Preparation for Judgment: 5th Seal

We continue to prepare for the actual judgment of God to begin (chapter 8), as the fifth seal is broken. In chapter 6 we see the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who alone is authorized to open the heavenly scroll, continue the process one seal at a time. The scroll is not actually opened until all seven seals have been broken by Jesus Christ. While He is breaking the seals in heaven, a variety of activities begin to take place simultaneously on earth. With the breaking of the the first seal the antichrist enters the scene as a deceiver who is allowed to have political control; opening the second seal the antichrist becomes a divider who is permitted to take peace from the earth and have military control; after the third seal is opened the antichrist takes over as a dictator who is permitted to have economic control; and with the breaking of the fourth seal the antichrist becomes a destroyer who is given authority to kill a fourth of the earth, exercising population control. The fifth seal takes place in heaven as we see the results of the great tribulation. The saved souls, who are waiting under the altar, are crying out to God's for proper judgment and vengeance on those who martyred them. They are told to rest for a little while longer - God's judgment (His wrath) is still coming.