THE SEVENTH SEAL

The opening of the seventh seal introduces a long, confusing series of symbolic visions extending over several chapters, possibly from chs. 8 to 19. Scholars still struggle to interpret these mystifying symbols. Below is a précis of Prof. George Caird's analysis.

First come seven angels sounding trumpets. In those times, seven was regarded as the perfect number and the sounding of seven trumpets recalled instances in the Old Testament, notably the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-5), where trumpets heralded significant events. Jewish festival liturgies included the sounding of trumpets, in particular on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) anticipating the final Day of Judgment.

Each of the first four trumpet blasts usher in a series of disasters in which a large number of people die. Some of these plagues were adapted from Moses’ challenge to the pharaoh of Egypt in Exodus 6-10. By these John signaled to the seven churches that he was dealing with their human love of life in this world and so were afraid to die. He was also saying that the present disasters were a prelude to God’s deliverance.

With the fifth trumpet John saw a star falling from heaven with the key to a bottomless pit full of fire, smoke, a plague of locusts and scorpions. This represented the corporate life of sinful humanity in open revolt to the purposes of God. The cumulative power and virulence of evil to which all contribute and by which all are affected is self-destructive, but still limited by God so that humans may see their suffering from sin and repent.

A sixth trumpet blast brings forth four angels and more death from an invading horde from Parthia (modern Iran). Fear was not sufficient to end sinful behaviour. John’s way of dealing with sin was not to denounce it, but to suffer as a faithful witness to Jesus. That approach has particular relevance for much modern preaching.