The Mystery Of God Draws To An End
THE MYSTERY OF GOD DRAWS TO AN END
REVELATION 10:1-11
When God teaches us, it is so that we may teach others.
It is generally agreed that there are two visions (10:1-11; 11:1-13:) which form a parenthesis before the blowing of the seventh trumpet in 11:15. So far as the former is concerned, there is no evidence that it should be fitted into the developing revelation, however this is understood. It is rather a message to the seer, returned for a moment to earth—the angel came down (10:1)—for if we respond to revelation we may expect more to be given us.
The identity of the “angel” (10:1) is immaterial. The various attributes, like cloud, rainbow, sun, are not to identify him with Christ, but are to make it clear that he is speaking with the authority of God. The “little scroll” (10:2) is not that of 5:1, but looks back to Ezekiel 2:9–3:3, and is John’s continuing message. It is smaller, because no one in his personal ministry can hope to do justice to every aspect of God’s revelation. The message concerned the people of God (“the land”) and the nations at large (“the sea”). “The seven thunders” (10:3) did not merely sound, they spoke (NIV). No indication of their nature or of what they said is given. They may have given revelation beyond what John had to reveal; we must confine ourselves to what God teaches us. On the other hand it may have been the opposition of apparently authoritative circles. We are not to record and so give longer life to voices that oppose God’s revelation.
The rendering of the KJV text in 10:6 (“there shall be time no longer”) is unfortunate; it has given rise to unprofitable theories about the timelessness of eternity and its consequent stagnation. God’s “mystery” (10:7), or “hidden purpose” (NEB), has been revealed, but our full understanding of it awaits the end of present history. The subtle difference between 10:10 and Ezekiel 3:3 should be noted. There is a bitter element in the gospel which cannot be eliminated without distorting it. It is a fragrance from death to death among those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15f.). At the age he had reached, relaxation from his labors would have seemed natural for John. There is no doubt, however, that his Gospel and letters were written after this. Though John is called the apostle of love, he has some of the sternest and straightest language in the Bible about the lack of love and sin.