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Here is a definite commandment from God that no indication shall be given as to the correct interpretation of the seven thunders. In spite of this, however, some commentators have attempted to do that which God forbade John to do. It seems that the reverent student of the Word of God can do nothing but pass on to that which follows.1
Here, we would do well to remember the words of Moses and the Psalm writer: "The secret things belong to the LORD our God" (Deu. [[29:29|bible.5.29.29]]) and "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter" (Pr. [[25:2|bible.20.25.2]]).2As the visible portion of an iceberg is only a small part of the iceberg, most of which is hidden from man's sight, so God's disclosures reveal only part of his total being and purposes.3
A related passage in the Psalms attributes a sevenfold aspect to the voice of the LORD. Interestingly, it is found in conjunction with a reference to God's reign as judge during the Noahic flood which we have seen is related to the global judgment set forth in this chapter:The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth, and strips the forests bare; and in His temple everyone says, "Glory!" The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, and the LORD sits as King forever. (Ps [[29:3-10|bible.19.29.3-19.29.10]]) [emphasis added]
Although we may not know what the seven thunders said, we can infer from the context and related passages that it concerns aspects of the remaining seven judgments (the seven bowls subsumed within the seventh trumpet) which result in the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdoms of the Father and His Christ (Rev. [[11:15|bible.87.11.15]]+). Perhaps the contents of the utterances demonstrate similar themes as that which the Psalm writer recorded.As to their contents, perhaps they uttered "inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter" (2Cor. [[12:4|bible.68.12.4]]). Perhaps their contents would be unbearable down through the centuries:So terrible are they that God in mercy withholds them, since "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." The godly are thus kept from morbid ponderings over the evil to come; and the ungodly are not driven by despair into utter recklessness of life. 4
Notes
1 Donald Grey Barnhouse, Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1971), 183.
2 This is not the only portion of the divine record which is not recorded: John [[20:30|bible.64.20.30]]; [[21:25|bible.64.21.25]].
3 Alan F. Johnson, Revelation: The Expositor's Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1966), Rev. 5:4.
4 A. R. Fausset, "The Revelation of St. John the Divine," in Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997, 1877), Rev. 10:4.
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