REVELATION 10: TIME NO LONGER, AND THE LAST MESSAGE

The message of Revelation 10 begins with the time near the end of the sixth trumpet in the 1840s and carries us down to the completion of the seventh trumpet. During this time “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).


As this chapter culminates, the “mystery of God should be finished” (Revelation 10:7) and God’s people are sealed. Then it will be time for Christ to lay aside His priestly ministry in preparation for His second coming and the finishing up of the final events of the seventh trumpet.

The messenger of heaven announces that all the prophetic times of Daniel and Revelation have ended. The heavenly messenger declares that the people of God are to bear a worldwide message—God’s last-harvest message, represented by seven thunders, showing the completeness of the message and the authority of God’s voice or Word that is to attend it. It is to go to the whole world, preparing two classes of people. (See Revelation 14:6–20.)

Revelation 10:1

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.

“Clothed with a cloud”

Clouds and darkness are round about him [the Lord]: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. (Psalm 97:2)

Behold, he [Jesus Christ] cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7. At His second coming, Christ will come with the clouds.)

And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord. (Exodus 19:9)

And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him [Moses] there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. (Exodus 34:5)

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:14)

This mighty messenger from heaven is covered in clouds. This, with the other descriptions, tells us this is no ordinary angel. Rather, it is the messenger of whom God declared, “My name is in Him” (Exodus 23:21).

“Rainbow was upon his head”

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 the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (Ezekiel 1:28)

And he that sat [on the throne in heaven] was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (Revelation 4:3)

“Face as it were the sun”

And he [the Son of man] had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:16)

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (Matthew 17:1–2)

“His feet as pillars of fire”

And his [the Son of man’s] feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. (Revelation 1:15)

His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. (Daniel 10:6)

This mighty messenger from heaven is no less than the Son of God, for the characteristics are that of Christ and not that of a mere angel. Christ is the messenger of heaven, for God “hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2).

Revelation 10:2

And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth.

“A little book open”

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. (Daniel 12:4, 9)

And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. (Daniel 8:26–27)

Christ is seen with a little book open, indicating that it was once closed. The book of Daniel is the only one of which portions were sealed and are now unsealed and opened. This position of the heavenly messenger, with one foot on earth and one foot on the sea, indicates His supreme power and authority over the whole earth, showing that the message He bears is to go to the whole world.

The Messenger of Daniel and Revelation Compared:

• A “certain man” appears to Daniel glorified, “clothed with linen,” “girded with fine gold.” “His body also was like the beryl,” and “his face as the appearance of lightning,” “his eyes as lamps of fire,” “his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass,” and a “the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.” (See Daniel 10:5–6.) 

A “mighty angel” appears to John glorified, “clothed with a cloud,” a “rainbow” “upon His head,” His “face as it were the sun,” His “feet as pillars of fire.” (See Revelation 10:1.)

• Daniel is instructed to “shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end.” (See Daniel 12:4.) 

“He had in his hand a little book open.” (See Revelation 10:2.)

• “The man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river.” (See Daniel 12:6.)

“He set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth.” (See Revelation 10:2.)

• “The man clothed in linen … held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven.” (See Daniel 12:7.)

“Lifted up his hand to heaven.” (See Revelation 10:5.)

• “The man clothed in linen … held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever.” (See Daniel 12:7.) 

“And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever.” (See Revelation 10:6.)

• “It shall be for a time, times, and an half.” There shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waiteth and cometh to the 1,335 days. (See Daniel 12:7, 11–12.)

“There should be time no longer.” (See Revelation 10:7.)

A comparison between the messengers of Revelation 10 and Daniel 12 shows the connection between the two chapters in Scripture. The angel messenger in Revelation 10 gives the announcement that an end has come to the time prophecies, during which the sealed portions of the book of Daniel would be open to our understanding. Now the book of Daniel “stands” in its “lot” or place of destiny to bear its message to the world at the end of time. (See Daniel 12:13.)

The link between Daniel and Revelation is important, for the “little book” that is open in Revelation 10 is the only one that was ever closed or “sealed.” It is the little prophetic book of Daniel—specifically that portion of Daniel dealing with the time of the end, and the prophecy of the 2,300 days or prophetic years. The book of Daniel was sealed for a certain amount of time, but now there is “time no longer.” The prophetic periods have come to an end.

According to what Daniel was told, we have come to the “time of the end,” when many will “run to and fro” in studying the Bible, and “knowledge” of his visions would “be increased” (Daniel 12:4).

Therefore, the mighty messenger of Revelation 10 stands upon “land” and “sea,” rather than just the “waters of the river,” indicating that a much broader proclamation of the message is now to be given. (See Revelation 10:11.)

Revelation 10:3

And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

“Seven thunders uttered their voices”

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6)

And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps. (Revelation 14:2)

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. (Revelation 6:1)

He thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. (Job 37:4–5)

Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? (Job 40:9)

Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. (John 12:28–30)

Thunder often represents the voice of God or voices from heaven, indicating power and majesty and authority. The seven thunders represent a perfect and complete message to mankind.

Revelation 10:4

And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

“Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered.” What are the seven thunders? Will their utterances remain sealed forever? Are there any clues to the meaning of these seven thunders?

Seven stars and candlesticks are used to indicate God’s messengers or leaders and the church. (See Revelation 1:20.) There are seven messages of counsel to the churches of today and throughout the Christian era. (See Revelation 2 and 3.) In Revelation, we see seven in conjunction with the fullness of Christ, His power and discernment. (See Revelation 3:1; 5:6.) There are seven seals describing past, present and future events. (See Revelation 6.) There are seven trumpet messages of warning and judgment. (See Revelation 8 and 9.) There are seven judgments in the plagues. (See Revelation 16.) The number seven often indicates completeness, fullness, and perfection.

The seven thunders represent a message of judgment and warning given by the people of God. The messages the thunders utter are understood when the command is given to “prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings” (Revelation 10:11). The voices of thunder, the voice of God’s last warning message, is specifically the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6–12, especially in the context of their repetition in Revelation 18.

The prophet was told not to write out the message of the seven thunders, for as God’s people eat the book, and then go on to proclaim the message of Revelation 14 to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, the message of the thunders will be made known.

Revelation 10:5–6

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.

“Lifted up his hand to heaven”

See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. (Deuteronomy 32:39–40)

The lifting up of the hand is indicating the authority and the truthfulness of the proclamation, for He who lifts up His hands in solemn authority is Jesus the Son of God, the redeemer of men. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18).

“Sware by him that liveth for ever and ever”

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever. (Daniel 12:7)

No more solemn oath could be made. In swearing by the Creator, the angel, who is Christ, swears by Himself. “For instance, there was God’s promise to Abraham: God took an oath in His own name, since there was no one greater to swear by” (Hebrews 6:13 TLB).

This time, which the messenger declares with a solemn oath is no longer, is not the end of this world’s history. Neither does it signal the closing of the door of mercy for the world. It is the end of prophetic time, specifically the 2,300-day/year prophecy of Daniel 8:14. All the prophetic time, days, or years of Daniel and Revelation have come to their end.

The last prophetic time prophecy has ended. From henceforth, God, who accounts things that are not as if they were, would not limit His working to a period of prophetic or literal time. Quite simply we are living on borrowed time.

Revelation 14, in conjunction with Daniel, reveals the judgment message pointing to the end of prophetic time. This is the message that was to be prophesied again. This message is to develop a people who will experience the mystery of God: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Those who reject the harvest message of Revelation 14 will eventually receive the mark of the beast. When the two classes are fully formed and matured “the harvest of the earth is ripe” (Revelation 14:15) then the times comes to separate wheat from tares, the good and the bad.

Revelation 10:7

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

“Voice of the seventh angel”

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)

“The mystery of God should be finished”

Finish—to bring to a close, to finish, to end1

And he said unto them, unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. (Mark 4:11)

[The saints] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself. (Ephesians 1:4–9)

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. (Ephesians 6:18)

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2–3)

We are in the days or time of the seventh trumpet angel, who began to sound when Christ announced prophetic time is no longer. The mystery of God is God’s eternal purpose to save the world through the gift of His Son, as revealed in the everlasting gospel. Now, in the time of the end, during the time of the sounding of the seventh angel, the mystery of God and the knowledge of God, the gospel of salvation, is to be finished in a worldwide proclamation. (See Revelation 10:11; 14:6–12.) When the people of God have the mystery of the gospel finished in them, they are sealed, ready for eternal redemption at the coming of the Lord.

Revelation 10:8–9

And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

“Take it, and eat it up”

And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; and he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe. Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. (Ezekiel 2:9–10; 3:1–4. A roll was given to the prophet to eat, and he was to speak unto the children of Israel.)

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)

The eating of the little book indicates a comprehension of the truth of the message found in those portions of Daniel that were to be unsealed in the time of the end.

Revelation 10:10

And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

Taking and eating the book is a representation of taking in and understanding and experiencing God’s Word and sharing its message with others. The experience is represented as sweet, as the personal understanding and love for God deepens. But it becomes bitter as the looked-for revival and work of God seems unappreciated and despised, and the hoped-for deliverance is delayed. This was the experience of believers from many denominations who took up the book of Daniel and proclaimed its message in the second advent awakening of the 1800s They thought Christ would come at the end of the 2,300-day/year prophecy. They overlooked the verses indicating that their work was not to end. It was only a beginning, for verse 11 declares that they were to prophesy again after they recovered from the bitter experience.

Revelation 10:11

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Christ, the messenger of heaven, in announcing that time is no longer (Revelation 10:6), is speaking of Daniel’s prophetic times. The 1,260 years that ended in 1798 (the beginning of the time of the end) and of the 2,300 years that began in 457 B.C., at the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, (See Daniel 9) and if the beginning date is correct would have ended in1844. God’s prophetic time clocks have come to their end. The planet is now living on borrowed time, a time when knowledge should increase, and when deception, troubles, and perplexities will also increase. (See Daniel 12:4; Matthew 24.)

Now is the time when the voice of God, His final message as represented by the seven thunders, is to go forth. It is the message of Revelation 14:6–12 and 18:1–4. Only when these messages have sealed or separated the people of this world into two camps for or against God, will the mystery of God be finished, and then Christ shall come. 


Endnotes

1. Greek Lexicon, in The Online Bible CD-Rom, Macintosh Version 2.5.3 (Niagara Falls, NY: Cross Country Software, www.online-bible.com, 1996).


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