I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. v1-3

We begin this chapter with “another strong angel” coming down from heaven. Many believe this is Christ himself however it clearly says its “another angel”. Notice a Rainbow was on his head, what do we know about the Rainbow? It was the covenant God made with humanity from the judgement of the flood. The covenant is clearly still on the mind of God and he wants everyone to become saved

What are the 7 peals of thunder? Remember 7 is the number of completion in the Bible. Thunder is typically symbolic of judgement. The original Greek word for “thunder” is bronte which also means “to roar” So the 7 peals of thunder are loud yells of judgement to the world

Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. / From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. / The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking. Ezekiel 1:26-28

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.” v4

Whatever was spoken during the “7 Peals of Thunder” it has been sealed up by God Almighty. We can’t even begin to speculate what was said, because these words have been sealed and not revealed anywhere in the Bible.

The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. v5-7

When the 7^th and final Trumpet sounds, the mystery of God is finished! What does this mean? What is about to be revealed by God? I think this is the final warning by God for sinners! Its time to repent and be saved through Jesus Christ, after this trumpet will be the seven bowls of wrath poured out onto the Earth

Notice the angel says “there will be delay no longer” many question why didn’t Jesus return yet. Because God wants everyone to be saved! He is delaying his wrath as long as possible, however people just never want to repent. The time is running out!

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.” So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.” And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.” Then  I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. v8-10

The little book that was in the angels hand was given to John. Why was the book bitter and sweet? First off let’s be clear, the message in this little book was the Word of God. The Word of God is very sweet to those who understand its salvation and redemption. However those who reject God and his word, we know the bitterness of his wrath and judgement! This makes the Word of God very bittersweet

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.” / So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. / “Son of man,” He said to me, “eat and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you.” So I ate, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. Ezekiel 3:1-3

And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” v11

This is setting the stage for the 2 Witnesses that we will see later in Revelation. They will preach the Truth to the entire world! But also us, since we are digesting the prophecy here in Revelation, we need to witness to the entire world before its too late!

But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.” Daniel 12:4