Fourth Seal

2005-4-18 06:06:00

The next seal:

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. Rev 6:7 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. Rev 6:8

The fourth beast was like a flying eagle and, represents the sign of Scorpio the fourth sign of the fixed cross. This is the beast that guides us to the opening of the fourth seal.

This represents a significant place on the path for several reasons. One is that this is the last of the beasts that guide us to the opening of the seals. After this, the disciple does not depend on his lower nature for direction and the last three seals are opened without the assistance or presence of the beasts.

The fact that this beast is described as a flying eagle is significant. This beast's native home is the air and the air is the symbol of mind. This makes sense since the fourth part of the lower quaternary is the concrete or lower part of the mind.

Now Scorpio is a water sign which tells us the emotional nature still has a strong hold on the disciple, but the fact that the beast flies in the air of mind tells us that this seal represents a transition from emotional dominance to mental.

Scorpio has also been associated with death and hell which is released in this seal. Unfortunately, this sign has received a bad rap because of its association with negative events. This is because many do not understand the core meaning behind the lesson of this sign.

In Scorpio the disciple must learn to accept that which he cannot change and move on with life. The main event that he cannot change is death. Other unchangeable events are divorce, separation, many diseases, accidents, taxes etc.

All of us, sooner or later, have these Scorpio type of events come into our lives, but it is not until the pilgrim has opened the fourth seal does he become master over them instead of the events mastering him.

And how does the one on the path of Christ master such unfortunate events? As the philosopher recommends, he learns to "accept that which he cannot change."

If a loved one dies, the one who has not opened the fourth seal will weep and wail and not accept the event, but be negatively effected for moths or years afterwards.

He who has opened the fourth seal will accept whatever comes, even death of one who is greatly loved. Such acceptance must be cultivated by the disciple if he is to become as his Master.

Christ was a great example of accepting direction from higher will, but just before the crucifixion even he hesitated and pleaded, "If it be possible please remove this cup." But then when he realized there was no changing the upcoming events he submitted.

This is what we must do. When we see the path to the future is impossible to change we must accept and make the best of it.

When the seal was open John saw "a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him."

The pale horse represents sickness and terror, and was followed by death and hell. In other words, as the disciple progresses to his next major lesson the tools used to teach him are his own great fears. Major fears are sickness, death and hell. Many can understand fearing sickness and death, but how about hell?

For those who believe in God and have been subject to a religious view, hell can be the most terrifying of them all.

Why?

Because it is supposed to be endless torment and no single event occurring on the earth can beat that. To accept God as a being that will not send you to hell is a major step to be taken on the path.

This path of acceptance can only be achieved by learning to center in the mind, away from all the emotional turmoil that Scorpio events cause.

In the stillness of mind, then, the disciple contemplates, reasons and finally accepts that which he cannot change and moves ahead.

The scripture ends with: "And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth."

At any given time about a fourth of the people of the earth are facing the tests of Scorpio and are having difficulty accepting death through wars (kill with sword) with starvation (hunger), or with the rule of tyrants (the beasts of the earth.)

The lessons of the fourth seal are certainly no picnic, but the disciple does not learn his great lessons through the easy life, but in difficulty.

But the key to minimizing these difficulties coming into one's life is to learn the key of acceptance. When the disciple accepts those things he cannot change then death and hell lose their sting and it seems that the number of calamities is greatly reduced so he can move on to higher lessons.

The book of Revelation continues:

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: Rev 6:9 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Rev 6:10 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. Rev 6:11

Read, contemplate...

Start every day with a smile and get it over with. W. C. Fields