What does Revelation 10:6 mean?

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: Revelation 10:6

Explanation

Revelation 10:6 features an angel described as having a powerful presence, signifying the sovereignty and eternity of God. The verse emphasizes the angel swearing by God, who is the eternal creator of heaven, earth, sea, and all that is within them. The phrase “that there should be time no longer” is interpreted in various ways, but it is commonly understood to mean that there will come a point in the eschatological timeline when the current experience of time, with its delays and patience, will cease as God brings about the final stages of His prophetic plan. The end of “time” is seen as the completion of God’s purpose rather than the end of temporal existence itself.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written by the apostle John during his exile on the island of Patmos, likely around the end of the first century A.D. It was a time of persecution for Christians under the Roman Empire, and the apocalyptic literature served to provide hope and perseverance by depicting the ultimate victory of God over evil. The text is heavily symbolic and draws from Old Testament prophecy, Jewish apocalyptic literature, and Greco-Roman political imagery.

Theological Insights

Interpretations of “that there should be time no longer” vary among theologians:

• Preterists believe this passage was fulfilled in the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D.
• Futurists see this as a reference to the end times when human history as we understand it will culminate in God’s judgement and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
• Idealists view this symbolically, suggesting it represents the timeless nature of God’s purposes which transcend human time.
• Historicists consider this prophecy outlining God’s plan over the course of history, culminating in the end of an age, possibly the end of the church age before the millennium.

Practical Applications

This verse can inspire contemporary believers to:

• Reflect on the transient nature of current reality and the eternal nature of spiritual reality.
• Live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual matters and divine purpose over temporal concerns.
• Maintain hope and patience, knowing that there will come a time when God will fulfill all His promises and prophecies.

Cross-References

• Revelation 10:5 – “And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,”
• Revelation 21:1 – “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”
• 2 Peter 3:10 – “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
• Daniel 12:7 – “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…”

Language Study

The Greek word for “time no longer” is “chronos ouketi estai,” with “chronos” referring to chronological, measurable time and “ouketi” meaning “no longer.” The phrase does not suggest the cessation of “time” (chronos) in the sense of the physical universe’s existence but hints at a specific period of time or delay coming to its divinely appointed end.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This imagery of a profound declaration about time can be compared to:

• Norse mythology, where Ragnarok represents the end of a cycle of time and the beginning of a new one.
• Hinduism, with the concept of Yugas, vast epochs of time that end and restart in a cyclical fashion.
• Indigenous beliefs, in which there are conceptions of cyclical time and world ages.

Each of these expresses a belief in epochs or ages that come to an end, leading to a new order or reality.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, the verse’s reference to “time no longer” could be interpreted metaphorically, as time in the physical sense, measured by physics and cosmology, is not expected to cease. Yet if the verse is addressing the perception of time or the cessation of human history as we know it, this could be seen as compatible with certain theories concerning the eventual end of the universe, such as the heat death or the Big Crunch.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians might comment on this verse by:

• John Wesley suggested that “time should be no longer” refers to the end of the delay before God’s hidden mysteries are accomplished.
• Matthew Henry viewed this pronouncement as the end of time given to mortals, leading to the eternal state.
• Some modern commentators have suggested that this is symbolic, signaling a milestone in the divine plan rather than a literal end of temporal time.