The Book of Revelation: III-VIII

Sem. Roger Ryan D. Alba, STB II

SS8: New Testament III: Johanine Literature, March 28, 2024

This chapter of the book emphasizes the different revelations. The Scroll Vision in
Revelation unfolds in a series of vividly described sections, each revealing different aspects of
God's plan for the future and the challenges faced by believers:

In Revelation Chapter 4, John describes a breathtaking vision of the heavenly temple. He

sees a door standing open in heaven and hears a voice inviting him to witness future events. In
heaven, John beholds a majestic throne with someone seated on it, whose appearance is radiant
like Jasper and Carnelian.1 A rainbow surrounds the throne, shining brightly like an emerald.
Around the throne, John observes twenty-four other thrones, each occupied by elders wearing
white garments and golden crowns. Flashes of lightning, peals of thunder, and seven flaming
lamps symbolizing the seven spirits of God accompany the throne. 2Before it lies a sea of glass,
resembling crystal. Positioned around the throne are four living creatures, each possessing
multiple wings and eyes. They resemble a lion, an ox, a human, and an eagle. Day and night,
they continuously praise God, declaring his holiness and eternal nature. Whenever the living
creatures glorify God, the twenty-four elders bow down, casting their crowns before the throne in
worship. They acknowledge God as the Creator of all things and express reverence for his power
and sovereignty.3

The Lamb and the Scroll (Ch. 5): In this chapter, John witnesses a profound scene where
a scroll sealed with seven seals is presented. The scroll represents God's unfolding plan for
history and redemption. Only Jesus Christ, depicted as a Lamb, is found worthy to open the
seals, symbolizing his authority and role in executing God's plan. 4 The First Four Seals (6:1-8):
These seals are opened one by one, unleashing a series of dramatic events symbolized by four
horsemen. These horsemen represent conquest, war, famine, and death, illustrating the suffering
and upheaval that will characterize the unfolding of God's plan. 5 The Fifth Seal (6:9-11): This
seal reveals the souls of martyrs under the altar, crying out for justice and vindication. It
underscores the theme of persecution faced by believers and highlights their faithful witness
even unto death.6 The Sixth Seal (6:12-17): With the opening of this seal, cosmic disturbances
1
Eugene Boring. Revelation. INT. Louisville: John Knox Press, 1989.
2
Ibid. 83
3
Wilfrid Harrington. Revelation. SP. (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1993), 128-135.
4
Cf. Wilfrid Harrington . Revelation. SP. (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1993) 78. and Luke
Timothy, Johnson. The Writings of the New Testament: An interpretation. 3rd Ed. (Minneapolis:
Fortress, 2010) 535.

5
Ibid. 100
6
Ibid. 103
occur, signaling the impending Day of the Lord and the final judgment. The imagery portrays the
magnitude of the events and the fear that will grip the earth. The Sealing of the Faithful (7:1-8):
Before the final judgment, God seals 144,000 servants from the tribes of Israel, symbolizing the
protection and preservation of his faithful followers amidst the tribulations to come.7

Song of Victory (7:9-17): Following the sealing of the faithful, a great multitude from
every nation praises God and the Lamb, celebrating their salvation and victory over tribulation. It
provides a glimpse of the ultimate triumph of God's people. 8The Seventh Seal (8:1-5): The
opening of the seventh seal brings a period of silence in heaven, marking the anticipation of
further judgments and events to unfold.9

Thebook also presented the 7 trumpets as well as the image of a woman and a dragon, as the last
revelation in the book. The First Four Trumpets (8:6-13): With the sounding of these trumpets, a
series of catastrophic events befalls the earth, including natural disasters and plagues reminiscent
of the plagues of Egypt.10The Fifth Trumpet (First Woe) (9:1-12): This trumpet heralds the
release of demonic locusts that torment humanity, symbolizing the spiritual warfare and demonic
influence at play.11The Sixth Trumpet (Second Woe) (9:13-21): With the sounding of this
trumpet, an army of horsemen inflicts widespread devastation and death upon the earth,
portraying the horrors of war and judgment. The Open Scroll (Ch. 10): John witnesses a mighty
angel holding an open scroll, symbolizing the continuation of God's divine plan and the
proclamation of further revelations.12

The Temple Measured (11:1-2): John sees the measuring of the temple, signifying God's
protection of his faithful people amidst impending judgment. The Two Witnesses (11:3-14): Two
witnesses testify for God during a period of persecution, performing miracles and proclaiming
God's judgment before being martyred and resurrected. The Seventh Trumpet (11:15-19): The
sounding of the seventh trumpet heralds the proclamation of God's kingdom and the final victory
over evil, prompting worship and praise in heaven.13

The Woman and the Dragon (12:1-6): John sees a vision of a woman representing the
faithful remnant of Israel, persecuted by a dragon symbolizing Satan and his opposition to God's
people. Victory in Heaven (12:7-12): A heavenly war ensues between the archangel Michael and
the dragon, resulting in Satan's expulsion from heaven and the triumph of God's kingdom.
Dragon and Woman (12:13-18): The dragon intensifies his persecution of the woman and her

7
Ibid. 89
8
Ibid., 92.
9
Ibid., 103
10
Wilfrid Harrington, Revelation. SP. (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1993) 78.
11
Ibid., 105 see. Court, John. Revelation. NTG. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1994
12
Ibid.
13
Ibid., 97
offspring, representing the ongoing spiritual battle faced by believers until the ultimate defeat of
evil.14

Reflection

This chapter of the book of Revelation provides a rich tapestry of vividly described
visions, each revealing different aspects of God's plan for the future and the challenges faced by
believers. In Revelation Chapter 4, John experiences a profound vision of the heavenly temple,
where he witnesses a majestic throne surrounded by twenty-four elders and four living creatures,
all continuously praising God's holiness and eternal nature. The imagery portrays the grandeur
and reverence of heavenly worship, emphasizing God's sovereignty and creative power.

Moving forward to Chapter 5, John witnesses a pivotal scene where a scroll sealed with
seven seals is presented, symbolizing God's unfolding plan for history and redemption. Only
Jesus Christ, depicted as a Lamb, is found worthy to open the seals, highlighting his authority
and central role in executing God's divine plan. Subsequent chapters unveil the opening of the
seals, revealing dramatic events such as conquest, war, famine, and death, symbolizing the
suffering and upheaval that will characterize the unfolding of God's plan.

Amidst the tribulations, Chapter 7 offers a glimpse of hope as God seals 144,000 faithful
servants and a great multitude from every nation, celebrating their salvation and victory over
tribulation. However, the opening of the seventh seal marks a period of silence in heaven,
signifying the anticipation of further judgments and events to unfold.

The subsequent chapters introduce the sounding of the seven trumpets, each heralding
catastrophic events befalling the earth, including natural disasters, plagues, and demonic
torments, symbolizing the spiritual warfare and judgment to come. Yet, amidst the chaos, John
witnesses divine protection and the testimony of faithful witnesses who proclaim God's
judgment.

Finally, the vision of the woman and the dragon symbolizes the ongoing spiritual battle
faced by believers, culminating in the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over evil. Throughout
these revelations, believers are reminded of the sovereignty of God, the centrality of Jesus Christ,
and the assurance of victory for those who remain faithful amidst trials and tribulations.

14
Court, John. Revelation. NTG. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1994.