TRV
Translation
King James Version
And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
Complete Jewish Bible
and shouted in a voice as loud as the roar of a lion; and when he shouted, seven thunderclaps sounded with voices that spoke.
Berean Standard Bible
Then he cried out in a loud voice like the roar of a lion. And when he cried out, the seven thunders sounded their voices.
American Standard Version
and he cried with a great voice, as a lion roareth: and when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.
World English Bible Messianic
He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And cried with a loude voyce, as when a lyon roareth: and when he had cried, seuen thunders vttered their voyces.
Young's Literal Translation
and he cried with a great voice, as a lion doth roar, and when he cried, speak out did the seven thunders their voices;
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In the KJVVerse 30,865 of 31,102
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Commentary on Revelation 10 verses 1–7
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:
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,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
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.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 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:
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.
Here we have an account of another vision the apostle was favoured with, between the sounding of the sixth trumpet and that of the seventh. And we observe,
I. The person who was principally concerned in communicating this discovery to John - an angel from heaven, another mighty angel, who is so set forth as would induce one to think it could be no other than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! 1. He was clothed with a cloud: he veils his glory, which is too great for mortality to behold; and he throws a veil upon his dispensations. Clouds and darkness are round about him. 2. A rainbow was upon his head; he is always mindful of his covenant, and, when his conduct is most mysterious, yet it is perfectly just and faithful. 3. His face was as the sun, all bright, and full of lustre and majesty, Rev 1:16. 4. His feet were as pillars of fire; all his ways, both of grace and providence, are pure and steady.
II. His station and posture: He set his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the earth, to show the absolute power and dominion he had over the world. And he held in his hand a little book opened, probably the same that was before sealed, but was now opened, and gradually fulfilled by him.
III. His awful voice: He cried aloud, as when a lion roareth (Rev 10:3), and his awful voice was echoed by seven thunders, seven solemn and terrible ways of discovering the mind of God.
IV. The prohibition given to the apostle, that he should not publish, but conceal what he had learned from the seven thunders, Rev 10:4. The apostle was for preserving and publishing every thing he saw and heard in these visions, but the time had not yet come.
V. The solemn oath taken by this mighty angel. 1. The manner of his swearing: He lifted up his hand to heaven, and swore by him that liveth for ever, by himself, as God often has done, or by God as God, to whom he, as Lord, Redeemer, and ruler of the world, now appeals. 2. The matter of the oath: that there shall be time no longer; either, (1.) That there shall be now no longer delay in fulfilling the predictions of this book than till the last angel should sound; then every thing should be put into speedy execution: the mystery of God shall be finished, Rev 10:7. Or, (2.) That when this mystery of God is finished time itself shall be no more, as being the measure of things that are in a mutable changing state; but all things shall be at length for ever fixed, and so time itself swallowed up in eternity.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
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Victorinus of PettauAD 304
Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John
"Seven thunders uttered their voices." The seven thunders uttering their voices signify, the Holy Spirit of sevenfold power, who through the prophets announced all things to come, and by His voice John gave his testimony in the world; but because he says that he was about to write the things which the thunders had uttered, that is, whatever things had been obscure in the announcements of the Old Testament; he is forbidden to write them, but he was charged to leave them sealed, because he is an apostle, nor was it fitting that the grace of the subsequent stage should be given in the first. "The time," says he, "is at hand."45 For the apostles, by powers, by signs, by portents, and by mighty works, have overcome unbelief. After them there is now given to the same completed Churches the comfort of having the prophetic Scriptures subsequently interpreted, for I said that after the apostles there would be interpreting prophets.
For the apostle says: "And he placed in the Church indeed, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers,"46 and the rest. And in another place he says: "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge."47 And he says: "Every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered, dishonoureth her head"48 And when he says, "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge," he is not speaking in respect of the Catholic prophecy of things unheard and unknown, but of things both announced and known. But let them judge whether or not the interpretation is consistent with the testimonies of the prophetic utterance.49 It is plain, therefore, that to John, armed as he was with superior virtue, this was not necessary, although the body of Christ, which is the Church, adorned with His members, ought to respond to its position.
Primasius of HadrumetumAD 560
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10:3
[The loud voice] indicates that through his servants he was proclaimed faithfully and with strength. As the prophet says, “And he made firm the glory of his strength.” “When he called out, the seven thunders sounded.” Because of the known use of the number seven, I think that the seven thunders signify the various manners of the church’s preaching. The apostle Paul spoke of this concerning his service to others, “As babes in Christ, I fed you with milk, not solid food,” however to others, “solid food is for the perfect,” yet also to others, “avoid the heretical man after the first and second admonition.” Therefore, the church is said to proclaim rightly through its usual offices of preaching.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
And when he cried out, the seven thunders uttered their voices. When the Lord preaches mightily, the Church, also full of sevenfold grace, raises its voices to preach. For the lion roars, who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken, who will not prophesy (Amos III)? For the seven thunders are the same as the seven trumpets of which he speaks.
Alcuin of YorkAD 804
COMMENTARY ON REVELATION
And he cried with a loud voice as when a lion roareth. Just as the lion's cry inspires beasts with fear, so does Christ inspire beastlike men with fear by threatening through the holy preachers, according to this: The lion roareth, who will not fear? [Variant of Amos 3:8] And when he had cried, the seven thunders spoke their voices. The seven thunders signify the same thing as the lion's voice, namely the preaching of the Word, as in The voice of thy thunder in a wheel. [Ps. 76:19] Note also that the seven thunders are said to have spoken after the lion's voice because the sevenfold Spirit also taught the apostles to preach what the Lord taught, whence they are called the sons of thunder. [Mark 3:17] They spoke their voices because the holy doctrine does not receive the fables of the Jews or the rubbish of philosophers into its dogmas. However, a very complicated question arises for us in what is said after that: And I was about to write the things which the seven thunders spoke: and I heard a voice from heaven, saying: Seal up the things which the seven thunders have spoken; and write them not. If the holy preaching had not been written, how would it have come to us? It seems therefore that we should understand in this place only a specific kind of writing; for one should know that the reason why we shut something under seal is in order that it should not be open to all, but that it may be loosed in due time for those we trust; whereas what we write openly, we bring to the knowledge of all. Therefore we are ordered not to divulge the mysteries of God's words to everyone indiscriminately, but to supply them with measure and as though from under a seal, according to how able we see people are to receive them; and we are ordered to give milk to drink to some people, and solid food to others. [Ref. to 1 Cor. 3:1-2] The divine mysteries are also shut under a protective seal in order that they should not be disclosed to people who were not going to believe in them at all, because when they do not accept them, they start laughing at them.
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on Revelation
And he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. And it is said that the holy angel of wrath was symbolically represented as having roared like a lion, signifying the judgment against the impious.
And when he said, "he cried out," the seven thunders uttered their voices. The seven thunders refer to the seven ministering spirits whose memory has been mentioned earlier; therefore, it is placed after the article. He says, "the seven thunders," referring to those seven spirits to which the reference pertains. What then is the meaning of the seven spirits crying out? It is that they also fully correspond with the punishments inflicted upon sinners, offering a grateful hymn of praise to God, acknowledging that all things have been done justly. At the same time, the one who cried out clarified the various forms of punishments.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Revelation 10:3 captures a dramatic moment in John's apocalyptic vision, where a mighty angel, having descended from heaven, unleashes a powerful cry likened to the roar of a lion. This resounding declaration is immediately followed by the mysterious utterance of "seven thunders," whose voices, though heard, are divinely sealed from John's recording, underscoring the sovereign control of God over the scope and timing of His revelation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 10:3 is rich in Apocalyptic Imagery, designed to evoke awe and a sense of divine power. The primary literary device employed is Simile, comparing the angel's voice to the roar of a lion ("as when a lion roareth"). This comparison is highly effective, immediately conveying immense power, authority, and an almost primal force, linking the angel's pronouncement to the dominion and majesty associated with a lion. Furthermore, the "seven thunders" function as Symbolism, representing a complete and powerful divine revelation. The fact that their message is sealed introduces an element of Mystery, a recurring motif in apocalyptic literature that underscores God's sovereign control over what is revealed and what remains hidden, challenging human curiosity and emphasizing the limits of human understanding in the face of divine omniscience.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 10:3 profoundly underscores the themes of divine sovereignty and the nature of God's revelation. The angel's lion-like roar signifies an utterance of immense power and authority, echoing the very voice of God, which in the Old Testament is often associated with thunder and overwhelming might. The subsequent "seven thunders" represent a complete, divinely ordained message, yet one that is deliberately withheld from human understanding. This points to the theological truth that while God graciously reveals much of His will and plan to humanity, there are aspects of His counsel that remain hidden, known only to Him. This selective revelation serves to cultivate humility in believers, encouraging trust in God's perfect wisdom rather than demanding full comprehension of all His ways. It reminds us that God's plan unfolds according to His timing, and not all mysteries are meant for immediate disclosure.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 10:3, with its dramatic imagery and profound mystery, offers believers a powerful invitation to cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom. The unrecorded message of the seven thunders serves as a potent reminder that not all of God's plan is meant for our immediate comprehension. In a world that often demands full transparency and immediate answers, this verse calls us to embrace humility before the divine, acknowledging that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. Our faith is not diminished by what remains hidden, but rather strengthened by our confidence in the character of the God who reveals what is necessary for our salvation and sanctification. We are encouraged to focus our attention and obedience on the vast and glorious truths God has revealed in His Word, rather than becoming consumed by speculation about what remains sealed. This fosters a posture of awe and reverence, recognizing the immense power and authority of our Creator, and trusting that He works all things, both revealed and unrevealed, for His glory and our good.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were the voices of the seven thunders sealed and not recorded by John?
Answer: The sealing of the seven thunders' message, explicitly commanded in Revelation 10:4, signifies God's sovereign control over the timing and content of His revelation. It teaches us that not all divine truths are meant for human understanding or immediate disclosure. This act emphasizes that God reserves certain knowledge to Himself, reminding humanity of its finite nature and encouraging trust in His wisdom rather than demanding full comprehension of His intricate plans. It also highlights the selective nature of prophecy, where some details are withheld until their appointed time or are simply not for human ears.
What do the "seven thunders" symbolize or represent?
Answer: While their specific message remains sealed, the "seven thunders" symbolize a complete and powerful divine utterance. The number seven in Revelation often denotes completeness or perfection, suggesting that these thunders represent a full, divinely ordained revelation. Given the Old Testament association of thunder with the voice of God and divine judgment (e.g., Psalm 29), the thunders likely represent a series of powerful, authoritative pronouncements or judgments from God that are part of His ultimate plan but are not yet to be revealed to humanity.
Who is the "mighty angel" in Revelation 10:3?
Answer: The text identifies him as a "mighty angel" (Greek: angelos ischyros), first introduced in Revelation 10:1. While some interpreters have suggested this figure might be Christ due to the majestic description (clothed with a cloud, rainbow on head, face like the sun, feet like pillars of fire), the consistent designation as an "angel" throughout the passage (e.g., Revelation 10:5) strongly indicates he is a created, though exceptionally powerful, angelic being. His role is to deliver a divine message and facilitate the next stage of God's prophetic unfolding, acting as a messenger and agent of God's will.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 10:3, though featuring an angel, points powerfully to Christ through its imagery and thematic implications. The angel's voice, likened to the "roar of a lion," immediately brings to mind Christ Himself, who is identified as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah in Revelation. This title signifies His supreme authority, kingly power, and victorious nature, having conquered sin and death. Just as a lion's roar commands attention and signifies dominion, so Christ's voice, whether in judgment or salvation, carries ultimate authority. Furthermore, while the seven thunders utter a message that remains sealed, Christ is the ultimate and complete revelation of God. He is the Word made flesh, through whom God has spoken definitively to humanity (Hebrews 1:1-2). Even as some mysteries remain hidden for a season, the essential truth of God's character and plan of salvation is fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who holds the keys of death and Hades and will ultimately bring all things to their appointed consummation. The unrevealed thunders serve to underscore that while Christ is the full revelation, God's sovereign plan still contains elements that will only be fully unveiled at Christ's glorious return, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship (Philippians 2:10-11).