- Do Not Be Frightened By The Symbols

I have mentioned before the use of symbols in the Revelation. Figures of speech abound throughout the Bible. We should not let the use of symbolism frighten us away. That is one of the devil’s neatest tricks—getting believers to suppose there is so much in the Word of God that they cannot understand that they neglect all of the Word of God. My advice: Go to the Bible itself. You will find that it interprets itself. For example, John saw the angel “robed in a cloud.” Do you suppose that could be a cloud as we know clouds? Clouds are composed of water. They make poor robes. But go back into the life and history of Israel, God’s chosen people. In the wilderness Israel followed the divine cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. The cloud and the fire were the “Shekinah—the presence of Almighty God with His pilgrim people. That was the glory of God. Again, when the risen Christ was taken away into heaven, a cloud received Him out of their sight. In the Scriptures a cloud means the visible manifestation of the invisible God. When this mighty angel came forth from the throne of God, John saw his robe as that of a cloud. Something of the splendor and glory of God at His throne clung to the angel as he moved from the heavenly scene to command the judgments of God on the earth There was a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun. His legs were like fiery pillars. As a mighty messenger from God, he planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. When he shouted, it was like the roar of a lion, and in the midst of it all, John heard as well the voices of “the seven thunders” (Revelation 10:3).

John tells us he was about to write down what the seven thunders said, but a voice from heaven ordered, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said” (Revelation 10:4). Some people are curious as to the message of the seven thunders. They have a hard time letting the matter rest. They want to know.

I have a feeling that sometime in our eternal future we are going to know the message spoken by the thunders. For now, we must leave it at that. It was a message sealed up for a later time. Of one thing I am confident: it was a message spoken in favor of God and His Christ; it was a message on the side of righteousness, faithfulness and holiness. Do you not think God expects us to focus on the more important issues? Why should we spend time over obscure, curious elements? God has given us sixty six books within our Bible to prepare us for the coming events that will signal the return of Christ and the judgment of the nations. Heeding what we know to do will keep us well occupied.