Devine Scripture

Revelation 10:4

What does Revelation 10:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 10:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 10:4 means

John, faithful to his charge to write, moves to record the thunders’ message. But a voice from heaven commands him to seal up what they said and not write it. This reminds us that revelation is God’s gift, not man’s right. Some truths remain hidden, not to frustrate faith but to foster humility and trust. The command restrains curiosity and asserts that what is necessary for endurance and obedience will be given, while certain timings or details belong to God alone. The sealed thunders show that even in a book of unveiling, mystery endures under divine discretion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the seven thunders had given out their voices, I was about to put their words down: and a voice from heaven came to my ears, saying, Keep secret the things which the seven thunders said, and do not put them in writing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and when the seven thunders spake their voices, I was about to write, and I heard a voice out of the heaven saying to me, `Seal the things that the seven thunders spake,' and, `Thou mayest not write these things.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write. And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: Seal up the things which the seven thunders have spoken. And write them not.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write: and I heard a voice out of the heaven saying, Seal the things which the seven thunders have spoken, and write them not.

Context

The expected disclosure after the angel’s roar is withheld. This deliberate silence contrasts with the open book and prepares the heart to receive what is next with seriousness. The secrecy sets a boundary around what John may transmit and shifts the scene back to the angel’s public act. Immediately following, the angel raises his hand to swear an oath, moving from undisclosed words to an emphatic, authoritative declaration all must hear.

v.3and he cried with a great voice, as a lion roareth: and when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.

v.4This passage

v.5And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 22:10

    And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.

  • Daniel 12:9

    And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.

  • Revelation 2:1

    To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks:

  • Deuteronomy 29:29

    The secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

  • Daniel 12:4

    But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

  • Isaiah 8:16

    Bind thou up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

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