I will defer to what my pastor said about Revelation, that it is like a picture, showing patterns and symbols.
In regard to patterns, he said the tribulation that Christians went thru under Nero is a pattern, and the tribulations down thru the ages, during WWII, and to this day, fit the pattern.
Christ is reigning now.
Your pastor should read it occasionally. Reality fits the word of God, not your poor, confused pastor.
The seals of the Revelation are a description of what the world has had to go through for the past 2000 years to end Satan's strangle hold on the Earth.
John described it as breaking the seals holding Satan's deed to the Earth closed. The work is not yet done, there are yet two more seals to be broken in the short time that remains before Satan is removed from the presence of God and cast down to Earth.
That is when the Tribulation of God's elect will begin. The man of sin will make Nero and Hitler look like sunday school teachers in an Arminian church.
The only way to avoid that tribulation is to emulate the “church at Philadelphia” by keeping God's commandments (the ones that your nicolaitan pastor probably says don't apply to us).
Revelation 3:
[2] Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
[3] Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
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