We have arrived at Revelation 7. But before we continue our tour through the Book of Revelation, let us review what we have heard and seen. The Lamb, Christ, who gave Himself up on the cross, and in doing so gave us life, takes the scroll from the hand of Him who is seated on the throne, His Father. The scroll contains God's counsel and is closed with seven seals. The King of Kings has sealed His counsel; it is His counsel and plan, and no one else's. He has worked out this counsel in the inner chamber of His love. Only one is worthy to fulfill this holy and good counsel: the Lamb. Mankind was created as a viceroy to execute God's counsel in His creation. However, humanity turned into rebels, becoming sinful and alienated from God. There is only one worthy to carry out God's plan, the second Adam, God’s Son, who became human. This second Adam fulfilled God's will in perfect obedience, performing the work of redemption and salvation. The future, the history of the world, and creation rest in the hands of this Creator and Redeemer, the Lamb, Jesus Christ. The Lamb opens the seals one by one. With each seal opened, what will happen in the end becomes clearer. With the breaking of the first seal, it becomes evident that the end times are, above all, about God’s word spreading across the globe. God's Word goes forth, primarily saving and redeeming. With the breaking of the second, third, and fourth seals, it becomes apparent that this gospel, God’s word of grace, is rejected by many, causing injustice and evil to increase. We hear of war, famine, and death. With the breaking of the fifth seal, we learn how this evil and injustice are also directed at God's children, indeed primarily at them. They will suffer greatly in the end times; many will even die. We hear these martyrs cry out to heaven: “How much longer?” Then, the sixth seal is opened. We are taken to the end times. Creation is disrupted and dismantled, and God's creative word withdraws from the first creation. The inhabitants of the earth cry out in great distress: “The day of his wrath has come, and who shall be able to stand?” Looking back on these solemn prophecies, it becomes clear what a special era we live in. It is an era in which the gospel is proclaimed, the era of the Holy Spirit. Oh, that we use our time wisely and live in and for Jesus Christ, who gave his life for sinners, but lives and reigns forever.