Revelation 10:4
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)
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The verse highlights that not everything God reveals is meant to be written down or understood by everyone. John, tasked with writing, is specifically told to "seal up" what the thunders said, implying a divine intention to keep certain truths private for a time, for reasons beyond our full grasp. This reminds us that God's plan unfolds in layers, with some knowledge reserved for His appointed time and recipients.
As John receives a vision from a mighty angel holding an open scroll, he hears the powerful pronouncements of seven thunders. He's about to record these utterances, assuming they're meant for revelation, but a divine voice from heaven intervenes. This heavenly voice commands him to seal up what the thunders said and not write it down, indicating that some divine messages are not for general knowledge.
John heard thunder, but was it just thunder? And why would God tell him to keep it a secret?
In this passage, the 'seven thunders' weren't just random noise. The text implies they were actual utterances, carrying a message distinct from natural thunder. John, accustomed to receiving and recording divine messages (as commanded earlier in Revelation), instinctively moved to write them down. However, a heavenly voice intervenes with a clear command: 'Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.'
This highlights a crucial distinction: not every divine communication is meant for public record. Some messages, even those with 'fearful import' or significant implications for God's people, are intentionally withheld. This isn't to hide truth from us, but to protect us, to guide us to focus on what is revealed, or perhaps to preserve a sense of holy awe and mystery in God's plans.
If God didn't want these thunders written, why reveal them at all? What's the point of a secret message?
The command to 'seal up' and 'not write' the words of the seven thunders points to divine wisdom in revelation. The commentators suggest several reasons why these specific utterances were kept secret:
Understand the original words
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.
This passage also speaks of sealing up words and sealing a book until a future time, paralleling John's instruction in Revelation 10:4 to not write down what the thunders said.
John 12:28-29In this account, Jesus hears a voice from heaven that sounds like thunder to others, but He understands its divine message, reflecting the idea that some divine communications are not for everyone to fully grasp or record.
Acts 1:7Jesus tells his disciples that it's not for them to know the times or seasons, highlighting that God intentionally withholds certain knowledge, similar to why John was told to seal up the thunders' message.
Revelation 22:10This verse contrasts with Revelation 10:4 by explicitly stating 'Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book,' emphasizing that while some prophetic messages are to be hidden, others are meant for widespread proclamation.
ellicottRevelation 10:4: "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."
(4) And when the seven . . .—Translate, And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write: and I heard a voice out of the heaven , saying, Seal up the things which the. seven thunders spoke, and write them not. He could have written down their utterances. It was no mere thun…
barnesRevelation 10:4: "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."
And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices - After he had listened to those thunders; or when they had passed by. I was about to write - That is, he was about to record what was uttered, supposing that that was the design for which he hart been made to hear them. From th…
The verse highlights that not everything God reveals is meant to be written down or understood by everyone. John, tasked with writing, is specifically told to "seal up" what the thunders said, implying a divine intention to keep certain truths private for a time, for reasons beyond our full grasp. This reminds us that God's plan unfolds in layers, with some knowledge reserved for His appointed time and recipients.
As John receives a vision from a mighty angel holding an open scroll, he hears the powerful pronouncements of seven thunders. He's about to record these utterances, assuming they're meant for revelation, but a divine voice from heaven intervenes. This heavenly voice commands him to seal up what the thunders said and not write it down, indicating that some divine messages are not for general knowledge.
As John receives a vision from a mighty angel holding an open scroll, he hears the powerful pronouncements of seven thunders. He's about to record these utterances, assuming they're meant for revelation, but a divine voice from heaven intervenes. This heavenly voice commands him to seal up what the thunders said and not write it down, indicating that some divine messages are not for general knowledge.
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"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.”" — The verse highlights that not everything God reveals is meant to be written down or understood by everyone. John, tasked with writing, is specifically told to "seal up" what the thunders said, implyi…
