Seven Seals
Each seal from the scroll was revealed and in Revelation 6, it details what is seen as each seal is removed/broken. The first seal was broken and a rider on a white horse had a bow and a crown and was conquering. This image is not intended to be of Jesus but of someone satanic imitating Jesus. The second seal revealed a rider on a red horse who took peace from the earth so people would slay each other and this rider used a sword. The third rider was on a black horse and they brought famine or scarcity and inequity. The fourth was on a pale horse that brought famine and pestilence. The fifth seal revealed the martyrs who died for the word of God and were told to wait until there were more martyrs. The six seal (and final one for this chapter) is known as the tribulation period full on a great earthquake, a blood red moon and a black sun. During this time people will run and hide from "the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." The 7th seal will reveal Jesus, but that will come later.
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Stephen's Last Words
Stephen's was arrested in Acts 6 for spreading the word of Christ. They brought false witnesses against him and claimed he was doing things that Jesus did when he was accused by Pilate.
Stephen retells the stories of Joseph and Moses and explains afterwards how they always resisted the Holy Spirit. At this time, full of the holy Spirit, Stephen was able to see into heaven and see Jesus seated at the right hand of God. They didn't want to hear what Stephen saw when he began to see them. Many people would crack under pressure in situations like this. Many would denounce Jesus on the spot, but Stephen continued to speak of God and speak through the Holy Spirit.
In verses 59-60, Stephen does something amazing to me. Now, he is being stoned to death for his "crimes" and his last words before he died were "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit...Lord, do not hold this sin against them." This is very similar to what Christ said as he was dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus said Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." I admire Stephen's obedience to God and will to not denounce Jesus in the face of adversity. He sought to be Christ like and spirit filled regardless of the circumstance.
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Obedience and Changing Customs
As the church was growing and the disciples were growing in number and the priests were growing, they were not just becoming members and being stagnant in their faith. They did not just claim to have a faith, but there is a key word that describes their commitment to the faith. The word is obedient. We see this in Acts 6:7 that the priests became obedient to the faith. That means not succumbing to culture and the ways of tradition, unless they were done in accordance with God's will.
In Acts 6:1-6, being obedient also meant praying for one another. There were 7 chosen men who had good reputations, and were full of the Spirit and wisdom. These men's roles were to help the disciples (the 12) and help spread the gospel of Christ. It wasn't just anyone, there were specifications needed for new men to be selected to assist the 12. These men were selected and prayed for. It really looks like a team working together in unity for a common goal.
One of the seven chosen (Stephen) served as a martyr for the gospel of Christ. He was arrested. False witnesses were brought against Stephen in order to stop him and God's work. His charges were stirring up the people (just like Jesus in Luke 23:1-5). They were afraid to change customs (Acts 6:14) and so they tried to stop someone seeking to do God's will. It takes a strong person to do God's will in the face of adversity. Would you be able to do what Stephen did?
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