Revelation 10 – A Mighty Angel & The Voice Of 7 Thunders

“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.”  – Revelation 10:1

Revelation 10 takes place between the 6th trumpet judgement and the 7th, which will begin in Revelation 11. There is a break between the 6th trumpet judgement and the 7th trumpet judgement.

Just as there was a break between the 6th seal judgement and the 7th. And like there will be a break between the 6th bowl judgement and the 7th in Revelation 16.

In this next part of John’s vision he sees another mighty angel. A mighty and powerful angel. John describes this mighty angel as being clothed with a cloud. And with a rainbow above his head.

The rainbow is a symbol of God’s mercy. Like when God made a covenant promise to Noah that He would never again send a flood to destroy the earth. He set His rainbow in the sky as a sign of His covenant.

John describes the mighty angel he sees as having a face like the sun. This angel’s face shines like the sun, which reflects God’s glory. This is another angel that is in God’s presence a lot of the time.

And the angel’s legs are described as being like pillars of fire. This reflects that this angel is also a part of God’s judgement of His enemies. Fire is associated with judgement and punishment.

Malachi 4 talks about how God’s enemies and the wicked will be burned up and like ashes in the day of the Lord. Burned up by the fire of God’s judgement. And how God’s people that are saved by grace will tread upon the wicked.

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.”  – Malachi 4:1-3

“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” – Revelation 10:2

The scroll in the angel’s hand is described as a little scroll. It probably appears little to John because of the massive size of the mighty angel. And it is open. What is the scroll in the angel’s hand?

The little scroll is also mentioned in Revelation 10:8, this time as a scroll and not a little scroll.

In John’s vision of heaven and God’s throne in Revelation 5 he sees a scroll sealed with 7 seals. And Jesus, the Lamb, was the only one worthy to receive the scroll and open it.

The sealed scroll or book in Revelation 5 is God’s will and the title or deed of the universe. And Jesus is the worthy heir of God who receives the universe and the right of ownership and to reign.

Now the scroll appears in Revelation 10 as open and unsealed. The 7 seals have been opened by this time in Revelation 10.

“And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, 3 and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded.” – Revelation 10:2-3

The mighty angel set his right foot on the sea or ocean, and his left foot on land. He is a very large angel in John’s vision.

It is like the angel is visibly announcing that Jesus is about to take over the land and sea. Or in other words, Jesus is about to take over and reign in the entire world.

That is what is going to happen when the 7th trumpet is blown in Revelation 11.

“and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. ” – Revelation 10:3

John describes the mighty angel as having a loud voice similar to a roaring lion.

In Revelation 4 John visited or had a vision of heaven and God’s throne. Here is how he describes part of what he saw and heard.

“From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God.” – Revelation 4:5

John talks about the “seven spirits of God “. We studied this in our study of Revelation 4. This is a reference to Isaiah 11, where the 7 spirits of God are listed.

Most likely the 7 thunders sounding is the voice of God speaking through the mighty angel. God’s voice in various places in the Scriptures is described as a mighty voice like thunder.

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.” – Psalm 29:3-8

“The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire.” – Psalm 18:13

“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” – John 12:27-29

“And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” – Revelation 10:4

From the beginning of the book of Revelation until this point in Revelation 10, John is told to write down the vision. In order to tell others about what is to come in the end times. And to warn people about the coming judgement and wrath of God.

But suddenly John is not permitted to write down what he heard the thunderous voice of God, the seven thunders, say. Up until this point, the previous 7 seal judgements and 6 trumpet judgements have been terrifying and horrible. And billions of people on earth will have died up until this point in the tribulation.

Most likely what the seven thunders, the thunderous voice of God, says about what comes next is too terrifying to write down.

The 7th trumpet is about to be blown (in Revelation11). This will usher in the rapidly occurring 7 final bowl judgements or plagues. Which promise to be the most terrifying yet. And so John is not permitted by God to write it down and to tell others what he hears.

“And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, 7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” – Revelation 10:5-7

John describes how the mighty angel raises his right hand to heaven and swears by God that the time has come. The final judgement and punishment for God’s enemies has arrived. There would be no more delay.

“But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” – Revelation 10:7

Revelation 10:7 talks about “the mystery of God” will be accomplished. In the Bible a mystery refers to something that has not been previously revealed.

When will “the mystery of God be accomplished? Verse 7 tells us that it will be accomplished “in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet”.

The days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet are the final days of the 2nd half of the tribulation, known as the Great Tribulation. Or the day of the Lord. The end of life on earth as we know it.

What is the “mystery of God ” in Revelation 10:7? For ages believers have been asking God how long? How long do I have to suffer? How long until You come to rescue me? How long will you let evil people prosper? How long will you let wicked people persecute or defeat good people?

There are many examples of people asking these types of questions. King David asked God this type of question several times in his life. A good example is in Psalm 13.

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” – Psalm 13:1-2

Another good example is when Jeremiah asked this question.

“Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? 2 You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart. 3 But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter. 4 How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field wither? For the evil of those who dwell in it the beasts and the birds are swept away, because they said, “He will not see our latter end.” – Jeremiah 12:1-4

Even in Revelation 6 the believers that will be martyred by the antichrist are shown asking this type of question.

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. 10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? – Revelation 6:9-10

The answer to these types of questions and to what the “mystery of God” is has been prophesied and revealed at in God’s word long ago.

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” – Psalm 2:1-12

“For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low; 13 against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up; and against all the oaks of Bashan; 14 against all the lofty mountains, and against all the uplifted hills; 15 against every high tower, and against every fortified wall; 16 against all the ships of Tarshish, and against all the beautiful craft.

17 And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.” – Isaiah 2:12-17

There is a time, set by God, when the mystery of God will be accomplished. The mystery described here in Revelation 11 is more about when the mystery will be revealed, and not what it is. The final part of the day of the Lord, when God fulfills His promise and prophecy to bring His judgment and punishment for His enemies.

Revelation 10:7 reveals that the time anointed by God will be revealed with the blowing of the 7th and final trumpet. The 7th trumpet judgement, which is the end of the end times, or the final part of the day of the Lord.

The 7th trumpet judgement will be a rapidly occurring series of 7 bowl judgements, or plagues. The 7th trumpet is blown by the 7th angel that stands in God’s presence in Revelation 11.

John then describes the final rapid occurring 7 bowl judgements in his vision in Revelation 16.

God had previously announced and warned people throughout thousands of years and many generations of the coming of the day of the Lord. He has done so through the prophets and servants, and also through Jesus when He was here.

Why did God wait so long to bring about His promised wrath and judgment?

2 Peter is one of the best Scriptures to understand why God patiently waited, despite the terrible evil displayed by mankind throughout the ages. And despite the persecution and suffering His people have had to endure at the hands of God’s enemies.

“They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:4-9

It is and always has been God’s desire for all to be saved.

“God wants all men to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 2:4

But now we have arrived at the point of no return. The final part of the day of the Lord, and the final judgements for God’s enemies. Those that refuse to repent and bow down to Jesus as Lord and Savior.

“Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” – Revelation 10:8

John is told by the voice from heaven, God or Jesus, to take the open scroll from the angel’s hand. Then he is told to do something unusual.

John is then told to eat the scroll.

“So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’” – Revelation 10:9

This is similar to what God told the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel to do.

“And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. 3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. 4 He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the people of Israel and speak my words to them. 5 You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and strange language, but to the people of Israel— 6 not to many peoples of obscure speech and strange language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the people of Israel are not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for all the Israelites are hardened and obstinate. 8 But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. 9 I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people.” 10 And he said to me, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. 11 Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says,’ whether they listen or fail to listen.” 12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound as the glory of the Lord rose from the place where it was standing. 13 It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound. 14 The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord on me. 15 I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Aviv near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days—deeply distressed.” – Ezekiel 3:1-15

God commanded Ezekiel to eat the words He wanted him to speak to Israel. They were far from God and rebellious at the time. Then God told Ezekiel to go and speak the words to the rebellious people of Israel. Ezekiel describes God’s words as “sweet as honey” in his mouth. But later there was bitterness and he was distressed.

” I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.” – Revelation 10:10

John says the same thing that Ezekiel said about God’s word. It tasted sweet like honey when he ate the scroll with God’s will and words.

But then it turned sour, or bitter.

God’s word and will for people that repent and surrender to and follow Jesus is sweet. When the final part of the day of the Lord finally arrives, it will be sweet for faithful followers of Jesus. Because it will finally be time for Jesus to take over control and reign of the universe. And begin His kingdom.

But for the rebellious and unrepentant people in the world it will be terrible. And knowing that there will be people we know that will not repent and will be in this group of people receiving God’s terrible wrath and judgment leaves a bitter and sad feeling in us.

“And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” – Revelation 10:11

After John was told to not write down what he heard the thunderous voice of God say, he is told that he must continue to write down and prophesy what he will see from then on.

John is told that he must prophesy about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings. All of these events in Revelation and the day of the Lord affects every person in every nation and kingdom in the world.

And we too need to go into all the world and preach the Good News to all people.

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”  – Mark 16:15