The Seven Thunders

John's contemplation of this strong angel is interrupted by the angel himself: "And he [the angel] cried out with a loud voice just as when a lion roars. And when he cried out, the seven thunders uttered their own voices." (Revelation 10:3) Such a powerful shout would catch John's attention, confirming that Jesus is truly "the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah." (Revelation 5:5) John would also be aware that Jehovah, too, is sometimes said to "roar." Jehovah's roaring prophetically heralds the regathering of spiritual Israel and the coming of the destructive "day of Jehovah." (Hosea 11:10; Joel 13:14,16; Amos 1:2; 3:7, 8) Clearly, then, the lion like cry of this strong angel forebodes similar great events for the sea and the earth. It calls on the seven thunders to speak.

John has previously heard thunders proceeding from the very throne of Jehovah. (Revelation 4:5) Back in David's day, literal thunder was at times spoken of as "the voice of Jehovah." (Psalm 29:3) When Jehovah audibly proclaimed his purpose to glorify his own name in the days of Jesus' earthly ministry, to many it sounded like thunder. (John 12:28, 29) Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the 'voices of the seven thunders are Jehovah's own expression of his purposes. The fact that there were "seven" thunders suggests the completeness of what John heard.

But listen! Another voice sounds forth. It brings a command that must seem strange too John: "Now when the seven thunders spoke, I was at the point of writing; but I heard a voice out of heaven say: 'seal up the things the seven thunders spoke, and do not write them down.' " (Revelation 10:4) John must have been anxious to hear and record those thunderous messages, just as the John class today has waited eagerly for Jehovah to disclose his divine purposes for publication. Such revelations come only at Jehovah's appointed time. -Luke 12:42; see also Daniel 12:8, 9.

Next time: The Finnish Of The Sacred Secret