Tuesday Column: Dale Mail

John is getting ready to faithfully record more of the incredible (and incredibly bizarre) visions in heaven as Revelation ten begins. However, the text says this, 

“Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.” 10.1-4 

This wouldn’t be the first time that partial information is purposefully held back. The book of Daniel is considered to be “Revelation’s relative” and in Daniel 12 we see a similarity. The prophet understands that Israel will be destroyed and, understandably, he would like to know when these things will take place. 

“Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” 12.8 

The answers aren’t given and Daniel is left to wonder. The angels goes on to say, 

 “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” 

9-13 

We don’t get to know everything. In fact, we know based on these two accounts that God doesn’t reveal all of the information we’d like to know. We can rest peacefully knowing that God does reveal everything we need to know. For those of us who enjoy a good mystery, there are many to be found within scripture. 

The content shared by the thundering voices in Revelation 10 aren’t revealed in scripture. Perhaps because we don’t need to know these things. Maybe what was being said has already taken place, or maybe the information is beyond our earthly comprehension. God’s Word is a fascinating and incredible collection. It has the ability to save all of us— as well as the tendency to make us scratch our heads.