REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 10.3

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Ten

The Great Tribulation

(Parenthesis)

 

 

Setting

Before Trumpet seven sounded and the earth was devastated, God temporarily suspends the Great Tribulation narrative for two chapters. Next, another mighty angel is seen by John holding what is left of the seven-sealed scroll. In his hand, the (little) book or scroll is already unrolled. Then the mighty angel now places his right foot on the sea and left on the earth.

 

 

(Verse 3)

 

And (the mighty angel) cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

 

Voices

1. A Loud Voice

A voice like that of a roaring lion is heard from the mighty angel. Loudly, crying like a roaring lion is a metaphor emphasizing the strength of the angel's voice.

Note: Compellingly, there is a proverb that presents some insight into this phrase:

Proverbs 19:12 – The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as [as gentle as] dew upon the grass.

 

So:

1.    In the jungles, a lion's roar is heard before an action of attack

 

2. In biblical typology, it symbolizes God's imminent intervention before the judgment

 

 

3.    In Scripture, Christ is depicted as a powerful Lion of the tribe of Judah while concurrently being gentle as a Lamb

 

But make no mistake: Every action is entirely orchestrated by God from His Throne. The loud voice heard is that of a mighty angel under God's supervision. Following the angel's voice, John is hearing seven (consecutive) claps of thunder --- The voice of (Jehovah) God --- presumably uttering His complete program of judgment.

 

Old Testament

Isaiah 66:6 - A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD (Jehovah) that rendereth (by giving) recompence (reciprocation, restitution or paying back) to His enemies.

 

Such an announcement is also depicted by three Old Testament prophets:

Hosea 11:10 – They will follow the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.

 

Joel 3:16 – The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

 

Amos 1:2 - And He said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations (pastures) of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of (Mt.) Carmel shall wither (dry up).

 

2. Seven Thunderous Voices

Thunder is also generally typical of judgment in Scripture, seven being God’s number designating completeness. Immediately following this loud shout, seven thunderous voices articulate final warnings of its impending wrath. Again, seven is symbolic of completeness as are the other sevens in Revelation.

Revelation 4:5 - And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.

 

Uttered their voices

The Greek grammar indicates that each voice (not known prior) peculiarly was their own, and what they announce is about to be revealed to men. Also, they are not heard in unison. Thunders (plural) look like they are heard simultaneously, but in the NASB [New American Standard Bible] translation, the phrase reads, seven pearls of thunder, and the ISV [International Standard Version] translates, spoke with voices of their own.

 

Seemingly, the voices appear to be about the seven bowls or vials of the seventh trumpet, but as the reader continues, they are not. Seven Thunders, dissimilar to the voice of the mighty angel, are the sum voice of Almighty Jehovah God uttering from His heavenly Throne.

 

Three features exclusive to these voices:

1.  They are heard loudly

2.  They are clearly articulated

3.  They are understandable

 

Hence, if John was able to write what is being said, then the inhabitants of the earth alive at this time will also hear and understand them too.

 

And so, from God's Throne, a mighty angel clothed in a cloud, holding a little opened book (scroll), and standing with one foot on the earth and one on the sea speaks. His actions and what he speaks are discussed from verse five to the end of the chapter.

Immediately following, seven thunders (the voice of God from His Throne) are heard. Then, another voice spoke something to John. Notwithstanding, the contents of the message of seven thunders are not revealed to man.

 

 

(Verse 4)

 

And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

 

Verse four is perhaps one of the most fascinating verses in Scripture, especially during the Book of Revelation. What John is instructed continues to be mysterious and has been subject to much speculation by all scholars, teachers, and commentators throughout the Church Age. This is the only place in Revelation the Apostle is given a command not to write. Even Daniel the prophet was given a similar instruction not to write the mysteries of God in a book.

Daniel 12:4 - But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end.

 

Unlike what the voice of Jesus Christ says at the beginning of John's vision:

Revelation 1:11a, 19 – [John], What you see, write in a book…Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

 

And at the end of the Book of Revelation, the words of Christ say:

Revelation 21:5 - And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

 

And also:

Revelation 22:10 - And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

 

On the other hand, Jesus is now ordering His Apostle to do the contrary – Do not reveal these things, i.e., do not write them down.

 

Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not

Jesus mandates this one section to be kept secret. Although the Book of Revelation contains the mysteries of God and Jesus Christ, there are some things God does not want to tell us. Supported by Scripture:

Deuteronomy 29:29 – The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever.

 

Under a special circumstance, to endure the severe trials he was to go through as God's chosen Apostle, Paul was given a special glimpse into the third Heaven. He too is forbidden to record:

2 Corinthian 12:4 - How that he (Paul) was caught up (transformed) into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

 

In John's case, however, he was allowed to write the Revelation of Jesus Christ for the benefit of man's future hope. But the morbid horribleness of God's wrath is impossible for man's mind to comprehend and withhold. A plethora of pondering speculation, therefore, is of no value whatsoever, only our trust in Him is of significant importance.

 

 

(Verse 5)

 

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

(Verse 6)

And sware* (an oath, vow, or covenant) by Him that liveth forever and ever, Who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

*Note: Sware (ωμοσεν — ōmosen). Not found in most translations. The word is in the first aorist indicative [tense] of ομνυω — omnuō to swear. [Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament] Also, swear is a Hebrew idiom meaning to swear, as in taking an oath; different than cursing or using the Lord's name in vain as stated in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:7). And only God can swear by Himself (see Hebrews 10:6).

 

An Oath

Also discussed in the previous study, standing to take a solemn oath is a standard gesture:

Deuteronomy 30:40 – For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say…

 

Lifting one's right hand up to heaven (sky or third heaven) where God dwells has been a customary procedure. Great men of the Bible have enacted this when appealing to the Almighty and Creator God. For example, read:

1.  Isaac's oath (cf. Genesis 26:26-31)

2.  David's oath (cf. 1 Samuel 20:12-17)

3.  Paul's oath (cf. Acts 18:18)

 

One foot on the earth denotes the angel standing to possess it as being conquered.  The sea, on the other hand, is symbolic of the mass of humanity. In context, it is referring to those remaining who are lost or unregenerate. And Jesus Christ repossessing the earth unquestionably is the overall message being communicated.

 

That there should be time no longer

Time No Longer

The mighty angel vowing to God there should be time no longer renders in the Greek “an interval of time should be no longer,” there is to be no further or any (Greek; chronos) delay. Understand: The concept of time (beginning with Genesis 1) is about to consummate, and eternity is approaching the threshold of its commencement.

 

Since God has been postponing His judgments, lost sinners have had ample time to repent. Now the process will be accelerated. That time has arrived when God's purpose shall be accomplished in full:

1.  When Christ regains control over His inherited earth

2.  When His Kingdom (the Millennium) is established on earth

3.  When Jerusalem is its capital

4.  When Jesus reigns as KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS

5.  When evil is finally annihilated

6.  When Satan is incarcerated in the Bottomless Pit

7.  When the aspirations and prophecies of all Old Testament saints and prophets are realized

 

Rev 11;15 – And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.

 

A fulfillment of prophecy:

Isaiah 11:9b - For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

 

 

(Verse 7)

 

But in the days of the voice (noise or sound) of the seventh angel, when he shall begin (is about) to sound (the trumpet blast), the mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets.

 

The coordinating conjunction, however, suggests there is an exception that warrants clarification in verse seven. There is a brief indeterminate amount of time in which something needs to occur. During this allotted reprieve is another occasion which men may yet repent and concurrently, more revelatory information is divulged. Subsequently, when the seventh angel is about to blow the seventh trumpet, then:

 

The mystery (revelation) of God should be (is about to be) finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets.

The Mystery

Mystery [Greek; mustērion (Strong's, G3466)] is identified as something hidden, undisclosed, or there exists a secretive divine truth.

 

Throughout Scripture, the most prominent mysteries in the Bible have entitled the Doctrine of the End Times (Eschatology) and Messianic prophecies found in both the Old and New Testaments. Included are many Messianic prophecies vis-à-vis two incarnations of Jesus Christ.

Romans 16:25 - Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.

 

Also, in God's sovereign and perfect timing, He always manifests His mysteries on a need-to-know basis. Below are a few:

1.   The mystery of Christ (cf. Ephesians 3:4-6)

2.  The mystery of the Kingdom (cf. Mark 4:11)

3.  The mystery of the blindness of Israel (cf. Romans 11:25)

 

Numerous mysteries were progressively declared by the Prophets. The mystery of God (His being, purpose, attributes, and grace) is about to finally come to pass in the forthcoming chapters. There soon cometh a time when His entire program of salvation and redemption will be made manifest.

 

Paul best explained it in this fashion:

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 - For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when That which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

 

Contents of a little book will be discussed in the next study.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   Who is orchestrating end-time events?

2.   Describe the actions of another angel.

3.   What do the seven thunders represent?

4.   What do the seven thunders say?

5.   What is the significance of taking an oath?

6.   What does time no longer mean?

7.   What are some mysteries in the Bible??

 

 

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