The vision of the 7 Seals reveals the future history of the Church, highlighting its oppressions, violence, and persecutions. These visions direct the attention of humans to recognize and understand the events of their time as signs of the times in the perspective of the Kingdom of God.
THE 7 SEALS
The throne of God, suspended above the waters, means the Lord's sovereignty over creation. The Divine judge, King of the universe is the Creator. The presence of the rainbow above the throne is a reminder of the love of God and His righteousness to save man and to give him hope.
This vision reveals to the prophet the future history of the church awaiting the glorious return of Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. While the vision of the seven letters denounces the infidelity and apostasy of the church, that of the seven seals, highlights its oppressions, its violence and its persecutions.
The conquests of the rider of the white horse are not associated with literal wars. The bow without arrows indicates a peaceful conquest. This is the time of the first Christians and the apostolic church of the early centuries. They do not seek earthly recognition and do not compromise with political powers.
The coming of the red horse represents a change in Christian history. We move from peace to war. It is no longer persecution time, but internal strife. History tells us that from the third century, after the edict of Constantine, the church underwent a major internal transformation.
The prophecy of the third seal looks to the time when the church is concerned about its success and political recognition. She neglects the task of spiritually feeding the people because she has lost contact with the Word of God.
We are in the epoch where the church is sowing discord, oppression and death. The history of Christianity in Western Europe is marked by waves of crusading zea and unspeakable violence against anyone deemed an adversary of the Roman Church.
From the cry of Abel who is murdered by his brother Cain, history shows to be filled by the cries of innocent victims, of religious ideologies that have ruled to the detriment of religious minorities. The God who reveals himself in the fifth seal reminds us that He is not indifferent to guilt and to responsibility...
The sixth seal announces the time of the judgment with cosmic events that mark the hour of God's intervention in the face of history. "The sun shall be darkened, the moon will lose its shine, the stars fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken. So ... men will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with great power and glory. "
The opening of the seventh seal reminds us that human history will not continue indefinitely, twisting itself in devastating painful problems. But will conclude with the intervention of God bringing everything to its perfect balance.
Continues The 7 Trumpets