Ch 6-8a The cycle of the 7 seals Flashcards
What are the 3 cycles of 7’s in the book?
7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls.
What do the cycles of 7 depict?
God’s kingdom and justice coming here on earth as in heaven.
How do some people interpret the 3 sets of 7 divine judgments?
As a literal linear sequence of events that happened in the past, are happening now, or will happen in the future.
How are the 7’s structured in relation to each other?
The final 7 bowls come out of the 7th trumpet and the 7th seal, and the 7 trumpets emerge from the 7th seal.
What imagery is used to describe the relationship between the 7’s?
They are like nesting dolls - each 7th contained in the next 7.
What is the conclusion of each series of 7?
Each series culminates in the final judgment and they have matching conclusions.
What time period do the sets of 7 likely depict?
The time between Jesus’s resurrection and his future return from 3 different perspectives.
What do the first 4 seals opened by the slain lamb reveal?
John sees 4 horsemen symbolizing times of war, conquest, famine, and death.
What does the fifth seal depict?
The murdered Christian martyrs before God’s heavenly throne.
What do the martyrs cry out to God?
Their innocent blood rises up before God like smoke from the altar of incense.
What is God’s response to the martyrs’ cry?
The 6th seal brings the great day of the Lord described in Isaiah and Joel.
What question do the people of the earth ask during the 6th seal?
‘Who is able to stand?!’
What does John see during the intermission after the 6th seal?
An angel with a signet ring placing a mark of protection on God’s servants.
How many are sealed as God’s servants?
144,000, which is a military census from the Book of Numbers chapter one.
What is surprising about the messianic army John sees?
It is made up of people from all nations, fulfilling God’s ancient promise to Abraham.
