Month: February 2025

Seven Seals

Stamped, hand-addressed envelopes sat bundled on the kitchen counter frequently in my childhood. My dad was passionate about getting the Bible into the hands of those who had no access to it, so he volunteered with a ministry that sent small portions of Scripture to people in Eastern Europe during the Cold War. I remember being perplexed by the amount of time and money he spent sending mail to complete strangers. Secretly I wondered if anyone really cared that much about getting a few pages of the Bible in their native language. In my youthful naivety, I couldn’t comprehend governments forbidding citizens from owning the Word of God and persecuting those who followed Jesus.

Recently I recalled my dad’s letter writing ministry when I met someone who grew up behind the Iron Curtain. Hearing the stories of her childhood and the brutalities inflicted upon her family due to their faith gave me a new understanding for my dad’s passion. She told me people receiving those letters would have treasured them and savored reading God’s Word like a starving person being given a meal.

In the West, we have little understanding of true persecution, so when we read about martyrs calling for justice and divine judgement being poured out on the earth, we feel uncomfortable and confused. Maybe that’s how you’ve felt reading about the first cycle of divine judgement poured out on the earth in Revelation 6-8:1.

This portion of John’s vision describes the Lamb, Christ, opening the seven seals on the scroll handed to Him in the throne room. As He opens each seal, God’s judgement of the earth begins. The first four seals follow a predictable pattern: The Lamb opens them one at a time, one of the four living creatures in front of the throne says “Come,” and four riders appear one after another. First, a rider with a bow on a white horse comes forward, receives a crown, and rides out as a conqueror who will exert influence over a large portion of the earth. Next, a red horse comes forth and its rider receives a large sword and permission to “take peace from the earth” by bringing war (Revelation 6:4, CSB). A black horse comes forward next and its rider receives a set of scales and authority to bring partial famine upon the earth. Next, a pale green horse’s rider receives authority “to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.” (Revelation 6:8b, CSB)

With the opening of the fifth seal, the scene shifts and John sees “under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God and the testimony they had given.” (Revelation 6:9b, CSB) These martyrs call out to the Lord, appealing to Him as a just and holy judge and asking, “How long until you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:10b, CSB)

As westerners, we struggle to picture the faces of those who have endured persecution or lost their lives because of their faith in Jesus. While we may have heard about Christians during the Roman empire who were forced to fight wild animals in the Coliseum or burned alive at Nero’s garden parties, we can’t comprehend the extent of suffering and persecution that have happened to God’s people over the centuries. Many of us have no idea that our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to endure intense persecution around the world today.

On top of our lack of awareness about current persecution, we live in a culture that has become increasingly suspicious and distrusting of those with power. People no longer default to honoring and revering authority. So, we equate God with sinful leaders who have disappointed us, broken our trust, and abused their power. We’ve lost sight of the sovereignty of our just and holy God who is “fair in all His actions and judgements…[and] cannot over-punish or under-punish.” (Wilkin, p. 213)

Ironically, even as we question how a loving God could also judge sin and pour out His wrath, we’re a culture bent on personal justice and getting revenge. Just think of how many songs, movies, and shows include themes or plots revolving around justice and retribution. This is a curious contradiction in a society that no longer acknowledges sin and encourages us to decide what’s right and wrong based on our feelings, opinions, and preferences. God’s wise and healthy boundaries have been deemed obsolete and unrealistic. But could it be that the innate desire we all have for justice reflects that we are made in the image of a just and holy God? And if the notion of God’s final judgement upsets us so much, shouldn’t it compel us to share the gospel with more urgency instead of questioning the methods of our infinitely wise Creator?

With the opening of the sixth seal, the de-creation of the earth begins with a violent earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon turning blood red, the stars falling from heaven, the sky rolling up like a scroll, and mountains and islands jostling out of position. Every earth-dweller experiences these events; kings, nobles, generals, rich, powerful, slaves and free all beg for God’s creation to kill them, telling mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their  wrath has come! And who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:16b-17, CSB) Those who have chosen to reject God will not survive the day of His wrath.

Next, John describes the opening of the seventh seal: “Then I saw another angel rising up from the east, who had the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were allowed to harm the earth and the sea, ‘Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.’” (Revelation 7:2-3, CSB) The rest of the passage narrates a scene much like the throne room in Revelation 5:8-14 where a multitude from every tribe, language, people, and nation joins with all of the heavenly beings to worship God seated on the throne and the Lamb. The passage ends describing how those washed in the blood of the Lamb will be sheltered by the one seated on the throne: “They will no longer hunger; they will no longer thirst; the sun will no longer strike them, nor will any scorching heat. For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; he will guide them to springs of the waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:16-17, CSB)

Those washed by the blood of the Lamb are also sealed with His Holy Spirit, so they have no need to fear God’s wrath or judgement. Be encouraged knowing that in the end the Lord will protect His own and make all things right. While descriptions of prophecies in Revelation may be confusing, unsettling, or downright terrifying, believers can take heart knowing nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39:b, CSB)

Interested in learning more and/or supporting fellow believers enduring persecution around the world? Check out The Voice of the Martyrs by clicking here  or Global Catalytic Ministries by clicking here.

Jen Wilkin, Revelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdom, Lifeway Press, 2024.

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The Heavenly Throne Room

Stepping over the border between Rome and Vatican City, I could see the bulk of the enormous Renaissance-era church across the square. Saint Peter’s Basilica holds 60,000 people at one time. Built over 120 years, its massive central dome designed by Michelangelo towers 448 feet above the floor. From the first moment I entered, I was awestruck by its size and grandeur. It made me feel small, but in the very best way. Arguably the most famous church on the planet, even this impressive structure falls short of the glories John describes in the throne room of heaven.

In Revelation 5 & 6, John’s vision gives us a glimpse of heavenly reality: “Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there was a throne in heaven and someone was seated on it. The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne.” (Revelation 4:2-3, CSB) Seated around the throne, twenty-four elders continually cast their golden crowns before it in worship. Four creatures representing all living things on earth praise the Lord endlessly: “Day and night they never stop, saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is to come.’” They declare: “Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:8b & 11, CSB italics added)

Despite  having many authors, the Bible always reinforces itself. So, it’s no coincidence that the words of worship spoken in the throne room sound similar to Paul’s commentary about Christ in Colossians: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17, CSB, italics added) 

John’s description of his vision continues: “Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides, sealed with seven seals. I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it.” John weeps because there is no one worthy to open the scroll until one of the elders reassures him, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” John looks and sees “one like a slaughtered lamb standing in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders.” (Revelation 5:1-3, 5b, 6b, CSB). 

Jen Wilkin contends that everything in Revelation is a recapitulation of something mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. Rich with symbolism, the description of the one worthy to open the scroll recalls  Old Testament prophecies and symbolic events. Christ is the Lion of Judah, referencing Jacob’s prophetic blessing over his son, Judah in Genesis 49:8-14. He is the Root of David, referencing God’s promise to King David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. And He is the slaughtered lamb, referencing the Passover lamb whose blood protected the Israelite slaves in Egypt from the tenth plague in Exodus 11. In Revelation we see  “a picture of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain who is also the Lion of judgment. Jesus is the only one worthy to judge the world (cf. John 5:22).”*  

Continuing to narrate his vision, John describes the twenty-four elders and four creatures falling down in worship before the Lamb singing, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slaughtered, and you purchased people for God by your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.”(Revelation 5:9b-10, CSB)

Here we find another connection to a different New Testament book–Peter brings further clarity to John’s vision as he describes followers of Christ: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10, CSB)

Revelation describes the kingdom of priests who will reign on the earth and 1 Peter explains that every person purchased by the blood of Christ is part of this royal priesthood. So, despite our sinful natures, we’re counted righteous because of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf (1 Corinthians 1:30 & Romans 3:21-26). One day we will rule and reign with Christ in His glory. We’ll want to keep this incredible reality in the forefront of our minds as we read about events that will unfold in the next few chapters of Revelation.

Recently I attended a worship service while visiting family out of town. The space where we gathered was a simple, dark room filled with a couple hundred chairs facing a platform. It was a far cry from the grandeur of Saint Peter’s Basilica but the worship offered was pure and heartfelt. My voice caught as I realized we were joining the multitudes in heaven giving praise to our transcendent, glorious God: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!…Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:12b &13b, CSB) The Lord is our just Judge; may John’s vision compel us to express deep gratitude for His unmerited favor and never to lose reverent awe for Him as our sovereign Creator.

Jen Wilkin, Revelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdom, Lifeway Press, 2024.

*gotquestions.org: “What Are the Seven Seals of Revelation?”

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Re-framing Revelation

Walking out of the lecture hall, my stomach churned with anxiety. It was the first week of the quarter and I was already struggling. Some friends had assured me it would be no problem to take macroeconomics even though it was second in a sequence of classes of which I hadn’t taken the first. I had no knowledge base to build on, so when the professor lectured, it was as if she were speaking a foreign language. Filled with dread, I felt like a drowning person about to sink beneath the waves.

My hunch is that many people view the book of Revelation with that same sense of fear and apprehension. Truth be told, it’s not a book I’ve been drawn to before. My experiences with it have been limited and have lacked the context I needed to understand the bigger picture. The one verse I knew as a high school student filled me with dread: “because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:16, NIV) Even after the Spirit convicted me to reject apathy and follow Jesus wholeheartedly, I still had little desire to dive into this intimidating book.

A decade later I stumbled upon a novel series that was a fictionalized account of Revelation. The books captivated me and read like action adventure thrillers. With my mind as a blank canvas, they became my reference point for complex symbols and prophecies from the Old Testament. Because I’d avoided Revelation, the series imprinted concrete events, timelines, and characters into my brain that were based on the author’s interpretation and imagination. Given my poor track record, it’s been eye-opening to re-engage it with the help of Jen Wilkin’s Bible study: Revelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdom.

The study opens by covering Revelation 1-3:22. In the first verses we learn the elderly Apostle John writes Revelation after receiving a vision from Jesus while he’s exiled on the Island of Patmos. He starts by describing his vision of Christ: “and among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest. The hair of his head was white as wool—white as snow—and his eyes like a fiery flame. His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of cascading waters. He had seven stars in his right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from his mouth, and his face was shining like the sun at full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades. Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this.’” (Revelation 1:13-19, CSB)

Descriptions of Christ in the opening scene echo narratives from the Old Testament: in Exodus and Deuteronomy the Lord describes Himself as self-existent, eternal, sovereign, and almighty ; in Exodus, Isaiah, Joel, and Daniel clouds, thunder, and trumpet blasts accompany appearances of God. In Matthew’s gospel Jesus also describes Himself as the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power, glory, and a loud trumpet call. So, from the start, Revelation refers back to things that have been taught and described previously in Scripture. This apocalyptic book isn’t meant to confuse or strike fear in us but to encourage and equip us as it weaves together events that have preceded it with events yet to come. (Reading Genesis and Exodus helps greatly with understanding Revelation.)

John moves from the glorious description of Christ to addressing seven churches in Asia Minor who receive a combination of accusations, warnings, affirmations, and encouragements. The letters address issues still relevant for us today: forgetting God as our first love, compromising with sin and worldliness, tolerating immorality, being hypocritical, and prioritizing material wealth over spiritual riches. While we may not like being called out for straying from the narrow path, these warnings admonish us to choose God’s best instead of being deceived by the enemy and seduced by sin.

The seven letters also include praise and affirmation for churches who remain faithful to God amidst poverty, persecution, and powerlessness. Throughout Revelation, Jesus encourages believers to stand firm amidst trials and tribulations knowing that God’s justice will prevail in the end. Those who overcome will receive life, authority, and honor alongside Christ.

Reading the first three chapters of Revelation, I am encouraged that God knows us, sees us, and is honored by our choice to remain faithful. He rewards those who persevere. There is no question about His ultimate power and sovereignty. He is attentive, sovereign, merciful, and just.

While we may not understand everything by the end, studying this challenging narrative is worth our time. Working through Jen Wilkin’s book may be difficult, but as we grapple with questions, we’ll stretch our minds and expand our faith. Engaging the text personally will allow for rich discussion and will cement new truth into our minds as we learn from such a seasoned teacher.

Can I encourage you to let the learning process unfold rather than giving up like I did with macroeconomics? (Yes, I dropped the class and never looked back). Can I also implore you not to short-circuit the learning process by letting someone else interpret Revelation for you like I did with that fiction book series? Just reading it repeatedly and/or listening to it aloud will implant God’s Word in you and will build understanding in time. So, let’s ditch the excuses and commit to seeing this wild ride all the way through to the end. I’ve already gained so much insight studying Revelation and would love nothing more than to have you learning right there beside me.

Jen Wilkin, Revelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdom, Lifeway Press, 2024.

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From Beginning to Forever

Each week as we’ve studied Elizabeth Woodson’s From Beginning to Forever the lesson has ended with an opportunity to summarize the portions of Scripture covered that week. So, by the end of the study, participants have written an overview of the entire Bible. Following the chapters of the study, here’s my humble attempt at re-telling the highlights of the grand narrative of Scripture:

The Creation and Corruption of the Kingdom: Genesis

In the beginning God creates the heavens, the earth and everything in them including the sun, moon, stars, plants, animals, and people. God creates humans in His image and tells them to multiply His kingdom and to rule and subdue the earth. The first two humans, Adam and Eve, succumb to temptation and choose to do the one forbidden thing—eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This breaks their fellowship with God and brings the pollution of sin into the pure and perfect world. God promises one day Eve’s offspring will crush the serpent who led them to sin, giving the first prophecy of the Messiah.

A Promise to Restore the Kingdom: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

God makes a covenant with Abraham promising him land, numerous descendants, and blessing that will impact all people on earth. The Lord confirms this covenant with Abraham’s son, Isaac, and his grandson, Jacob. God changes Jacob’s name to Israel (although both names continue to be used interchangeably after this.) Later, Jacob’s sons sell their brother, Joseph, to slave traders who take him to Egypt. After many trials, Joseph becomes second in command of Egypt and, through God’s direction, prepares the country for a severe famine. The rest of Jacob’s family later emigrates to Egypt to escape the famine. After several generations Jacob’s descendants (known as Hebrews or Israelites) became slaves in Egypt. About 400 years later, God uses Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery, to lead them to the promised land, and to help them become a distinct nation with clear laws and boundaries.

A Divided Kingdom: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

After 40 years in the desert, Joshua leads the Israelites into the promised land to take possession of it and fulfill God’s promise. A series of judges rule Israel until the people demand a king. Saul becomes the first king, but his disobedience displeases God and he loses His favor. David becomes the next king. Although he’s imperfect, he seeks to follow God’s heart and the Lord promises his offspring will rule eternally, foreshadowing the Messiah. Solomon succeeds David as king and is wise and wealthy, but unfaithful to God by marrying Gentiles and worshipping their gods. The kingdom divides when Solomon’s foolish son, Rehoboam, becomes king (the northern kingdom is called Israel, the southern kingdom is called Judah). Disobedience causes both kingdoms to be taken captive about 130 years apart–the northern kingdom is exiled to Assyria and the southern kingdom is exiled to Babylon. After exile, King Cyrus of Persia allows the Jews of the southern kingdom to return and rebuild their temple in Jerusalem under Ezra’s leadership and King Artaxerxes of the citadel of Susa allows the rebuilding of the city walls under Nehemiah’s leadership. The Israelites continue to struggle with disobedience and worship of false gods through subsequent generations.

Life in the Kingdom: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

Wisdom literature in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs provides guidance, encouragement, and warning for people living in the time period covered in the previous section. These writings give a framework for a life of flourishing that includes: 1) acquiring wisdom and following the law 2) fearing the Lord 3) submitting to suffering. Prophets enforce God’s covenants and remind people of the blessings and curses God will bring as a result of their obedience or disobedience. The Israelites are supposed to exemplify God’s love and faithfulness but worship idols and participate in sin and social injustice instead. As a consequence, God exiles them to Assyria and Babylon (mentioned in the previous section). Prophets give the people hope that a Messiah will come to bring salvation and restore them. Despite their sinfulness, the Lord continues to be faithful.

The Arrival of the King: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

God remains silent for 400 years between the books of Malachi and Matthew. The New Testament opens with the birth of the promised Messiah, Jesus.  Throughout the course of His life He fulfills all the prophecies and covenants related to the Messiah in the Old Testament, overcomes temptation, and remains sinless. During His years of ministry He heals people, casts out demons, brings dead people back to life, and preaches about the kingdom of God. Jesus teaches that belief in Him will bring eternal life and reconciliation with God, His Father. Despite His innocence, Jewish leaders accuse Him of blasphemy and convince the Romans to charge Him with treason and crucify Him. Three days after dying on the cross, Jesus resurrects from death and appears to many of His followers to give them final instructions and prepare them  for the arrival of His Holy Spirit.

The Kingdom Community: Acts thru Jude

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gives His followers the mission to go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching the to obey everything He commands. His followers receive the Holy Spirit and become witnesses for Him in Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond. In the book of Acts God shows Peter that the gospel is for everyone–Jews and Gentiles can both be included in the family of God through Christ. Paul preaches the gospel far and wide to both Jews and Gentiles, teaching them that they are saved through faith in Jesus by God’s grace. The epistles explain God’s call for  believers to be ambassadors of Christ and to walk worthy of their calling in Him. Additionally, the epistles warn against false teaching and encourage believers in the midst of the trials and persecution they face while living as aliens and strangers in the world.

 The Kingdom is Restored: Revelation

Exiled on the Island of Patmos, the elderly Apostle John receives a series of visions revealing events that will unfold before and during Jesus’ return to earth. In his vision, John witnesses the throne room of heaven, God’s wrath poured out on rebellious and sinful people, the final judgement, the defeat of Satan, and the physical return of Christ. John sees the old heaven and earth pass away and the merging of a new heaven and earth. In the New Jerusalem God dwells with His people and Jesus rules and reigns with them for eternity. The shalom of the garden is finally restored and God’s plans and purposes prevail.

Understanding the Kingdom- A Worthy Endeavor

I’ve been learning about the Bible all of my life, have read it from start to finish several times, and have been studying it consistently for the past 25 years. Despite all of this time in God’s Word, I’ve never been able to summarize it like this before (shout out to Elizabeth Woodson for crafting a study that made it possible for me to give this overview). The more I learn, the more I realize how beautiful and multi-faceted Scripture is.  Reading it, believing it, and applying it is truly a worthy endeavor. God’s Word is living and active; it shows us everything needed to live a life of purpose and flourishing now and forevermore.

Elizabeth Woodson, From Beginning to Forever: A Study of the Grand Narrative of Scripture, Lifeway Press, 2022.

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