know until it happens.
The other sealed things in the Bible don't make much sense to me, but I will list out what I have found. Perhaps it is not for me, the post writer, but for you, the reader, to comprehend fully.
2 Timothy 2:19- Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
The rest of the seals seem to be on people, and not words or knowledge. The seal of the Lord knowing them that are His is mentioned in 2 Timothy. And there are a few types of seals, or people sealed, that are specifically mentioned in the Bible.
Christians, those who have believed the gospel of Christ as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, are sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13- In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30- And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
This seal is placed on believers in the church age. A dispensation of time after the resurrection of Christ and the calling away of Christians before the Tribulation. The unique seal keeps their souls from being polluted with the sins of the flesh during their life here on earth. Any and all who put their trust in Christ as the only way to heaven by believing the gospel receive this seal.
Paul said that he had the seal of an apostle.
1 Corinthians 9:1-2- Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
An apostle of the Lord had to walk with Christ during His earthly ministry and be present at the ascension of His glorified body into heaven.
Paul had not been a disciple of Christ while on earth. He was against the Christian movement and even persecuted the Church of Christ! But, God mad an exception for him and an example out of him.
Galatians 1:1- Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
I Corinthians 15:8-10- And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
God showed Paul what he needed to see and then called him out to be an apostle. Because of Paul's past in persecuting the church, he went above and beyond what all the rest of the apostles did. He not only preached to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles, opening the door of salvation to mankind worldwide!
I Timothy 2:7- Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
It is possible that this is one of the seals that is on the book.
Another seal, somewhat similar to the Christian's seal is that of the Tribulation saints.
Revelation 7:2-4- And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
The seal of the Tribulation saints is a very limited one. Only 144,00 Jewish male virgins will receive this seal. They are known as the elect of God (Romans 11:28) who will preach during the Tribulation.
The final seal that I find is the one that holds the devil in the bottomless pit for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:1-3- And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Almost before the end of the world, a time of great peace happens. This golden age is where Christ Himself reigns on the earth for a thousand years. We call it the Millenium. It's going to be a paradise after the Tribulation period!
The seal is only there for a thousand years, and then Satan is once again loosed to prey upon humanity. You would think after having Christ around for that long there would be no one who would fall for the devil's deception. But, alas, the only thing we learn from history is that mankind never learns from his past.
Are these the seals of the book? I can't answer that. What I can tell you is that those seals will soon be completely broken and poured out onto humanity.
Revelation 5:2- And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
Only the author of the book and the signature of the seals can be the one to break them.
Revelation 5:5-7,9- And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
The seven seals won't stay bound forever. The time is swiftly drawing nigh. Christ even has John end the book of Revelation with this:
Revelation 22:10- And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
