Rev 6: The Seven Seals (part 1)

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie begin a look at the 7 Seals of Rev 6. Are they the "wrath of God" in the last days? Rob argues that the idea that the Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls are God's end-times wrath which is designed to bring the nations--at least those who survive--to repentance is a major misreading of the book of Revelation. Instead, he argues, the Seals (and later the Trumpets, and Bowls) represent what happens when God graciously delays the final judgment. By delaying the end, God allows human governments to remain in power. And human rulers bring deception, war, famine, pestilence, and death. Rob further argues that the devastation that results from human rule also affects the people of God. That is why, he suggests, the 5th Seal is the people of God crying out "How Long."

Show notes:

Rev 6:1-17

Gen 1

• “God said” 10x
• “Let there be” 10x
• “It was good” 7x
• “God” 35x

Gen 1:1 = 7 words

Gen 1:2 = 14 words

• Land 21x
• “And it was so” 7x
• “And God saw” 7x
• “To make” 10x
• “According to its kind” 10x

Mark 10:42-45

Mark 13:5-13

2 things

1)those who suffer the most from the destructive behaviors unleashed by human rulers and their lust for power are the poor and marginalized.

2) There is this mistaken notion that the people of God are exempt from this suffering