What does Revelation 10:7 mean?

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. Revelation 10:7

Explanation

Revelation 10:7 speaks of a future event, within the context of the apocalyptic visions described in the Book of Revelation, where a significant prophetic milestone occurs with the sounding of the seventh angel’s trumpet. This verse implies the completion of a divine mystery—a plan or purpose that God has kept hidden, yet at the same time declared or revealed to His servants, the prophets. The “mystery of God” could allude to the culmination of God’s plan for salvation, judgment, and the eventual establishment of His Kingdom on Earth. The moment the seventh trumpet is sounded is portrayed as a pivotal point in the unfolding of these events, where the mysteries that may have baffled believers and scholars alike will be brought to full revelation and completion.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, is the final book of the New Testament, traditionally ascribed to John the Apostle. This text is believed to have been composed around the late first century AD, a time when the early Christian communities were facing various forms of persecution by the Roman Empire. Revelation reflects the trials and tribulations faced by believers and the hope for deliverance and vindication by God. The language and imagery in Revelation draw heavily on Old Testament prophetic books, such as Daniel and Ezekiel, and the cultural context of apocalyptic literature that was familiar to Jewish and early Christian audiences.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Revelation 10:7 is rich in eschatological meaning—concerning the ultimate destiny of the world. Different Christian traditions interpret this verse in various ways:

• Futurist Perspective: Many evangelical Christians view this verse as a literal prediction of future events that will take place during the end times, emphasizing a yet-to-be-fulfilled prophetic timeline.
• Preterist Perspective: Some scholars argue that the prophecies of Revelation were fulfilled in the past, particularly with the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 or the decline of the Roman Empire.
• Historicist Perspective: This view interprets the events of Revelation as unfolding throughout the course of history, with some seeing the Reformation or other significant historical events as part of these prophecies.
• Idealist/Spiritual Perspective: Others see the book symbolically, as an allegory for the ongoing struggle between good and evil, truth and deception, and the ultimate triumph of God.

Practical Applications

In a practical light, Revelation 10:7 can inspire believers to maintain hope and faith in the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plans, despite not fully understanding the current struggles and injustices in the world. It can serve as encouragement to trust in the sovereignty and faithfulness of God, who will complete what He has begun and has promised through His prophets.

Cross-References

• Revelation 11:15: “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.”
• 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 that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.”
• 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Language Study

The phrase “the mystery of God” in the original Greek text is “τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ” (to mystērion tou Theou). The Greek word “μυστήριον” (mystērion) means “mystery” or “secret,” often referring to divine secrets that are beyond human understanding but may be revealed by God at His choosing. The term “should be finished” translates from the Greek verb “τελέω” (teleō), which denotes completion or fulfillment, implying the consummation of a plan or purpose.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultures, there were myths about gods who would reveal secrets or enact a final judgment or transformation of the world. Similar to the Book of Revelation, these tales often involved elaborate symbolism and were considered to hold esoteric truths. For example, in Norse mythology, Ragnarök represents the prophesied war that would lead to the death of gods and a rebirth of the world, which could be seen as a parallel to apocalyptic themes.

Scientific Perspectives

The Book of Revelation speaks in symbolic and metaphorical terms, and its visions are not intended to be taken as scientific descriptions of future events. Modern science does not have a framework for interpreting prophetic literature, as scientific inquiry relies on empirical evidence and repeatable experiments. The trumpets and the completion of the “mystery of God” are matters of faith, not empirical science.

Commentaries

Throughout history, biblical scholars and theologians have offered a variety of interpretations of Revelation 10:7:

• John Gill (18th-century Baptist theologian): Gill viewed the “mystery of God” as relating to the Gospel and its propagation and suggested that the prophecy would not be completely fulfilled until the spread of Christianity throughout the world.
• Matthew Henry (17th-century Presbyterian minister): Henry saw the completion of the mystery as the final defeat of all of God’s enemies and the establishment of Christ’s everlasting kingdom.
• Robert H. Mounce (20th-century biblical scholar): Mounce has emphasized the apocalyptic aspect of Revelation, suggesting that the verse highlights the consummation of all prophecies that have pointed toward God’s ultimate victory.