Los juicios de los sellos (el principio de dolores)
La expresión de los cuatro seres vivientes no es: “ven y ve”, como lo traduce la Reina-Valera (versículos 1,3,5,7), sino simplemente “ven”, denotando el poder providencial de Cristo para traer estas cosas a la realidad. Por lo tanto, “ven”, en este sentido, se refiere a Su mandato de hacer que estos eventos sucedan. Los cuatro jinetes representan entidades humanas que serán impulsadas por la providencia de Dios. El Señor llamó a la primera mitad de la profética semana de años de Daniel, en la que se encuentran los primeros seis juicios de los sellos, “el principio de dolores” (Mateo 24:88All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:8)).
Capítulo 6:1-2.— La apertura del primer sello. Lo que se describe por medio del jinete sobre “un caballo blanco” es lo primero que ocurrirá en la tierra después del Arrebatamiento. El jinete no es Cristo (capítulo 19:11), ni es el Anticristo (1 Juan 2:1818Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (1 John 2:18)). Se refiere a la Iglesia de Roma haciendo uso de su poder, influencia y dinero para unir a diez naciones de Europa Occidental en una federación llamada “la bestia”. Este es el resurgimiento del Imperio romano indicado en Daniel 2:41-4341And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. (Daniel 2:41‑43) y 7:7-8. Apocalipsis 17:1-61And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Revelation 17:1‑6) también apunta a esto. Indica que la Iglesia Católica Romana (bajo la figura de la ramera) tendrá el control de esta federación de naciones, de recién formación, en los primeros 3 años y medio de la semana profética de Daniel 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27). Esto se ve en la ramera cabalgando (dominando y controlando) a la bestia.
El caballo en el capítulo 6:2 es “blanco”, lo que representa la pretensión de rectitud y pureza de propósito de la Roma papal. El jinete tiene un “arco” sin flechas, indicando que la conquista de Roma sobre las naciones de Europa Occidental y la unión de estas en una superpotencia será algo sin derramamiento de sangre. Se llevará a cabo por medio de congresos y tratados en lugar de por medio de la guerra. El gobierno de la iglesia católica sobre el imperio recientemente revivido será la séptima forma de gobierno del imperio en su historia. Es mencionado en el capítulo 17 como la séptima cabeza de la bestia “que dure breve tiempo” —es decir, los primeros tres años y medio de la semana 70 de Daniel (capítulo 17:9-11).
Este hombre no puede ser el “cuerno pequeño” (Daniel 7:8,20-218I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Daniel 7:8)
20And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. 21I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; (Daniel 7:20‑21)) —la “bestia” a nivel de individuo (Apocalipsis 13:4-7; 19:20,4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Revelation 13:4‑7)
20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20) etc.)— porque tal hombre asciende al poder y se apodera del cargo del príncipe romano a mitad de la semana. Sabemos esto porque Apocalipsis 13:55And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Revelation 13:5) y Daniel 7:2525And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25) nos dicen que su mandato será por “cuarenta y dos meses” o “tiempo, y tiempos, y el medio de un tiempo”. (Estos períodos de tiempo en la profecía se miden desde la mitad de la semana hasta el final de la semana: Daniel 12:1111And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Daniel 12:11)). Por lo tanto, el reinado del “cuerno pequeño”, o la bestia (el individuo), tendrá lugar durante la última mitad de la semana: el tiempo de la Gran Tribulación. Se apoderará del cargo del príncipe romano a mediados de la semana, y procederá a infringir los términos del pacto que se habrá hecho con los judíos (él es a quien se hace referencia en la segunda parte de Daniel 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)). Por lo tanto, como ha señalado L. Laurenson, hay un establecimiento del pacto y hay una ruptura del pacto; son dos cosas diferentes hechas por dos hombres diferentes (Messiah the Prince, página 160). (En el libro de Daniel, las posiciones de los que gobiernan entre los reyes gentiles son cargos que no se refieren a un individuo en particular. Por ejemplo, en relación con el Imperio griego en el capítulo 11, hay nueve o diez hombres diferentes mencionados en el papel del Rey del Norte, que se suceden unos a otros en ese cargo. De la misma manera sucede con el Rey del Sur. Lo mismo ocurre en Daniel 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27) en conexión con el Imperio romano. El “príncipe” en la primera parte del versículo no es la misma persona como el de la segunda parte del versículo).
El establecimiento de este pacto es significativo en la profecía. Marca la reanudación del ciclo de semanas (de años) de Daniel 9:24-27,24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:24‑27) con la semana 70 (la última semana) a punto de cumplirse. Como resultado de este pacto realizado con Israel, los judíos que actualmente están dispersos por todo el mundo se sentirán seguros para regresar a su tierra natal y lo harán en masa durante la primera parte de la semana (Isaías 18:1-41Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia: 2That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled! 3All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. 4For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. (Isaiah 18:1‑4); Salmo 73:1010Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. (Psalm 73:10)). Este pacto permitirá a los judíos practicar el judaísmo (“el sacrificio y la ofrenda”, Daniel 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)) según la Ley de Moisés, sin ser perturbados. Matar sacrificios y presentárselos a Jehová es algo que no han hecho desde hace más de 2000 años (Oseas 3:44For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: (Hosea 3:4)).
Capítulo 6:5-6.— La apertura del tercer sello. La agricultura fracasará, lo que causará una hambruna generalizada (Mateo 24:77For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7)b). El caballo es “negro”, lo que indica un tiempo de lamentación y luto. El “vino” y el “aceite” hacen referencia a los ricos de la sociedad, particularmente a los judíos que habrán regresado en masa a su tierra natal. Estos no se verán afectados inicialmente (Proverbios 21:1717He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. (Proverbs 21:17)).
Capítulo 6:7-8.— La apertura del cuarto sello. La pestilencia (enfermedad) se extenderá por Europa Occidental (“la cuarta parte de la tierra”) y muchos morirán (Mateo 24:77For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7)c). El caballo es “amarillo”, indicando enfermedad y muerte.
Capítulo 6:9-11.— La apertura del quinto sello. Las autoridades de Roma comenzarán a martirizar a los testigos judíos que predicarán el evangelio del reino (Mateo 24:99Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (Matthew 24:9)). Este evangelio anuncia que viene un Rey que derribará todo poder gubernamental y establecerá Su propio reino en el que reinará soberanamente (Salmo 96). Esto será considerado como subversivo al régimen católico (la ramera; capítulo 17) que estará en control del imperio (la bestia) en ese momento, y desatará su ira contra estos testigos a quienes verá como revolucionarios. Por lo tanto, serán apresados por las autoridades y ejecutados, es decir martirizados (Apocalipsis 17:66And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Revelation 17:6)). Las almas de estos testigos permanecerán en estado de separación hasta el final de la semana profética, y entonces serán resucitadas (Apocalipsis 14:1313And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13)).
Capítulo 6:12-17.— La apertura del sexto sello. Al acercarse la mitad de la semana, Satanás será arrojado a la tierra (capítulo 12:7-9, 12:13), e inmediatamente causará una convulsión en el gobierno de las naciones confederadas de Occidente bajo el liderazgo del sistema católico. De esta manera, habrá una gran agitación política. Esto se presenta simbólicamente bajo la figura de “un gran terremoto”. Como resultado, las sedes de gobierno en Occidente serán empujadas temporalmente a un estado de confusión y anarquía. No se menciona aquí, pero Satanás vigorizará entonces a un hombre (la bestia a nivel de individuo) que se levantará de la confusión y tomará el control del liderazgo del imperio (Apocalipsis 13:1-101And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:1‑10)). Tomará el cargo del príncipe romano y motivará a los diez reyes (naciones) de la federación para que derroquen al régimen católico, la ramera (Apocalipsis 17:16-1716And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (Revelation 17:16‑17)).
Los corazones de los hombres desfallecerán de temor en vista de lo que está por venir (Lucas 21:25-2625And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:25‑26)). El hecho de que hablen de “la ira del Cordero” muestra que son personas ilustradas que están familiarizadas con el evangelio y ciertas enseñanzas bíblicas, pero tristemente, han descuidado recibir a Cristo como su Salvador cuando tuvieron la oportunidad de hacerlo. Creen erróneamente que Él está a punto de venir a juzgar al mundo, pero eso acontecerá más tarde.