The Voice of God: Thunder, Angels, and the Last Plagues

Revelation 6:13-14

13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Yes, there is a profound chronological and physical gap represented between Revelation 6:13, 14 marking the transition from signs in the heavens to the literal departure of the atmosphere and the appearing of the Son of manEMTF 53.2+1.

🌌 The Signs in the Heavens

The events of the sixth seal follow a specific, sequential order that has been recorded by multiple prophetsARSH February 13, 1866, page 85.10. Before the heavens depart, the stars of heaven fall to the earth, comparable to a fig tree casting its untimely figs when shaken by a mighty wind Revelation 6:13DAR1909 443.2. This event serves as a precursor to the final shaking of the powers of heaven Mark 13:24-25ARSH February 13, 1866, page 85.10.

📜 The Departure of the Heavens

Between these celestial signs and the end of human probation, a monumental shift occursEMTF 53.2.

• The Atmospheric Change: The heaven departs as a scroll when it is rolled together Revelation 6:14SR 410.3+1.

• The Terrestrial Upheaval: Every mountain and island is moved out of its original place due to a great earthquake Revelation 6:14EW 286.2+1.

• The Open Portal: This opening of the heavens provides a free view into another region more enlightened, which some have described as a gap in the sky or a "living cloud"EW 286.2+1.

☁️ The Sign of the Son of Man

As the heavens roll back, a small white cloud appears in the distance, which is identified as the sign of the Son of man1SG 206.2+1. This cloud, which initially looks very small, draws nearer until the majesty of Jesus is clearly beheldEW 286.2+1. He arrives not with a crown of thorns, but with a crown of glory, accompanied by a retinue of holy angelsEW 286.2+1.

⚖️ The Impact on Humanity

The "space" between these verses also marks the end of intercessionEMTF 53.2.

• The Terror of the Impenitent: The kings, great men, and both bondmen and free men seek to hide in the rocks of the mountains Revelation 6:15ST186x 21.1+1. They cry for the mountains to fall on them to hide them from the face of Him sitting on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb Revelation 6:16-17SR 410.3+1.

• The Joy of the Saints: In contrast, those who have waited for Him rejoice, recognizing that the purifying fire of His presence is their God who has come to save them Isaiah 25:9ARSH February 7, 1899, page 84.15+1.

This transition represents the closing of earth's history and the beginning of the great day of His wrath Revelation 6:17ARSH December 30, 1862, page 34.7+1.

The four winds being let loose is indeed the event that initiates the outpouring of the seven last plaguesExV 19.1+1. 🌬️ When Jesus finishes His mediation in the Most Holy Place, He lays aside His priestly attire and puts on the garments of vengeanceBEARF 22.2+1. At that precise moment, the four angels who have been standing on the four corners of the earth will cease to hold the four winds of strifeARSH November 13, 1856, page 11.23+1.

🌪️ The Loosing of the Winds and the Plagues

The relationship between the four winds and the seven last plagues is one of direct consequence and containment.

• The Content of the Winds: The seven last plagues are contained within the four winds that are currently being held backARSH June 18, 1857, page 52.6.

• The End of Restraint: It is the restraint of the four angels that currently prevents the wrath of God from coming upon a guilty worldBEARF 22.2.

• The Time of Trouble: Once these winds are loosed, the seven last plagues are poured out, constituting the "time of trouble such as never was"BEARF 22.2+1.

• The Sequence of Events: The anger of the nations, the wrath of God (the plagues), and the time to judge the dead are separate events that follow one after another once the winds are let goExV 19.1+1.

🛡️ The Protective Sealing

The angels are strictly commanded to hold the winds until a specific work is completed among God's people Revelation 7:3.

• The Marking Period: The four angels must hold the winds until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads with the seal of the living GodEVRR237+1.

• A Shield for the Saints: This seal serves as a mark of protection so that the plagues do not come nigh the dwellings of the righteousJEO 93.2+1.

• The Final Warning: The four winds are held to give opportunity for the last warning message to be given to the world and for the saints to receive the "latter rain" or refreshingExV54 3.4+1.

⚖️ The Close of Probation

The letting go of the winds marks the definitive end of human probationJEO 93.2.

• No More Intercessor: When the winds blow and the plagues fall, there is no longer a Mediator to plead the cause of sinners before the FatherEW 71.2+1.

• Total Withdrawal: The Spirit of God is then entirely withdrawn from the wicked, leaving them unsheltered and subject to the control of Satanic powersLDE 242.5+1.

• Jacob's Trouble: During this time, the righteous experience "Jacob's trouble," crying out for deliverance while the wicked are enraged against them, falsely believing the saints brought these judgments upon the earthBDOC 32.12+1.

The seven last plagues are described as the unmingled wrath of God, poured out without any mixture of mercy once the mandate "Let them alone" resounds through heavenEMTF 81.2+1. 🕊️ While the whole world is involved in ruin more terrible than the destruction of Jerusalem, the Lord will be the refuge and hope of His people Joel 3:164SP 440.3.

Hello! It is a joy to explore the Word of God with you. This is a beautiful question that touches on how our spiritual condition affects our ability to recognize the voice of Heaven. 📖

⚡ The Voice of God and the Sound of Thunder

There was a specific moment during the earthly ministry of Jesus when God the Father spoke audibly from Heaven, resulting in different perceptions among those standing by. 🕊️

Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, "Father, glorify thy name" John 12:28. In immediate response, a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again" John 12:28.

The reaction of the crowd was divided based on their spiritual discernment:

• The Perception of the Multitude: The Bible records that "The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered" John 12:29.

• The Perception of Others: There were some who recognized a supernatural communication, as "others said, An angel spake to him" John 12:29.

🧐 Why the Difference in Hearing?

The reason for this distinction is that the voice of God is perfectly intelligible to those who are in close communion with Him, but to human ears that are "dull of hearing," it often sounds like the crash of a thunderbolt or a loud, incomprehensible noise. 🌩️

• Understanding the Voice: To Jesus, the communication was clear and meaningful, but for the sake of the people, He explained, "This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes" John 12:30.

• Spiritual Acquaintance: Those who did not recognize the words as the voice of God were simply not sufficiently acquainted with Him to identify His majestic tones Job 40:9.

📜 Other Biblical Parallels

This phenomenon of a heavenly voice being perceived as thunder or a powerful sound is a recurring theme in the Scriptures when the Divine interacts with humanity:

• Daniel's Vision: When Daniel saw a vision of the Son of God, his companions did not see the vision, but a "great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves" Daniel 10:7. While the voice of the "One Man" was like the "voice of a multitude" Daniel 10:6 or many waters to Daniel, it was terrifying to those not prepared to hear it.

• The Mount of Transfiguration: When the Father spoke from the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" Matthew 17:5, the disciples were so overwhelmed by the "terrible majesty" of the voice that they "fell on their face, and were sore afraid" Matthew 17:6.

• The Giving of the Law: At Mount Sinai, God spoke the Ten Commandments "with a loud and thunder-tone" Exodus 20:18. The people were so terrified by the "thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet" that they removed and stood afar off, pleading for Moses to speak to them instead of God, lest they die Exodus 20:18-19.

🎺 The Final Voice

The Scriptures point to a future time when the voice of God will again be heard by all humanity. At the deliverance of God's people, His voice will shake both the heavens and the earth Hebrews 12:26+1.

During this final event, a similar distinction will occur:

• The Saints: The living righteous will hear and understand the voice of God as it gives them the day and hour of Jesus' coming Revelation 19:6. Their faces will light up and shine with glory as they hear the "voice of mighty thunderings" saying, "Alleluia: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth" Revelation 19:6.

• The Wicked: In contrast, the wicked will hear the voice but believe it is only "thunder and an earthquake" because they cannot understand the words of the voice of God Daniel 12:10.

It is a solemn reminder that to those who love God, His voice is the "joyful sound" Psalm 89:15, but to the natural heart, it is a source of terror. 🌟