Today’s reading is Revelation 10.
Seven Thunders
The second mighty angel called out with a loud voice like a lion roaring. The heavens responded with seven thunders. While “seven” calls to mind all the sevens in Revelation, mentioning seven thunders triggers a memory in those who love and are familiar with the Psalms. In Psalm 29, the voice of the Lord thunders. It is powerful and full of majesty. It breaks trees. It makes animals run and give birth. It flashes forth flames of fire and shakes the wilderness. The careful student notices “the voice of the LORD” sounds seven times in the psalm.
The seven thunders in Psalm 29 prompted worship. All in His temple cried “Glory!” At the same time, the seven thunders prompted a further memory in Psalm 29:10. “The LORD sits enthroned above the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever” (ESV). The psalmist chose a word for “flood” only used thirteen times in the Hebrew Scriptures–once in this psalm, the other twelve in the story of the cataclysm of Genesis 6-9. The psalmist wants us to think of the flood in which God knew how to bring judgment on those who refused to repent. However, He also knew how to preserve those who worship Him. What a great reminder during the sixth trumpet of the Apocalypse. Judgment is promised, but protection is offered to those who will surrender to the Lord’s seal.
sealed
While the seven thunders bring to mind an incredible memory and connection, we still would like to know precisely what the thunders said and revealed. However, a voice from heaven tells John to seal them up and not write them down. The scrolls are opened. The message of God is available. However, that doesn’t mean God reveals everything. After all, the secret things belong to God (Deuteronomy 29:29a).
I recall John’s two summary statements about his gospel record:
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:30-31, ESV).
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written (John 21:25, ESV).
God could include so much more. He could reveal so much more. However, God doesn’t tell us everything. While eternity and curiosity may be in our hearts, God gives us only what we need. After all, His goal for revelation is not to sate our curiosity, but that we may do all the words of His law (Deuteronomy 29:29b). In John’s gospel, He gave us all we needed to believe and have life. In John’s apocalypse, He gives us all we need to repent and hold fast to the Lord. We have no need to speculate what the seven thunders said. Their message is not for us. The message for us is quite simple: Repent and Hang on!
An Object Lesson for Today
Please, grasp this point. Far too often we get distracted speculating, discussing, even arguing about things which simply don’t matter. Take these seven thunders for instance. We can track down all the uses of thunder throughout the Bible. We can make academic and intellectual cases for different messages God might have revealed. We can discuss why God chose not to let us know the message of these thunders. In the end, will any of that change the need for the five struggling churches in Asia to repent and the two faithful ones to hold fast? Nope.
It won’t change a thing for us. Paul told Timothy the aim of our charge is love issuing from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. However, some people swerve from this simplicity by digging into speculative matters striving to make a name for themselves as doctors of the law (1 Timothy 1:5-7). How many things do we argue about that even if we figured out the right answer really wouldn’t matter? In the end, most of our arguments are nothing more than posturing to impress others with our mental prowess. What we need to do, however, is give attention to the public reading of Scripture and simply offer exhortation and teaching based on what we certainly read there. By working on that, folks will be able to see our progress, and we will save ourselves and those who hear us (1 Timothy 4:13-16).
Let’s keep reading. Let’s keep encouraging.
Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 10.
PODCAST!!!
PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Revelation 10 admonish you?
Read the Bible 