Seal 6 take 3 - Rumor notes 32

Sixth Seal

I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood. The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind. The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. They told the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:12-17)

It was pointed out to me that we overlooked considerable insights that can be gained by comparing more of the OT passages related to symbols listed in this seal opening. So let's go back and review more of these signs released by the opening of this seal to find things that may be relevant to understanding more of the symbols in this book and are relevant to things which are soon to take place as Jesus said at the beginning of this book.

The sun became black...

The moon became as blood

The stars of the sky fell...

Every mountain and island were moved out of their places

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them;" Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain; (Ecclesiastes 12:1-2)

Behold, the day of Yahweh comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger; to make the land a desolation, and to destroy its sinners out of it. For the stars of the sky and its constellations will not give their light. The sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. (Isaiah 13:9-10)

From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs. Glory to the righteous! But I said, "I pine away! I pine away! woe is me!"

The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously. Fear, the pit, and the snare, are on you who inhabitant the earth. It will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the midst of the pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble. The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently. The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and it will fall and not rise again.

It shall happen in that day that Yahweh will punish the army of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth. They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison; and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders will be glory. (Isaiah 24:16-23)

For thus says Yahweh, The whole land shall be a desolation; yet will I not make a full end. For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black; because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and I have not repented, neither will I turn back from it.

Every city flees for the noise of the horsemen and archers; they go into the thickets, and climb up on the rocks: every city is forsaken, and not a man dwells therein. You, when you are made desolate, what will you do? Though you clothe yourself with scarlet, though you deck you with ornaments of gold, though you enlarge your eyes with paint, in vain do you make yourself beautiful; your lovers despise you, they seek your life. For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, the anguish as of her who brings forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, who gasps for breath, who spreads her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul faints before the murderers. (Jeremiah 4:27-31)

Thus says the Lord Yahweh: I will spread out my net on you with a company of many peoples; and they shall bring you up in my net. I will leave you on the land, I will cast you forth on the open field, and will cause all the birds of the sky to settle on you, and I will satisfy the animals of the whole earth with you. I will lay your flesh on the mountains, and fill the valleys with your height. I will also water with your blood the land in which you swim, even to the mountains; and the watercourses shall be full of you. When I shall extinguish you, I will cover the heavens, and make the stars of it dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light. All the bright lights of the sky will I make dark over you, and set darkness on your land, says the Lord Yahweh.

I will also vex the hearts of many peoples, when I shall bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries which you have not known. Yes, I will make many peoples amazed at you, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for you, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at every moment, every man for his own life, in the day of your fall. (Ezekiel 32:3-10)

This next passage is a bit lengthy but full of deep meaning and implications for us today. While it certainly applied to Israel many centuries ago, history repeats itself and God uses past situations to alert us to the pattern of how things develop and progress repeatedly. The ultimate expression of these patterns will happen when all the forces of evil and right face off in the last events of this war, which is why we should seriously think about how to interpret all these former prophecies in the corrective light of the real truth about God's character and the principles that guide His actions in relation to all His children on earth. Remember, everything must conform to the truth about God as revealed in Jesus Christ, which is what this book is all about.

Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of Yahweh comes, for it is close at hand: A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn spreading on the mountains, a great and strong people; there has never been the like, neither will there be any more after them, even to the years of many generations. A fire devours before them, and behind them, a flame burns. The land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them, a desolate wilderness. Yes, and no one has escaped them.

The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, and as horsemen, so do they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. At their presence the peoples are in anguish. All faces have grown pale.

They run like mighty men. They climb the wall like warriors. They each march in his line, and they don't swerve off course. Neither does one jostle another; they march everyone in his path, and they burst through the defenses, and don't break ranks. They rush on the city. They run on the wall. They climb up into the houses. They enter in at the windows like thieves. [How might the instruction of Jesus to not resist an evil person relate to this? We need to know how God's principles function.]

The earth quakes before them. The heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. Yahweh thunders his voice before his army; for his forces are very great; for he is strong who obeys his command; for the day of Yahweh is great and very awesome, and who can endure it? [Now we see God's answer/solution to the power of fear – focus on His goodness.]

"Yet even now," says Yahweh, "turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning." Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal offering and a drink offering to Yahweh, your God. [Warnings are appeals to repent.]

Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly. Gather the people. Sanctify the assembly. Assemble the elders. Gather the children, and those who suck the breasts. Let the bridegroom go forth from his room, and the bride out of her chamber. Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, "Spare your people, Yahweh, and don't give your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"

Then Yahweh was jealous for his land, and had pity on his people. Yahweh answered his people, "Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied with them; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations. But I will remove the northern army far away from you, and will drive it into a barren and desolate land, its front into the eastern sea, and its back into the western sea; and its stench will come up, and its bad smell will rise." Surely he has done great things. Land, don't be afraid. Be glad and rejoice, for Yahweh has done great things. Don't be afraid, you animals of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness spring up, for the tree bears its fruit. The fig tree and the vine yield their strength. "Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in Yahweh, your God; for he gives you the former rain in just measure, and he causes the rain to come down for you, the former rain and the latter rain, as before. [This is God's explanation of how to respond to the terrifying warnings just given. God is not asking us to live in constant fear and foreboding but to change our entire paradigm of how we perceive reality and what spirit controls our imagination.]

The threshing floors will be full of wheat, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the great locust, the grasshopper, and the caterpillar, my great army, which I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied, and will praise the name of Yahweh, your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; and my people will never again be disappointed. You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Yahweh, your God, and there is no one else; and my people will never again be disappointed.

"It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit. I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes. It will happen that whoever will call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as Yahweh has said, and among the remnant, those whom Yahweh calls. (Joel 2:1-32)

How will anyone escape according to these admonitions from God? By changing the way they think and who they trust and how they relate to God and each other.

What does it mean to call on the name of Yahweh, and what does it mean to be saved?

"Let the nations arouse themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the winepress is full, the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great." Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of Yahweh is near, in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. Yahweh will roar from Zion, and thunder from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth will shake; but Yahweh will be a refuge to his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel. "So you will know that I am Yahweh, your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain. Then Jerusalem will be holy, and no strangers will pass through her any more. (Joel 3:12-17)

But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29-30)

But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel: 'It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.' (Acts 2:16-21)

stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind

Taken together, the passages we reviewed last week show how the fig tree represents love, security and safety as well as the loss of these things reflected in the condition of fig trees. It follows that this same symbolism can be seen in this prophecy regarding the final condition of this earth that becomes devoid of love, security and honest seeking after truth by all who dwell on the earth.

shaken by a great wind

Besides the last passage quoted above from Haggai, I find one from the experience of Elijah relevant here as well as others.

He said, Go forth, and stand on the mountain before Yahweh. Behold, Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Yahweh was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but Yahweh was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

(1 Kings 19:11-12)

Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place in the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:13)

But immediately after the oppression of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; (Matthew 24:29)

There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:25-26)

What is this referring to here, the 'powers of the heavens'?

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

See that you don't refuse him who speaks. For if they didn't escape when they refused him who warned on the Earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven, whose voice shook the earth then, but now he has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

(Hebrews 12:25-29)

While I am not saying these signs are not to be viewed as literal, we miss a great deal if we rush to interpret these primarily as literal and ignore far greater revelations embedded in the symbols throughout this book. We should first unpack what we can before temporal applications limit our attention so we may receive more of the blessing for those who read this book as promised.

The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up

Again, if we try to force this to describe literal sky instead of applying the key that everything is presented in symbols, we will find it difficult to explain how the sky can roll up since the literal sky is not even an object but rather the emptiness of space over our heads. Some might try to say it represents the clouds or the air, but still we will miss the bulk of what is intended to be conveyed if we don't allow Scripture to be our primary means of finding meaning in these prophecies instead of speculation or even modern science.

It is helpful to begin with the Bible's definition of the word sky.

God said, "Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse sky. There was evening and there was morning, a second day. (Genesis 1:6-8)

Note something compelling about this definition. It was an expanse designed to separate two different bodies of waters. This may well have changed physically at the time of the flood, but originally it was most likely that there was considerable moisture that composed a very thick layer held high above an atmosphere of air that in some way suspended it like a canopy surrounding the entire planet. Scientists believe this acted to distribute heat evenly all around the globe as well as shielding those at ground level from harmful rays by the sun and from outer space. It also may well have served like a magnifying glass to amplify distant stars and planets, making them readily visible in great detail to the naked eye which is very different than what we see today.

What could be a prophetic interpretation of this symbolically? Waters are symbolic of masses of people. So if the sky or atmosphere originally was partly designed to separate waters, would this infer that something similar is in place to separate two distinct different classes of people today? What are the implications of this and how might it relate to the sky being rolled back like a scroll?

Mention of this scroll is likely linked to what this whole section is all about, the breaking open of seals holding a scroll closed. While there is yet one more seal to go, does this imply that there is enough open to begin glimpsing what is really inside the scroll in preparation for the final broking of the last seal? Something to ponder anyway.

Having said that, this indicates a rolling up of a scroll rather than an opening. This says the sky will be rolled up while we eagerly wait for the unrolling of the scroll from the hand of God. This may well have something to do with two different kinds of sealing that we will soon see taking place, a mark acquired by all those who resist God's love and a corresponding sealing of God's people even as seals are being broken open by the Lamb. This sealing is the very next thing we will study.

Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed. (Psalms 102:25-26)

Come near, you nations, to hear! Listen, you peoples. Let the earth and all it contains hear; the world, and everything that comes from it. For Yahweh is enraged against all the nations, and angry with all their armies. He has utterly destroyed them. He has given them over for slaughter. Their slain will also be cast out, and the stench of their dead bodies will come up; and the mountains will melt in their blood. All of the army of the sky will be dissolved. The sky will be rolled up like a scroll, and all its armies will fade away, as a leaf fades from off a vine or a fig tree. (Isaiah 34:1-4)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:10-12)

While it is very likely that Peter had in mind the physical heavens, I believe it is important that we first consider the far greater significance of the implications of the spiritual heavens passing away, the spiritual demonic forces in high places that resist violently and scream loudly whenever they are removed. This too was very evident during various times when Jesus commanded demons to move out of human subjects they had taken over and were holding hostage. This is an over-arching theme throughout Revelation and comes to a climax in the last two chapters. The main thing to keep in mind however, is not just that the demonic entities will in the end be defeated and lose their authority, but most importantly the methods, motives and spirit by which the Lamb overcomes evil. This is central to keep in mind as we examine every detail throughout this prophecy.

Every mountain and island were moved out of their places

Come near, you nations, to hear! Listen, you peoples. Let the earth and all it contains hear; the world, and everything that comes from it. For Yahweh is enraged against all the nations, and angry with all their armies. He has utterly destroyed them. He has given them over for slaughter. Their slain will also be cast out, and the stench of their dead bodies will come up; and the mountains will melt in their blood. All of the army of the sky will be dissolved. The sky will be rolled up like a scroll, and all its armies will fade away, as a leaf fades from off a vine or a fig tree. (Isaiah 34:1-4)

Notice the many powerful phrases that resonate so strongly with this sixth seal and the focus on the army of the enemy being dissolved. This speaks volumes about the methods of the Lamb.

The great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. Every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:19-20)

Just a note, that islands are often merely mountains that lie underwater with their tips sticking up above the ocean. What might this teach us about what might be referred to here symbolically?

Again, I have little doubt that many of these things we are reading here may well happen in the near future literally. There is mounting evidence that the earth indeed warming significantly and that huge amounts of ice in the antarctic is melting into the seas and rising sea levels precipitously affecting shorelines around the world and submerging islands even now. Yet even if this is likely a part of the meaning of this prophecy, I want us to first focus on what spiritual applications might be overlooked if we allow the sensational to capture our attention to the exclusion of what may well be far more important events transpiring in the spiritual dimension.

We read in Hebrews that some things will be shaken and removed while others cannot. This is key to understanding what is going on here. Compare that with this next passage.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain. (Isaiah 40:4)

For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my loving kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, says Yahweh who has mercy on you.

(Isaiah 54:10)

Truly in vain is the help that is looked for from the hills, the tumult on the mountains: truly in Yahweh our God is the salvation of Israel. (Jeremiah 3:23)

I saw the earth, and, behold, it was waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I saw the mountains, and behold, they trembled, and all the hills moved back and forth. I saw, and behold, there was no man, and all the birds of the sky were fled. I saw, and behold, the fruitful field was a wilderness, and all the cities of it were broken down at the presence of Yahweh, and before his fierce anger. (Jeremiah 4:23-26)

Behold, I am against you, destroying mountain, says Yahweh, which destroys all the earth; and I will stretch out my hand on you, and roll you down from the rocks, and will make you a burnt mountain. (Jeremiah 51:25)

What do we see here being fought over between the supernatural forces vying for our dependence and trust? There is a powerful force or entity that God calls a destroying mountain. Historically this refers to Babylon and its powerful armies that dominated the western world at the time and that was allowed by God to punish Judah as a result of their turning away from allegiance to Him. But Babylon figures prominently in Revelation as the symbol of the titanic forces arrayed against the knowledge of God and loyalty to the principles of the Lamb. Babylon represents the very system of control relied on in this world to manipulate and compel compliance by all those who dwell on the earth. Babylon is motivated by the spirit of the original destroyer whose tactics and spirit are opposite the Lamb And Babylon, the destroying mountain will not be defeated by using Babylon's methods but by exposure to the goodness and kindness of God that is more effective than all the intimidation by the forces of darkness.

For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; so that the fish of the sea, and the birds of the sky, and the animals of the field, and all creeping things who creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the surface of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. I will call for a sword against him to all my mountains, says the Lord Yahweh: every man's sword shall be against his brother. With pestilence and with blood will I enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him, and on his hordes, and on the many peoples who are with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and sulfur. I will magnify myself, and sanctify myself, and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am Yahweh. (Ezekiel 38:19-23)

The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it. (Nahum 1:5)

He stood, and shook the earth. He looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains were crumbled. The age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. (Habakkuk 3:6)

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain. (Isaiah 40:4)

Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace, to it!'" (Zechariah 4:7)

His feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in two, from east to west, making a very great valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south. You shall flee by the valley of my mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azel; yes, you shall flee, just like you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Yahweh my God will come, and all the holy ones with you. (Zechariah 14:4-5)

I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth. (Psalms 121:1-2)

Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don't doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it would be done. (Matthew 21:21)

This last verse gives us a very strong clue for putting all the pieces together here. When Jesus comes it will be the faith of Jesus that will demolish every resisting mountain that has risen up against a knowledge of the love of God. Literal mountains disappearing are nothing in comparison to this most important strategy for overcoming the diabolic power of evil in the universe.

The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. They told the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:15-17)

There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn't it he who sits at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves. (Luke 22:24-27)

It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn't worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads; (Revelation 13:15-16)

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality, and those who dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her sexual immorality." (Revelation 17:1-2)

The kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived wantonly with her, will weep and wail over her, when they look at the smoke of her burning, standing far away for the fear of her torment, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For your judgment has come in one hour.' The merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise any more; (Revelation 18:9-11)

I saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, "Come! Be gathered together to the great supper of God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, and small and great." (Revelation 19:17-18)

Mountains represent powerful empires, earthly governments who array themselves to oppose the kingdom of God. Mountains tower over everything and everyone else. Rocks are sub-elements that make up mountains. Crags are outcroppings of rocks, jutting out of the side of a mountain or cliff. Typically for military advantage, mountains and rocks provide strategic locations to be secured in order to be better situated against opposing forces. This is how mountains and rocks are viewed by all who choose to operate under the system of force and power over others. But the methods and motives of the kingdom of the Lamb does not operate in this way but rather through attraction and respect of freedom. The mountain that will eventually fill the whole earth will not rely on force but on willing cooperation and submission to love on the part of all who choose to participate without coercion.

You saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them: and the stone that struck the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. (Daniel 2:34-35)

All who are out of sorts with the Lamb petition the rocks of the mountains for protection from the powerful gaze of passionate love in the eyes of the Lamb, something they have stoutly resisted as being authentic for God. Now they beg the things they have identified with for power to shield them from that penetrating gaze, but it is impossible to hide any longer. Having spurned all efforts by the Lamb to entice them away from their determined resistance to God's drawing power of love, they are now left begging for protection from inanimate elements which prove useless in the face of the glorious light of passionate love flooding from the eyes of the Lamb.

What we are witnessing here is the same thing as seen in the vision in Daniel when the rock that is formed without force of hands is seen demolishing every construction and invention of human design. The great image represents every attempt to control society on earth through human power, but hierarchy is left helpless and disintegrating in the face of true power. The Lamb is the king of this very different kind of kingdom from all the kingdoms of the earth, and His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, not because He rules with intimidation and coercion like all the kingdoms of this world but because His kingdom is the kingdom of truth, love and complete freedom. This alone can overcome the kingdoms of darkness, the powers that govern through coercion, force and fear. This is the kingdom that will fill the entire earth with its glory and will last forever and ever.

In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty of it be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Because you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God has made known to the king what shall happen hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation of it sure. (Daniel 2:44-45)

This mountain of God is not left to another people because people do not stick to God's methods and maintain His motives of love alone. The Lamb is only King, because He is human, and He alone is worthy of full trust to keep this kingdom in sync with the principles of heaven. He is the Creator and the Redeemer who alone can be trusted to set up and rule over the everlasting kingdom that displaces all the former attempts to organize and control through law and order methods.

The reason we see this list of people running in terror at the coming of the Lamb is because their identity reveals the methods of the kingdoms of this world that is foreign to the kingdom of the Lamb. They have scoffed at the notion that a kingdom could be successful relying on love and freedom without use of fear, threats, force and coercion. They insisted that without a balance of powers between good and evil, power is impossible to maintain. Yet their grandiose artificial kingdoms now are exposed as weak and helpless in the face of pure love seen on the face of the Lamb, and they run in terror because everything they have invested in and built their characters around is now evaporated in the light of the Lamb. The rocks and the mountains are powerless to resist the truth as it is in Jesus, and it is now too late to change their characters, for everyone has formed their characters permanently and nothing can reverse those choices. All are sealed, either in the image of the beast or the likeness of the Lamb. The only thing left now is the harvest, for the fruit on both sides is fully ripe and the results of a lifetime of resistance to love is fully exposed by the light of the true power of love.

It is only as we willingly accept and embrace this view of reality can be see more clearly the truth woven into the very fabric of the OT prophecies like Joel 2 and others. God is appealing to all who are willing to listen with their ears and heart, to repent of our resistance to love and allow the Lamb to transform us into His image now before it is too late. While it may create tension and persecution and suffering to turn against the tide of the powers of this world who rely on fear and deception to compel others to conform to their demands, the only truth that has power to liberate us from the tyranny of fear is the revelation brought to us by this Lamb who has demonstrated the only way we are created to live.

Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn't profit them, because it wasn't mixed with faith by those who heard. For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, "God rested on the seventh day from all his works;" and in this place again, "They will not enter into my rest." Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter therein, and they to whom the good news was before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, he again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), "Today if you will hear his voice, don't harden your hearts." (Hebrews 4:1-7)

The last question we find in this 6^th seal breaking event is a most relevant one. Who is able to stand?

Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in Yahweh's law. On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.

The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish. (Psalms 1:1-6)

You, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your sight when you are angry? You pronounced judgment from heaven. The earth feared, and was silent, when God arose to judgment, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. Selah. (Psalms 76:7-9)

Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions. If you, Yah, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared.

(Psalms 130:2-4)

Who can stand when you are angry? There is forgiveness with you. How does this all fit together? God's anger is not at all like our anger. God's anger does not involve desiring retaliation or punishment but is defined in Romans 1 as respect for our free choice to spurn the truth of His love. His anger literally means passion, not human anger. This passion if the fire of love, not resentment, bitterness, offense or any other dark motive. Let us not continue to blaspheme the name of God by projecting our dark motives onto God's actions. We see here that God is not in the offense business, keeping records of our sins to hold against us as religion asserts. The definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 confirms the same. Love does not keep record of wrongs. This means God's forgiveness is prevenient and everlasting. The only thing that prevents us from experiencing this forgiveness and entering into His rest is unbelief in the truth about His heart and that all of this is reality. This is what disables anyone from being able to stand in the powerful presence of glory which is His heart of infinite love. Unbelief that God is love and light alone is what unfits a person, leaving them feeling condemned and terrified in the face of the Lamb who is the epitome of love.

"Now I will arise," says Yahweh; "Now I will lift myself up. Now I will be exalted. You will conceive chaff. You will bring forth stubble. Your breath is a fire that will devour you. The peoples will be like the burning of lime, like thorns that are cut down and burned in the fire. Hear, you who are far off, what I have done; and, you who are near, acknowledge my might."

The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless ones. Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning? He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil-- he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty. They will see a distant land. (Isaiah 33:10-17)

Yahweh thunders his voice before his army; for his forces are very great; for he is strong who obeys his command; for the day of Yahweh is great and very awesome, and who can endure it? "Yet even now," says Yahweh, "turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning." (Joel 2:11-12)

Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart by him. Yahweh is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him. (Nahum 1:6-7)

Note the repeating pattern we see in passage after passage. We must believe in the goodness of God, the unadulterated love, compassion and kindness of God or it will be impossible to appreciate and rightly divide the word of prophecy. God's antidote to the toxic poison of lies about His heart is to embrace the truth of His goodness and constant love for us at the heart level. It is not enough to merely know these things, but as Jesus said, Happy are you if you do them. It is now, while it is called today, that we can still choose before it is too late, to enter into the rest of refraining from trying to change God's mind about us and simply choose to believe we are loved and be transformed.

For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13:15-17)

"Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he comes!" says Yahweh of Armies. "But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like launderer's soap; and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to Yahweh offerings in righteousness." (Malachi 3:1-3)

What are offerings in righteousness?

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36)

This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God. (John 3:19-21)

Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)

In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:17-19)

 

[Note: some time after compiling these notes I revisited this seal with further information leading to a somewhat different conclusion than what this paper presents. That is not to negate what is written here but rather an alternative way of viewing this from a different perspective.]