Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” (Revelation 10:5-7).
My Musings – As noted before, the angel’s stance may suggest his authority as well as the universal scope of his message. It was customary to lift the hand towards heaven when taking a solemn oath, as an appeal to the God of truth. “The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, ‘It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.’” (Daniel 12:7).
The detailed designation of God as the Creator is appropriate to the subject of the angel’s oath (“the mystery of God will be accomplished”), which can only be brought to pass by the same Almighty power that created all things.
“There will be no more delay” is sometimes translated as “there shall be time no longer.” But this does not appear to be the thought of this passage, as the Greek word actually means that the period of delay is over. Thus, it would seem that the judgments under the first six trumpets are actually further calls to repentance, rather than retribution. The avenging does not take place until the last trumpet and may be what ushers in the period of the great tribulation (the last three and a half years – “time, times and half a time“). this is the Tribulation that many believe the Church-age Saints will be spared from as they are raptured (and for them “there shall be time no longer”).
Here this angel swears that this time has come, and there is to be no further delay. God, who “is not slow in keeping His promise,” has been delaying His judgments so that lost sinners will have time to repent (see 2 Peter 3:1–9). Now, however, the delay is over. He will accelerate His judgments and accomplish His purposes. Recall also that the martyred saints in heaven were concerned about God’s seeming delay in avenging their deaths (see Revelation 6:10–11). “How long, O Lord, how long” has been the cry of God’s suffering people from age to age, while scoffers have sarcastically replied “where is this coming, He promised?” Ironically, God’s seeming delay in fulfilling His promises has given these very scoffers who deny God’s Word and question His sincerity additional time to repent. But at some point, the final trumpet will sound, and God will bring time to an end. He will, as He promised, finish His program for mankind.
The seventh (last) trumpet referenced in Revelation 11:15-19 appears to set in motion the sequence of events (seven bowl judgments) that will end with Christ’s return and the establishment of His Kingdom here on earth. Some believe that this is the same trumpet referred to in Jesus’ Olivet discourse in Matthew 24:31 and by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Still others believe that there is no basis for equating these trumpets with the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11:15–19. The trumpets in Revelation pertain to judgments during the tribulation, whereas the trumpet in the other passages relate to the elect or the church.
My Advice – Delay on the part of lost souls is a dangerous game to play. God may, at any time that there will be no more delay on His part. Death will claim all who do not make it until Christ returns. In either case, for those without Jesus, judgement is final. Don’t delay.
Resources:
Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Re 10:2). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Walvoord, John F. (1985). Revelation. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 954). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 574). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Moore, E., Craven, E. R., & Woods, J. H. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Revelation (p. 220). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Re 10:5–6). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 597). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 825). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Lowery, D. K. (1985). 1 Corinthians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 546). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The Brew Is A Musing 