Which seven thunders? Where is the reference to them before this?
It looks like there is still something that is not unsealed? Why is that? What do you think?
I've wondered about them. It's probably to humble us, to remind us that only God knows everything. Or, what they said would have given away the time frame, and God withheld it so that all generations would have that blessed hope.
Such a great question, yardstick! How I wish I knew what the 7 thunders said!
It seems thunder is associated frequently in the Bible with the Lord's voice and with His coming to Earth at the end of the tribulation. We also find thunder mentioned as being heard within the throne room of God in Revelation 4:5, "From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God."
Is this the angel you're referring to?
What a beautiful photo, watchmanjim!
I have often wondered about this myself, especially why John couldnt write it down. What did the Lord suppress? The angel is one of "higher rank" than those preceding him in chapter 9 as indicated by identifying him as mighty, face like the sun, and fiery pillars (legs). Clothed with a cloud is intriguing as Jesus ascended into the clouds and will return the same way...The rainbow which also is about the throne in Rev 4, would represent peace and/or mercy rather than judgement as the prior six angels announce. He was holding a small message (little scroll) which was open where John could possibly see the message of the scroll. He shouted which would seem to be something to announce or say "pay attention GOD is about to speak" which seems to me the 7 thunders is the Lord delivering the message which John was told not to write. The thunders themselves dont seem to be anyplace else in scripture, but based on other verses it would appear it is the Lord speaking.
In verse 6 he (the angel) swears by God...and in verse 7 says the mystery is finished "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." Is he announcing the coming of the Kingdom? Perhaps.
Remember that "angel" in Greek (angelos) and Hebrew (Malach) simply mean "messenger" and can refer to human and heavenly messengers - Christ Himself is referred to in the Old Testament as "The Angel (Messenger) of the Lord" even though He is an uncreated part of the triune God.
People who read Revelation as a split-chronology (not sure of the actual term for it), who believe that Rev 4-10 picture things from a heavenly point-of-view and Rev. 12-19 picture things from an Earthly point-of-view believe that the messenger of Rev, 10 is Christ as detailed in His return.
Also remember that Revelation is a collection of quotes and references from the Old Testament (somewhere of 500-700 in 450 or so verses). You have to look those up to get the full picture.
The topic of thunder reminds me that Jesus named the disciples James and John "Sons of Thunder." Might this be related in some way to the imagery of the 7 thunders?
Mark 3:16-19 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means "sons of thunder"), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Interesting thoughts, all. I think Beloved said it well - had the message been revealed it may have given away the exact timing of the rapture and/or second coming, which would have prevented the Church from experiencing the purifying effects of the Blessed Hope throughout Church history. But Revelation 10 is there for a reason. Perhaps it will be revealed once the Church leaves and the Two Witnesses arrive.
Well seeing how this website is "Unsealed" and how God is unsealing the various sealed up portions of Scripture in these last days, maybe we should all pray and ask Him whether He might unseal these seven thunders now--or at least give us an indication of what type of thing they might refer to.
Now I don't have the answer, but one thing I've thought of since I was a boy, is that maybe these 7 thunders referred to plagues destroying man's technology, and thus it would have been utterly confusing and/or inappropriately empowering to the people (and/or evil angels) of the Church Age to have these things described. Television, internet, radar, airplanes, spacecraft, satellites, telephones, etc.
What a great idea, watchmanjim!
In my praying about it, I recognize it is a really astounding thing I am asking of the Lord--to reveal this sacred secret to us--perhaps He is not ready--but I am praying about it nonetheless, especially if it will help us to bring more glory to Him.
Amen to that, watchmanjim! I will pray too! If it's something He would indeed be willing to reveal, that would be such an awesome thing!
Wow, Good thread here! I'm in! Praying for this to be UnSealed through the Holy Spirit.