If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Welcome to the conclusion of this section! Let’s pray together:

Father, The study of the seven seals helped us to discover the wonderful richness of the prophetic book of Revelation. Please guide us by Your Holy Spirit, so that we may fully understand the global picture of the seven seals presented in this lesson, and be able to better prepare ourselves for the glorious event which will take place at the seventh seal, the return of Your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord. In His name we pray. Amen.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Revelation 4:1	Comments
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, «Come up here, and I will show you things which must be hereafter.»	The opening of the seven seals, which Jesus made possible, reveals to us «things which must be hereafter». Now, let’s draw a summary of the seven seals.
Revelation 5:5
Weep not. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Seventh letter: Revelation 3:20	Comments
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.	Finally, in the seventh letter, Jesus makes one final call, inviting us to open the door of our hearts to Him. In the seventh seal, the door of God’s grace is closed for all those who kept the door of their hearts closed.
Seventh seal: Revelation 8:1
When [the Lamb] had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Revelation 22:10

Comments

And [the angel] said to me, «Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.»

In our lesson «The Book of Revelation», we have seen that this book displays a mirror-like structure, in which the historical part (first section of the book) corresponds with the eschatological part (second section of the book). In this mirror-like structure, the seven seals (chapters 4 to 7) perfectly correspond with the section describing the resurrection of God’s people (chapters 19 and 20). Let’s see this perfect correspondence.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Matthew 24:46,47	Comments
Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He comes shall find so doing. Truly I say to you, that He shall make him ruler over all His goods.	In our lesson «Parallels Between the Prophetic Books», we have seen that the book of Revelation is closely linked with Matthew chapter 24. And those links are especially obvious when we look at the seven seals...
Revelation 22:12
And, behold, I come quickly. And My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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First seal: Revelation 6:2	Comments
And I saw, and behold a white horse. And He that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given to Him: and He went forth conquering, and to conquer.	The first seal announces the beginning of the spreading of the gospel throughout the whole world. Jesus confirms that this work will be victorious, and will stop only when the gospel has reached all the nations.
Matthew 24:14
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations. And then shall the end come.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Second seal: Revelation 6:4	Comments
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 to him a great sword.	The severe persecutions of the second seal were also foretold by Jesus.
Matthew 24:9,10
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for My name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Third seal: Revelation 6:5,6	Comments
And I beheld, and see a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the middle of the four beasts say, «A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny.»	Then, the Church made a lot of doctrinal compromises with paganism, deceiving many people, and plunging them into a deep spiritual famine.
Matthew 24:5,11
For many shall come in My name, saying, «I am Christ,» and shall deceive many. (...) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Fourth seal: Revelation 6:8	Comments
And power was given to 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 seal describes the dark period of the Middle Ages, marked by wars, epidemics, and physical and spiritual famines.
Matthew 24:6,7
And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Fifth seal: Revelation 6:11	Comments
And white robes were given to every one of them; and it was said to them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brothers, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.	Jesus, aware of the trials of His people, encourages them to persevere.
Matthew 24:12,13
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Seventh seal: Revelation 8:1	Comments
When [the Lamb] had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.	Finally, the seventh seal presents a silence in heaven. This silence is caused by the fact that Jesus and His angels have left heaven, coming to gather God’s people who await Him on earth.
Matthew 24:31
And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Revelation 1:7	Comments
Behold, He comes with clouds.	The return of Jesus is the very heart of the entire book of Revelation, from the first to the last chapter. In our lessons about the seven churches, we have seen that, from one letter to another, Jesus’ return was announced more and more obviously and urgently. The same progress also appears in the seven seals.
Revelation 22:20
Surely I come quickly.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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Revelation 1:1	Comments
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him, to show to His servants things which must shortly come to pass.	Each one of the seven seals gives a valuable message that strengthens our confidence in the prophetic Word. These messages also make us realize that this world will come to an end very soon. It is up to each one of us to make the proper choices, right here and now, in light of the vital information the book of Revelation gives us, so that, when Jesus returns, we may be numbered with God’s people.

	If I Were Told the Future	Lesson 38
	Summary of the Seven Seals
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«The smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God.» (Revelation 8:4)

Lord, A new song was sung in honor of Your Son Jesus Christ: «You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.» (Revelation 5:9). We will be everlastingly grateful to You for the work of Jesus, the perfect Lamb, who not only opened the seven seals, but above all, enables us to obtain forgiveness and inherit eternal life. Thank You, O Savior, for Your redeeming grace, in Jesus Christ. Amen.

 The test of Lesson 38 is waiting for you!

Source of the Pictures of this Lesson

Screen 1: Photo in: «Master Clips 500,000» by IMSI, CD #17, AV009.JPG. Screen 2: DOLCI, Carlo. In: «The Living Bible Encyclopedia in Story and Pictures, volume 8», New York, H.S. Stuttman Co. Inc., 1968, p.1012-c. Screen 3: CONVERSE, James. In: «The Triumph of God’s Love, volume 1» (WHITE, Ellen G.), Pacific Press Publishing Association and Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1950, p.107. Table of Screen 3: In: «La Révélation - le grand dénouement est proche», New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1988, p.83. Screen 4: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software, JM238.BMP. Table of Screen 4: 1. STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985, p.174. 2. LEE, M. In: «The Bible Story, volume 10» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.40. Used by permission. Copyright ©1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. 3. STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985, p.175. 4. Unknown source. Screen 5: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software, JM238.BMP. Table of Screen 5: 1. STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985, p.175. 2. In: PADDOCK, Charles L., «Premiers Pas», Editions Le Monde Français, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1964, p.47. 3. STEEL, John. In: «God Cares, volume 2» (MAXWELL, C.Mervyn), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1985, p.174. 4. Picture taken from «US National Library of Medicine». In: «The Medical Post», (September 23, 1997), p.52. Screen 6: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software, JM249.BMP. Table of Screen 6: 1. BISHOP, Tom. «Fifth and sixth seals of Revelation 6». In: «New Pictoral Aid For Bible Study» (BREADEN, Frank), Australian Division of Seventh-Day Adventists, 1970, chart #17. 2. RUDEEN, Herbert. In: «The Bible Story, volume 8» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.146. Used by permission. Copyright ©1956, 1984 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. 3. RUDEEN, Herbert. In: «The Bible Story, volume 10» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.186. Used by permission. Copyright ©1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. 4. In: «Prophecy Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1989, Daniel lesson #23 («The day of deliverance»), p.5. Screen 7: ANDERSON, Harry. In: «Vers Jésus» (WHITE, Ellen G.), Editions Le Monde Français, Pacific Press Publishing Association, front cover. Screen 8: In: «Prophecy Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1989, Daniel lesson #17 («When Daniel Goes to Heaven»), p.5. Screen 9: «One-way mirrors cover a Toronto, Canada, building.» In: «Deluxe Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia CD - 1998 Edition», Compton’s Home Library, 1997. Screen 10: HEASLIP, William. In: «The Bible Story, volume 10» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.200. Used by permission. Copyright ©1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Table of Screen 10: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Revelation Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1986, lesson #9 («Les Quatre Cavaliers de l’Apocalypse»), p.1. Screen 11: MANISCALCO, Joe. In: «Images from the Bible and Sacred History CD», Chosen Works, MLI Software, JM140.BMP. Screen 12: In: MAXWELL, Arthur S., «The Bible Story, volume 10», p.94. Used by permission. Copyright ©1957, 1985 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 13: «The Beheading of Alban». Picture from the Web site: http://www.diocal.org/stalbans/alblife.html. Screen 14: «Emperor Justinian». In: «Deluxe Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia CD - 2000 Edition», Compton’s Home Library, 1999. Screen 15: In: «Awake» magazine (January 8, 1989), Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.1. Screen 16: BISHOP, Tom. «Fifth seal of Revelation 6». In: «New Pictoral Aid For Bible Study» (BREADEN, Frank), Australian Division of Seventh-Day Adventists, 1970, chart #17. Screen 17: BISHOP, Tom. «Sixth seal of Revelation 6». In: «New Pictoral Aid For Bible Study» (BREADEN, Frank), Australian Division of Seventh-Day Adventists, 1970, chart #17. Table of Screen 17: In: «Revelation Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1986, lesson #9 («Les quatre cavaliers de l’Apocalypse»), p.4. Screen 18: MITOMA, Tim. In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (March 1996), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.2. Screen 19: RUDEEN, Herbert. In: «The Bible Story, volume 8» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), p.82. Used by permission. Copyright ©1956, 1984 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, USA. All Rights Reserved. Screen 20: In: «Le Moniteur», Pacific Press Publishing Association, Second Quarter 2000, front cover. Table of Screen 20: STEEL, John. In: «La Sentinelle» magazine (March 1996), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.4. Screen 21: JUSTINEN, Lars. In: «Questionnaire Adulte de l’Ecole du Sabbat», Pacific Press Publishing Association, Third Quarter, 1996, front cover. Table of Screen 21: In: «Prophecy Seminars», Seminars Unlimited, 1989, Daniel lesson #21 («The king of the north»), p.8. Screen 22: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (June 15, 1994), Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.10. Screen 23: Photo in: «Master Clips 500,000» by IMSI, CD #17, 29150104.JPG.

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 The test of Lesson 38 is waiting for you!