We have often been taught that there will be no more tears when we get to heaven. And that is true. There are two scriptures that are used to verify this, both of them in Revelation. In Revelation 7:17 and 21:4, we are told “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” What a glorious time that will be, when there will be no more sorrow or suffering for all eternity. However, did you know that there is a time recorded in Scripture when someone actually did weep in heaven?
It is of all people, the apostle John. There is a very dramatic scene in the book of Revelation that puzzles me just a wee bit. (not that the whole book is not full of drama). In Revelation 5:1-7 we are shown a scene that takes place in heaven, as witnessed by John:
“And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it.”
Let me stop right here for a moment and ask a question. Why? Why are we shown this scene? It becomes clear, as we continue to read that the only one in this story who didn’t know that there was in fact, someone worthy to open this scroll, is John. With that in mind, I have come to a conclusion that I would like to share with you. John is the only person in this scene who was there for only a short time. He had not died and gone to heaven. He was still very much alive on this earth and was simply witnessing this scene after he was told “to come up here”. Since he was then sent back to earth to write the book of Revelation, we can only come to the conclusion that this whole scene, was in fact, for our benefit. For you and me. With that in mind, let’s continue reading what happens next:
“But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.”
Now, let’s go back to that first part. No one in heaven, or on the earth or under the earth was worthy to open the scroll. No one. Remember that.
I’m going to pivot here for a moment and talk about some end time theology that has many people confused. There are many in the church who claim, that the first half of the tribulation, is not in fact God’s judgment or His wrath. They teach that it is man’s wrath or satan’s wrath. That the 7 seals are just men being men, and killing each other. That satan is doing all this mayhem and destruction on the earth. But if we read what this scripture tells us, what this scene actually describes, it becomes clear that this teaching cannot be true. There is no one in heaven, or on earth or under the earth, who is worthy to open that scroll. Or, interestingly enough, to even look at it. Remember? Therefore the 7 seal judgments cannot be anything but God’s judgment on the earth.
In case you are not familiar with these 7 seals, let me refresh your memory. Seal one is the rider on the white horse, which cannot be anyone but the anti-Christ. Seal two is a red horse bringing war, conflict and people killing each other. Seal 3 is worldwide inflation. Seal 4 is death. Seal 5 is the cry of the martyrs that have been slain for being Christians. Seal 6 is cosmic disturbances both on earth and in heaven. This last seal is so powerful, that we are told the following:
“Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:14-17)
Now I want you to notice something important here. For anyone who tells you that these seven seals are not God’s wrath, show them this passage. The people of the earth, both rich and poor, free and slave, are begging the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne. That’s the Father, my friends. God Almighty! And, lest we forget, from the wrath of the Lamb! They acknowledge that the great day of His wrath has come. During this terrible time, the worst time that the earth has ever experienced, according to Jesus Himself, the people still alive at this point, know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this is God’s wrath, the Lamb’s wrath, the wrath of Jesus Christ!
But wait. There’s more! I haven’t even mentioned the 7th seal. Because this seal is actually the prelude to what comes next: “And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.” This final seal brings even more judgment onto the earth, the 7 trumpets, which are then followed by the 7 bowl judgments.
So why is all this so important? Because there are many deceivers out there, who call themselves teachers, prophets and pastors, yes, even apostles, who are in fact teaching lies to the church. They are teaching things that are contrary to what scripture teaches. The Bible is very clear that judgment will come on this earth. God hates sin. He hates it so much that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins on a cross. Jesus then rose again on the third day and conquered death, so we can live forever with Him. But just because God made a way of salvation for us, does not mean everyone will accept His free gift. There are many who will not humble themselves and repent for their sins. And there are many who do not believe that He died and rose again and is alive today, sitting at the right hand of the Father.
The Bible teaches us over and over that a day of judgment is coming on those who will not repent and choose to be wicked. The Old Testament calls it the Day of the Lord or the time of Jacob’s trouble. Jesus told us in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 He would one day return to this earth and set up His kingdom in Jerusalem. He warned us that before He returns, He would judge the nations for their wickedness. That time is called the great Tribulation. Yes, we will have tribulation on this earth. But our sorrows and suffering, our private tribulation, is not the Great Tribulation.
But I cannot stop there because the Bible is also very clear that God’s people, those that are His, those that have repented for their sins and believed that Jesus died for those sins and is alive in heaven, are not destined for His wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 tells us, “For God did not appoint us to wrath”!
Therefore my friends, do not be discouraged over what you see happening on this earth, or become afraid from the false teachings of many false teachers who try to persuade you that you must suffer through God’s wrath. Instead, be encouraged and comforted because Jesus has promised us that He will return and take us home to be with Him forever before He pours out His wrath on this earth! Paul makes this very clear in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18:
“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
I don’t think it gets any clearer than what Paul says above. Being alive and subject to God’s wrath, as some have suggested, is not a comfort to me and I can’t imagine it is to you either.
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