Meaning of the Seven Thunders in Revelation
The phrase "seven thunders" appears in Revelation 10:3-4, where it is written, "And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices... 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" [9]. The Greek text uses the phrase "αἱ ἑπτὰ βρονταί" (hai hepta brontai), with "βρονταί" (brontai) meaning "thunders" [5].
The number seven is significant in the book of Revelation, often symbolizing perfection or completion [4]. In the context of Revelation 10, the seven thunders are associated with a loud, powerful voice, likened to a lion's roar, which is a symbol for Christ [8]. The thunders themselves are described as uttering their voices, suggesting a divine or prophetic declaration.
Interpretations of the seven thunders vary among commentators. Adam Clarke suggests that the number seven signifies "many, great, loud, and strong peals of thunder, accompanied with distinct voices" [7]. John Gill understands the seven thunders as a declaration of God's wrath against the enemies of Christ and his church, which John was initially permitted to write down before being instructed to seal it [9]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown view the seven thunders as part of the Apocalyptic symbolism, marking a significant event or revelation that is not fully disclosed until the consummation [8].
The context of Revelation 10:3-4 is crucial for understanding the seven thunders. The passage follows the description of a mighty angel with an open book, symbolizing the revelation of God's plan [10]. The thunders are part of this revelation, but their specific content is sealed by a heavenly voice, indicating that their meaning is not to be disclosed at that time [11].
The symbolism of thunder in the Bible is often associated with God's voice or divine judgment (Job 37:2; Ps 18:13; 81:7) [6]. In Revelation, thunder is also linked to significant events, such as the opening of the seventh seal (Rev 8:1, 5) and the seventh vial (Rev 16:17-18) [8]. The seven thunders, therefore, may represent a culmination or intensification of these divine judgments or revelations.
The fact that John is instructed to seal up the utterances of the seven thunders and not write them suggests that their content is not for immediate disclosure. This sealing is reminiscent of other biblical instances where divine revelations are withheld or sealed until the appropriate time (Dan 12:9) [11].
The seven thunders in Revelation 10:3-4 remain a mysterious and intriguing element of the Apocalypse, symbolizing a powerful and significant divine declaration that is not fully revealed. Their meaning continues to be the subject of interpretation among scholars and theologians, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of the book of Revelation.
The association of the seven thunders with other septets in Revelation, such as the seven seals and the seven trumpets, underscores the symbolic significance of the number seven in the book. These septets often represent a complete or perfect series of divine judgments or revelations, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's plan [1, 2, 3].
Sources
- Revelation “One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. -- Revelation 15:7”
- Revelation “The angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. -- Revelation 17:7”
- Revelation “the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands. The seven stars are the angelsof the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies. -- Revelation 1:20”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Seven — This number occurs frequently in Scripture, and in such connections as lead to the supposition that it has some typical meaning. On the seventh day God rested, and hallowed it (Gen. 2:2, 3). The division of time into weeks of seven days each accounts for many instances of the occurrence of this number. This number has been called the symbol of perfection, and also the symbol of rest. "Jacob's seven years' service to Laban; Pharaoh's seven fat oxen and seven lean ones; the seven branches of the golden candlestick; the seven trumpets and the seven priests who s”
- MACULA Greek “Revelation 7:1 — Greek linguistic analysis (MACULA): Text: Μετὰ τοῦτο εἶδον τέσσαρας ἀγγέλους ἑστῶτας ἐπὶ τὰς τέσσαρας γωνίας τῆς γῆς κρατοῦντας τοὺς τέσσαρας ἀνέμους τῆς γῆς ἵνα μὴ πνέῃ ἄνεμος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς μήτε ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης μήτε ἐπὶ πᾶν δένδρον Word-by-word: Μετὰ = "After" [3326] PREP; τοῦτο = "these things" [3778] D-ASN; εἶδον = "I saw" [3708] V-2AAI-1S; τέσσαρας = "four" [5064] A-APM; ἀγγέλους = "angels" [32] N-APM; ἑστῶτας = "standing" [2476] V-RAP-APM; ἐπὶ = "upon" [1909] PREP; τὰς = "the" [3588] T-APF; τέσσαρας = "four" [5064] A-APF; γωνίας = "corners" [1137] N-APF; τῆς = "of the" [35”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Thunder — Often referred to in Scripture (Job 40:9; Ps. 77:18; 104:7). James and John were called by our Lord "sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). In Job 39:19, instead of "thunder," as in the Authorized Version, the Revised Version translates (ra'amah) by "quivering main" (marg., "shaking"). Thunder accompanied the giving of the law at Sinai (Ex. 19:16). It was regarded as the voice of God (Job 37:2; Ps. 18:13; 81:7; comp. John 12:29). In answer to Samuel's prayer (1 Sam. 12:17, 18), God sent thunder, and "all the people greatly feared," for at such a season (the wheat-ha”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 10:3: Seven thunders - Seven being a number of perfection, it may here mean many, great, loud, and strong peals of thunder, accompanied with distinct voices; but what was said, St. John was not permitted to reveal, Rev 10:4.”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 10:3: as . . . lion--Christ, whom the angel represents, is often so symbolized (Rev 5:5, "the Lion of the tribe of Juda"). seven thunders--Greek, "the seven thunders." They form part of the Apocalyptic symbolism; and so are marked by the article as well known. Thus thunderings marked the opening of the seventh seal (Rev 8:1, Rev 8:5); so also at the seventh vial (Rev 16:17-18). WORDSWORTH calls this the prophetic use of the article; "the thunders, of which more hereafter." Their full meaning shall be only known at the grand consummation marked by the s”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 10:4: And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices,.... Or declared all they had to denounce upon the enemies of Christ and his church: I was about to write; John taking particular notice of what they said, and believing it might be for the advantage, comfort, and support of the church of Christ under its suffering circumstances, to be informed of what God had in reserve among the treasures of his wrath for their adversaries, was going to put it down in writing, that he might retain it, and the better communicate it, and in obedience to the order given him, Re”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 7: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius — FROM THE TENTH CHAPTER. (part 1): 1, 2. "I saw another mighty angel coming 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: and he had in his hand an open book: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot upon the earth."] He signifies that that mighty ngel who, he says, descended from heaven, clothed with a cloud, is our Lord, as we have above narrated. "His face was as it were the sun."] That is, with respect to the re”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 10:4: 10:4 Revelation reveals God’s intentions in the world without eliminating the mystery of God’s ways. The martyrs did not receive an immediate answer to their cries (6:10), the meaning of the seventh seal is cloaked in silence (8:1), and here the seven thunders are kept secret (cp. Dan 12:9).”