TUESDAY
The 3 X 7 enactments of God’s judgment brings up some important systematic theologies for thinking about the end times (Eschatology). Remember, these are simply categories to help us discuss these topics and think through them in a concise manner. These must, of course, be based on good biblical theology, rooted in our interpretations of the biblical text.
The seven seals, trumpets and bowls have been interpreted by some to be a literal* sequence of events, whether in the past (preterist—describing Jesus life), present (historicist—example: we are on seal 6, currently) or in the future (futurist—this is predicting a great tribulation in the end). The futurist view has dominated Evangelicalism for the last 150 years. It is, in my opinion, less likely that this refers to a specific period of seven years. Remember, John calls himself “a partner in the tribulation.” (Rev. 1:9) Therefore, it is more likely these are different ways of describing the same era of redemption history—the era from Christ’s resurrection until his return.
Think of these three sets of 7 like a telescope or like a set of nesting dolls, as the Bible Project video below suggests. The bowls are within the 7th trumpet and the 7 trumpets are within the 7th seal. These are three different ways of describing the same thing—the tribulation of the current era that we live in and God’s ultimate judgment.
Although I don’t think we should think of this as a specific period of time (7 years), taking into account texts like Matthew 24 and 1 Thessalonians 4-5, there are different perspectives on the events of the tribulation. There are three primary views on the tribulation. I don’t have time to go into them in detail. They are named in reference to when believers will be raptured:
- Pre-Trib - Believers will be raptured before the tribulation begins. This requires a literal tribulation in the future, which I’ve already suggested to be the less likely option.
- Mid-Trib - Believers will be raptured in the middle of the tribulation. Again, this requires a literal time period, usually 7 years in which the church experiences some of the tribulation but then is raptured 3.5 years into it.
- Post-Trib - Believers will be raptured at the end of the tribulation. This view fits with the interpretation that the tribulation is the current era of redemption history. Jesus will return and rapture his people at the end. In this view the idea of rapture from 1 Thessalonians 4 (believers being caught up to meet the Lord in the air) isn’t the believers leaving to be with Jesus, but they meet him in the air to then accompany him on way to earth to restore it and make it new. Jesus doesn’t turn around and take us to heaven. Instead we turn around and follow him to earth.
It’s difficult to come to any definitive answer on this, so it’s best to hold it with an open hand. I favor the Post-Trib view but there is plenty of room to interpret these passages differently.
Therefore, if my interpretation of this is correct (again, I hold this with a big, open hand, acknowledging that I may not be right on this) we should not be looking for these events literally. Instead, we should acknowledge that this is the era of redemption history that we currently live in and eagerly await the imminent return of Christ.
In these passages we are told that Christians should expect tribulation, God is sovereign over even those tribulations, and one day he will ultimately judge evil.
*I mentioned the word literal here. If you want to get under the skin of Bible scholars, tell them that you interpret the Bible literally as a way of saying that you take it more seriously than they do. Nobody interprets Revelation 100% literally! If you did, you’re hard pressed to say what Jesus literally looks like (the image from Rev. 1, the lion, the lamb, the rider in Rev. 19). You’d be looking for some strange looking locusts and strange beasts coming out of the sea and the land. We interpret the parts of the Bible literally that are meant to be literal and the parts that are meant to be figurative, figuratively. This is good Bible study and takes it seriously.
Additional Content
Seals start at about 5:30