The apostle John was the only human to ever hear the content of the “seven thunders” spoken of in Revelation chapter 10. He went to his grave without revealing their content to anyone. The reason is because that’s what he was instructed to do. He was to seal up those seven messages until the last days when he was told that he must prophesy again apparently sharing this knowledge worldwide. In chapter 10, John sees a mighty angel; “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 out 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 10:2-4). John was then instructed to take the little book from the mighty angel. “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.’ 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 10:9-11).
Although it’s not stated directly, I think it’s a safe assumption that the little book John ate (in his vision) contains the seven messages spoken by the seven thunders. Eating and later regurgitating this book due to a bitter stomach is metaphor for taking in and later speaking out these prophecies at the proper time. Note that John is told that he must prophesy again to an audience that includes many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. Since John has yet to fulfill this command, it must be yet future. This is the main reason that I feel the apostle is one of the two witnesses described in the chapter immediately following, or, more likely a prophet coming in the “spirit and power” of John. (For a full discussion of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 and who they are see my permanently linked article The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 – Google Docs )
The seven messages sealed up by John surely contain critical information for the world at large and particularly for last days Christians. Thunder throughout the bible is used to describe the voice of God speaking audibly. These seven future messages are going to come to us through the prophet directly from God. We must be fully prepared and watching so that we don’t miss this vital communication. I’m more than curious about what the seven thunders have to say-I’m excited!
Maranatha, Jim