Mystery of God - Rumor notes 64

 

Trumpet Intermission (Revelation 10)

7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants, the prophets.

the seventh angel, when he is about to sound

This may be a good place to ponder the relationship between the various sets of 7. There is a clear pattern in all three where we find an intermission or insertion between the 6 and the 7 in each set. As well, in all 3 sets it appears that the 7^th is not only the last in that set but seems to strongly parallel each other as a grand climax. The question that many have struggled with is how to interpret these similarities and differences. Do these three sets correspond to each other time wise, or are they to be viewed sequentially? Do each of them have close parallels in parts of their makeup because they are describing the same situations from different directions, or is each set a sequence or pattern that is repeated 3 times, only with increasing intensity each time until the final set when the full power of truth and light is released, initiating the toppling of the empire of evil?

Strangely, I find a mix of these ideas rather appealing. It may be more difficult to defend this position given it cannot be perfectly explained and proven. But that is true about most everything we find in this prophetic document. I believe that prophecy is more flexible than most are willing to allow for, meaning that these symbols and activities described here can have multiple valid meanings and in some cases overlapping meanings that sometimes defy satisfactory explanation. I like the way that Sigve Tondstad explains these three sets, that they are both repeating but also progressive. I think of it like a wheel with 7 spokes that turns. It may appear that the same 7 things go by each time it turns, yet if the wheel is on the ground and not suspended in the air, there will be forward movement as well as repetition. Only with these I also see an added dimension of the last of each set having compelling reason to point to possibly the same point in time, whether generally or very specifically.

So when this says that we are being given insight to the time just before the 7^th angel is to sound his trumpet, I tend to believe this is referring to a time of great import, a time of enormous tension, social and spiritual pressure, of great anticipation and/or apprehension. In all three sets it appears that the interludes are clearly connected to each other as well, yet they also retain a sense of sequence to some extent. It is clear in the interlude found in chapter 7 in the seals there is a holding off of something very dangerous until a group of people are sealed, while in the trumpets this holding off has clearly come to an end with the releasing of the 4 winds that previously had been held in check. Additionally, the 6^th trumpet and the 6^th bowl both refer to the river Euphrates alerting us that something highly significant is going on that is closely related and links these together.

It is almost as if these three wheels with 7 spokes are turning in such as away that while they may begin at different points in time and retain a pattern of repetition, they almost appear to arrive at the same place simultaneously. If so that would make the wheels different sizes, for if you have a larger wheel rolling along with two other size wheels progressively smaller, yet each patterned after the same style, for all of them to arrive at the same spot at the same time would mean each of them would have their beginning point at different places but be seen to be overlapping closer and closer as they make their revolutions. Just an observation that may or may not be helpful here.

when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished

This verse is like a subset of the interlude which in turn is a parenthetical subset embedded into this set of 7's. It is like the core secret buried right in the center of this interlude, and I believe there is a very important reason the 7 thunders are implanted into the center of the description of this angel.

What has come out of our careful analysis of all the passages regarding thunder in our study? Pretty much all of them appeared to relate to the voice of God, yet some of them described a similar sound produced by God's loyal followers giving Him praise and honor and gratitude. What seems to be emerging to my awareness as I have pondered this ever since my study of these trumpets is that the main takeaway might have to do with the learning and practicing of the New Song that is the most potent weapon to be used by God's people. The thunders may describe vividly the sounds that results from learning the New Song, and this sound is seen as nearly identical whether it is coming from heaven or originating on earth.

The question I want to look at more closely is this: Why was John not to write down what he heard from the thunders, and why are they located just where we find them, interrupting the description of the angel standing on the sea and land with his strange book and the encounter John has with that book later? I believe this strategic positioning of these thunders at this specific location in the flow of the story contains the clues that may well unlock what has been obscured about the content of what the thunders may have released in John's hearing but have to be hidden until the right time. And that right time is just where it shows up in the flow of the story, right in the middle of the literal events that are symbolized by this angel and his little book.

So far we have not even begun to unpack the most potent word in this whole verse that lies at the very center of its meaning. This tells us that at this strategic point in the flow of events, the mystery of God is finished. It is time to add this powerful observation to what we are stirring around and observe the effects it may have as we combine one clue after another using the recipe provided here. What is the mystery of God, and how can we distill what it really is from a study of what is given us by the other prophets of God who are called His servants? I think this is crucial to spend some time considering most carefully and intently, for doing so may unleash far more blessing into not only our thinking but even more importantly into our spirit and our experience if we are open to receive what may come out.

What I am seeing as the best explanation so far for why John was told not to write down what the 7 thunders expressed was because of the critical timing involved. John was seeing future history being laid out in symbols in this vision, yet he himself was writing it all down in a point in time that was nearly 2,000 years before it would actually become the situation on this planet. Were he to write down the potent information he heard from the 7 thunders, the enemy would have plenty of time to discredit it, distort it, deface it and neutralize it through subtle deceptions and outright lies just as he has done to the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Thus it was crucial that John keep the lid on possibly the most powerful ammunition that would be needed at just the right time by the people of God so they could access it in its full and purest form, untainted by the scheming deceptions and distortions that the enemy always uses to neutralize truths that show us the reality of heaven and God's character of love.

Having said this, I believe the time is now ripe for us to take hold of this opportunity to seize the truth as the Spirit unveils it to us both individually and collectively. As we continue to look at the meaning of this sea/land angel and how it is located where it is in the days when the 7^th angel is about to sound, it just might be God's will to begin to infuse the full potency of the 7 thunders' messages into our hearts if we wish to participate as true reflectors of God's heart and voice. And this understanding may involve appreciation of what this mystery is all about that is connected to what the 7 thunders exposed.

the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants, the prophets

Following are verses related to this mystery. Another resource is a paper called Inheriting Garbage.

the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies. (Revelation 1:20)

Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city, without the people being afraid? Does evil happen to a city, and Yahweh hasn't done it? Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared. Who will not fear? The Lord Yahweh has spoken. Who can but prophesy? (Amos 3:6-8)

He said, "Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear." When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. He said to them, "To you is given the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, all things are done in parables, that 'seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest perhaps they should turn again, and their sins should be forgiven them.'" (Mark 4:9-12)

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 16:25-27 NAS95)

My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith wouldn't stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown; yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing. But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory, which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn't have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:4-8)

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him; (Ephesians 1:9-10)

if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you; how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words, by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News, (Ephesians 3:2-6)

with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-20)

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the assembly; of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints, to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory; whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; (Colossians 1:24-28)

that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. (Colossians 2:2-4)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may reveal it as I ought to speak. (Colossians 4:2-4)

Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)

I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished. (Revelation 15:1)

The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished. (Revelation 15:8)

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished." He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)

as he declared to his servants, the prophets

In the following passages, think about what needs to be finished as related to what was told to the prophets of old.

He said to them, "Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Didn't the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?" Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27)

He said to them, "This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:44-47)

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets. (Acts 3:19-21)