Chapter Twenty -Four/A Sweet-and-Bitter Message -The Seven Thunders - Conclusion

 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 to 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 relations come only at Jehovah's appointed time. - LUKE 12:42; see also DANIEL  12:8, 9.

Next time: Chapter Twenty-Four/A Sweet-and-Bitter Message - The Finish of the Sacred Secret

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