ix are successive in their respective order, analogy
would require that the seventh be thus considered.

Under the sixth seal, the great men and rich, are seen fleeing to the
rocks for refuge from the wrath of the Lamb; and the risen saints
symbolized, are in the Saviour's presence; but the infliction of the wrath
of God on the wicked is not there symbolized. The events of that seal come
down as far as those in the 19th chapter, which precede the marriage of
the Lamb, 19:7.

The half-hour's silence, is the first thing indicated under the seventh
seal. Being so expressly noticed, it would seem to be of some
significance. As a period of symbolic time, on the scale of a day for a
year, "about half an hour," would equal a week's duration--corresponding to
the time which intervened between the entrance of Noah into the ark, and
the commencement of the deluge, Gen. 7:1-4. As the period evidently
synchronizes with the parable of the Saviour, when "the Bridegroom came;
and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door
was shut" (Matt. 25:10),--the others being still without,--it would seem to
symbolize the time, between the entrance to the marriage of the Lamb
(19:7), and the going forth of the Word of God with his armies, to judge,
make war, and to slay the remnant with the sword, 19:11-21. It would be a
period of holy joy to the righteous in the Saviour's presence, and of
awful suspense to the wicked.

The seven angels, to whom were given seven trumpets, being introduced
here, have doubtless caused the events of this seal to be regarded as
anterior to the first trumpet. As those immediately following, evidently
synchronize with occurrences of the closing epoch, the angels can only be
introduced here in anticipation of the symbolization which they are to
unfold under the sounding of the successive trumpets--the same as the seven
angels with the last plagues are introduced, before the epoch of the
commencement of their allotted work, 15:1.

The golden censer was the instrument in which incense was burned in the
Jewish worship. Incense symbolizes prayers (5:8). The offering of much
incense with the prayers of all saints and the smoke of the incense
ascending up before God, indicates the acceptance of their offerings in
heaven--the act being before the throne, and not on the earth. The
acceptance of their prayers, also implies their own acceptance, when
presented "faultless before the presence of his glor