Chapters 10 through to 11:13 are essentially an interlude. Chapter 10 is the first part of that. In these interludes we see what is happening "behind the scenes" so-to-speak. The Seventh trumpet is going to be the last trumpet and the cycle is complete. This first part of the interlude is going to show us some things that prepare us for this Last Trumpet. We will not see it all. Some things are secret. But what we do see is bitter-sweet.
“Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.” (Revelation 10:1–3, NIV)
Many think that this is one of God's mighty angels. "The angel’s majesty reinforces the authority and divine source of the message." [1] However there is every evidence that this is a "theophany," the appearance of God or Christ in an angelic form. "There are details which reveal that He is the “angel of the Lord” of the Old Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ. He sealed the 144,000 (cf. 7:2–3); He offered incense with the prayers of the saints (cf. 8:1–6); He is clothed with a cloud, a heavenly clothing; his face was as it were the sun (cf. 1:16); a rainbow was upon his head (cf. 4:3); his feet as pillars of fire tallies with the description in 1:15." [2] In keeping with all the Old Testament imagery, early readers would easily understand this as the "Angel of the Lord."
The angel stands on the earth in a way that ensures we understand that this message is for everyone. Yet as he is about to reveal the future, John is told not to write it down. “And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”” (Revelation 10:4, NIV). "The meaning is clearly this: never shall we be able to know and to describe all the factors and agencies that determine the future. We know the meaning of the lampstands, the seals, the trumpets, the bowls, etc., but there are other forces at work; there are other principles that are operating in this universe, namely, the seven thunders. What they are we do not know. So let us be very careful in making predictions regarding the future: we may be leaving out a very important factor." [3]
But this we know, prior to the Seventh Trumpet the "mystery of God" will be revealed. What is that "mystery"? "The mystery of God to be fulfilled when the seventh trumpet sounds is his plan to unite all things in heaven and earth under Christ’s headship (Eph. 1:10), making visible to all the sovereignty by which the Son now orchestrates every event for his church’s welfare (Eph. 1:20–22)." [4]
The mystery of God is a technical phrase that includes His plan from all eternity to save a people for Himself; by sending His Son to purchase One Body made up of Jew and Gentile; and to bring all the nations of the earth under the reign and rule of Jesus Christ, the Lord. Paul records it this way:
“Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.” (Ephesians 3:8–13, NIV).
The word mystery is more technical in use than just something that is hard to see or understand. The word mystery as used by the New Testament authors includes the idea that this is a truth that can only be known through special revelation. This mystery, about to be revealed is bitter-sweet. It is bitter-sweet because through suffering God's people will be redeemed. It is bitter-sweet because Christ will rule over His enemies, yet they will be destroyed.
Father this pre-announcement of the Seventh Seal catches our breath. The eternal plan of the ages is about to come to fruition. The thousands of years of history will soon come to an end. It is bitter-sweet. Your coming means glory and redemption. It means no more tears. It means seeing God face-to-face. It also means the destruction of the unrepentant. Oh Lord we are torn. Part of us cries, 'Come Lord Jesus.' The other part cries, 'Don't come -- save the lost -- bring them into this glorious mystery.' Amen.
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1. Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (Re 10:1). Nashville: T. Nelson.
2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2681). Nashville: Thomas Nelson
3. Hendriksen, William (1998-06-01). More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (p. 124). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
4. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2477). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
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