Revelation 10:3-4
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While the angel's loud cry evokes the powerful "lion of Judah," the verse emphasizes that it's specifically the seven thunders, suggesting a known, significant set of divine pronouncements, not just random noise. Their voices, though unrevealed to us, were clearly understood by John, highlighting that God's message often contains layers of meaning accessible only to those intimately privy to His unfolding plan.
and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
An immensely powerful angel descends, holding a scroll, and proclaims with a voice like a roaring lion. This mighty cry is immediately answered by the distinct voices of seven thunders, whose message is sealed and not revealed to John. The context suggests these thunders represent significant, powerful pronouncements or judgments, possibly related to divine responses to the angel's message, that were understood by John but kept from further record.
Imagine hearing a lion's roar – it's powerful, commanding, and demands attention. What does this vivid imagery tell us about the angel's message and its source?
The angel cries out 'with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth.' This isn't just any sound; it's a powerful, authoritative declaration. The lion is often a symbol of strength, royalty, and even divine power. In this context, the roar signifies the immense authority and unshakeable truth behind the angel's message. It suggests that what is being declared is not a gentle suggestion, but a resounding proclamation that cannot be ignored. This mighty voice points to the ultimate authority of God, speaking through His messengers and His Word.
Seven thunders sound, but their voices are sealed. What hidden messages lie within these unrevealed utterances, and why are they kept from us?
When the angel cries out, 'the seven thunders sounded.' This is a fascinating detail because their voices are never revealed. The number seven often signifies completeness or divine perfection in Revelation. These thunders likely represent divine judgments or powerful pronouncements that are deeply significant. However, they are 'sealed' or hidden, meaning their specific content is not disclosed to John, nor to us directly in this passage. This secrecy emphasizes that God's ways and timing are often beyond our full comprehension. It also highlights that while some divine messages are clear and direct, others remain mysterious, serving a purpose known only to God.
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leōn · Greek Noun
A biblical figure often representing strength, sovereignty, and the authority of the 'Lion of the Tribe of Judah,' signifying power and impending judgment.
brontē · Greek Noun
In apocalyptic literature, thunder frequently represents the voice of God, signaling majesty, divine authority, and the announcement of imminent judicial action.
sphragizō · Greek Verb
To protect or keep hidden a divine message, implying that the full revelation of certain matters remains reserved solely within the counsel of God until a future time.
The 'seven thunders' likely allude to the powerful, divinely-ordained pronouncements and judgments that echo through history, particularly in response to significant religious movements like the Reformation, reminding us that God's voice, though sometimes mysterious, is always authoritative and impactful.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
The foundational events of Christianity, including Jesus' teachings, death, and resurrection, which set the stage for the early church and its message.
c. 50-100 AD
Writing of the New Testament
The apostles and early followers of Jesus write the Gospels and Epistles, preserving their teachings and providing guidance for the burgeoning Christian communities.
c. 95 AD— this verse
John's Vision on Patmos
The Apostle John receives the visions recorded in Revelation, likely during a period of Roman persecution, providing prophetic insights into future events and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.
c. 313 AD
Edict of Milan
Emperor Constantine grants religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire, ending widespread persecution of Christians and allowing the church to grow more openly.
c. 1517 AD
The Protestant Reformation Begins
Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses challenge the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, sparking a major religious and political upheaval across Europe that significantly altered the Christian landscape.
This passage describes God roaring like a lion, connecting the powerful, kingly voice of the angel in Revelation to God's own powerful declarations.
Psalm 29:3This Psalm speaks of the voice of the Lord being powerful and majestic, like thunder, which directly parallels the imagery of the seven thunders in Revelation echoing the angel's cry.
Amos 3:8Here, the prophet states, 'The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?' This links the roar of a lion to divine speaking and prophetic utterance, mirroring the angel's lion-like roar preceding the thunders.
John 12:29In this account, when Jesus prays, a voice from heaven says, 'I have glorified it and will glorify it again.' The crowd's reaction is that it 'thundered,' showing a direct link between divine speech and thunder in Scripture.
ellicottRevelation 10:3: "And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices."
(3) And cried with a loud voice . . . —Better, and he cried with a loud voice, even as a lion roareth. Another token of the presence of Christ with the Church. The voice is the voice of a courage and strength derived from Him who is the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.” And when he had cried . . .—Translate, and when he cried, the seven thunders (notice, not seven thun…
pulpitRevelation 10:3: "And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices."
Verse 3 - And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth; and be cried with a great voice, as a lion roareth (Revised Version). What the angel cried we are apparently not told. Probably the whole incident is intended merely to set forth the powerful and terrible nature of the messenger who is to deliver God's message. The figure is a very common one with the p…
While the angel's loud cry evokes the powerful "lion of Judah," the verse emphasizes that it's specifically the seven thunders, suggesting a known, significant set of divine pronouncements, not just random noise. Their voices, though unrevealed to us, were clearly understood by John, highlighting that God's message often contains layers of meaning accessible only to those intimately privy to His unfolding plan.
An immensely powerful angel descends, holding a scroll, and proclaims with a voice like a roaring lion. This mighty cry is immediately answered by the distinct voices of seven thunders, whose message is sealed and not revealed to John. The context suggests these thunders represent significant, powerful pronouncements or judgments, possibly related to divine responses to the angel's message, that were understood by John but kept from further record.
An immensely powerful angel descends, holding a scroll, and proclaims with a voice like a roaring lion. This mighty cry is immediately answered by the distinct voices of seven thunders, whose message is sealed and not revealed to John. The context suggests these thunders represent significant, powerful pronouncements or judgments, possibly related to divine responses to the angel's message, that were understood by John but kept from further record.
"and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders…" — While the angel's loud cry evokes the powerful "lion of Judah," the verse emphasizes that it's specifically the seven thunders, suggesting a known, significant set of divine pronouncements, not jus…
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Last reviewed October 2026
