Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Seven Seals... Seal 6 and 7

The sixth seal is actually fairly easy to sum up. Christ is seated as King and Judge and has the authority to move heaven and earth in order to get His hands on those who have positioned themselves as His enemies. The lamb is seated at the right hand of power. This image however, is not all destructive. Though the sword of God fall on some to destroy them, at the same time it is saving and defending those who remain. Leading us to the seventh seal.

Between the sixth and seventh seal are the 144,000. Those who are identified with the twelve tribes tribes of Israel, who have not defiled themselves with women, and who follow the lamb wherever He goes (assuming this refers ultimately to martyrdom). The ultimate expression of faith, to give ones life so completely to Christ, in perfect love. The number and the identifications with the twelve tribes are likely symbolic of perfection. Meaning that these chosen of the Lord are perfect before Christ, reminiscent of the command to 'be perfect, even as I am perfect.' And it is no coincidence that they appear here, between the seals.

Seal seven is the greatest of all the seals, the final seal, rest! There is actually a lot that could be written about this seal but I am going to be very very brief. It parallels with the seventh day of creation, God's rest, silence signifying a cessation of decrees coming from the throne, a completion of all the work that was required. It is finished. Christ is identified here as the perfect rest of God, He has provided. The sabbath was always a symbol of God's provision and man's faith in that provision. It is a time of absolute trust, where nothing is left to be done and man finds his purpose, his safety, and his provision fulfilled in all that God has given. Christ is that sabbath rest, and only those who live by faith will be able to enjoy its abundant springs of life.

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