June 14: SEALED, UNSEALED, AND NEVER SEALED

Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. Revelation 6:11

The white robe that represents the righteousness of Christ signifies that every martyr for Him died, not as a failure, but as a conqueror. Their rest is sweet and their happy fate is sealed. Their largest victory lay in the conquering of self. It has long been understood among earnest followers of Christ, that the greatest battle in this earthly life is the battle between self-will and the will of God. How easy it would have been for them to recant their faith verbally. Or recant non-verbally by a simple act. All that many had to do was drop a pinch of incense into a small flame to acknowledge a false god. Others were commanded to bow down before an image, or participate in a particular ritual or tradition that had been substituted for obedience to the Lord; such simple demands in order to avoid being put to death by their persecutors. All of these things were to be done for others to observe and be influenced thereby. Those who refused to deny the Lord by word or deed were ridiculed, mocked, derided as ignorant, and mistreated in varying degrees, including torture “for their own good” before being killed.

These last days have been accompanied by a broad availability of the Bible. The Reformation has been slowly and steadily highlighting various Biblical truths that were obscured and suppressed by the Dark Ages church. And now, with the help of modern technology, we may go to and fro in the Word very efficiently.* Prophetic Scripture indicates that acknowledgement of the day chosen by man over the Lord’s Sabbath will leap to the forefront as the main issue of worship before Jesus returns. Already, many legal measures are in place—with more to come—that will enforce the keeping of a spurious “holy day” over the Lord’s appointed weekly Sabbath. Make note that these measures are being set into place by secular government.

Jesus, as the fully human Son of Man, experienced great agony before His arrest saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven and strengthened Him. (Luke 22:42-43) Every one of us has human issues that push against the will of God. But we can be greatly encouraged that Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven during those dark hours that He faced before His arrest, and He was strengthened by an angel from heaven.

The great tribulation that is just ahead will result in more martyrdom, fulfilling the above prophecy that the martyrs who have already died should rest a little while longer until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who [will] be killed as they were, [is] completed. Revelation is a book of prophecy, and prophecy is for the living (1:3). Whether you die a natural death, are martyred, or are still alive when Jesus comes for His bride, accept the grace that He provides for your continued faithfulness to Him. Note the interesting contrast between the two verses below. Daniel is no longer a sealed book! Another sign of our time.

*But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. Daniel 12:4

And he said to me [John], “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.” Revelation 22:10