Revelation: Interpreting the Seven Seals

Revelation: Justification by Faith

Interpreting the Seven Seals

After this blog, we will look at the seven seals one by one. Then Jesus will actually open the book, and things will happen around it.
But to interpret this correctly, we need a clear perspective on Revelation 4 and 5.
The seven churches started with the seven lampstands and the seven seals with the kingdom of God.
In Revelation 4 and 5, the throne of the temple is described, and the moment when Jesus deserves all the honor and authority, which must become relevant at the second coming.
This Kingdom of God, until that great day of vengeance and wrath, will be spiritual here on earth.
Jesus Himself said:

Luke 17:20
And when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation.
21 Nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

At the same time, the second coming will be very visible:

Luke 17:23
And they will say to you, 'Look here!' or 'Look there!' Do not go after them or follow them.
24 For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day.

But before this second coming, it will not be like a flash of lightning. It is not observable or with outward display. It is not a kingdom here on earth with a mighty center like Jerusalem or Rome.
Rather, it is a spiritual kingdom that fights with spiritual weapons:

2 Corinthians 10:3
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

When we see the seals being opened, we must also see it in this context. They are spiritual weapons against a spiritual kingdom of Satan.
Satan has his kingdom of darkness and sin that dwells within man, but God has a kingdom of His Son that also wants to conquer territory in a spiritual way.
This is how God fights.
For the historical interpretation later, we must also know at which time we should begin. When is the first seal?
To know this, we must know when Jesus received all authority and honor again.
The New Testament seems to indicate that this was at His ascension.
Jesus speaks just before His death as if it would soon happen:

John 17:1
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.
5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."

The idea that He sits at the right hand of God is also inseparably connected to His authority:

Acts 2:32
This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore, being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand,
35 till I make Your enemies Your footstool."'

Although all things are not yet subject to Him in actuality, He is already crowned with glory and honor with a Name above every name:

Hebrews 2:5
For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.
6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him?
7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands;
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him,
9 but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Acts 5 provides the decisive moment:

Acts 5:31
Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

He became a Prince and Savior at His ascension, although all of this still needs to be fulfilled in its fullness.
This ascension was around the year 30, and from this time we must historically interpret the seals.
We are now prepared to handle the seven seals with the correct perspective. Each of these seals will tell us something about the kingdom of God and, thereby, call us to repentance.
There is a King who wants us to surrender and no longer fight against Him in sin with Satan. The seals will verify this, and history will later give us evidence of this statement.