The Scroll
The Beginning of the End
The Scroll - Scrolls were the “books” of the ancient world. We find Jesus being handed a Scroll from God His Father in chapter 5 of the Revelation. Rev 5:7
This Scroll with its 7 seals represents the final 7 years or “Week” of this Age. (Hint: The Time is Near)
The Opened Scroll will bring on the Wrath of God. But the 7 seals on the outside of the Scroll must be opened first. Only Jesus is Worthy to take the Scroll and break its seals. Rev 5:1-7
A new song recently came into the world by Andrew Peterson. It sings of this very event when Jesus takes the Scroll from the Father. "Is He Worthy?"
Click picture to listen.
The SCROLL— What is written on the Scroll?
From the context of the Revelation we see that the scroll contains God's “End Game” to bring an end to Satan's kingdom, also called the “kingdom of this world”. Jesus will end sin and rebellion and will then set up His Throne on the Earth and Rule with Grace. Look up and read: Daniel 9:24; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 21:3-5 ( Biblehub and Biblegateway are great tools for finding these references.)
The SEALS - What role do the seals play?
Seals were placed on official documents to testify to the scroll's authenticity ownership or authority and to 'seal' it until the proper moment for it to be opened. The one who placed the seal was the only one with the authority to break the seal. With this Heavenly Scroll only Jesus is worthy. After receiving the Scroll Jesus will successively break each seal over the next six years of Daniel's 70th week. The Scroll will remain closed until the last seal is broken. For more on ancient seals click here.
We note that as Jesus breaks 6 of the 7 seals “shouts” are heard and an event is triggered. By the beginning of the 7th year the 7th seal is broken. As the Scroll is opened there is a half hour of silence in Heaven just before God's Wrath begins. Rev 8:1 That silence will be deafening as Creation holds its breath for the Wrath now about to be poured out by God.
Psalm 76:8, 9
From heaven You pronounced judgment,
and the earth feared and was still
when God rose up to judge,
to save all the lowly of the earth.
Zephaniah 1:7
Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near.
Zechariah 2:13
Be silent before the LORD, all people, for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.”
7 SHOUTS
then Silence before the Great Day of the Lord's Wrath
We begin to see the Challenges of the last 7 Years as the Seals are opened by Jesus. Remember Job in the Old Testament? God allowed Satan to test Job with difficulties. These difficulties were NOT the wrath of God! They were allowed by God to refine Job and give those around Job a better understanding of who God is. The same thing happens with the seals. They are NOT the wrath of God!
God's plan for the last 7 years of this Age unfolds as you study and compare the various 'days' / 'years' of Daniel's 70th Week (see the Mystery of the 7 of Gods Plan ).
God's plan and purpose is to show His Church the Pathway through the Dangers and into Victory and Rest.
THE LAST 7 YEARS ARE ALL ABOUT WHO GOD IS.
Hint: Each Seal calls us to look to who God is for Victory over the challenges of that seal.
Click on each seal to discover the Events that precede His Return and Coming Wrath.
Seal 1 starts here:
SEAL 1 Challenge: WHO IS YOUR GOD?
(Day 1 is all about GOD - Creator/Owner - Crafter of Salvation's Story)
The First Seal - Rider on White Horse: Antichrist(s)
Revelation 6:1-2 “Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come.” 2 I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.”
Sign 1 from Matthew 24:5 “For many will come in My name saying ‘I am the Christ’ and will mislead many...." 23 "Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘He is over here,’ do not believe him. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."
(Hint: Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 parallel the first 6 Seals)
Now let us compare this with other Biblical 7s
The 7 Days of the Creation Week
Day 1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day." Genesis 1:1-5
Why did God take 6 days to create the world and the 7th to rest? He could have done it all in 1 day. Understanding God's 7 Day Creation Order is extremely important to understanding God's 7 year "End Game" plan, Biblically called "Daniel's 70th Week". Ask God for wisdom and understanding.
God has a message in the many 7's of His Word. Day 1 of Creation parallels Seal 1, Sign 1, Church 1 and more. Keep reading.
7 Church's of Revelation
Church 1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and (re)do the deeds you did at first” or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. 6 Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’ Revelation 2:1-7
God has set the PATTERN from the beginning of Creation. Each of the 7 days of creation presents a “Theme” and a clue to God's End of the Age path. By doing so, God shows us that HE is Creator and Lord not only of this Universe but of all the TIMES and Seasons of it. Don't leave out His creative beginnings. They are a vital foundation for all that follows.
We see these “themes” are repeated in the 7 Seals and in a number of the other “7”s in the Bible.
See THE 7s of GOD'S PLAN for more.
Revelation starts with 7 letters to 7 churches. These 7 letters also keep the “themes” and are the Believers instructions for “overcoming” each of the seal challenges of the End Times.
Day 1 is all about GOD.
What does DAY 1 of Creation show us? God is Creator / Owner of all Creation. He is “uncontained Light” and He is “Eternal”. He is before all and over all. He is undisputed King of all. The rebellion of man or angels does not diminish this. From the very beginning He is already spelling out His plan of Salvation. (Genesis 3:15, 1 Timothy 6:16, John 8:12, Isaiah 46:10)
Seal 1 on the scroll is Antichrist / Satan as the usurper who wants to be “god”. (2 Thess 2:4, Is 14:13-14) God is still Lord of all and in control. Jesus will soon pop Seal 1 allowing Satan to “go for it”. But this will only serve to bring Satan to his final doom. Note that GOD alone is calling the shots. He is King and Lord of all.
At the breaking of Seal #1 the Antichrist will seek to fool the world into believing he is God and will eventually demand to be worshiped as God. Even the Saints can be fooled by his deceptions. Sign 1 from Matthew 24 warns of "many" antichrists out to deceive. (Matthew 24:4-5,24-26)
With this seal broken, the Antichrist will step onto the World stage claiming to be Jesus. With SHOUT #1 all creation has just bowed the knee and worshiped the TRUE GOD and THE LAMB. Without a misstep Antichrist will try to steal God’s Glory. But to follow or bow to Antichrist will mean destruction. Do not be deceived or trust his lies.
The Pressure to follow the false Messiahs will be great.
How can you keep from being fooled by the fakes?
Answer :
LOVE GOD with all you are. Jesus' words to Ephesus, Church 1, is God’s answer to Antichrist's challenge:
AGAPE LOVE is the Answer. (See Rev 2:1-7) CHURCH 1 - Ephesus was in danger because they had left their first love. Jesus stood in their midst but the Light of their love for Him was flickering out. He held them in His hand but they had lost their delight in Him. This is a very dangerous place to be at any time but especially as we enter Daniel's 70th Week.
Question: IS GOD THE MOST IMPORTANT, THE MOST DESIRED, THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER THING IN YOUR LIFE? IS HE YOUR FIRST LOVE? DOES HE KNOW YOU?
The danger of deception with antichrists and the “gods” of this world is that we can believe that we can find fullness and ‘love’ in them. The antichrist will appeal to your sin nature and promise you everything you want. He goes out riding a white horse. He will appear to be “good” and a “savior”. But his desire is to “Kill, Steal and Destroy YOU” John 10:10.
If you are not “tight” with God you (Christian) can be deceived. The world will follow after the deceiver to their destruction. Don’t be fooled. Press in to Jesus and The Truth, the BIBLE. Be filled with Him. He is with you. Practice His presence. Love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength today.
Pray the 7 parts of the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Note how each part contains and applies the Theme for each Seal, and is part of the "practical application of these challenging truths.
Seal 1 Perfect God vs Wicked Antichrist
"Our Father who art in heaven, holy is your name." (Its all about God)
1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable... " Matthew 22:37 " Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
Dear Heavenly Papa, thank you that You are with us. We choose to honor and reverence You with all of our life and every part of our being. We reject every attempt of the devil as he seeks to steal your Glory. You are the only GOD and the Creator of all. Keep us in deep love with You and help us to see clearly the Truth as You have revealed it and to reject every counterfeit. Open the eyes of many who are being deceived by antichrists. Turn them from darkness to Light, from the power of Satan to God.
Click here for an overview of these events as presented on YouTube
Each Millenia Holds to the Themes of each "Day"
1st Millennium - God spells out His Salvation Plan
The First Millennium demonstrates the Eternal Nature of God as He Creates this Universe. The One who is First and Last, knowing all things Created this Age of 7000 years with the Message of Salvation woven right into its fabric . Each of the 7's foreshadows and patterns God Salvation Plan in Jesus. Acts 2:23 To this I pray, "O God, what have You done? We bow to Your great Love for us."
Genesis Chapters 1-5 Cover God's work in the first thousand years of this Age.
Genesis 1 We see His 7 phase plan of Salvation outlined in the 7 Days of Creation. These 7 days form the back bone of the 7 Millenia that follow. Keep reading to the bottom of each page for these insights.
Genesis 2 Adam is seen as a type of Christ. See Link for more.
Genesis 3:15 We hear God's promise of Jesus as Savior who would "crush" Satan's head but be "bruised in His heal" upon a Cross.
Genesis 3:21 First Blood sacrifice foreshadowing the Cross as innocent animals are slain to literally cover the first couple.
Genesis 4 Grace is given by God to Cain after the murder of Able. This too foreshadows the Grace of the Cross.
Genesis 5:22-24 Enoch is "Raptured" or taken up without dying. He is the 7th generation from Adam and is taken at age 365. (1 year for each day of a year?) This is a picture of that final Rapture still to come.
Genesis 5 The Given names of the first 10 generations of man spell out the Promise of Salvation : See Below
Hebrew Names
Adam
Seth
Enosh
Kenan
Mahalalel
Jared
Enoch
Methuselah
Lamech
Noah
English translation
Man
Appointed
Mortal
Sorrow;
The Blessed God
Shall come down
Teaching
His death shall bring
The Despairing
Rest, or comfort.
Man (is) appointed
mortal sorrow;
(but) the Blessed God
shall come down
teaching (that) His death shall bring
(the) despairing rest.
Click on the 2nd seal and scroll down the page until you find a scroll like the one above.