What do we mean by the mystery of God? Have there not been many mysteries of God revealed over the ages? Things kept secret for ages past and finally revealed. One such mystery was the Church age, not spoken of specifically before Jesus came to die on the cross. There is the mystery of God concerning the rapture. Perhaps there are many mysteries shrouded as though we see through a glass dark. Many of these we must accept by faith alone. Example: the mystery of how the Absolute Sovereign election of God and human choice are both true. Yet they are. Things beyond our comprehension.
There is a interlude written here before the seven bowl judgements from God are presented. These interluding chapters provide details of events on earth at the time of the heavenly scene. But what mystery of God are we seeking here? Perhaps the answer of the ages. Why has God not intervened before now with evil humanity? How could He have allowed such evil?
Oh, He has acted at times in the past. He has intervened. Sometimes when we did not recognize His intervention. However with the Seventh Trumpet sounds, the prayers of the Saints are hurled to the earth as a fiery ball. Full recompense for sin arrived suddenly . As we watch this approaching, we long for His coming. Our spirits groan for God to get rid of or repair all the evil surrounding and within our own hearts. Yet, He is faithful to write His word that we might see, the mystery of God revealed.
The Mystery of God revealed at the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet
So, what is the sounding of the seventh trumpet? Look at chapter 11 and verse 15, and we’ll jump forward to that very sounding. “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were . . . voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and forever.’” So, when the seventh angel sounds, the mystery of God is finished, the silence of God through all history is finished, and the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.
So, what happens at the seventh trumpet? The kingdom of Christ comes. Seventh angel will blow that trumpet. No more delay. That’s how verse 6 ends, the end of the verse: no more delay. “The mystery of God is finished.” That’s coming in chapter 11, verse 15.2
So, as we move forward through these chapters, remember God dictated these chapters to John. He did so not to shroud the future but to reveal the magnificent Glory of Jesus Christ. It is a revelation of Him.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Revelation 1:1
The Mighty Angel
I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” Revelation 10:1-4
This mighty angel came as a direct messenger of God. His appearance reflects the radiance of God due to his presence in the proximity of God. He holds a little book, the copy of the deed to earth—now unsealed. His message is that Jesus is to claim His deed to the earth. Yet, there are seven bowls of wrath that must be poured out. Why? To cleanse the property of earth for His own. Imagine claiming your property. Then you find it covered with briars and brush. Then you must clean up the land first before building thereon. There is yet the unfinished business that must be completed. And that can only be completed with the pouring forth of God’s wrath in the seven bowl judgements.
to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place” (Daniel 9:24).
7 Thunders left a mystery for a moment; but will be revealed
Also note the 7 thunders which are not written yet. Thunders represent the firestorm of God against unrighteousness. Maybe these foreshadow the 7 bowls of wrath which God will reveal in Chapters 15 and 16. Yet, these need to wait while God provides us with further context as to why these must occur.
The Future Sweet and Bitter for a time
Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.” So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.” And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.” Revelation 10: 8-9
What sweetness to know that Christ has taken His throne; yet what deep sorrow to see all the suffering that must also take place due to humanities harsh rejection of the Savior.
Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” Revelation 10: 10-11
The Mystery of God Being Revealed Further
Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11:1-2
John was sent to measure the temple. This is the third temple. Most likely it is built by the Anti-Christ as part of the peace agreement. Yet, this temple did not measure up to God’s moral standard. At least the use of it did not. We are then also told of God’s two witnesses proclaiming the Gospel message, condemning the misuse of the temple. They are considered troublemakers by society at large. Yet, they with the 144,000 sealed Jews are the missionary crew. Certainly, these two witnesses make the newsfeed on a regular basis.
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. ”These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. Revelation 11:3-5
This imagery is drawn from Zech. 3, 4 …Olive oil was commonly used in lamps; together the olive trees and lampstands symbolize the light of spiritual revival.3
The Two Witnesses with Power from God
We are told that they are witnessing for 3.5 years. But we are not told exactly when. There is a clue given in that at the end of this is a great earthquake. Also it is considered the end of the second woe. This places them alongside the 144,000 Jewish missionaries. Perhaps they lead the others to worship Christ. But that is speculation. We are not told precisely the time.
These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. Revelation 11:6
The Witnesses Killed Which Further Reveals the Mystery of God
When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. Revelation 11:7
But not until their Testimony is complete—God’s timing. Yet, He is about to display His full power to all the inhabitants of earth.
And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also [c]our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 11:8-10
A party on earth to celebrate their death. Great rejoicing and gift giving for their demise.
The Witnesses Resurrected Declaring The Mystery of the Gospel
Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Note: Remember in chapter 6 there was a great earthquake over the entire earth after the opening of the 6th seal. However, this earthquake is localized over Jerusalem and occurs later at the end of the second woe. So as not to confuse the two.
The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. Revelation 11:14
The Mystery of God—Has it all been for this?
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
That You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
Should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Revelation 11:15-18
All of creation were to Glorify the Son. How marvelous that God in His grace has included you and me! He includes all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Everything throughout the ages was to bring Him Glory and Honor and Praise. We will see a glimpse of this battle as we investigate Revelation 12.
Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. Revelation 11:19
Note that the true Temple is in Heaven currently. The ark of His covenant rests securely there. Afterall, it is His covenant to save Humanity through the blood of Christ, His son.
A Step Back in Time with a Glimpse into the Mystery of God
Chapter 12 takes us to an over sweeping view of Israel, God’s chosen people, and the brutal attacks of Satan to destroy them.
Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. Revelation 12:1-2
How do we know this refers to Israel? Go back to the vision seen by Joseph. In it he saw “the sun, the moon and the eleven stars bowing down to him”. Naturally he then was the twelfth star.
John McArthur further explains as follows:
Not an actual woman, but a symbolic representation of Israel, pictured in the OT as the wife of God (Is. 54:5, 6; Jer. 3:6–8; 31:32; Ezek. 16:32; Hos. 2:16). Three other symbolic women appear in Revelation: 1) Jezebel, who represents paganism (2:20); 2) the scarlet woman (17:3–6), symbolizing the apostate church; and 3) the wife of the Lamb (19:7), symbolizing the true church.
That this woman does not represent the church is clear from the context. clothed with the sun . . . moon under her feet . . . twelve stars. Cf. Gen. 37:9–11. Being clothed with the sun speaks of the glory, dignity, and exalted status of Israel, the people of promise who will be saved and given a kingdom. The picture of the moon under her feet possibly describes God’s covenant relationship with Israel, since new moons were associated with worship (1 Chr. 23:31; 2 Chr. 2:4; 8:13; Ezra 3:5; Ps. 81:3). The 12 stars represent the 12 tribes of Israel.
Furthermore, we have with this further proof that the 7 years of tribulation are to cleanse Israel so she might be restored in her position of honor.
The Age-Old Battle—Satan Trying to Destroy God’s Plan of Salvation
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. Revelation 12:3
The woman’s mortal enemy is Satan, who appears as a dragon 13 times in this book (cf. v. 9; 20:2). Red speaks of bloodshed (cf. John 8:44). seven heads . . . ten horns . . . seven diadems. Figurative language depicting Satan’s domination of 7 past worldly kingdoms and 10 future kingdoms (cf. Dan. 7:7, 20, 24). See notes on 13:1; 17:9, 10. Satan has and will rule the world until the seventh trumpet blows (11:15). He has inflicted relentless pain on Israel (Dan. 8:24), desiring to kill the woman before she could bring forth the child that would destroy him (see notes on Esth. 3:6–15).4
His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Revelation 12:4a
This refers to when Satan first rebelled in heaven and took a third of the angels with him who joined his demonic rebellion against God.
Attempts to Destroy God’s Plan
Ever since his rebellion, Satan is determined to thwart God’s plan. If he could prevent God’s completion of His covenant promises then he believes he will have overtaken the supremacy of God Himself. That has been the desire of Satan since his initial rebellion. Therefore,
And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. Revelation 12:4b
Satan is not omniscient; therefore, he had no idea when the Savior would be born. He tried over and over to destroy the human race; but, God intervened. Then, after God promised that the Savior would come through the Jewish nation, he continued to attempt to destroy all the Israelites. From Haman’s edict to kill all the Jewish nation to King Herod killing all the male toddlers in Bethlehem, he tried. He even tried to convince Jesus to believe his lies and abort his mission. Yet, every step of the way, God had a perfect plan of redemption for all who would accept His gift of salvation, surrendering all to Him.
The Dragon Defeated At the Cross, the Mystery of God revealed
She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Revelation 12:5
Jesus came, he lived the perfectly righteous life we could not and then died on a cross baring the full weight of penalty due to us so that we might live eternally with Him. Then, He rose again the third day defeating death, sin, and Satan. Now seated on His throne at the right hand of the Father, He awaits the day that He will reclaim the earth. Currently Satan has access to accuse the brethren in heaven. But soon, at the 7th trumpet sound, he will no longer have any access. Even though he has access to accuse the brethren, Jesus is there ever making intercession for us.
Fleeing to a Place Prepared by God
Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Revelation 12:6
Fast forward again to Revelation and the tribulation. Satan will further torture the Jewish people even harsher than Hitler did. He still believes that he has a chance of preventing God from fulfilling His covenant promise. His next effort is to leave all the nation of Israel dead before the tribulation ends. But again, God has a plan.
God will protect Israel from Satan by hiding her in the wilderness, perhaps in the region of Moab, Ammon, and Edom, east of Israel. Interestingly, those countries will be specifically spared from the Antichrist’s attack against the Holy Land (cf. Dan. 11:41). one thousand two hundred and sixty days. At the midpoint of the Tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel, puts a stop to temple worship, sets up the abomination of desolation (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15), and devastates Jerusalem (11:2). At that time, many Jews flee for their lives (Matt. 24:16ff.). God will preserve them during the last 1,260 days (42 months; 3 1/2 years) constituting the Great Tribulation.5
Satan Thrown Out of Heaven, The Mystery of God’s Enduring Patience
And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:7-9
The tumultuous events on earth during the Tribulation find their counterpart in heaven. A state of war has existed since the fall of Satan (cf. v. 4; cf. Dan. 10:13; Jude 9). Something will intensify that warfare—possibly the raptured saints passing through the realm of the prince of the power of the air (cf. Eph. 2:2).6
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Revelation 12:10-12
The Nation of Israel under the Greatest Trial As The Tribulation Unfolds
One might consider this also as being a Mystery of God. Yet, remember God must transform the hearts of the Jewish people to worship Jesus Christ as the Messiah. His miraculous protection of them during these horrific times works also to turn their hearts. Often, we worship Him best during tumultuous times than at other times.
Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. Revelation 12:13-14
God protected them through these trying times of the last half of the tribulation. He carried them away on the wings of a great eagle. There He protected, fed, and guided them.
One Angry Serpent Vs Almighty God
So, the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:15-17
The chapters we covered today have been an interlude between the sixth trumpet and the seventh trumpet which declares Jesus as King and brings in the bowl judgements. So, each of these has been to further explain the Mystery of God both in heaven and on earth. Next week we continue with another explanatory interlude to describe the Unholy trinity in chapter 13, the triumph of Christ in chapter 14, the preparation for the final bowl judgements in chapter 15, and finally the bowl judgements in chapter 16.
All Scripture used today unless otherwise noted is from the NKJV , New King James Version (NKJV)
2 McArthur, John, https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/81-183/the-final-mystery-revealed
3 McArthur Study Bible, Revelation 11:4
4 McArthur, John, IBID
5 McArthur, John, Study Bible, IBID
6 McArthur, John, Study Bible, IBID
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
PREVIOUS
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2025
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)
The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.
New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.