chapter twelve

, the first break in continuity after the episode; but it seems more likely that the whole

## book is intended. In any case it is clear that the prophetic form in which

the writer’s ministry is to be realized (viz. “thou must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings”, v. 11) serves to link the center of the book (ch. 10:11) with both the beginning (ch. 1:3) and the end (ch. 22:19),(434) and thereby furnishes an incidental proof of its unity of design.

1 The Angel Foretells the End, Ch. 10:1‐7

A mighty angel, the representative of Christ and bearing his insignia,(435) having a book in his hand, and standing both upon sea and land as a sign of his world‐wide mission, declares the coming end under the seventh trumpet, when the mystery of God’s method and purpose in human life and redemption shall be fully revealed and finally manifested in the establishment of his universal kingdom. The manner of the angel is scenic and impressive, and the message is one of undoubted power.

(1) The Thunder Voices, Ch. 10:3b and 4

Seven thunders utter their voices(436) in token of the approaching judgment, but John is directed by a voice from heaven to seal them up and is forbidden to record them, probably indicating that the terrors of God’s voice in judgment are for the present hidden from men; though some regard the voices as introduced only to emphasize the element of mystery with which the Apocalyptic form always delighted to clothe its thought. The voice, declared to be from heaven in verse four, is apparently not intended to indicate by whom the words were spoken, but only the source from which they came; some, however, attribute them to Christ.

2 The Book Delivered to John, Ch. 10:8‐11

The book is Christ’s revelation to John in the Apocalypse, a little open book or scroll (v. 2), evidently set in contrast with the great sealed book of God’s purposes in