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Rather than evolving morally, it appears that humanity has merely developed more effective ways to kill one another as we advance in other areas. The lists above do not even contain such infamous murders as Joseph Stalin, Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin, Osama Bin Laden, Timothy McVeigh, and many others. \n\nHow do we explain such evil? The apostle John has just revealed to us the fact that God is seated on his throne in heaven and all authority belongs to the Lamb. If this is so, then why does so much evil continue to exist? Why do evil men rise to power only to extort and kill those under them? Why is there so much bloodshed on the earth? How do we explain the existence of diseases that can cripple entire nations? There is an answer to these questions and that answer is found in the sixth chapter of Revelation as Jesus begins to break the seals of the scroll that contain God\u2019s plan for the world \u2013 the vindication of the righteous and the judgment of the wicked. \n\nHow are we to understand this passage? If we are honest, we must admit our first question is most likely, \u201cWhen is this going to happen?\u201d We are so conditioned to think in this way that we have great difficulty considering any other approach to the text. Perhaps, however, we should consider another approach. The first step in understanding this passage \u2013 and all the confusing passages that follow \u2013 is to consider the context through the eyes of the original readers.