Earlier this week, as I was reading through the book of Revelation, I came across a passage that (in the past) I hadn't taken a lot of time to think about. Sometimes the Lord reveals great truths in this way, yet this time, it wasn't what was revealed that struck me. It was what had been left out.
Revelation 10:1-7 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 5And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 7But 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.
I'm not sure who the mighty angel is, it could be Jesus Christ (based on the description), or it could be another created spirit being like we see in chapter 9. In his hand he holds a "little book", his feet stand on the earth and the sea (Hebrews 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him), and his voice is like the roar of a lion (Hosea 11:10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west). See also Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2; Isaiah 5:29
Obviously we can't be sure that this instance is what the prophets are speaking of. However we can be sure of one thing, whatever the thunders (thunder usually indicates judgment) uttered, it is not for us to know. John was about to write what he heard when a voice from heaven told him to keep it to himself. We do know that when the seventh angel begins to sound, the mystery of God will be finished.
Imagine hearing from the Lord but being asked to keep it a secret. I wonder if it was difficult for John to keep this secret to himself? I would like to know what John heard. Would it change my life? Would I even understand it? Would it cause me to fear?
Job 37:1-51At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. 2Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 3He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 4After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. 5God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
As we continue building a Firm Foundation, know this; Everything that God wants us to know is revealed in the Bible. Some things are fascinating to think on, yet The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law Deuteronomy 29:29
As I get ready to preach on Sept 26, I will be preaching on something that has been revealed and belongs to us; The creation of woman. I think it's ironic that such a beautiful thing can be so divisive in our culture today. With all the things that haven't been revealed, why should we struggle with the things that have?
Now you're interested!
Why, yes, yes, I am.
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