In chapters 6 and 7 Revelation is dealing with the evil chaos of history. The opening of the seals show that the basic nature of history is warfare. Persons who live by faith live in conflict. History is a long sequence of battles - the forces of good and evil in conflict.

Artists know it. Students of history know it. People of prayer are in the middle of it even when the guns are silent. The battle rages in the soul, is fought in families, is contested between nations. War is the human condition.

God's people have been convinced that it is possible in prayer and praise, in listening and believing, to discern meaning in chaos and therefore to read good news into the daily life of history. He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (I Jn. 4:4). I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven (Lk. 10:18).