The Cryptic 7 Seals of the Apocalypse and Matthew 24

Commentary Comparing Matthew 24 and Revelation

Apocalypse Scroll with 7 Seals

Article Preview: What do these seven mysterious seals of Revelation mean? When do they happen? What is there connection to the end of days? How can the prophecies of the seven seals be compared to Matthew 24? Read this study to unlock the puzzle of these seals, so you can understand what is happening when these prophetic events become fulfilled. What do these seven mysterious seals mean? When do they happen? What is there connection to the final years of this age? Matthew 24 and its counter parts in Mark 13 and Luke 21 are the most condensed and to the point prophecies of the concluding years of this age. In the study of prophecy they are the best places to start because they present a sequential outline of prophetic events. The timing of key developments in more detailed prophecies, such as the book of Revelation in this specific case can be better understood in view of these three foundational prophecies.

The Beginning of Sorrows (First 1,260 days) [2]

Matthew 24:1-8 As Yeshua left the Temple and was going on His way, His disciples approached Him and acknowledged the wonder of the Temple buildings. 2 He told them, “Do you see all of these? I assure you not one stone here will be left on another that isn’t demolished.”

3 As Yeshua sat on the Mount of Olives, His disciples approached, conversing among themselves and asked, “Tell us when will these things happen and what will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age.” 4 Yeshua told them, “Be careful not to let anyone deceive you. 5 Many will come in My name and say that I’m the Messiah and they’ll deceive many. 6 You’ll hear of wars and the rumors of battles. Don’t be frightened because all of these things must happen, but it’s not the end yet. 7 Nations will rise against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms. There will be famines, epidemics and earthquakes in various places. 8 Yet all of these 'events' are only the beginning of sorrows.—The Gabriel Bible

The disciples asked Yeshua what are the signs of his coming and the end of the age. Yeshua began to answer the question by describing prophetic events, which must happen before the end time occurs. These prerequisite events that happen before the end time begins are wars involving multiple nations, famines, plagues, and various earthquakes. Are these events mentioned in the book of Revelation? Yes they are. The subject of Revelation 5 is a very special scroll. This scroll, which no one is worthy to open but Yeshua our Messiah Himself has seven seals. These seals must be removed in order to read the contents of the scroll. Therefore these seals represent specific events that must occur before our Messiah returns to fulfill His purpose, which is detailed in the contents of the scroll. Revelation 6:1-8 elaborates upon the intricacies of the first four seals.

Revelation 6:1-8 I watched as the Lamb broke open one of the seven seals. And I heard one of the four living beings say with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 I looked, and there was a white horse, and its rider held a bow, and a crown was given to him. He went out as a conqueror to conquer.

3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living Being say, “Come.” 4 And another horse came out, a fiery red one, and the rider was given the power to take peace from the earth, so that people would kill each other, and a large sword was given to him. 5 When he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come and see.” So I looked and saw a black horse, and the rider had a balance beam scale in his hand. 6 I heard a voice from among the four living beings that said, “A choenix of wheat for a denarius, and three choenices of barley for a denarius, and don’t hurt the olive oil and the wine.” 7 When he broke open the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being say, “Come and see.” 8 I looked, and there was a green horse, and the rider’s name was Death! Sheol [Greek: hades] followed behind him. He was given authority over a quarter of the earth to kill people with a sword [warfare], famines, 'epidemics', and death by the ravenous animals of the earth.

These four seals go hand in hand. The first seal conquering and the second seal war go together. There is going to be some sort of Genghis Kahn type marauder rallying an army and he will wage war. This comprises the first two seals. The third seal lack of food is a result of war. Fields get burned and warehouses get pillaged, and infrastructure gets destroyed. Society breaks down. This results in famine. The forth seal is a consequence of the third. People will be angry and kill each other over what little food is left. People will die of hunger and disease. Rotting corpses won’t be buried and will pollute the land, thus spreading more disease. The fourth seal, death, will be so powerful that a quarter of a given population will die. These grim events are also described in Matthew:

Matthew 24:7-8 Nations will rise against nations and kingdoms against kingdoms. There will be famines, epidemics and earthquakes in various places. 8 Yet all of these 'events' are only the beginning of sorrows.

The first four seals of Revelation, as horrific as they are described, denote the prelude to end time prophecy. In comparing them to a pregnant woman preparing to give birth, they would be the false labor pains, the water has not even broke yet. Therefore, the first four seals of the book of Revelation happen as a beginning to bigger prophetic events that are yet to come. The fifth seal represents the Tribulation and the sixth seal represents the beginning of the Day of the Lord (Yehovah’) which begins immediately after the Tribulation is over. More on these events later. Now let us continue with Matthew 24.

Matthew 24:9-14 They’ll hand you over to be tortured and killed, and you’ll be hated by all nations because of My name. [What no rapture?] 10 Then many will fall away and they’ll hate each other and betray each other. 11 Many false prophets will appear and they’ll delude many. 12 Because of the plethora [Gr. plethuno] of Torah breakers, the love of many will decline. 13 But anyone who perseveres to the end will receive eternal Life. 14 THIS Good News of the Kingdom will be announced thruout the world as a witness to every nation and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:9-14 describes events that happen during the Tribulation. These events correspond to the fifth seal of Revelation. Now verse 14 jumps ahead in the story flow. It says that after the good news is taught to the whole world, the end will come. The Testimony of Yeshua (New Testament) even tells us when the good News is taught.

Revelation 14:6-7 In front of the throne was a sea of glass [2] shining like crystal. In the center near the throne and around the sides were four living beings 'covered' with eyes in front and behind. 7 The first living being resembled a lion, the second living being resembled a calf, the third living being had a face like a man, and the fourth living being resembled a flying eagle.

[2] The “transparent sea of glass shining like crystal in verse 6 mirrors the “watery expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal spread out over their heads” of Ezekiel 1:22.

So after the seventh seal is removed and during the year long Day of Yehovah, a messenger will fly through the air and teach the Good News to everyone on the earth and at the same time announce that Judgment Day has begun. When Judgment day begins, the end of Days has now officially arrived, and the good News has finally been taught to the entire world.

So when is Judgment day? The Day of the Lord (Yehovah) is a year long. However, through Yehovah’s great mercy I do not believe He starts sentencing immediately. He wants as many to repent or amend their ways as possible, and save their lives. It is extremely likely that the year long Day of Yehovah will begin on Aviv 1, which is the first day of the first month of the true Hebrew Calendar. After all, why not start a year long event at the beginning of the year especially when Yehovah has complete control of time and by that schedule the Tribulation will have ended the day before? Now if we study the seven annual Feast days for their end time context, a road map for the day of Yehovah begins to appear, following the example of Israelite history, like the original Passover was finished on Aviv 14. The Exodus out of slavery from Egypt began on the next day, the fifteenth. Likewise, the Second Exodus will begin on the same schedule. After Passover is over and on Aviv 15, the First Day of Unleavened Bread, the newly freed survivors of the Great Tribulation will begin their long trek to the Promised Land of Israel.

Jeremiah 23:7-8 That’s why the days are coming,” says Yehovah, “When people will no longer say, ‘As Yehovah lives, who brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.’ 8 Instead, they’ll say, ‘As surely as Yehovah lives, who brought about the 'exodus' of the descendants of the House of Israel from the North Country, and from all the countries where He had banished them.’ They’ll live in their own land!”

By the fifteenth day of the seventh month there should be a great number of Israelites congregating in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. This Feast lasts seven days. Just as in the days of old, the newly freed Israelites will live in little tabernacles on their journey to the promised land. Only this time there will not be a 40 year detour. Now the eighth day is the last of the seven annual High Days. It represents Judgment Day. My thinking is that since there is a special day set aside yearly for the last several thousand years, that represents Judgment, why not have Judgment Day begin on that High Day? So the logical beginning point for Judgment Day is the 22nd day of the 7th month of the Hebrew Calendar, and it will last until the 30th day of the 12th month. However, we are getting ahead of the story. This is when it ends but we need to get back to the beginning.

Now back to Matthew 24. In verse 15 the story flow leaps back in time again. We are no longer discussing Judgment Day but the very beginning of the Great Tribulation.

Matthew 24:15 When you see the sign of the detestable desolation mentioned by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Cherished Place—may the reader discern!— [2] [3]

[2] This is reminiscent of Matthew 28:16. [3] See my All Sources Disclaimer.

The original abomination of desolation of the Temple was when Antiochus Epiphanes invaded Jerusalem, sacrificed a pig on the alter and erected the idol Jupiter Olympus in the Holy of Holies of the Temple. This is the forerunner of a much more significant and prophetic event that will happen in the near future. For any of the prophecies of Matthew 24 to come true, the third Temple will have to be built. When the third Temple is built, there will be an treaty made to allow those who worship there to conduct animal sacrifices in the morning and in the evening. At the appointed time a man referred to as the Little Horn in Daniel 8 will invade Jerusalem with an army and forcibly stop the animal sacrifices. When the Little Horn abominates and makes desolate the Temple, he will not bother using a statue of Jupiter in the Holy of Holies. He will declare himself to be the God of gods.

2nd Thessalonians 2:1-4 Friends, regarding the coming of our Sovereign Yeshua Messiah and our anticipated special assembly [1] with Him, we urge you 2 not to be shaken up or troubled by any messages or spirits or by a letter supposedly sent by us, 'claiming' that the Day of Yehovah is imminent. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you with some scheme, because that Day won’t come prior to the apostasy [rebellion] [2] and a certain man of lawlessness appears—the son of destruction. 4 He is an adversary who exalts himself above every so-called “god” and anything religiously venerated. He’ll sit in Yehovah’s Temple and “prove” that he is Yehovah.

[1] The root word for this assembly means “to bring together to others already assembled.” Following this special assembly, the barriers of time and space will be gone. [2] This apostasy is not a defection from Biblical truth (nothing new about that). world, apostasy was a technical term for political revolt or defection.” It’s a worldwide departure from basic truths, when the whole world (not limited to Christians) accepts the Big Lie (vs.11-12)—a lie far bigger than the “Big Lie” Adolph Hitler spread. The anarchy caused by the apostasy will cause the world to long for a savior—guess who the world will choose! Jonathan Cahn is on the right track.

Back to Matthew:

Matthew 24:16-22 then those of you who are in Judea should escape to the mountain/s! 17 No one on the roof should come down to get anything out of their houses, 18 and no one in the fields should return to get their clothing. 19 But I pity pregnant and nursing mothers in those days. 20 Pray that your flight won’t be during the winter [rainy weather] or on the Sabbath. 21 There will be Great Tribulation then, such as has never occurred from the beginning of the world until now, and will by no means ever happen again. 22 If were it not for those days being terminated [by the Day of Yehovah!], no one would survive. But for the sake of the select, those days will be terminated [4].

[4] Matthew 24 describes the exact same events that Daniel 12:11-12 does, and as Daniel explained, the events will be totally “terminated” after 1,335 days. Here ia a good explanation, (other than the rapture!)

Luke chapter 21, a companion prophecy to Matthew 24, adds one critical piece of information.

Luke 21:20-24 So when you see Jerusalem surrounded by an encamped army [2], then you’ll know that its destruction is approaching. 21 Then those in Judea should flee to the mountain, and those who are inside 'Jerusalem' should evacuate, and those in the fields should avoid 'the city'. 22 These are the days of vengeance that will fulfill everything that is written about in the Scriptures. 23 But pity those who are pregnant and those who are nursing babies then, because there will be great adversity in the land, and 'persecution' against these people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be carried away captive into every foreign nation. Jerusalem will be trampled down by heathens until the times [eras] of the heathens are completely over.

[2] Warning: the Greek says ‘armies’ plural. Aramaic, Latin and Persic all are correct in the singular. If you wait to flee until after another army shows up you will die! In the ‘practice run’ of 70 AD it was the Roman army. In the final fulfillment, it will be the beast’s army. Verse 21 says mountain (singular) in Aramaic. We need to know which one.

It is highly recommended that you find yourself in Jerusalem worshiping in the Temple, and under the direction of Joshua and Zerubbabel, the two men who become the future two witnesses during the Tribulation. Joshua and Zerubbabel are the two men who are chiefly responsible for getting the Temple built. At that time, when you see an army surround the city, run to the mountain(s). Don’t bother to pack your bags.

Just as when Yeshua first taught in the Temple nearly two thousand years ago, there will be various factions worshiping in the Temple. Only a percentage that taught the correct beliefs will know to flee the city when it is surrounded. The rest probably could not conceive of any invasion of Jerusalem being successful. After all, they could wrongly conclude, after thousands of years we finally have the Temple. We are now being blessed by God. worshiping in the Temple is the only instruction I have found in the Scriptures, indicating a way to avoid being in tribulation. There are no instructions for believers who live in Michigan, USA, for example, stating when to flee. Even then there are no guarantees. Jerusalem is a violent city. One could be martyred before it is time to flee. However, even if you are martyred and you have amended your ways and follow the Torah (Law) and the Testimony of Yeshua, you will have a positive Judgment and be numbered among the elect.

I thought about this verse when Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, U.S.A. They saw the Hurricane coming, yet way too many stayed waiting for the Government to provide transportation to evacuate. The result is that many needlessly died and thousands were shoved into the Superdome without proper plumbing, food or water. Don’t wait on the government to provide a bus. Move on your own two feet if that is all you have, or you will experience far worse than Hurricane Katrina.

Now lets go back to Matthew 24:

Matthew 24:23-28 Then if anyone tells you, ‘Messiah is over here’, or ‘He’s over there’, don’t believe them. 24 False Messiahs and false prophets [Gr. pseudoprophetes] will appear and perform great miracles and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the select. 25 Remember, I told you this in advance! 26 So if people tell you, ‘Look, He’s in the [Jordan?] desert’, don’t go there, or, “Look, He’s in a secret room”, don’t believe them. 27 Like lightning coming out of the east and flashing into the west, that is how the coming of the Human Son will be. 28 Wherever the carcass is, that’s where the vultures are gathered.

During the Tribulation and perhaps even during the Day of Yehovah, there will be liars running around proclaiming to be Jesus Christ. During the Day of Yehovah. Yeshua will not initially meet with masses of people. His visits at first will be specifically targeted. For example:

Revelation 3:14-22To the messenger of the assembly in Laodicea, write: “The Aw-main', the Witness, the Faithful, the True, the Originator of Yehovah’s creation, says: 15 ‘I know your works, that you are neither hot or cold. I wish that you were either cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and aren’t either hot or cold, I’m about to vomit you from My mouth.’ 17 You say, ‘I’m rich and I don’t need anything’, not realizing that you are sick [Aramaic], miserable, destitute, blind and naked! 18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, so that you’ll actually become rich, and buy white clothing from Me so that you can clothe yourself, and the shame of your nakedness won’t appear, and eye salve for yours eyes, so that you can see. 19 I admonish and discipline everyone I love. So be zealous and make amends. 20 I have been standing at the door knocking. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I’ll come in to them and eat with them, and they with Me. 21 Anyone who is victorious I’ll allow to sit with Me on My throne [7], even as I was victorious and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 To anyone 'listening', listen to what the spirit says to the assemblies.”

[7] For most of history kings literally ruled from their thrones, yet Yehovah’s Kingdom will be administered by a multiplicity of kings ruling in complete harmony, Revelation 5:10

We have here a specific example of Yeshua trying to wake up the lukewarm ,sick, miserable, and naked Laodiceans for repentance during the day of Yehovah, but before the sentencing period of Judgment day begins. In this example, any Laodicean who opens the door to Him will eat supper with Him and have the facts of Life and Death explained to them. Many of the congregation of Laodicea will receive a personal invitation to amend their ways from Yeshua himself! Do you choose to believe what is literally written. I do, I live in Literalville.

In Zechariah we have additional information of Yeshua’s highly public return.

Zechariah 14:1-4 The Day of Yehovah is coming, [and when it does] [1] when your possessions will have been plundered right in front of you! 2 I’ll gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem. The city will have been taken, the houses looted and the women raped. Half [2] of the residents will have gone into exile [been taken], but the rest of the people will have been left in the city. 3 Then Yehovah will go out and wage war against those nations, as when He fought on a day of battle! 4 And in that day His [Yeshua’s (Jesus’)] feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. [This is not the Great Tribulation period, rather it is stated to be “The Day of Yehovah” this is after the wise have fled.] And the Mount of Olives will be split in two, from east to west, forming a very large valley, [Elohim is on Mt. Zion, Isaiah 10:12] so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.

[2] In Zechariah 13:8, 9, it is “two-thirds” that perish, and “a third” are left behind. However in Zechariah 14:2, it is “in all the land”; here it is “half of the city.” Two-thirds of the “whole people” perish, one-third survives. One-half of the citizens are led captive, the residue are not cut off.

So When Yeshua has His highly public return, lightning will flash from the East to the West and when He lands on the Mount of Olives it will split in two. Therefore, when the time comes and some deceiver claims to be Jesus Christ, and says: “Meet me at this certain location”, don’t you believe him! Knowing what to look for, there is no mistaking Yeshua’s public return as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Matthew 24 even gives us a clue as to when Yeshua will return:

Matthew 24:29-31 Immediately after the time of Tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon won’t shed her light and stars will fall from the sky [See footnote on Isaiah 34:4], and the miraculous power of the skies will be shaken. 30 Then the miraculous sign of the Human Son [6] will be seen in the sky, and then all the nations on earth will mourn when they see the Human Son coming on the clouds in the sky, with great power and splendor. 31 Then He’ll send out His spirit messengers with a loud shofar blast [7] and they’ll gather together His selected people from the four winds [north, south, east and west], from one farthermost bound of the horizon [heaven] to the other. 32 Now, learn the parable from the fig tree. As soon as its branches become tender and it produces leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 Similarly, when you actually see all of these things, you will realize that He is near, approaching the door!/p>

[6] Yeshua was alluding to Daniel 7:13 where “Daniel saw Someone like a Human Son coming with the clouds in the sky. So what is the sign—it will look like a human (son of man) descending from the sky! Immediately after Satan’s nearly unhindered seven year long rampage, everything begins to change in a day. Another entire set of prophecies will play out during the Year of Payback (Isaiah 34) [7] This link is a remarkable timetable that Ernest Martin calculated in 1989. He made many of the same asumptions as I had. Still a lot of good info. The passage of time necessitated the start of my countdown 2,000 years from Yeshua’s crucifixion rather than start from the beginning of His ministry. (otherwise the Great Tribulation would be well underway by now.)

Gary Martin

Lonnie Martin’s work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License

 

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