[229] Chap. xi. 18.
[230] Chap. ix. 20.
CHAPTER VII.
_FIRST CONSOLATORY VISION._
REV. x.
At the point now reached by us the regular progress of the Trumpet
judgments is interrupted, in precisely the same manner as between the
sixth and seventh Seals, by two consolatory visions. The first is
contained in chap. x., the second in chap. xi. 1-13. At chap. xi. 14
the series of the Trumpets is resumed, reaching from that point to the
end of the chapter.
And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed
with a cloud: and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was
as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: and he had in his
hand a little book-roll open: and he set his right foot upon the
sea, and his left upon the earth: and he cried with a great voice,
as a lion roareth: and when he cried, the seven thunders uttered
their voices. And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I
was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal
up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them
not. And the angel which I saw standing upon the sea and upon the
earth lifted up his right hand to heaven, and sware by Him that
liveth for ever and ever, who created the heaven, and the things
that are therein, and the earth, and the things that are therein,
and the sea, and the things that are therein, that there shall be
time no longer: but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel,
when he is about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God,
according to the good tidings which He declared to His servants
the prophets. And the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard it
again speaking with me, and saying, Go, take the book-roll which
is open in the hand of the angel that standeth upon the sea and
upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, saying unto him that
he should give me the little book-roll. And he saith unto me, Take
it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but in thy
mouth it shall be sweet as honey. And I took the little book-roll
out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth
sweet as honey: and when I had eaten it, my belly was made bitter.
And they say unto me, Thou must prophesy again over many peoples,
and nations, and tongues, and kings (x. 1-11).
Many questions of deep interest, and upon which the most divergent
opinions have been entertained, meet us in connexion with this passage.
To attempt to discuss these various opinions would only confuse the
reader. It will be enough to allude to them when it seems necessary to
do so. In the meantime, before endeavouring to discover the meaning of
the vision, three observations may be made; one of a general kind, the
other two bearing upon the interpretation of particular clauses.