John now sees "another mighty angel coming down from heaven." The description leads many interpreters to believe that this is the Lord Jesus. He had a "rainbow on his head," the sign of God's covenant. "His face was like the sun," an expression of unveiled glory. His "feet were like pillars of fire," with the "pillars" symbolizing strength and the "fire" symbolizing judgment.
 | Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-07-03 Source: Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck |
The Opened Little Book
A new parenthesis begins here between the sixth and seventh trumpet that runs from Revelation 10:1-11:13. In this parenthesis your eye is directed to a particular part of the earth, Jerusalem. That is because all important decisions will be made there. There the feet of the Lord Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives when He comes from heaven. In the first part of the parenthesis, which is chapter 10, a clear light beam breaks through between the dark clouds of the judgments, as a consolation.
[Verse 1]. Again John sees “another angel”. That you also read in Revelation 7 [Rev 7:2] and Revelation 8 [Rev 8:3]. In [Rev 8:3] the Angel is the Lord Jesus. It is also a “strong” angel. You read that too in Revelation 5 [Rev 5:2] and in Revelation 18 [Rev 18:21]. There it is an ordinary angel. When you read what the characteristics are of this ‘other strong Angel’ there is much to be said that it is the Lord here.
He comes down ”out of heaven”, His dwelling place. Here He, as it were, makes a first step in the direction of the earth. He is “clothed with a cloud”, the symbol of God’s glory. “The rainbow … upon His head” indicates that God will fulfill His covenant with the earth through Him [Gen 9:16]. “His face was like the sun” reminds us that God shows all of His glory and sovereign authority in this Person. “His feet like pillars of fire” indicate that the way He operates is the path of holy judgment on sin.
[Verse 2]. The Lord Jesus has “a little book which was open” in His hand. It is a different book from the one you have seen in Revelation 5, which was closed, sealed with seven seals which have been broken in the meantime. In that book the counsels of God are written regarding the whole creation. This book is smaller. It seems to contain God’s plan with the city of Jerusalem. That will be made clear in the next chapter.
This little book is not closed. It doesn’t need to be opened like the book in chapter 5. Regarding Jerusalem, there are no sealed events. What the future of Jerusalem will be, has been told to us in the Old Testament prophecies. Nevertheless the future of Jerusalem is connected with the taking into possession of the whole earth by the Lord Jesus. That is symbolically presented in placing “his right foot on the sea and his left on the land” (cf. [Josh 1:3]).
[Verse 3]. When He has taken His place on the land and on the sea He cries out “with a loud voice”. The crying out of His voice sounds like the roaring of a lion. He is the Lion from the tribe of Judah [Rev 5:5]. His roaring is a sign that He is ready to claim His right on the earth [Jer 25:30-31]; [Joel 3:16]: [Amos 1:2]. In response to that the seven thunders let their voices be heard. They express heaven’s assent to His rights and that He will claim through judgment.
[Verse 4]. When the voices of the seven thunders died away, John is about to write what he has heard. But then he hears a voice from heaven saying not to do that. That is an exception for what he had done up to now, for he wrote everything down each time he had seen or heard something. It is not said why in this case he was not allowed to do that.
[Verse 5]. Then John sees how the Angel Who was standing on the sea and on the earth lifts up His right hand to heaven. This is the usual gesture when someone swears an oath [Deut 32:40]; [Dan 12:7]; cf. [Gen 14:22].
[Verse 6]. John could hear how the Lord Jesus is swearing by God as the Everlasting and Creator. He Himself is living forever and ever and the Creator, but He is seen here as Man. God has created the three territories – heaven, earth and sea – with everything in it and on it, but which all got into the enemy’s hands. Included in this description is the entire material universe, from the farthest galaxies to the unobserved inhabitants of the deepest sea. Everything comes from God’s hand and not by the way of development, evolution.
The Lord Jesus swears that He will restore all things to the honor of God. He has created everything by His power and by His power He will bring everything to the destination determined by Him. The end of this evil age will not be delayed any longer; the evil age will last only a short time. All things will be accomplished soon. Only one trumpet is left. It will come in the next verse. When that one sounds the waiting time will be over.
[Verse 7]. The seventh trumpet announces the last judgments, which are judgments that herald the coming of the Lord without further delay. Then the mystery of God is finished. A mystery is something that has not been manifested for a certain time and therefore could not be known in that time. The people of God learn to know that mystery when God reveals it, while it remains a mystery for the world. Only when the mystery is finished does the world come to know it.
Here the mystery consists of the ways that God goes in His government with the world and that no man can fathom. In that government God sometimes allows the evil to flourish and the punishment may take a long time, while believers are persecuted and receive no reward. This hidden government of God is nearly over. Then He will reveal how and why He has operated in that way.
To God’s “servants the prophets”, who know this government, it is ‘good news’, as the word translated with “preached” literally indicates. They have heard it from God and have passed it on. The believers have accepted their prophecy in faith and it has given their life direction and strength. To the people of the world it is still a mystery. But when Christ appears the mysteries of God will be revealed by Him. It will be visible for them and they will acknowledge it [Rev 1:7]; [2Thess 1:9-10].
[Verse 8]. John is called upon to do something. He must take the book out of the hand of the Angel. In this way he becomes from being a spectator to someone who is involved. It is an example for you not only to be engaged with the future as a subject of study, but that what you read and learn about the future also has an effect in your life.
[Verse 9]. John does what is said to him. He goes to the Angel and tells to Him to give him the little book. It looks a bit strange that John is giving an order here to the Lord Jesus. But John does nothing more than the voice from heaven had said to him. The answer of the Lord Jesus also shows that He is not a subordinate of John. It is not simply said that He gives the little book, but He orders John to take the little book.
Then He gives him the order to eat it and says also what will happen to him when he does. By taking the little book and eating it, it becomes a part of John himself, of his inner feelings [Ezek 2:8-10]; [Ezek 3:1-3]. In that way he will receive strength for the work still to be done by him. The Lord Jesus also tells John how the little book will taste. When he eats it, it will be both bitter and sweet, bitter in his stomach and sweet in his mouth. The tastes bitter and sweet characterize the acts of God. In history, first comes the bitter and then the sweet.
[Verse 10]. It happens as the Lord Jesus has said. Only, here the sweet taste in the mouth is mentioned first and then the bitter in his stomach. In the experience of John the sweet taste comes first and then the bitter. If you read and study the Scripture you first get the sweet taste of all God’s plans. But when you let those portions sink in your heart you also experience the bitterness of the way God’s plans are being realized.
In other words: when you learn about God’s ultimate goal with creation, you will first of all experience the sweetness [Ps 119:103]; [Jer 15:16]. But the ways of government which lead to that goal are not sweet, but bitter, because of the resistance of man. Reading about all God’s wonderful plans with Israel gives a sweet foretaste of the millennial kingdom of peace. But when you see what sufferings these people will have to go through, it gives a bitter taste.
The same goes for the coming of the Lord Jesus. When you consider that He is coming soon and that you will meet Him in the air it is sweet for the faith. At the same time it also gives a bitter taste when you consider what the coming of the Lord Jesus means for everyone who has refused and rejected Him. It means that they perish forever.
[Verse 11]. John may think that the end has now come. But he must continue passing on the future events that will touch all nations of the world. By eating the little book he has been made suitable for that (cf. [1Kgs 19:8]). Each service that the Lord asks of you has to be preceded by eating His Word. Before that He cannot use you.
[Verse 1]. Again John sees “another angel”. That you also read in Revelation 7 [Rev 7:2] and Revelation 8 [Rev 8:3]. In [Rev 8:3] the Angel is the Lord Jesus. It is also a “strong” angel. You read that too in Revelation 5 [Rev 5:2] and in Revelation 18 [Rev 18:21]. There it is an ordinary angel. When you read what the characteristics are of this ‘other strong Angel’ there is much to be said that it is the Lord here.
He comes down ”out of heaven”, His dwelling place. Here He, as it were, makes a first step in the direction of the earth. He is “clothed with a cloud”, the symbol of God’s glory. “The rainbow … upon His head” indicates that God will fulfill His covenant with the earth through Him [Gen 9:16]. “His face was like the sun” reminds us that God shows all of His glory and sovereign authority in this Person. “His feet like pillars of fire” indicate that the way He operates is the path of holy judgment on sin.
[Verse 2]. The Lord Jesus has “a little book which was open” in His hand. It is a different book from the one you have seen in Revelation 5, which was closed, sealed with seven seals which have been broken in the meantime. In that book the counsels of God are written regarding the whole creation. This book is smaller. It seems to contain God’s plan with the city of Jerusalem. That will be made clear in the next chapter.
This little book is not closed. It doesn’t need to be opened like the book in chapter 5. Regarding Jerusalem, there are no sealed events. What the future of Jerusalem will be, has been told to us in the Old Testament prophecies. Nevertheless the future of Jerusalem is connected with the taking into possession of the whole earth by the Lord Jesus. That is symbolically presented in placing “his right foot on the sea and his left on the land” (cf. [Josh 1:3]).
[Verse 3]. When He has taken His place on the land and on the sea He cries out “with a loud voice”. The crying out of His voice sounds like the roaring of a lion. He is the Lion from the tribe of Judah [Rev 5:5]. His roaring is a sign that He is ready to claim His right on the earth [Jer 25:30-31]; [Joel 3:16]: [Amos 1:2]. In response to that the seven thunders let their voices be heard. They express heaven’s assent to His rights and that He will claim through judgment.
[Verse 4]. When the voices of the seven thunders died away, John is about to write what he has heard. But then he hears a voice from heaven saying not to do that. That is an exception for what he had done up to now, for he wrote everything down each time he had seen or heard something. It is not said why in this case he was not allowed to do that.
[Verse 5]. Then John sees how the Angel Who was standing on the sea and on the earth lifts up His right hand to heaven. This is the usual gesture when someone swears an oath [Deut 32:40]; [Dan 12:7]; cf. [Gen 14:22].
[Verse 6]. John could hear how the Lord Jesus is swearing by God as the Everlasting and Creator. He Himself is living forever and ever and the Creator, but He is seen here as Man. God has created the three territories – heaven, earth and sea – with everything in it and on it, but which all got into the enemy’s hands. Included in this description is the entire material universe, from the farthest galaxies to the unobserved inhabitants of the deepest sea. Everything comes from God’s hand and not by the way of development, evolution.
The Lord Jesus swears that He will restore all things to the honor of God. He has created everything by His power and by His power He will bring everything to the destination determined by Him. The end of this evil age will not be delayed any longer; the evil age will last only a short time. All things will be accomplished soon. Only one trumpet is left. It will come in the next verse. When that one sounds the waiting time will be over.
[Verse 7]. The seventh trumpet announces the last judgments, which are judgments that herald the coming of the Lord without further delay. Then the mystery of God is finished. A mystery is something that has not been manifested for a certain time and therefore could not be known in that time. The people of God learn to know that mystery when God reveals it, while it remains a mystery for the world. Only when the mystery is finished does the world come to know it.
Here the mystery consists of the ways that God goes in His government with the world and that no man can fathom. In that government God sometimes allows the evil to flourish and the punishment may take a long time, while believers are persecuted and receive no reward. This hidden government of God is nearly over. Then He will reveal how and why He has operated in that way.
To God’s “servants the prophets”, who know this government, it is ‘good news’, as the word translated with “preached” literally indicates. They have heard it from God and have passed it on. The believers have accepted their prophecy in faith and it has given their life direction and strength. To the people of the world it is still a mystery. But when Christ appears the mysteries of God will be revealed by Him. It will be visible for them and they will acknowledge it [Rev 1:7]; [2Thess 1:9-10].
[Verse 8]. John is called upon to do something. He must take the book out of the hand of the Angel. In this way he becomes from being a spectator to someone who is involved. It is an example for you not only to be engaged with the future as a subject of study, but that what you read and learn about the future also has an effect in your life.
[Verse 9]. John does what is said to him. He goes to the Angel and tells to Him to give him the little book. It looks a bit strange that John is giving an order here to the Lord Jesus. But John does nothing more than the voice from heaven had said to him. The answer of the Lord Jesus also shows that He is not a subordinate of John. It is not simply said that He gives the little book, but He orders John to take the little book.
Then He gives him the order to eat it and says also what will happen to him when he does. By taking the little book and eating it, it becomes a part of John himself, of his inner feelings [Ezek 2:8-10]; [Ezek 3:1-3]. In that way he will receive strength for the work still to be done by him. The Lord Jesus also tells John how the little book will taste. When he eats it, it will be both bitter and sweet, bitter in his stomach and sweet in his mouth. The tastes bitter and sweet characterize the acts of God. In history, first comes the bitter and then the sweet.
[Verse 10]. It happens as the Lord Jesus has said. Only, here the sweet taste in the mouth is mentioned first and then the bitter in his stomach. In the experience of John the sweet taste comes first and then the bitter. If you read and study the Scripture you first get the sweet taste of all God’s plans. But when you let those portions sink in your heart you also experience the bitterness of the way God’s plans are being realized.
In other words: when you learn about God’s ultimate goal with creation, you will first of all experience the sweetness [Ps 119:103]; [Jer 15:16]. But the ways of government which lead to that goal are not sweet, but bitter, because of the resistance of man. Reading about all God’s wonderful plans with Israel gives a sweet foretaste of the millennial kingdom of peace. But when you see what sufferings these people will have to go through, it gives a bitter taste.
The same goes for the coming of the Lord Jesus. When you consider that He is coming soon and that you will meet Him in the air it is sweet for the faith. At the same time it also gives a bitter taste when you consider what the coming of the Lord Jesus means for everyone who has refused and rejected Him. It means that they perish forever.
[Verse 11]. John may think that the end has now come. But he must continue passing on the future events that will touch all nations of the world. By eating the little book he has been made suitable for that (cf. [1Kgs 19:8]). Each service that the Lord asks of you has to be preceded by eating His Word. Before that He cannot use you.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-11
1 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: 2 And 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, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 And 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. 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And 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: 7 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. 8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go [and] take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take [it], and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. 11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
 | Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-02-07 Source: Title: Revelation Author: Ger de Koning |
The apostle saw another representation. The person communicating this discovery probably was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or it was to show his glory. He veils his glory, which is too great for mortal eyes to behold; and throws a veil upon his dispensations. A rainbow was upon his head; our Lord is always mindful of his covenant. His awful voice was echoed by seven thunders; solemn and terrible ways of discovering the mind of God. We know not the subjects of the seven thunders, nor the reasons for suppressing them. There are great events in history, perhaps relating to the Christian church, which are not noticed in open prophecy. The final salvation of the righteous, and the final success of true religion on earth, are engaged for by the unfailing word of the Lord. Though the time may not be yet, it cannot be far distant. Very soon, as to us, time will be no more; but if we are believers, a happy eternity will follow: we shall from heaven behold and rejoice in the triumphs of Christ, and his cause on earth.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-7
1 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: 2 And 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, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 And 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. 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And 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: 7 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.
 | Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source: Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry |
I saw another mighty Angel. Some expound it of Christ himself: others of an Angel, representing the power of God over the sea and land. (Witham)
 | Author: George Leo Haydock Rank: Author AD: 1849 Source: Title: Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary Year (original): 1859 Number of pages: 571 Print: Edward Dunigan and Brother, New York, New York |
He is the "Angel of the Covenant," who is revealed in the hearts to reassure its trouble, saying to the believer, "I am he, do not be afraid!"
Bishop Victorianus confirms that He is Jesus Christ, and He is:
1) Descending from heaven: Being heavenly, He is concerned, not in preventing His believers tribulation and difficulties, but in their reaching heaven.
2) Mighty: He was revealed strong to His bride, to strengthen her, that she who is engaged to Him, would not faint.
Indeed, the believers realize that they are not able by themselves to bear the difficulties, but through the mighty Lord they are capable [2Cor 3:5].
By himself the believer is weak, but with the Lord he is strong. By himself he faints, but he puts on the victorious Lord who defeats.
3) Clothed with a cloud: The cloud points to the the presence of God, as it symbolizes His glory and majesty. When the time of His second advent is near, to reign forever, He appears to the believers in His glory. Thus, in their waiting for Him, they do not cool down, but hear Him saying, "Surely I come quickly." They will not stop calling on Him, "Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus" [Rev 29:20]. They beg Him ceaselessly saying: "Your kingdom come."
The cloud has an old story. When God led His old people in the desert, He overshadowed them with a cloud. The cloud of glory descended between the two churches in the tabernacle, and in the temple of Solomon. When Ezekiel prophesied about the rejection of the Jews, because of their wickedness, he saw the cloud leaving the Holy of Holies to the exterior house, then moved to the wall of the city, and finally ascended to heaven.
When the Lord Jesus came at His transfiguration, the disciples saw a "bright cloud" shadowing them. The Church is now living under the cloud in heavenly glory, but in pledge, waiting for all the glory, when her Bridegroom comes, "on the cloud of heaven with power and great glory" [Matt 24:3].
4) The rainbow on his head: The glory, with which He crowns His head, is the reconciliation, that he gave us with God. This reconciliation is the subject of the praise of the heavenly and the humans, as they stand amazed at this great love!
5) His face is like the sun: Bishop Victorianus thinks that, this metaphoric description indicates the joy of the resurrection, and the resurrection is the defeat of death. The Lord lights the way for His children. He disperses the darkness in front of them, and gives them the life of victory and conquest until death.
6) And His feet like pillars of fire: When we are clothed with the Lord Jesus, by Him, we demolish the obstacles, as with two pillars of fire, so we do not stumble on the way, no matter how strong the tribulation is. 7) In His hand a little book was open: This is the living word of God for those who wish to enter into it, and enjoy it, by constantly meditating on it. It is a book that reveals the purpose of God towards human beings. With Him, souls feel security and restfulness, for being sure of the authority of God, and His capability in keeping His children in the hardest trials.
It is a little book, for the judgment day is near, and only a few prophecies remain unrealized yet. The believers will endure only for a short time.
8) And He placed His right foot on the sea, and his left on the land: Bishop Victorianus says, that His feet are His disciples, that fill the land and the sea, preaching, and witnessing to Him.
At the time of the Antichrist, many think that all had deviated, and there are no more believers in God. This feeling is capable of discouraging the believers, or those who wish to turn back from their deviation. For this reason, the real King assures them that "the land and its fullness, the universe and all its inhabitants" is His. He is not missing any witness to Him, on land or sea. He is present on earth to keep His Church, and His works, through His zealous children for the sake of the weak!
9) And He cried out as when a lion roars: How wonderful! When the earth is filled with the blasphemy of the Antichrist, and his followers against the Lord, many think that there is no more left of His members as a struggling church, only a handful of weak, escaping bunch. The hidden reality is that God shouts on the mouth of His children, roaring as a lion, for He is "like a strong man to run its race" [Ps 19:5]. "God thunders marvelously with His voice. He does great things which we cannot comprehend" [Job 34:5-6]. "Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write. but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them" [Verse 4].
Bishop Victorianus confirms that He is Jesus Christ, and He is:
1) Descending from heaven: Being heavenly, He is concerned, not in preventing His believers tribulation and difficulties, but in their reaching heaven.
2) Mighty: He was revealed strong to His bride, to strengthen her, that she who is engaged to Him, would not faint.
Indeed, the believers realize that they are not able by themselves to bear the difficulties, but through the mighty Lord they are capable [2Cor 3:5].
By himself the believer is weak, but with the Lord he is strong. By himself he faints, but he puts on the victorious Lord who defeats.
3) Clothed with a cloud: The cloud points to the the presence of God, as it symbolizes His glory and majesty. When the time of His second advent is near, to reign forever, He appears to the believers in His glory. Thus, in their waiting for Him, they do not cool down, but hear Him saying, "Surely I come quickly." They will not stop calling on Him, "Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus" [Rev 29:20]. They beg Him ceaselessly saying: "Your kingdom come."
The cloud has an old story. When God led His old people in the desert, He overshadowed them with a cloud. The cloud of glory descended between the two churches in the tabernacle, and in the temple of Solomon. When Ezekiel prophesied about the rejection of the Jews, because of their wickedness, he saw the cloud leaving the Holy of Holies to the exterior house, then moved to the wall of the city, and finally ascended to heaven.
When the Lord Jesus came at His transfiguration, the disciples saw a "bright cloud" shadowing them. The Church is now living under the cloud in heavenly glory, but in pledge, waiting for all the glory, when her Bridegroom comes, "on the cloud of heaven with power and great glory" [Matt 24:3].
4) The rainbow on his head: The glory, with which He crowns His head, is the reconciliation, that he gave us with God. This reconciliation is the subject of the praise of the heavenly and the humans, as they stand amazed at this great love!
5) His face is like the sun: Bishop Victorianus thinks that, this metaphoric description indicates the joy of the resurrection, and the resurrection is the defeat of death. The Lord lights the way for His children. He disperses the darkness in front of them, and gives them the life of victory and conquest until death.
6) And His feet like pillars of fire: When we are clothed with the Lord Jesus, by Him, we demolish the obstacles, as with two pillars of fire, so we do not stumble on the way, no matter how strong the tribulation is. 7) In His hand a little book was open: This is the living word of God for those who wish to enter into it, and enjoy it, by constantly meditating on it. It is a book that reveals the purpose of God towards human beings. With Him, souls feel security and restfulness, for being sure of the authority of God, and His capability in keeping His children in the hardest trials.
It is a little book, for the judgment day is near, and only a few prophecies remain unrealized yet. The believers will endure only for a short time.
8) And He placed His right foot on the sea, and his left on the land: Bishop Victorianus says, that His feet are His disciples, that fill the land and the sea, preaching, and witnessing to Him.
At the time of the Antichrist, many think that all had deviated, and there are no more believers in God. This feeling is capable of discouraging the believers, or those who wish to turn back from their deviation. For this reason, the real King assures them that "the land and its fullness, the universe and all its inhabitants" is His. He is not missing any witness to Him, on land or sea. He is present on earth to keep His Church, and His works, through His zealous children for the sake of the weak!
9) And He cried out as when a lion roars: How wonderful! When the earth is filled with the blasphemy of the Antichrist, and his followers against the Lord, many think that there is no more left of His members as a struggling church, only a handful of weak, escaping bunch. The hidden reality is that God shouts on the mouth of His children, roaring as a lion, for He is "like a strong man to run its race" [Ps 19:5]. "God thunders marvelously with His voice. He does great things which we cannot comprehend" [Job 34:5-6]. "Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write. but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them" [Verse 4].
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-3
1 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: 2 And 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, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
 | Author: Tadros Yacoub Malaty Rank: Monk Posted on: 2023-01-14 Source: Title: The book of Revelation Year (original): 1996 Author: Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty Number of pages: 257 Publisher/Editor: St. George's Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria Print: Anba Reuis Press, Abassia, Cairo, Egypt Translation: Victoria and Ramzy Malaty |
He signifies that that mighty angel who, he says, descended from heaven, clothed with a cloud, is our Lord, as we have above narrated.
 | Author: Victorinus of Pettau AD: 303 |
Also, as he goes forth on a white horse, conquering and to conquer, receives a crown of victory; and another
 | Author: Tertullian of Carthage Rank: Author AD: 220 |
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.