Signs Of The Apocalypse
The 7 Seals Or Signs Of The Apocalypse
Signs Of The Apocalypse – The Judgment Day, The End of The World, The Apocalypse, anyway you call it, it means the same thing. It symbolizes the end of us, the end of everything around us. This thing always preoccupied the human brain. Every Christian should know about the signs of the end times. Because the Christians and believers in Jesus Christ will suffer the most.
The apocalypse is a very beloved theme for numerous movies, books and art pieces. Because it is filled with mystery, uncertainty and horror. The apocalypse or the end of the day fascinates and terrifies at the same time. Inspiring numerous philosophers. Also, the apocalypse is even described in The Bible. The Book of Revelations describes how the world will end. And it mentions 7 important Signs Of The Apocalypse. Which are 7 seals. Each seal get us closer to the end of ourselves, to the end of the world. Let’s see which are those 7 seals.
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
The First Sign
You can find the First seal in The Book of Revelations (Revelation 6:1-2), which sounds like this:
1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Reading carefully, you can see that the first seal is the first of four beasts, also known as the Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse. The first seal, being the first horseman on a white horse. He has a bow in his hands and a crown on his head.
But there are many other interpretations of this passage from The Bible. Therefore, the first horsemen has been identified by some. For example, Johan Jakob Wettstein sustains that the first horsemen is Artabanus, the ancient king of Parthians. He deserves the title of one of the horsemen of The Apocalypse, due to the atrocities and the slaughter he brought upon the Jews from Babylon. But the most common identity of the first horsemen is the whole Roman Empire as an entity. With its emperor, Nero, being the Antichrist himself.
But there are numerous historians who believe that the first seal has been opened by Jesus Christ (the Lamb) when he died and has been resurrected.
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
The Second Sign
The 2nd seal or sign is described in Revelation 6:3-4. And it say:
3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4. And there went out another horse [that was] red: and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
As you can see, the second horsemen will ride a red horse. He can be recognized due to his Great Sword. The Second Horseman of The Apocalypse will bring war and death. There will be no peace on earth. And people will start to kill each other. Sound really apocalyptic in my opinion.
This Horsemen also has been associated with historical figures. For example, Ernest Renan associated the second horsemen with The Great Jewish Revolt. It was a really bloody and dark event in human history. Resulting in the division of the Jews.
Other historians interpret the second seal as different wars. For example, the Jewish-Roman wars, The Roman-Parthian wars or the Byzantine-Arab wars. Others identify the red horse (which is red from the blood of the dead) with assassins. And there are historians who even linked the opening of the second seal with the period between 98 and 275. As being the period with the most bloody wars.
But there is another, less familiar interpretation by Alexander Keith. He sustains that the second seal has been opened when Mohammedanism started.
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
Others say that the second seal hasn’t been opened. And the Antichrist will open it, by starting the 3rd World War. Which will be some kind of religious war against Christians. This theory is found also in The Bible under Ezek. 38 and Dan. 11. As a result, The Antichrist will ally with the Arabs or Mohammedans and will conquer the whole world. The only thing stopping them being Jerusalem. That being said, let’s go to the next sign.
The Third Sign
The 3rd sign or seal can be found in Rev. 6:5-6. It sounds like this:
5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say. Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
The third sign is the 3rd Horseman of The Apocalypse. He will come on a Black Horse. And he will have a scale. He will measure wheat and barley that one get for his money. While the horsemen enjoy the oil and wine. Therefore, he brings famine. Which is darker and harder than any war.
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
Numerous historians tried to decode this seal too. Therefore, Hugo Grotius associates the third sign with the famine that occurred between the years 41 and 54, in The Roman Empire, under the reign of emperor Claudius. Another, most accurate interpretation is that of the famine between the years 44 and 66. During the Jewish-Roman wars. Which was so cruel that “mothers had to eat their own children”. Meanwhile, the leader of the Jewish revolt and his men had all the oil and wine. This really sounds like the situation described in Revelation.
But there are numerous other interpretations. Such as the Financial Oppression of the 3rd century. Which resulted in famine due to the heavy taxation of the citizens. These taxes were often paid in wheat and barley.
Those who believe that the second seal breaks with the 3rd WW, also sustain that the 3rd seal will be opened during WW3. Which will provoke famine, huge inflation and taxes. Therefore, millions will starve to death, meanwhile the wealthy will enjoy their luxurious lifestyles.
If we think about it logically, after a huge and bloody war, famine and taxation will be the next thing to hurt humankind. The next being diseases and death (the fourth seal).
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
The Fourth Sign
The 4th sign or seal can be found in the next passages in Rev. 6:7-8, which say:
7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
The Fourth Horseman of The Apocalypse will be Death himself, on a pale horse. The pale horse can be seen as a sick horse or a horse that brings sickness and death. The 4th horsemen will bring the unavoidable death provoked by the other 3 Horsemen (the conquering, the war and the famine). Being also the last Horsemen. But after all the 4 Horsemen of The Apocalypse was unleashed unto the world, they will not be stopped. Resulting in the end of the world. Because what these 4 do will provoke other 3 signs, that will result in the unstoppable Apocalypse.
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
There are not many people who associate the fourth seal or horseman with any historic figure. But there are exceptions. For example, Volkmar associates it with the pestilence of 66, which killed millions of Jews. And which was a direct result of the famine. Others associate this seal with the period between 248 and 268. Also known as the 20 years of wars, famine and diseases.
Another interpretation is that the 4th seal, just like the 2nd and 3rd, haven’t been opened yet. And when it will be open, it will unleash a deadly disease. Which will result in the death of one-fourth of the entire population of the earth. These four seals will result in the next tree signs, such as the crying of the martyrs.
The Fifth Sign
The Fifth Seal of The Apocalypse can be found in Rev. 6:9-11, which sounds like this:
9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
This is a highly horrifying passage from The Bible. It describes the cry of the Christian martyrs who have been killed by the four horsemen. This passage is also horrifying because it describes the fact that Christians all over the world will have to suffer until the second coming of Christ. The martyrs that died until the opening of the 5th seal will have to suffer more and wait for the other Christians to die and suffer. Before they can be saved by Jesus Christ. Which is a very depressing idea to think about. The 5th seal being enormous suffering.
Many historians, such as Ernest Renan and Volkmar, associate the 5th seal or sign with the most important martyrdom in Christian history, which occurred in the year 64. Others associate it with the period between the years 284 and 303. When emperor Diocletian executed a huge number of Christians.
Another interpretation describes the 5th seal as the suffering of Christians. As I said above, Antichrist allies with the Arabs to conquer or kill every Christian on earth. Which results in wars, famine, death and suffering. Every people who will not deny Jesus Christ, will face suffering and death. Their souls suffering a lot more, until the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
The Sixth Sign
You can find the description of the opening of the 6th seal in Rev. 6:12-17, which say:
12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13. And the stars of the heavens fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14. And the heavens departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
When the 6th seal opens, there will be a huge cosmic disturbance. Resulting in the collapse of the whole planet. Which can also be interpreted as the result of a nuclear war. But let’s see what historians think bout the 6th sign.
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
Both Hugo Grotius and Volkmar linked the opening of the 6th seal to Jerusalem, and almost the same years. The first associates the period with 70. When the Siege of Jerusalem took place. The responsible being Emperor Titus. The later links the event to the year 68. When Galba assumed emperorship over Jerusalem. Both interpretations being very similar.
Others sustain that it will take place in the future, as a result of the 3rd World War. Which might imply nuclear weaponry. The nuclear weapons will cause earthquakes and other horrific events. Such as volcanic debris polluting the air, resulting in a red moon and a dark sun.
Another interpretation describes that humankind will get so evil, that the whole world collapses as a result of the suffering and death they create. This can also be seen as God’s wrath. This wrath will not hurt Christians, because they will all be gone already, due to the war against The Christian Church. And then the last seal will be opened.
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
The Seventh Sign
The 7th and last of the Signs Of The Apocalypse can be found in Rev. 8:1-6 and 16:1, and it sounds like this:
1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4. And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.
5. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast [it] into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
And
1. And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
It is the last seal or sign. When Heaven falls into “silence” and get prepared for The Judgment Day. The 7 Angels Of The Apocalypse (Archangel Raphael being one of them) get 7 trumpets from God. They will come to earth to pronounce the guilty. These preparations are the results of the millions of prayers of saints, martyrs and Christians. Then the 7 angels prepare their trumpets. And with the sound of their trumpets, they unleash Gods wrath upon the earth and upon the guilty.
The Signs Of The Apocalypse
Although there are some historians who link the 7th seal to historic events, it is hard to take them seriously. Because the description from Revelations is too accurate. But let’s see a few examples. Johann Jakob Wettstein links the event to Jerusalem’s waiting for judgment in the years 70. Other historians link it to the 3rd century Roman Empire, starting with the defeat of Constantine. This interpretation being the closest to the biblical description. Christians cry because they are martyred by the empire. And the seven angels with the seven trumpets can be seen as the seven judgments of God. That were unleashed upon the Roman Empire as a result of killing so many Christians.
The 7th sign is the preparation of the angels in The Kingdom of Heaven for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Because then all the suffering souls of the martyrs will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. And the guilty will get what they deserve.
The Four Horsemen Of the Apocalypse photos by Shane Braithwaite .
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