The Seven Thunders - Rumor notes 61

Trumpet Intermission (Revelation 10)

3 He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don't write them."

5 The angel who I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky, 6 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 will no longer be delay, 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.

When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices. When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don't write them."

This mystery of the 7 thunders has fascinated scholars and ordinary people for probably as long as this book has been written. It is almost like a dare, a challenge to figure it out. At the same time it also seems like a declaration by God that no one will be allowed to know what they said for certain. I don't claim to have some amazing insight no one else knows about, obviously. At the same time I sense that the time may be near, if not already here, that gaining a deeper understanding of this may be something in God's will for us at this point in history.

The method we have relied on in our study throughout this book thus far has proven to be an enormous blessing to reveal many unexpected insights and breakthroughs, pulling together a larger perspective on what has previously been shrouded in mystery. I would like to tackle this mystery in the very same way, walking carefully through many of the passages throughout Scripture that speak of thunders to see if maybe we might discover something under the guidance of the Spirit of Wisdom that will prove not only interesting but valuable in growing in our knowledge of God and His ways in these last days.

Following are many of the passages I find related to thunder. The more I ponder them the more excited I feel that, just as we have experienced in the past, things very important can distill out of our willingness to listen collectively as the Spirit prompts different people to catch various aspects that coalesce together to form a more distinct picture we may have never considered previously. We will begin with the references to thunders in this book and then throughout the rest of Scripture to see how they all might come together harmoniously to bring greater insight.

But before we go there, I want to point out one detail that may be significant.

When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices

The question here is this: do the 7 thunders speak simultaneously or sequentially with the cry of this angel? At first this may seem irrelevant, but I believe as we go deeper this will become important.

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads. Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (Revelation 4:4-5)

I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, "Come and see!" (Revelation 6:1)

Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand. The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:3-5)

The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God's throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: "We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and reigned. The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth.

God's temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord's covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed. (Revelation 11:16-19)

I will interject here that I recently learned something very important about this passage. These last two verses belong tightly linked with the following verses in the next chapter and which are totally out of context without these. But we will look at the another time.

I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. (Revelation 14:1-3)

The seventh poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came forth out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" There were lightnings, sounds, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since there were men on the earth, so great an earthquake, so mighty. The great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Revelation 16:17-19)

A voice came forth from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!" I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns! (Revelation 19:5-6)

Just these verses from within Revelation give us enormous clues that can steer us as we continue.

Yahweh said to Moses, "Stretch forth your hand toward the sky, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man, and on animal, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt." Moses stretched forth his rod toward the heavens, and Yahweh sent thunder, hail, and lightning flashed down to the earth. Yahweh rained hail on the land of Egypt. (Exodus 9:22-23)

Pray to Yahweh; for there has been enough of mighty thunderings and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands to Yahweh. The thunders shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that you may know that the earth is Yahweh's. But as for you and your servants, I know that you don't yet fear Yahweh God." (Exodus 9:28-30)

Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands to Yahweh; and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth. When Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. The heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he didn't let the children of Israel go, just as Yahweh had spoken through Moses. (Exodus 9:33-35)

This informs us that miracles of themselves don't have the kind of power needed to convert a person's heart to worship God in truth and love. Just because God uses supernatural manifestations that gets a lot of attention does not mean they actually work to change hearts. This is very important for us to understand today, for many presume that all we need is more vivid demonstrations of God's presence and power and people will respond positively. Pharaoh is a prime example that this is not that effective and that it is actually God's mercy that causes more hardening of the heart than God's so-called judgments. In the context of this 6^th trumpet we may well be looking at a very similar situation.

It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. (Exodus 19:16)

All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance. (Exodus 20:18)

Hannah prayed, and said: My heart exults in Yahweh! My horn is exalted in Yahweh. My mouth is enlarged over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness; for no man shall prevail by strength. Those who strive with Yahweh shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. (1 Samuel 2:1,9-10)

When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. The children of Israel said to Samuel, "Don't cease to cry to Yahweh our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines."

Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh: and Samuel cried to Yahweh for Israel; and Yahweh answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but Yahweh thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines, and confused them; and they were struck down before Israel. (1 Samuel 7:7-10)

If you will fear Yahweh, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, and both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of Yahweh your God, well: but if you will not listen to the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then will the hand of Yahweh be against you, as it was against your fathers.

Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Yahweh will do before your eyes. Isn't it wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Yahweh, in asking you a king. So Samuel called to Yahweh; and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel. All the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

Samuel said to the people, "Don't be afraid; you have indeed done all this evil; yet don't turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart: and don't turn aside; for then would you go after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain. For Yahweh will not forsake his people for his great name's sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people to himself. Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear Yahweh, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he has done for you. But if you shall still do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king." (1 Samuel 12:14-25)

David spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: and he said, Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine; God, my rock, in him I will take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence. I will call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from my enemies.

He made darkness pavilions around himself: gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness before him, coals of fire were kindled. Yahweh thundered from heaven. The Most High uttered his voice. He sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and confused them. Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of Yahweh, At the blast of the breath of his nostrils. He sent from on high and he took me. He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They came on me in the day of my calamity, but Yahweh was my support. He also brought me out into a large place. He delivered me, because he delighted in me. (2 Samuel 22:1-4, 12-20)

Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea. For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance. He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark. Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up. "Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place. Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth. He sends it forth under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth. After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He doesn't hold back anything when his voice is heard. God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can't comprehend. (Job 36:30 – 37:5)

"Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me. Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified? Or do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him? "Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honor and majesty. Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low. Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place. Then I will also admit to you that your own right hand can save you. (Job 40:7-14)

Let me ask a very pertinent question here. Is God describing the methods He relies on to conquer the proud, or is He challenging our methods that we believe He should use to win over evil?

I believe He is telling Job that until someone can prove that those methods are actually effective in neutralizing the power of pride and evil, we should not demand that those methods are what God relies on to accomplish His will. He takes no ownership of such methods here but simply identifies them as our opinions about how we should be saved.

Yahweh's voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Yahweh on many waters. Yahweh's voice is powerful. Yahweh's voice is full of majesty. (Psalms 29:3-4)

The waters saw you, God. The waters saw you, and they writhed. The depths also convulsed. The clouds poured out water. The skies resounded with thunder. Your arrows also flashed around. The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook. Your way was through the sea; your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known. You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron. (Psalms 77:16-20)

He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever. You covered it with the deep as with a cloak. The waters stood above the mountains. At your rebuke they fled. At the voice of your thunder they hurried away. The mountains rose, the valleys sank down, to the place which you had assigned to them. You have set a boundary that they may not pass over; that they don't turn again to cover the earth. (Psalms 104:5-9)

Woe to Ariel! Ariel, the city where David encamped! Add year to year; let the feasts come around; then I will distress Ariel, and there will be mourning and lamentation. She shall be to me as an altar hearth. I will encamp against you all around you, and will lay siege against you with posted troops. I will raise siege works against you. You will be brought down, and will speak out of the ground. Your speech will mumble out of the dust. Your voice will be as of one who has a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and your speech will whisper out of the dust. But the multitude of your foes will be like fine dust, and the multitude of the ruthless ones like chaff that blows away. Yes, it will be in an instant, suddenly. She will be visited by Yahweh of Armies with thunder, with earthquake, with great noise, with whirlwind and storm, and with the flame of a devouring fire. The multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all who fight against her and her stronghold, and who distress her, will be like a dream, a vision of the night. It will be like when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he eats; but he awakes, and his hunger isn't satisfied; or like when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he drinks; but he awakes, and behold, he is faint, and he is still thirsty. The multitude of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion will be like that. (Isaiah 29:1-8)

They rush on the city. They run on the wall. They climb up into the houses. They enter in at the windows like thieves. The earth quakes before them. The heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. Yahweh thunders his voice before his army; for his forces are very great; for he is strong who obeys his command; for the day of Yahweh is great and very awesome, and who can endure it? "Yet even now," says Yahweh, "turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning." Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal offering and a drink offering to Yahweh, your God. (Joel 2:9-14)

"Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? 'Father, save me from this time?' But for this cause I came to this time. Father, glorify your name!" Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice hasn't come for my sake, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (John 12:27-32)

Let me ask what might at first sound like a silly question. What is the difference between the sound of a cat and the sound of a lion? Why? Similarly, what is the difference between the bark of a tiny dog compared to the bark of a huge Mastiff? We know the difference without ever having to see them, for it has to do with size as perceived by the depth of pitch in sound, right?

A lower the pitch of a sound means a lower frequency is passing through the air which is the means by which we hear sounds. Throughout these passages we find that often God's voice is described as sounding like thunder. At Mt. Sinai a loud blast like a trumpet was also heard, but it appears that primarily whenever the voice of God has been heard audibly it usually sounds like thunder. That is because thunder, or the even lower frequencies associated with earthquakes, might indicate the largest possible source as originating that sound. It is also connected with our perception of power.

This takes us to the next step which is how we are emotionally wired to react to sounds. We usually have a distinctly different reaction between hearing the yapping of a tiny dog and the sound of a deep growl or woof that clearly comes from an animal that is far larger, especially if we can't see the source. We usually react with more fear when our brain tells us that the sound likely comes from something much larger than what we care to encounter, and there is nothing larger than God.

Let's now connect some dots to see what might come out of our observations. Thunder is a sound that is usually associated with lightning but is only heard as a result of the effect a lightning bolt produces in the atmosphere. That means that to hear a sound there has to be air involved, for that is how our ears hear sounds.

In Scripture the word used for spirit has to do with air or wind. In Revelation we learn of the 7 spirits that are before the throne and are connected with the Lamb. It would seem reasonable to associate these 7 spirits to the 7 thunders because air is required to transmit the sound of thunder. Voices come to our ears through the atmosphere, and wind generates sound itself depending on how strong that wind becomes. Thus I believe these 7 thunders may be reasonably be viewed as communications from God as His voice is so often described as being like thunder, and His Spirit wind is the means of communication sent to guide, instruct, convict and alert us of what God wants us to know.

However, having said this it is also true that other sources can produce the sound of thunder. Particularly note the description in Revelation 19 where collective voices of praise produce a sound like thunder. This is very compelling and inviting, for we were designed to reflect the image of God collectively. So we may participate in giving expression of God's will by joining our praise for God with all the rest of His true followers to produce communication similar to His voice of thunder.

Here is a review of the things we might learn about these thunders from the context of the passages we just examined.

A thunder originates from the throne of God in heaven.

At least one of the 4 creatures around the throne speaks with a voice of thunder.

A growing list of signs including thunder mark strategic points throughout Revelation.

An angel throws a censer full of fire to the earth.

When God's temple is opened exposing the ark of His covenant within.

When the 7^th bowl is poured out resulting in the fracturing of the great city into 3 parts.

The New Song that sounds like many waters, like thunder and performed by harpists playing.

The voice of a great multitude of praise like many waters saying Hallelujah for God's reign.

Thunder, lightning and hail are one of the plagues on Egypt.

Thunder, lightnings and a loud trumpet are encountered from Mt. Sinai at the giving of the law.

Hannah says God will thunder against those who try to prevail against Him with strength.

God uses His voice of thunder to defeat Philistines attacking Israel causing them confusion.

God sends thunder and rain as a sign of displeasure for Israel's demand for a king to rule them.

David said God thundered with His voice to save David from violence and from Saul.

Elihu tells Job that God thunders marvelously with his voice of majesty.

God asks Job if he can thunder with a voice like God can.

The context is God questioning human methods of control by intimidation.

The Psalms associate God's thunder voice with glory, power, majesty, the whirlwind, causing the waters of the flood to retreat.

In David's song about Ariel he says it will be visited by Yahweh of Armies with thunder, with earthquake, a great noise, with whirlwind and storm, and with the flame of a devouring fire.

God thunders in response to Jesus' request to glorify God's name. Jesus declares the result of this would be judgment of this world and the casting out of the prince of this world.

The last passage in the Old Testament may give us the strongest clue combined with this event of Jesus being answered from heaven by thunder. Together they reveal the purpose, motives and intent of God using His voice of thunder to get our attention.

Yahweh thunders his voice before his army; for his forces are very great; for he is strong who obeys his command; for the day of Yahweh is great and very awesome, and who can endure it?

"Yet even now," says Yahweh, "turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning." Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity. (Joel 2:11-13)

God's voice of thunder is meant to get our attention, to bring clarity where there is confusion of lies, to bring light where there is darkness and fear, to break through our lethargy to awaken us from our comatose state so that we may choose to change our thinking and turn back to giving Him our heart trust. God does not thunder to manipulate or control us but to get our attention to save us from all that is killing us and making us afraid of the very One who loves and cares for us the most. This is the purpose of God's thunder, not to attack us but to save us from the clutches of the enemy of our souls.

By Sea and Land - Rumor notes 60

 Trumpet Intermission (Revelation 10)

1 I saw a[nother] mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 He had in his hand a little open book.

He set his right foot on the sea, and his left on the land. 3 He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don't write them."

5 The angel who I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky, 6 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 will no longer be delay, 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.

Just as we encountered going through the 7 seals, between 6 and 7 there was something like an intermission with insertion of vital information before moving to number seven. The same is seen in the 7 bowls, which helps us see how all of these sevens have similar patterns and layout.

This interjection begins by describing a being using precise identifiers that make it reasonably certain we are seeing the same Jesus who was introduced at the beginning of the book, given these parallel identifiers seen in other places throughout the book. Yet in a drama where there are all sorts of extremely subtle counterfeits, it is still important to be sure of who is speaking or acting before making assumptions, as we have already seen several times in this study.

I saw another mighty angel coming down out of the sky

There are numerous references in Revelation to another angel as well as to a mighty angel. I will simply list the references here without examining all of them as that would become repetitious.

Another angel: Revelation 8:3-4; 7:2; 10:1; 14:6,8,9,15,17-18; 18:1; Zechariah 2:3

Mighty angel: Revelation 10:1; 18:21; Psalms 103:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:7

When we get to the coming down out of heaven part, it may be well to have closer scrutiny, given how the great accuser, the leader of the rebellion that was the cause of this whole war in the first place, is referred to in many places as coming down. Following is the main text where that is made most clear. We will also consider a few others to be sure to distinguish who is who.

The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now is come the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:9-10)

Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time." When the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. (Revelation 12:12-13)

The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him. (Revelation 9:1)

Yahweh God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. On your belly shall you go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. (Genesis 3:14)

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, "I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north! I will ascend above the heights of the clouds! I will make myself like the Most High!" Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)

By the abundance of your traffic they filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned: therefore I have cast you as profane out of the mountain of God; and I have destroyed you, covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I have cast you to the ground; I have laid you before kings, that they may see you. (Ezekiel 28:16-17)

He said to them, "I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven. (Luke 10:18)

for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour. They went out from us, but they didn't belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us. (1 John 2:18-19)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

Angels who didn't keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. (Jude 1:6)

These are all references to how Satan came down from heaven. It is clear that this was not what he planned to do but rather was a result of choosing to remain out of harmony with the atmosphere of heaven which is pure love. While he did come down from heaven, it was with a very different spirit and motive and for very different reasons than what is behind Jesus coming down from heaven.

Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit who doesn't confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:1-4)

What is the spirit or disposition of the true One who is of God? In Revelation He is identified as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, but when witnessed up close and personal it is discovered that He is the Lamb of God, slaughtered yet standing victorious and leading God's true children who follow Him wherever He leads them as the true Shepherd. So what is the difference between His coming down, and the coming down to the world of the fallen star from heaven?

Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; (Philippians 2:5-9)

This is the polar opposite of the spirit of Satan, the original antichrist that we find in Isaiah 14 asserting he would exalt himself, that he would ascend, that he would make himself like the Most High.

For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

Jesus therefore said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn't Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." They said therefore to him, "Lord, always give us this bread." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:32-35)

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:38-40)

This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. (John 6:50-51)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow. (James 1:17)

clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had in his hand a little open book

And among the lampstands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. (Revelation 1:13-16)

God said, "This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be for a sign of a covenant between me and the earth." (Genesis 9:12-13)

There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings. Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke. (Ezekiel 1:25-28)

Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at. (Revelation 4:2-3)

No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look in it. And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look in it. One of the elders said to me, "Don't weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals." (Revelation 5:3-5)

Compare this with a passage in Daniel.

In the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce face, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper and do his pleasure; and he shall destroy the mighty ones and the holy people. Through his policy he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and in their security shall he destroy many: he shall also stand up against the prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. The vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true: but seal up the vision; for it belongs to many days to come. (Daniel 8:23-26)

We could look at much more, but this is clearly enough evidence to establish that this angel represents, or is a close reflection of Christ Jesus, the one John encountered at the very beginning of this vision, as well as the contrast of the counterfeit, the other angel who was cast down from heaven.

As to the identity of this book or scroll, it is much more in question. I don't think it is safe to simply assume one thing or another, but again to consider the clues and see what fits best while remaining open to unfolding evidence that may nudge us in one direction or another. We will deal with that later.

He set his right foot on the sea, and his left on the land

By awesome deeds of righteousness, you answer us, God of our salvation. You who are the hope of all the ends of the earth, of those who are far away on the sea; (Psalms 65:5)

He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth. In his days, the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth. (Psalms 72:6-8)

which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, (Ephesians 1:20-22)

Why is this so specific as to which foot is placed where?

What is the difference in authority and/or in symbolism between the sea and the land?

He cried with a loud voice

Simply reading sequentially through all the passages in Revelation that refer to a loud voice produces a very interesting pattern. It seems that in most casees the focal point of the loud voices are related to Jesus. Because of this, it may be that collectively they are presenting us with an outline of the war from His perspective.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet saying, "What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. (Revelation 1:10-12)

After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, "Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this." (Revelation 4:1)

I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals. I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?" (Revelation 5:1-2)

I saw, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!" (Revelation 5:11-12)

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had. They cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:9-10)

After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, saying, "Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!"

(Revelation 7:1-3)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. They cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:9-10)

I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!" (Revelation 8:13)

The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!"

(Revelation 11:15)

I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now is come the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death. (Revelation 12:10-11)

I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. (Revelation 14:1-3)

I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He said with a loud voice, "Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!" (Revelation 14:6-7)

Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. (Revelation 14:9-10)

Another angel came out from the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Send forth your sickle, and reap; for the hour to reap has come; for the harvest of the earth is ripe!" (Revelation 14:15)

This next verse is the only possible exception I find in this entire list that might be questionable as to its authenticity as being on God's side. But we will look at that much closer when we come to study Revelation 14.

Another angel came out from the altar, he who has power over fire, and he called with a great voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Send forth your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for the earth's grapes are fully ripe!" (Revelation 14:18)

I heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth!" (Revelation 16:1)

The seventh poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came forth out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" (Revelation 16:17)

After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory. He cried with a mighty voice, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird! (Revelation 18:1-2)

After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God: (Revelation 19:1)

I saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, "Come! Be gathered together to the great supper of God, (Revelation 19:17)

I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:3-4)

This last passage resonates with key concepts expressed in the previous passages connected to a loud voice. I believe what we see here is the ultimate fulfillment of what showed up repeatedly in those passages – the salvation of God and of His form of governing in love alone. Salvation belongs to our God kept showing up throughout these passages, and this last loud voice announces what that salvation will look like – God dwelling in His people who were created to reflect His image and who are uniquely designed to give expression to the secrets of His deepest heart affections.

God has linked His salvation to our salvation, for throughout Scripture He repeatedly tells us that we are His witnesses. It is God who is on trial and this is the central issue in this war, not over our going to heaven or not. God invites our willingness to cooperate with His transformational work in our lives and relies on that to be the means of salvaging His reputation. In saving us His reputation is saved as well.

What does this really mean? God is inviting each of us to participate in His salvation, to speak and live in such a way that brings light and glory and honor that counteracts the slander and misconceptions and fear that has clouded His image for so long. As we allow God's Spirit to dwell in us and transform us so as to exhibit the same spirit of humility, kindness, compassion, mercy and love that was seen in the life of Jesus, we literally become part of God's salvation as we add our testimony to that of Jesus the ultimate witness for God's defense team. When the battle over whose version of governing is finally resolved, God will exalt us just as He exalted Jesus, to rejoice with Him and everyone else as we sing together in harmony the pure Song of the Lamb, the New Song that is full of only praise, adoration and honor for our God who is totally worthy of everything we can think of to praise Him.

This may be the main purpose of these loud voices that runs like a golden thread throughout this book from beginning to end. Each one of us may personally choose to join this loud cry if we will choose to continue to follow the Lamb to bring salvation to God, even as the Lamb is bringing salvation to us as God's children simultaneously.

as a lion roars

I want to begin this list by leading out with the counterfeit versions of lion's roars so as to see the contrast more clearly when compared with when and why the God of heaven roars.

As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people. (Proverbs 28:15)

There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst of it, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst of it. (Ezekiel 22:25)

Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Now compare these with the following verses that mention lions and roaring.

One of the elders said to me, "Don't weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals." (Revelation 5:5)

Therefore prophesy you against them all these words, and tell them, Yahweh will roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he will mightily roar against his fold; he will give a shout, as those who tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. (Jeremiah 25:30)

Thus says Yahweh, who gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, who stirs up the sea, so that the waves of it roar; Yahweh of Armies is his name: If these ordinances depart from before me, says Yahweh, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever. (Jeremiah 31:35-36)

They will walk after Yahweh, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west. (Hosea 11:10)

Will a lion roar in the thicket, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing? Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth, where no snare is set for him? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when there is nothing to catch? 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. (Amos 3:4-7)

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

(2 Peter 3:10 NAS95)

Next time we will learn about a reaction to this roar that is injected into the narrative before we even hear about what was said by this loud voice.