The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky,
Parallel Translations
-
The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky,
-
And the angell which I sawe stonde apon the see and apon the erth lyfte vppe his honde to heven
-
And the Angel which I sawe stand vpon the sea, and vpon the earth, lift vp his hand to heauen,
Cross-references (22)
Passages linked to Revelation 10:5 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Daniel 12:7 I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever that it will be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have finished breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished.
- Deuteronomy 32:40 For I lift up my hand to heaven and declare, as I live forever,
- Acts 14:15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;
- Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!”
- Revelation 10:2 He had in his hand a little open book. He set his right foot on the sea, and his left on the land.
- Revelation 14:7 He said with a loud voice, “Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!”
- Revelation 16:17 The seventh poured out his bowl into the air. A loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”
- Revelation 1:18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.
- Revelation 4:9 When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever,
- Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.
- Genesis 14:22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,
- Exodus 20:11 for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.
- Nehemiah 9:6 You are Yahweh, even you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their army, the earth and all things that are on it, the seas and all that is in them, and you preserve them all. The army of heaven worships you.
- Psalms 95:3-6 For Yahweh is a great God, a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth. The heights of the mountains are also his. The sea is his, and he made it. His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let’s worship and bow down. Let’s kneel before Yahweh, our Maker,
- Genesis 22:15-16 Yahweh’s angel called to Abraham a second time out of the sky, and said, “ ‘I have sworn by myself,’ says Yahweh, ‘because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son,
- Exodus 6:8 I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am Yahweh.’ ”
- Psalms 146:5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in Yahweh, his God:
- Psalms 148:1-7 Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh from the heavens! Praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his army! Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you heavens of heavens, you waters that are above the heavens. Let them praise Yahweh’s name, for he commanded, and they were created. He has also established them forever and ever. He has made a decree which will not pass away. Praise Yahweh from the earth, you great sea creatures, and all depths;
- Ezekiel 20:5 Tell them, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “In the day when I chose Israel, and swore to the offspring of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, ‘I am Yahweh your God;’
- Acts 17:23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, I announce to you.
- Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse.
- Hebrews 6:13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (20 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Private notes
Saved on this device only — never synced or sent anywhere.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain This was a gesture used of one that sweareth,…
This was a gesture used of one that sweareth, which men do nowadays use.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon…
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
Ver. 5. Lifted up his hand] And so swore solemnly, Gen 14:22; Num 14:30; Eze 20:5. Because it seemed improbable (if not impossible) that ever Babylon should down, Rome be ruined. But all the judgments in the Revelation (those of the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials) are still upon Rome pagan, Christian, and Antichristian. We may therefore conclude with that emperor of Germany, Frederic II,
Read full note →
" Roma diu titubans, variis erroribus acta
Gorruet, et mundi desinet esse caput."
"Rome tottering long, shall once be shattered,
And of the world shall cease to be the head."
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain And the angel which I saw stand upon the…
And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth: see Rev 10:2; which Angel was Christ.
Lifted up his hand to heaven; as Dan 12:7, with which prophecy this agreeth. It is an ordinary gesture used in swearing.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain The angel that represented Christ, is here represented to…
The angel that represented Christ, is here represented to St. John as swearing.
Where observe, 1. The ceremony used in swearing, Lifting up of the hand to heaven, appealing thereby to God as a witness and a judge.
Read full note →
2. The person sworn by, God; described,
(1.) By his eternity. He lives for ever, before and after all time.
(2.) By his omnipotency, and almighty power in the work of creation, making heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.
An oath is proper to God, and as we are to swear by God, so God is only to be sworn by.
Observe, 3. The thing sworn, namely, That time shall be no more; that is, that there should be no farther delay of time, for the destruction of Jerusalem, and the obdurate Jews, say some; for the ruin of the Roman empire, for the destruction of Antichrist, say others; the performance of God’s word, both in his promises of deliverance to his church, and in the execution of judgment on her enemies, is now at hand.
Observe, 4. The promise made, and the assurance here given, namely, That the mystery of God should be finished, that is, the deliverance of the church should be completed, and the final confusion of her enemies shall be accomplished; which is called a mystery, because the world understands it not, nor will they believe the same. As mysteries have their own time to be made manifest in, so, to the comfort of the faithful, and the terror of the wicked, a day was then approaching, in which the happy condition of the afflicted should appear, and the calamitous state of the ungodly be discovered.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And the angel which I saw stand upon the…
And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth,.... His right foot being on the one, and his left foot upon the other, as described in Rev 10:2;
lifted up his hand to heaven; the Oriental versions read, "his right hand"; and so some copies, and the Complutensian edition: the man clothed in linen, Dan 12:6, who is the same with the angel here, held up both his hands; the lifting up of the hand was a gesture used in swearing: see Gen 14:22; so the Jews say (o), "the right hand", or by the right hand, , "this is an oath", according to Dan 12:7; or whether the right hand or the left, is an oath, according to Isa 62:8.
Read full note →
(o) T. Bab. Nazir, fol. 3. 2. Yalkut Simeoni, par. 2. fol. 58. 1.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain And the angel - This manifestation of things to…
And the angel - This manifestation of things to come under the trumpet of the seventh angel hath a twofold introduction: first, the angel speaks for God, verse 7; then Christ speaks for himself, chap. xi, 3. The angel appeals to the prophets of former times; Christ, to his own two witnesses. Whom I saw standing upon the earth and upon the sea, lifted up his right hand toward heaven - As yet the dragon was in heaven. When he is cast thence he brings the third and most dreadful woe on the earth and sea: so that it seems as if there would be no end of calamities. Therefore the angel comprises, in his posture and in his oath, both heaven, sea, and earth, and makes on the part of the eternal God and almighty Creator, a solemn protestation, that he will assert his kingly authority against all his enemies. He lifted up his right hand toward heaven - The angel in Daniel, Dan. xii, 7, (not improbably the same angel,) lifted up both his hands.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 5. Lifted up his hand to heaven] As…
Verse 5. Lifted up his hand to heaven] As one making an appeal to the supreme Being.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Rev 10:5-7. And the angel, &c. — But though…
Rev 10:5-7. And the angel, &c. — But though I was not allowed to reveal what the seven thunders had uttered, yet the angel proceeded to give a further revelation of the dispensations of Divine Providence toward the world and the church in general; and, to confirm the truth and certainty of his revelation, he took his oath in the most solemn manner: he lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by Him that liveth for ever and ever — By the eternal God, before whom a thousand years are but as a day is with us; who created the heaven, the earth, the sea, &c. — And consequently has the sovereign power over all; therefore all his enemies, though they rage a while on the earth and on the sea, yet must give place to him: That there should be time no longer — Greek, οτι χρονος ουκ εσται ετι, that the time shall not be yet; (so Lowman and Bishop Newton understand it;) that is, that the lime of the glorious state of the church, though sure to take place in its due time, should not be yet; but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel — Who was yet to sound; the mystery of God — In his providence toward his church; should be finished — Or completed. The mystery of God is his counsel or design, which begins in the present conversion and happiness of man on earth, will terminate in diffusing that felicity over all the world, and will complete it in a state of immortality; as he hath declared — Ως ευηγγελισε, according to the good news which he hath published; to his servants the prophets — And then the glorious state of the church should be no longer delayed. So long as the third wo remains on the earth and the sea, the mystery of God is not fulfilled. And the angel’s declaration that it shall be fulfilled, confirmed by a solemn oath, is made peculiarly for the consolation of holy men, who are afflicted under that wo. Indeed the wrath of God must be first fulfilled by the pouring out of the vials, and then comes the joyful fulfilling of the mystery of God.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain And the angel which I saw stand ... -…
And the angel which I saw stand ... - Rev 10:2. That is, John saw him standing in this posture when he made the oath which he proceeds to record.
Lifted up his hand to heaven - The usual attitude in taking an oath, as if one called heaven to witness. See Gen 14:22; Deu 32:40; Eze 20:5-6. Compare the notes on Dan 12:7.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain The angel....swore....that time shall be no longer. This seems…
The angel....swore....that time shall be no longer. This seems to favour very much the exposition of those interpreters who think that all these things are not to be fulfilled till some short time before the end of the world. Others (of which see Alcazar, &c.) take this to be a prediction of the ruin and destruction of the Jews, particularly under the emperor Adrian. Others (see the bishop of Meaux) understands by this, that the time was approaching when God, by his judgments, would put an end to the idolatry and heathen worship of pagan Rome, and that his providence would make the Christian faith triumph over all its adversaries, and his Church flourish, as foretold by the ancient prophets; that is, this should come to pass when the seventh Angel should sound his trumpet. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain lifted up his hand--So A and Vulgate read. But…
lifted up his hand--So A and Vulgate read. But B, C, Aleph, Syriac, and Coptic, ". . . his right hand." It was customary to lift up the hand towards heaven, appealing to the God of truth, in taking a solemn oath. There is in this part of the vision an allusion to Dan 12:1-13. Compare Rev 10:4, with Dan 12:4, Dan 12:9; and Rev 10:5-6, end, with Dan 12:7. But there the angel clothed in linen, and standing upon the waters, sware "a time, times, and a half" were to interpose before the consummation; here, on the contrary, the angel standing with his left foot on the earth, and his right upon the sea, swears there shall be time no longer. There he lifted up both hands to heaven; here he has the little book now open (whereas in Daniel the book is sealed) in his left hand (Rev 10:2), and he lifts up only his right hand to heaven.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 5, 6. Hand to heaven—The angel in Dan_12:7 swore…
5, 6. Hand to heaven—The angel in Dan_12:7 swore with both hands uplifted: in Gen_14:22, Deu_32:40, and Eze_20:5-6, and here, with but one hand upraised.
Who created… therein—The oath of God’s representative World-Angel fittingly ranges over the wide creation.
Read full note →
Time no longer—Our English translators seem to have understood the Angel as announcing the close of sublunary time. And that would make good sense, for he really does announce the judgment day. But the antithesis which that supposes between the terms time and eternity, seems not to exist in New Testament language. The real meaning is, that no delay or protracted time should intervene between the terminus of the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the judgment day. The consummation should, without delay, take place in the days of its sounding.
Dusterdieck, indeed, remarks that the trumpet is not supposed to be sounding during the whole period that its events are transpiring. Like the opened seal, the trumpet momentarily announces a new series of events. That, if true, affects no interpretation. The days of the voice would then be the period the announcing voice indicates. Yet it may be said, that as the seal remained open through its whole period, so the trumpet remained sounding. The trumpets, too, in the ancient temple service were not mere announcers, but a continuous music; and the trumpets at Jericho continued their regular blowing until the city “fell down flat.” So in the days of the voice of the seventh angel shall the mystery be complete; and forthwith, the judgment day shall reveal it.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 5. lifted up his hand to heaven] Read, “his…
5. lifted up his hand to heaven] Read, “his right hand.” Cf. Dan_12:7, where the angel lifts up both hands: here, his left is occupied with the book. For the gesture symbolic of an oath see Gen_14:22, &c.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (5-7) And the angel . . .—Translate, And the…
(5-7) And the angel . . .—Translate, And the angel whom I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted his right hand to the heaven, and sware in (or, by) Him who liveth unto the ages of the ages, who created the heaven, and the things in it, and the earth, and the things in it, and the sea, and the things in it, that time (i.e., delay, or postponement) should no longer be: but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, whenever he is about to sound (his trumpet) was finished the mystery of God, as he evangelised his servants the prophets. There is a change of tense which sounds strange: he says, then (not “will be,” but) was finished. In thought he hurries on to the end, and sees the close no longer in the dim future, but as, with the eye of God, an accomplished fact. The certainty is guaranteed with an oath. The gesture of the uplifted hand to give emphasis to the oath is of ancient date. Thus Abraham expressed his resolution to take none of the spoils of the conquered kings: “I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord . . . that I will not take from a thread to a shoelatchet” (Gen_14:22; comp. Exo_6:8, margin). So, too, does the man clothed in linen (Dan_12:6-9, a passage which, in much, is the foundation of the one before us) lift up both hands and sware that there shall be a fixed period for the accomplishment of the scattering of the power of the holy people. The oath in the passage under consideration is to the effect (not that time should cease and eternity begin, but) that there shall be no longer any delay. The suffering saints had cried, “How long?” (Rev_6:9-11), and they had been bidden to wait a little time. Now the close of all such waiting time is announced: when the seventh trumpet shall have blown the mystery of God will be finished. “‘ The mystery of God’ does not mean something which cannot be understood or explained. It is never applied to such matters, for example, as the origin of evil, or the doctrine of the Trinity in Unity. It does mean a secret; but then a secret may be told, and when told is no mystery. The mystery, or secret, of God means, therefore, the whole of His plan and of His counsel concerning this earth in its present state of discipline and of imperfection; all that God means to do upon it and towards it, even till that which we read of as the time of the end (Dan_12:4-9), the close of this last dispensation, and the introduction of that new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness” (Dr. Vaughan). No wonder, as he announced this fast approaching close of the ages of suffering and trial, he should add, “According as He (not “declared”—an utterly inadequate word—but) evangelised—i.e., according to the glad tidings which He had ever proclaimed to and by His servants the prophets.” A somewhat remarkable parallelism between this passage and 1Co_15:51-52, has been pointed out. In both passages there is reference to the mystery, the glad tidings, and the last (the seventh trumpet is also the last) trumpet. This harmony of reference—taken in connection with St. Paul’s statement, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed”—is full of interest, if it were for nothing more than to notice the union of thought between the two Apostles; but it may also throw light upon the teaching respecting the first resurrection (Rev_20:5-6; but see Note there).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain And the angel which I saw stand upon the…
And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven; the right hand (Revised Version) is supported by a, B, C, P, Syriac, Coptic, Aethiopic, Armenian, Andreas, Arethas, Primasius. It is omitted in the Textus Receptus, which follows A, 1, 17, 36, Vulgate; of. Dan_12:7, a chapter also referred to in the preceding note (vide supra). In Daniel both hands are uplifted, here only one; in the other is the book. The action was customary among the Jews in swearing. (see Gen_14:22 Deu_32:40) (Upon the signification of "standing upon the sea and upon the earth," see on ver. 2)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain That there should be time no longer.
Rev_10:5-7
That there should be time no longer.
Read full note →
The end of time
That there should be time no longer. A tremendous asseveration, whether we regard the thing affirmed or the person who affirms it. Of the person making this asseveration we may say that there are traces about him, which, although he is called an angel, seem to identify him with our Lord Jesus Christ. In the first verse he is represented as clothed with a cloud; and the cloud vesture is stated in the Psalms to be the vesture of God Himself--clouds and darkness are round about Him. A rainbow encircles his head; and a rainbow is the well-known token of the covenant of grace made with us in and through Christ. His face, we are told, was as the sun. In the first chapter of this Book, John describes the countenance of the Son of Man to be as the sun shining in its strength; not to mention that one of the features of the glorified Christ, as He appeared at the Transfiguration, was this, His face did shine as the sun.
I. What may be meant by this cessation of time? Time, considered in itself, can never cease to exist. It must flow on and on to endless ages. Everything which happens must, of course, have a certain period of time, longer or shorter, in which to happen. The redeemed in glory will sing the praises of God and the Lamb. Time must elapse while they are singing those praises. If in the glorified body there should be a heart, it must go on, pulsation after pulsation, in never-ending succession. If in the new heavens and the new earth there should be anything analogous to that movement of the heavenly bodies which gives us day and night and the vicissitudes of the seasons, such a movement must necessarily ask time to proceed in--nay, as it proceeds, it must measure time. What, then, is meant by the announcement of a period when there shall be time no longer? Time, as I have said, must always flow on; but it may be annihilated to us, or in great measure annihilated. How this may be is not really an intricate or a subtle question, although it may at first sight appear so. It is generally and truly said that to Almighty God there is no such thing as time. If you understand this assertion, you will then find no difficulty in perceiving how time to us may be no longer. To say that to Almighty God there is no such thing as time, is only another method of expressing the truth (and be it said with the utmost reverence), that God has a perfect memory and a perfect foresight. There are many points of analogy between the mind and the eye. Imagine, then, an eye as free from the laws of the eye as you have been imagining a mind free from the laws of the mind. Imagine an eye not subjected to the laws of perspective, an eye to which things do not, as they recede from it, either diminish in size or fade in colour. It must be clear that to such an eye distance does not exist, just as to a mind endowed with perfect memory and perfect foresight time does not exist. One object may be placed a yard distant from the eye; another object may be placed a thousand miles distant; but if the latter of these objects appear of the same size, shape, and colour, and with all the same circumstantials, as it would if brought within the range of thirty-six inches to that eye distance is annihilated, and has no existence. And if God were to announce to any one that distance would be no more to him, this would be only another form of saying that his eyesight should be free from those limitations which are at present the conditions under which eyesight exists. Thus we have arrived at the last stage of our explanation. You have only to remember that the human mind, in another stage of existence, will be made competent for a far higher state of things than it can ever now attain, that its reach will be increased both as regards the past and the future, in order to comprehend the announcement that time shall be no longer. Our memory of all that has befallen us will then be perfect. Many events and sensations of our past career are buried away in the sod of the mind, trodden down into the soil, and overlaid by our more recent experiences. Of many very critical events, on our minds there is just a headstone, as it were, with a monumental inscription, giving in the coldest manner their name and date; but freshness, reality, and vitality they have none. Yet, even now, passages of our past history are, ever and anon, recalled to us with a wonderful vividness, by music, by odours, by long forgotten scenes, or by some other association of the senses. Sudden and transient flashings these, of a light which is destined one day to flush the whole mind, and to penetrate into its darkest recesses. The memory has really no more lost its deposits than the graveyard has lost the corpses entrusted to its keeping. Those deposits will one day start from the sod in all the freshness of new life, and stand up upon their feet an exceeding great army. Nor need we shrink from supposing that in that higher condition of existence the powers of memory and foresight possessed by the mind will be greatly enlarged, whether or not they be made, as regards our future experience, perfect.
II. Why the asseveration of the text is made upon oath. The reasons are obvious. First, its being made on oath argues its importance. We take an oath in matters of moment, not in trifles. Petty interests are felt to be beneath the solemnity and dignity of an appeal to Heaven. Secondly, an oath is an indication that the thing assevered appears till then in more or less uncertainty. It is the province of an oath to give assurance of something which was previously open to question.
III. To each one among us the abolition of time will be the hour of our own death. This I say, brethren, the time is short. Yes, that is the main point which the oath may be taken to imply--the infinite importance in Gods estimation of the time that remains to you upon earth. (Dean Goulburn.)
The end of time
I. What is meant by the end of time. Time, as far as man has any concern with it, is that portion of duration which is commensurate with the existence of our world, and which is measured by its diurnal and annual revolutions. It began when this world began to exist. The end of time, and the end of the world, are, then, expressions of the same import.
II. When will the event denoted by these expressions arrive? We learn from our text that it will arrive when the mystery of God shall be finished. Gods great object in creating this world and its inhabitants was to gratify and glorify Himself. Now, God at once glorifies and gratifies Himself when He displays His perfections in His works. Some of His perfections, as, for instance, His power, wisdom, and goodness, He displayed in the creation of the world; and they, as well as some other perfections of His nature, are still displayed in its providential government. But the principal display of His perfections is made in the work of redemption by Jesus Christ, the great object to which all His works of creation and providence ultimately refer. Agreeably, inspiration informs us, that for Jesus Christ all things were created; and that to Him there is given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him. When the purposes for which this kingdom was given to Christ, and set up in the world, are accomplished, the mystery of God, mentioned in our text, will be finished. Now the purposes for which this kingdom was given to Christ include two things. The first is, the complete salvation of all who are given to Him by the Father. The second is, the complete and final subjugation of His enemies.
III. What will be the attending circumstances and consequences of this event?
1. With respect to ourselves, considered as individuals, the end of time, or, which is the same thing to us, the end of our lives will be attended by circumstances, and followed by consequences, most important and interesting.
(1) We shall then be separated at once from all temporal and earthly objects.
(2) With the end of time our state of probation and our day of grace will end. We shall be removed from our present religious privileges and means of spiritual improvement.
(3) When time ends, eternity will begin. The moment in which we leave this temporary and mutable state, we shall enter a state which is eternal, and, of course, unchangeable.
2. The circumstances and consequences which will attend and follow the end of time with respect to the human race.
(1) When the end of time shall arrive, the general resurrection will take place.
(2) At the end of time, the day of judgment, the great day for which all other days were made, will arrive.
3. It remains only to consider what will then be the fate of the globe which we inhabit. Then the gold, the silver, the jewels, and all the glittering but delusive objects, for which so many thousands have bartered their souls, shall be destroyed. Lessons:
1. In view of this subject, however insignificant, how unworthy of an immortal being, do all merely temporal and earthly pursuits appear I
2. In full view of the end of time let me ask, are you all, my hearers, prepared for it? (E. Payson, D. D.)
The end of time
I. There is a period set at which time shall be no more.
1. Time had a beginning. There was a day, a year, that was the first, before which there was not another. But eternity was before, and will be after time; which therefore appears at present like a small island lifting up its head in the midst of the ocean.
2. Time has run from the beginning, and is running on in an uninterrupted course of addition of moments, hours, days, months, and years.
3. Time will come to an end. It has run long, but it will run out at length. The last sand in the glass of this world will pass. The period is set in the Divine decree, the last day and hour, though no man knows them.
(1) This present world shall be no more; these heavens and earth shall pass away by the general conflagration (2Pe_3:10).
(2) New years shall be no more. The year will come, the month, the day, hour and minute, after which there shall never be another. Let us improve our years then for eternity, and count our days so as to apply our hearts to wisdom.
(3) The different seasons will be no more. There will be no more summer and winter, seed-time and harvest. There will be an eternal spring in heaven; but an eternal winter, as it were, in hell, where is gnashing of teeth.
(4) The business of this life shall be no more. There shall be no more tilling of the ground, tending of flocks, merchandising, nor trades. How unhappy must they be who have no pleasure nor satisfaction in anything else, since these are not to last!
(5) The means of sustaining this life shall be no more. There shall be no more eating, drinking, nor sleeping.
(6) Relations shall be no more. Time going dissolves them all, as fellow-travellers part when come to their journeys end. There shall be no more magistrates and subjects, ministers and people, husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants (Job_3:19). Only the relation betwixt Christ and His people as head and members, which is not of this world, shall remain; and so the relation to God as His children (Luk_20:35-36); who are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
(7) Space for repentance shall be no more.
(8) Tribulation and adversity of the godly shall be no more.
(9) The prosperity and comfort of the wicked (Luk_16:25) shall be no more.
II. The weight of this truth, and its concern to mankind.
1. That it is of weight and concern to them appears in its being sworn to them; which implies--
(1) That men are very heedless about it, and slow to believe it, and be impressed with it.
(2) A legal intimation made to them of its ending.
(3) That the period of time is unalterably fixed, the bounds of it set, beyond which it cannot go; for it is set by an oath.
2. The weight of the thing lies in these three.
(1) That then that which concerns mankinds happiness or misery is completed; the state of probation is over, and the state of recompense takes place in perfection, both as to their bodies and souls.
(2) That then eternity succeeds the state of all for ever unalterable, no end to be expected more.
(3) That now or never must be done what is done for eternity.
Use. Then be exhorted suitably to improve this intimation of times ending.
1. Look beyond time, this world, and the state of things in it; carry your views into the other world, to eternity (2Co_4:18).
2. Lift your hearts from off the things of time, and set them on those that are eternal (Col_3:2).
3. Use this world passingly, as pilgrims and strangers in it (1Co_7:29-31).
4. Let not the frowns of this world, the troubles and trials of the present life, make deep impression on us: they will not last.
5. Be not lifted up with the worlds smiles, nor value yourselves on worldly prosperity; for time will put an end to this also.
6. Improve time while it lasts, for the ends it is given you for.
(1) Laying a good foundation for eternity, getting out of your natural state into the state of grace, believing on Christ, and repenting of sin.
(2) Living to the honour of God, endeavouring to act in your sphere for propagating the name and kingdom of Christ.
(3) Serving your generation in usefulness to mankind, seeking to forward the spiritual and temporal good of others; as David did (Act_13:36). (T. Boston.)
The mystery of God finished with time
I. We shall consider the mystery of God in His Kingdom among men.
1. We shall consider what that mystery of God is. A mystery is a secret or hidden thing.
2. I will show in what respects it is a mystery, the mystery of God; or that the kingdom of Christ, and His management, is a mystery, the mystery of God.
II. We shall consider the mystery of God as begun and carried on in time.
1. We shall consider the first opening of the mystery.
(1) In the promulgation of the promise of the gospel (Gen_3:15).
(2) In the offering of the first sacrifices, with the skins whereof our naked first parents were clothed (Gen_3:21).
2. We shall consider the gradual opening of the mystery. Of this we have an account in Heb_1:1.
3. We shall consider the progress of the mystery.
(1) It has never been interrupted since it began in paradise; the salvation of the Church has all along been carried on, and matters managed for that end.
(2) It has made such progress, that by this time it is drawing towards the period of finishing it.
(3) It is going on in our day, in the same powerful hand that has managed it all along.
But for a more full view of the mystery, as executed in time, we shall consider the eight following particulars of this mysterious kingdom, in every part of which there is a mystery.
1. The head of it, Jesus Christ, is a mystery. And He is a mystery, a mysterious Head:
(1) In the constitution of His person, being God and man in one person.
(2) In His offices.
(3) In all circumstances about Him.
2. The subjects of it, believers, are a mystery too. They are in the world indeed, but unknown to the world (1Jn_3:1).
3. The erection and conservation of it is a mystery (Luk_17:20).
(1) The beginnings of it were very small; how vastly soever it has spread.
(2) The means of erecting and setting it up were very unlikely and unusual, viz., the despised preaching of the gospel (Psa_110:2).
(3) The opposition to it from the beginning has been very great; yet it has made its way in face of all opposition.
(4) The means of keeping it up, even such as it was set up by. Not the power of the sword, but the preaching and teaching of the word of the gospel, and setting that home on mens consciences; prayers, and tears, patient suffering even unto death (Rev_12:11).
4. The seat of it is a mystery too.
5. The extent of it is a mystery, whether it is considered--
(1) In respect of the kind of jurisdiction He has in it.
(a) The kingdom of grace is in His hand.
(b) The kingdom of glory is in His hand too (Luk_22:29-30).
(c) The kingdom of providence is in His hand likewise.
(2) In respect of the bounds of it. It extends itself over both worlds (Mat_28:18; Rev_1:18).
6. The privileges of it are a mystery.
(1) Their union with Christ is a mystery (Eph_5:32).
(2) Their justification is a mystery.
(3) Their sanctification is a mystery.
(4) Their perseverance in grace is a mystery.
7. The life and practice of it is a mystery.
8. The manner of the conduct and management of it is a mystery. It is the manner of this kingdom--
(1) To prefer the most unlikely, baulking them that stand fairest for the preference in all human appearance (Mat_20:16).
(2) To let things go to an extremity, to the utmost point of hopelessness, before a hand be put to help them, and set them right again (Deu_32:36).
(3) To give the sharpest treatment to the greatest favourites. This is not the manner of men, but it is the manner of God (Psa_73:5; Psa_73:14).
(4) To meet men with astonishing strokes going in the way that God bade them, while they have a fair sunshine that are going in the way of their own hearts (Ecc_8:14).
(5) To lay by accepted petitions, and let them long lie by, time after time, while yet unacceptable requests are quickly granted.
(6) To answer accepted prayers quickly with some one terrible thing or other, which yet are to be graciously and bountifully answered in due time (Psa_65:5).
III. We are to consider the mystery of God as finished with time.
1. Let us consider when this mystery of God shall be finished.
2. Wherein does the finishing of this mystery lie? It lies in these three things following.
(1) The accomplishment of the remaining prophecies.
(2) The gathering in of all the elect.
(3) The completing of the salvation of the Church of the elect. This is the delivering up of the kingdom to the Father mentioned in 1Co_15:24.
3. It remains to show the import and consequence of this finishing the mystery of God. It is of greatest importance to the honour of God, and to the children of men. For then--
(1) The eternal purpose of God concerning mankind is fulfilled; the contrivance laid from eternity in the depth of wisdom about them, is executed.
(2) The covenant between the Father and Christ, the second Adam, is then fulfilled on both hands.
(3) Then the whole frame of the ordinances, now or since Adams fall, in use in the world for bringing in of sinners, and edifying of saints, is laid by.
(4) Then the matter of the Divine conduct towards mankind is altered so that it is quite new (Rev_21:5).
(5) Then Christs conquest is complete, His enemies made His footstool, which He is this day in expectation of (Heb_10:12-13).
4. Then the mystery is opened, and appears in a full light; though before veiled, the veil is then taken off.
5. There will be no more mystery of God; then it is finished.
IV. We shall consider the relation betwixt the mystery of God and time.
1. Time is the space appointed for the mystery of God its being executed.
2. The subsistence or continuation of time depends on the mystery. Had there been no mystery of God to have been carried on, time once polluted with sin, had ended soon after it began.
Hence we may learn:
1. Whence it comes to pass that there is so much stumbling of wicked men at the Divine conduct by Christ in the world. The matter is: it is a mystery, and their natural blindness hinders them to see it, so that they know it not (1Co_2:14).
2. How the godly come to have other thoughts of it; and true Christians admire the beauty and glory of it, which carnal men despise. It is the mystery of God, which He reveals to His friends and rearers of His name (Psa_25:14).
3. No reason to despise religion because the world generally do so.
4. Time is not continued as a sleep without a design. Oh, that men would consider that it is lengthened out on a particular design; which, being compassed, it shall end for good and all!
5. It is not this worlds business, but Heavens business, that is the great design of the continuing of time.
6. The mystery of God must be a matter of singular excellency, and of the last importance, that for it time is continued.
7. The mystery of God has, in the execution of it, been of long continuance; but it is drawing to a close.
8. When there is no more time requisite for the mystery of God, there will be no more time for other things neither; time will end with it; for it is for the sake of it that it is continued. (T. Boston.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 5–7. And the angel … sware … that there…
5–7. And the angel … sware … that there should be time no longer. The whole passage means that the time remaining is short, and that in the time of the seventh trumpet angel the whole consummation shall be reached. In response to the anathemas, thunders, and persecutions, called forth by the Reformation, the great angel who stands on both sea and land lifted his hand and uttered his solemn oath that the period of probation, persecution and suffering on the part of the Church, soon shall end. In chapter 6, verse 10 the suffering martyrs of Pagan persecution cry, O Lord, how long? And here to the second great body of martyrs assurance is given that events are hastening to the end. The mystery shall be finished when the seventh angel shall sound.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain (See Scofield "Heb 1:4").
angel
(See Scofield "Heb 1:4").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 raised his right hand to heaven
raised his right hand to heaven
He did this to show that he was swearing by God. (See: Symbolic Action)
Read full note →
He swore by the one who lives forever and ever
"He asked that what he was going to say would be confirmed by the one who lives forever and ever"
the one who lives forever and ever
Here "the one" refers to God.
There will be no more delay
"There will be no more waiting" or "God will not delay"
the mystery of God will be accomplished
This can be stated in active form. AT: "God will accomplish his mystery" or "God will complete his secret plan" (See: Active or Passive)
translationWords
angel
oath
life
eternity
create
mystery
God
preach
servant
prophet
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 10:5-6 While raising one’s right hand is common in…
10:5-6 While raising one’s right hand is common in taking an oath today, it is rare in biblical literature (cp. Gen 14:22; 24:9; Dan 12:7). • When making an oath, Jews were very careful not to swear lightly by God’s name (see Exod 20:7). Jesus also rebuked insincere oath-taking (see Matt 5:33-37; 23:16-22). When God swore an oath, he did so in his own name as the highest possible point of reference (see Gen 22:16; Ps 89:35-36; Jer 22:5; Heb 6:13-18).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.