10:1-3 – “And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.”
Since it is not until we reach Rev. 11:14, that we read about the third, the last woe, which was soon to follow the second, we shall have to regard what immediately follows, more or less, as a recording of certain details necessary to be comprehended, if the third woe, and the sounding of the seventh Trumpet are to be fully understood.
This, “another angel” came down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow was upon his head; his face was like the sun; his feet like pillars of fire. In his hand he had a little book, open. He set his right foot upon the sea, his left foot on the earth, crying with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth; and when he ceased crying, there sounded seven thunders.
This “angel” represented the time (A.D. 1829 – the 1290 days of Dan. 12:11) for the Sanctuary Class to be prepared for its complete cleansing (A.D. 1846 – the 2300 days1 of Dan. 8:14); and thus, for the second “presence” of the Lord among his people (A.D. 1874 – the 1335 days of Dan. 12:12). Note that this, another “angel,” is also “mighty”; as if to say that there have been other “angels” (times, circumstances, etc.,) but this one is as unique as was John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus at his first advent preparing, as it were, the way of the Lord. (Matt. 3:1-3)
This “angel’s” coming down from heaven, is indicative of the fact that these events too, were divinely set and ordained! “His” being clothed with a cloud, suggests that the prophecy (re: the 1290 days) could not be clearly understood at the time; and the rainbow on “his” head bespeaks the fact of the relationship to the covenant (the promise of Dan. 12:12); “his” face being as the sun, suggests that, despite the “cloud” it evidenced the brightness of a new era (for the Sanctuary Class); and “his” feet, being as pillars of fire, reflected the nature of the trials which were to come to this Sanctuary Class, by virtue of its complete cleansing, soon to be accomplished (A.D. 1846)!
“He” had in his hand, i.e., within his powers to give, “a little book, open,” – the fuller unfolding of the Divine Plan of the Ages – the message concerning Messiah’s Kingdom. (See C89) “His” setting his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, indicated that, the events then taking place would soon involve the “inhabiters of the earth” (Rev. 8:13) – the masses, society, “Christendom,” etc.
The “angel” cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth – a “voice” to be heard over much territory. The “movement” which commenced in A.D. 1829, and which would eventuate in the “cleansing of the sanctuary” by A.D. 1846, was not merely a local affair in the U.S.A., but in a certain sense universal. In America it was represented by Alexander Campbell and William Miller; in Europe, it was represented by J. A. Bengel of Germany; and in Asia, it was represented by Joseph Wolff.
“A religious movement culminated in 1844, the participants in which were then, and since, generally known as ‘Second Adventists’ and ‘Millerites,’ because they expected the second advent of the Lord to occur at that date and because Mr. William Miller was the leader and prime mover. The movement which began about 1829, had before 1844 (when they expected the Lord’s return) attracted the attention of all classes of Christian people, especially in the Eastern and Middle States where it amounted to an excitement. A long while before this, Professor Bengel, in Tubingen, Germany, began to call attention to the prophecies and the coming Kingdom of Messiah, while the celebrated missionary Wolff did the same in Asia.” (C84, 85)
Miller and Wolff Movements
“Then came the general announcement that the time of the second advent of Christ had come. This was sometimes called the Wolff movement and sometimes the Miller movement; for one was the leader in one part of the world, and the other in the other part. America at this time was representative of the advanced thought of the world. The proclamation of the Kingdom of Christ was a remarkable movement, which we believe is referred to by our Lord in the parable of the Ten Virgins, who awoke and trimmed their lamps. But it was a false alarm. The Bridegroom did not come.
“This disappointment caused a sifting among the professed people of God. Some became all the more interested in the Bible as the Word of God, and did not doubt, while others became haughty and skeptical, and declared that the Bible was a foolish old book, that anybody who paid any attention to these prophecies must be soft in the head, etc …
“As a result the work of the Miller movement was a sort of separation, as between those who kept the Word of God with patience and those who lost their faith in his Word.” (R5718:1, 2)
Joseph Wolff (1795-1862)
“… not inappropriately called a meteor or comet on the missionary heaven, was born of Jewish parentage, in 1795, in Bavaria. Endowed with almost unprecedented linguistical talent, a quick power of perception, lively temperament, and great prudence, he became acquainted at a very early age with the most prominent men in different countries of Europe. In 1812 he was baptized at Prague by a Benedictine monk. While at Vienna he was introduced to the highest ecclesiastical dignitaries; lived for some time with Count Stolberg in his castle of Tatenhausen, and went to Rome to be educated there as a missionary. His heart was filled with the desire to proclaim the glad tidings of the Gospel to both Jews and Mohammedans. Although he enjoyed the favor of the most prominent men in Rome, especially that of Pope Pius VII, and formed acquaintances which were of the greatest interest in his life, yet he could not reconcile himself to Romanism. While at Rome he spent his time in studying Oriental languages. Some liberal views which he had expressed on sundry occasions made him suspected in the eyes of the Inquisition, and he had to leave the college and the Eternal City. After many adventures he went to London, and here he joined the Church of England. Soon he became acquainted with men like Henry Drummond, Charles Simeon, Lewis Way – the founders of the London Society for the Jews. They, perceiving special fitness for missionary work, effected his entrance to Cambridge University, where he continued his Oriental studies.… After two years (in 1821) he gave up his studies, and commenced his adventurous life as a traveler. Amid the richest and most remarkable experiences, he travelled over Europe, Asia, America, and a part of Africa. In these journeys he became acquainted with kings and princes, as well as the most learned men of all ecclesiastical relations; everywhere professing Jesus as the Christ; and although … often imprisoned, and his life had been endangered several times, yet in the greatest perils he showed an un- daunted courage and presence of mind.… He preached everywhere – at one time in this language, at another time in a different one; distributed the Holy Scriptures in the various languages of the East.” (McClintock & Strong’s Encyclopedia)
¹ Re: The Period for the Cleansing of the Sanctuary – “Another prophetic period mentioned by the Prophet Daniel was the 2300 days. This period was to mark certain things, and at the expiration of these days the sanctuary was to be cleansed. This work of cleansing the true church, the sanctuary class, from the defilements of the dark ages culminated, we believe, in 1846, the time of the fulfillment of the 2300 days. But the work of cleansing was not accomplished in a moment or a day or even a year; and the cleansing was but limited.” (R5565:6)
There were seven “thunders” that uttered their voices. Thunders are always associated with lightning! Thus, with the sudden “flashes” of the divine truth, came the controversies. These concerned:
- Apostolic simplicity in Church government; the abrogation of ecclesiastical titles, such as Reverend, Doctor of Divinity, etc. (See C114)
- No creed; but the Bible. (See C114)
- Baptism by immersion. (See C119)
- Recognition of the “man of sin.” (See C118)
- The Trinity. (See C119)
- Life, Immortality, the Resurrection of the dead. (See C116, 117)
- Prophecy, and the second Coming of Christ. (See C115)
10:4-7 – “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. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth forever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are [and the sea and the things that are therein – these words are spurious], that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.”
The “Thunderings” and “The Little Book”
On C89 Bro. Russell suggests that the “message concerning Michael’s Kingdom gradually opening from 1829 onward is symbolically represented in the book of Revelation (10:2, 8-10) as a ‘little book’.”* It follows then, that certain specific elements of Truth began to flash forth as ‘lightning’ bringing a much clearer understanding to those constituting the Sanctuary class. But associated with these “flashes” were also “thunderings” (controversies), concerning which latter, John was instructed he was not to write. (Rev. 10:4) The reason for this is not given, so all that we are able to do is guess or conjecture as to why this was. Perhaps, it was because these “controversies” would in themselves bring no further edification to the Church? “LigTht is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” (Psa. 97:11)
*“This message concerning Michael’s Kingdom, gradually opening from 1829 onward, is symbolically represented in the book of Revelation (chapter 10:2, 8-10) as a ‘little book,’ which the ‘wise’ of the ‘holy people,’ represented by John, are instructed to eat. And John’s experience as expressed in verse 10, is the experience of all who receive these truths. They bring wondrous sweetness: Oh, the blessedness! But the after effects are always more or less a blending of the bitterness of persecution with the sweetness. And the effect upon those who patiently endure to the end is to purge, purify and refine, and thus to make the bride of Christ ready for the marriage and exaltation, due toward the close of the Day of Preparation.” (C89)
The “Finished Mystery”
“In point of time, the mystery of God will be finished during the period of the sounding of the seventh (symbolic) trumpet. (Rev. 10:7) This applies to the mystery in both senses in which it is used: the mystery or secret features of God’s plan will then be made known and will be clearly seen; and also the ‘mystery of God,’ the Church, the embodiment of that plan. Both will then be finished. The secret, hidden plan will have sought out the full, complete number of the members of the body of Christ, and hence it, the BODY OF CHRIST, will be finished. The plan will cease to be a mystery, because there will be no further object in perpetuating its secrecy.” (A87)
John, of course, represents the Sanctuary class living at the time. (John 21:22; R4870:1) There were among them, such as would have written about these things, but were restrained (Rev. 10:4), for it was to be left for the messenger to the Laodicean Church – Charles Taze Russell (born 1852), later the “mystery of God” would be finished; after the seventh Trumpet shall have begun to sound forth (in A.D. 1874)! – (Rev. 10:7) And thus, the matter was “sealed” for the time being. The “angel” figuratively lifted up his hand toward heaven (i.e., he assumed an attitude of taking an oath) declared, (for the Lord had so decreed) that “time” should be no longer! Reference here, undoubtedly, is to the time of the sounding of the seventh Trumpet, at the end of the 1335 days of Daniel’s prophecy, for the time involved in the 1260, 1290, and 1335 days would then be fulfilled: there would be no further “waiting” time, for “blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.” (Dan. 12:12)
“The due time for the mystery of God’s plan to be finished had not yet come; and it was ‘sealed up,’ ‘hidden,’ until that due time. But now we are living in the time of ‘the cleansing of the Sanctuary,’ and particularly since the time of blessedness at the end of the 1335 days – in the present harvest, and in the beginning of the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet – we have a very different experience from the saints of the past times. To us it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, which many prophets and many righteous persons of the past were not privileged to see. Thank God for the light of present truth.
“God, still our teacher, uses as heretofore instrumentalities, and has provided for his people’s instruction and use, the orderly presentations of MILLENNIAL DAWN to point out to them his plan of the ages, and the duties and privileges of this ‘harvest’ time: because the ‘due time’ has come for the ‘mystery’ to be finished. (Rev. 10:7)” (R1867:2, 3)
10:8-10 – “And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.”
John, here again, represents the Sanctuary Class; but just a little later in point of time, than when restrained from writing. (Rev. 10:4) The same overruling providences which had made restraint expedient, now counsel that “he” (the Sanctuary Class) take the open book (the fuller unfolding of the divine plan of the ages) from the hand of the “angel” and “eat it up.” During the interim between the “restraint” and the “counseling” the “one” ordained to become the “seventh star” or messenger (Rev. 1:16, 20; 3:14) was born (Feb. 16th, 1852). In due course of time, he obtained the “open book” and together with all of the Sanctuary Class, proceeded to “eat it up.” He, and they, found these now unfolding “harvest truths,” sweet as honey; but soon also experienced the “bitterness” in the “belly.” The “sweetness” resulted from tasting and seeing that the Lord is good (Psa. 34:8); the “bitterness” from the assimilation of these truths, because of the trials and difficulties of consequent separation and dedication.
“This message concerning Michael’s Kingdom, gradually opening from 1829 onward, is symbolically represented in the book of Revelation (chap. 10:2, 8-10) as a ‘little book,’ which the ‘wise’ of the ‘holy people,’ represented by John, are instructed to eat. And John’s experience, as expressed in verse 10, is the experience of all who receive these truths. They bring wondrous sweetness: Oh, the blessedness! But the effects are always more or less a blending of the bitterness of persecution with the sweetness. And the effect upon those who faithfully endure to the end is to purge, purify and refine, and thus to make the bride of Christ ready for the marriage and exaltation, due toward the close of the Day of Preparation.” (C89)
10:11 – “And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”
This Sanctuary Class has (since A.D. 1874 – the 1335 days) been busily engaged in prophesying, i.e., preaching, witnessing the Truth to all mankind, particularly concerning the second presence, and the near approach of the Kingdom of God upon this earth; even making “it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” (Hab. 2:2)
“This command (Hab. 2:2) has been obeyed. By various means – Charts, Diagrams, Concordances and explanations, the vision or revelation of God’s word has been placed within the reach of the people.” (R621:1)
Under the sponsorship of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, during the years of Pastor C. T. Russell’s ministry (to Oct. 1916), the Sanctuary Class distributed millions of tracts in at least 33 different languages (see “The Laodicean Messenger” – p.102-105); and, since then, some have at their own personal expense continued to give just such a witness “before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings [the powers that be].”