Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Mystery » The mystery of God
Now this is what I am saying, brothers; flesh and blood [i.e., physical bodies] cannot possess the kingdom of God [i.e., the heavenly realm]; neither can [bodies that] decay possess [a place] which does not decay. Look, I am telling you a secret truth: We will not all die, but we will all be changed [i.e., physically and spiritually] in a split second, as quickly as the twinkle of an eye, when the last trumpet blows. For the trumpet will blow and dead people [i.e., believers] will be raised up, never to decay again, and [the living] will be changed [i.e., physically and spiritually]. read more.
For this [body] that can decay must be clothed with [a body] which cannot decay. And this [body] that can die must be clothed with [a body] which cannot die. But when this [body] that can decay has been clothed with one which cannot decay, and this [body] that can die has been clothed with one which cannot die, then the Scriptural saying will be fulfilled [Isa. 25:8], "Death has been swallowed up [i.e., eliminated] by victory." [Note: The reference here is to the time when believers will experience victory over death by being resurrected or taken directly to be with God]. [Hos. 13:14 says], "Death, where is your victory [over people]? Death, where is your [harmful] sting?" The [harmful] sting that causes [physical] death is sin [See Rom. 5:12]; and the power of sin [to do this] comes from the law. [See Rom. 8:2]. But I thank God for giving us victory [i.e., over sin and death] through our Lord Jesus Christ.
For this [body] that can decay must be clothed with [a body] which cannot decay. And this [body] that can die must be clothed with [a body] which cannot die. But when this [body] that can decay has been clothed with one which cannot decay, and this [body] that can die has been clothed with one which cannot die, then the Scriptural saying will be fulfilled [Isa. 25:8], "Death has been swallowed up [i.e., eliminated] by victory." [Note: The reference here is to the time when believers will experience victory over death by being resurrected or taken directly to be with God]. [Hos. 13:14 says], "Death, where is your victory [over people]? Death, where is your [harmful] sting?" The [harmful] sting that causes [physical] death is sin [See Rom. 5:12]; and the power of sin [to do this] comes from the law. [See Rom. 8:2]. But I thank God for giving us victory [i.e., over sin and death] through our Lord Jesus Christ.
However, we speak [divine] wisdom among people who are [spiritually] mature, yet it is not a wisdom of this current age, nor of [its] current rulers, who are coming to nothing. But we [apostles] speak God's secret wisdom, which has been hidden [through the ages], which God predetermined for our honor before time began. None of the rulers of this age knew about this [divine] wisdom, for if they had [known it], they would not have crucified the glorious Lord [i.e., Jesus].
[This message is] the secret which has been kept hidden throughout the ages and generations, but has now been revealed to God's saints [i.e., His holy people]. He was pleased to make known to these people the wealth of His splendor among the Gentiles; this hidden secret, which is Christ among you, [is] the hope of being honored [i.e., in heaven].
Now may there be glory for ever, through Jesus Christ, to the only wise God, who is able to make you stand firm [in the faith], according to the good news and proclamation of Jesus Christ. This message is the secret which was [eventually] revealed, after having been kept quiet about for long ages. It is now being made known through the writings of the prophets, as commanded by the eternal God, to [people of] all the nations, in order to bring about their obedience to the faith
This is the reason that I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, [pray for you. See 3:14-19]. [Note: Paul here digresses from his prayer, begun in 1:15-16, to explain the circumstances of his being a prisoner on behalf of these Gentiles]. [I assume] you have heard about my commission [to minister] to you, which was given to me by God's unearned favor. [It is] that God's secret plan [i.e., revealed in the Gospel preached to Gentiles. See verse 6] was made known to me by way of a revelation. [See Acts 9:15; 22:21]. I have already written to you [about this] briefly [i.e., probably a reference to 1:9ff]. read more.
So, when you read this you will be able to understand my insight into the secret plan of Christ, which was not told to people of previous generations as it has now been revealed to His [i.e., Christ's] holy apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit. This secret plan is that the Gentiles [now] share in the inheritance along with us [Jews], and are fellow-members of the body [i.e., the church], and that they share, along with us [Jews], in the promise of the Gospel, in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus. I was made a minister [of the Gospel] according to the gift of God's unearned favor, which was given to me according to the working of His power. This favor of preaching the unfathomable riches of Christ to the Gentiles was given to me [even though] I am the least significant of all saints [i.e., God's holy people]. [I was given the responsibility] to enlighten all people regarding the working out of God's secret plan, which has been kept hidden for ages in [the heart of] God, who created everything.
So, when you read this you will be able to understand my insight into the secret plan of Christ, which was not told to people of previous generations as it has now been revealed to His [i.e., Christ's] holy apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit. This secret plan is that the Gentiles [now] share in the inheritance along with us [Jews], and are fellow-members of the body [i.e., the church], and that they share, along with us [Jews], in the promise of the Gospel, in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus. I was made a minister [of the Gospel] according to the gift of God's unearned favor, which was given to me according to the working of His power. This favor of preaching the unfathomable riches of Christ to the Gentiles was given to me [even though] I am the least significant of all saints [i.e., God's holy people]. [I was given the responsibility] to enlighten all people regarding the working out of God's secret plan, which has been kept hidden for ages in [the heart of] God, who created everything.
But in the days when the seventh angel is ready to sound his trumpet, then the secret plan of God will be accomplished, just as He [had] announced to His servants the prophets."
Verse Concepts
Prophets » Predictions of » Were all fulfilled
But this is the way God fulfilled the things which He had predicted through the prophets about the suffering of Christ.
Verse Concepts
But in the days when the seventh angel is ready to sound his trumpet, then the secret plan of God will be accomplished, just as He [had] announced to His servants the prophets."
Verse Concepts
Seals » The seven seals
And I watched while the Lamb broke open one of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living beings saying in a thunderous voice [to the one on the white horse ?], "Come [out]." So, I looked, and before me [stood] a white horse, and the man riding on it had a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror [going out] to conquer [someone]. And when the Lamb broke open the second seal, I heard the second living being saying [to the one on the red horse ?], "Come [out]." read more.
Then another horse came out; it was a red one, and the man riding on it was given [the ability] to take peace from the earth so that people would kill one another. And he was given a large sword. And when the Lamb broke open the third seal, I heard the third living being saying [to the one on the black horse ?], "Come [out]." So, I looked and before me [stood] a black horse, and the man riding on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living beings, saying, "A quart [measure] of wheat sells for a day's pay [Note: This amount would be $60-$84 in 1994, based on one day of a farm laborer's wages. See Matt. 20:2]; three quart measures of barley sell for a day's pay; but do not damage the [olive] oil and wine [i.e., the orchards and vineyards]. And when the Lamb broke open the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being saying [to the one on the pale green horse ?], "Come [out]." So, I looked and before me [stood] a pale green horse, and the name of the man riding on it was "Death," and the unseen place of departed spirits followed along behind him. And they were [both] given authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill people with swords, with famine, with terrible judgments and by wild animals of the earth. And when the Lamb broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for [believing and preaching] God's message, and for the testimony [about Jesus] which they had maintained. And they called out with a loud voice, "How long, holy and true Master, [will it be] before you judge the people living on earth and take revenge on them for [shedding] our blood?" And a white robe was given to each one of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the [full] number of their fellow servants and their brothers would be killed like they were. Then I looked as the Lamb broke open the sixth seal, and there [I saw] a great earthquake; the sun turned as black as sackcloth made out of [goat] hair, and the entire moon turned [as red] as blood. And the stars in the sky fell to earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a strong wind. And the sky disappeared like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. And the kings of the earth, the princes, the military commanders, the rich people, the influential people and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among mountain ledges. And they called out to the mountains, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of God, who sits on His throne, and from the anger of the Lamb. For the terrible day of their anger has come, and who will be able to survive it?"
Then another horse came out; it was a red one, and the man riding on it was given [the ability] to take peace from the earth so that people would kill one another. And he was given a large sword. And when the Lamb broke open the third seal, I heard the third living being saying [to the one on the black horse ?], "Come [out]." So, I looked and before me [stood] a black horse, and the man riding on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living beings, saying, "A quart [measure] of wheat sells for a day's pay [Note: This amount would be $60-$84 in 1994, based on one day of a farm laborer's wages. See Matt. 20:2]; three quart measures of barley sell for a day's pay; but do not damage the [olive] oil and wine [i.e., the orchards and vineyards]. And when the Lamb broke open the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living being saying [to the one on the pale green horse ?], "Come [out]." So, I looked and before me [stood] a pale green horse, and the name of the man riding on it was "Death," and the unseen place of departed spirits followed along behind him. And they were [both] given authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill people with swords, with famine, with terrible judgments and by wild animals of the earth. And when the Lamb broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for [believing and preaching] God's message, and for the testimony [about Jesus] which they had maintained. And they called out with a loud voice, "How long, holy and true Master, [will it be] before you judge the people living on earth and take revenge on them for [shedding] our blood?" And a white robe was given to each one of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the [full] number of their fellow servants and their brothers would be killed like they were. Then I looked as the Lamb broke open the sixth seal, and there [I saw] a great earthquake; the sun turned as black as sackcloth made out of [goat] hair, and the entire moon turned [as red] as blood. And the stars in the sky fell to earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a strong wind. And the sky disappeared like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. And the kings of the earth, the princes, the military commanders, the rich people, the influential people and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among mountain ledges. And they called out to the mountains, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of God, who sits on His throne, and from the anger of the Lamb. For the terrible day of their anger has come, and who will be able to survive it?"
Then when the Lamb broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who were standing in front of God, and they were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, who held a golden incense holder, came and stood at the Altar. He was given a quantity of incense to add to the prayers of all the saints [as an offering] on the golden Altar, which was in front of the throne. read more.
And the smoke of the [burning] incense, [mingled] with the prayers of the saints, ascended from [the incense holder in] the angel's hand up to the presence of God. Then the angel took the incense holder and filled it with hot coals from the Altar and threw it to the earth. [Immediately] there was [heard] rolling thunder, and lightning flashes [were seen] and an earthquake [was felt]. And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. [When] the first trumpet sounded [I saw] hail and fire, mingled with blood, being hurled down onto the earth. And one third of it was burned up, and one third of the trees were burned up and all the green grass was [also] burned up. [When] the second angel sounded its trumpet [I saw] what seemed like a huge mountain, ablaze with fire, being thrown into the ocean. And one third of the ocean turned to blood, and one third of [all] living sea creatures died, and one third of [all] ships were destroyed. [When] the third angel sounded its trumpet [I saw] a huge star, like a flaming torch, falling from heaven. It fell on one third of the rivers and on the springs of water. And the star was called "Wormwood" [Note: The Greek word here means "bitter," See Lam. 3:15 ASV], and one third of the waters became wormwood [i.e., bitter], and many people died from the waters because they had become bitter. [When] the fourth angel sounded its trumpet [I saw] one third of the sun, one third of the moon, and one third of the stars being struck, so that one third [of their light] would become darkened. So, the daytime had [only] one third of its [normal] light, and the nighttime was the same way. And as I looked, I heard an eagle flying in midair, saying in a loud voice, "It is bad, very bad, awful bad for those people who live on earth, because of the sound of the trumpets of the remaining three angels!" [i.e., because of the messages they will deliver].
And the smoke of the [burning] incense, [mingled] with the prayers of the saints, ascended from [the incense holder in] the angel's hand up to the presence of God. Then the angel took the incense holder and filled it with hot coals from the Altar and threw it to the earth. [Immediately] there was [heard] rolling thunder, and lightning flashes [were seen] and an earthquake [was felt]. And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. [When] the first trumpet sounded [I saw] hail and fire, mingled with blood, being hurled down onto the earth. And one third of it was burned up, and one third of the trees were burned up and all the green grass was [also] burned up. [When] the second angel sounded its trumpet [I saw] what seemed like a huge mountain, ablaze with fire, being thrown into the ocean. And one third of the ocean turned to blood, and one third of [all] living sea creatures died, and one third of [all] ships were destroyed. [When] the third angel sounded its trumpet [I saw] a huge star, like a flaming torch, falling from heaven. It fell on one third of the rivers and on the springs of water. And the star was called "Wormwood" [Note: The Greek word here means "bitter," See Lam. 3:15 ASV], and one third of the waters became wormwood [i.e., bitter], and many people died from the waters because they had become bitter. [When] the fourth angel sounded its trumpet [I saw] one third of the sun, one third of the moon, and one third of the stars being struck, so that one third [of their light] would become darkened. So, the daytime had [only] one third of its [normal] light, and the nighttime was the same way. And as I looked, I heard an eagle flying in midair, saying in a loud voice, "It is bad, very bad, awful bad for those people who live on earth, because of the sound of the trumpets of the remaining three angels!" [i.e., because of the messages they will deliver].
[When] the fifth angel sounded its trumpet, I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. And the key to the shaft leading to the deep pit [Note: This is thought to be the place where the devil and his demons live] was given to him. And the fallen star opened the shaft leading to the deep pit and smoke drifted up from the shaft like smoke from a huge furnace. And the sun and the sky were darkened by the smoke from the shaft. And locusts swarmed down out of the smoke to earth and they were given power like scorpions on earth have. read more.
And they were told not to harm the grass on earth, or any greenery, or any tree, but only those people who did not have God's seal on their foreheads. And the locusts were not given the power to kill these people, but [only] to torture them for five months. And the torment they would inflict was like a scorpion stinging a person. And in those days people will be looking for death, but they will not find it; and they will want to die, but death will elude them. And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads [they wore] what appeared to be golden crowns, and their faces looked like the faces of human beings. And they had hair like women and teeth like lions. Their chests were covered with armor plate made of iron, and their wings sounded like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots rushing to battle. And they had tails like scorpions with stingers, and in their tails they had the power to inflict harm upon people for five months. They had a king over them who was the angel of the deep pit [See verses 1-2]. His name in Hebrew was "Abaddon," and in Greek it was "Apollyon" [Note: These words both mean "Destroyer"]. The first Calamity is over; look, two more calamities are yet to come. And the sixth angel sounded its trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns [i.e., corners] of the golden Altar, which is in front of God. It said to the sixth angel with the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are tied up at the great Euphrates River." And the four angels who had been ready for this hour and day and month and year were [now] released to kill one third of mankind. And the armies of horsemen numbered two hundred million. I was told how many there were. And this is how the horses and their riders looked in the vision: They had on their chests fire[-red], [smoke-]blue and sulphur[-yellow] armor plate, and the horses' heads were like lions' heads. And fire, smoke and sulphur proceeded out of their mouths. One third of mankind was killed by these three plagues --- the fire, the smoke and the sulphur, which proceeded out of the horses' mouths. For the power of the horses [to kill] is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like snakes that have heads with which to harm people. And the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, [still] did not repent of what they had made with their hands [i.e., their idolatry]. They did not stop worshiping demons, and gold, silver, brass, stone and wooden idols, which can neither see, nor hear nor walk. And they refused to repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality and their thievery.
And they were told not to harm the grass on earth, or any greenery, or any tree, but only those people who did not have God's seal on their foreheads. And the locusts were not given the power to kill these people, but [only] to torture them for five months. And the torment they would inflict was like a scorpion stinging a person. And in those days people will be looking for death, but they will not find it; and they will want to die, but death will elude them. And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads [they wore] what appeared to be golden crowns, and their faces looked like the faces of human beings. And they had hair like women and teeth like lions. Their chests were covered with armor plate made of iron, and their wings sounded like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots rushing to battle. And they had tails like scorpions with stingers, and in their tails they had the power to inflict harm upon people for five months. They had a king over them who was the angel of the deep pit [See verses 1-2]. His name in Hebrew was "Abaddon," and in Greek it was "Apollyon" [Note: These words both mean "Destroyer"]. The first Calamity is over; look, two more calamities are yet to come. And the sixth angel sounded its trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns [i.e., corners] of the golden Altar, which is in front of God. It said to the sixth angel with the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are tied up at the great Euphrates River." And the four angels who had been ready for this hour and day and month and year were [now] released to kill one third of mankind. And the armies of horsemen numbered two hundred million. I was told how many there were. And this is how the horses and their riders looked in the vision: They had on their chests fire[-red], [smoke-]blue and sulphur[-yellow] armor plate, and the horses' heads were like lions' heads. And fire, smoke and sulphur proceeded out of their mouths. One third of mankind was killed by these three plagues --- the fire, the smoke and the sulphur, which proceeded out of the horses' mouths. For the power of the horses [to kill] is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like snakes that have heads with which to harm people. And the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, [still] did not repent of what they had made with their hands [i.e., their idolatry]. They did not stop worshiping demons, and gold, silver, brass, stone and wooden idols, which can neither see, nor hear nor walk. And they refused to repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality and their thievery.
And I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was covered by a cloud and there was a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun and his legs were like pillars of fire. He held in his hand a little book [i.e., scroll] which was open. And he placed his right foot on the ocean and his left foot on the land, and he called out in a loud voice, like a roaring lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders responded to the voice [of the angel]. [Note: These "seven thunders" have not been previously mentioned]. read more.
And when the seven thunders spoke [words], I started to write down [what the voices said], but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have [just] said, and do not write them down." And the angel I saw standing on the ocean and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven and took an oath to God, who lives forever and ever, and who created heaven and earth and [all] the things in them, and the ocean and [all] the things in it [saying], "There will be no further delay [i.e., before God's purposes are fulfilled]. But in the days when the seventh angel is ready to sound his trumpet, then the secret plan of God will be accomplished, just as He [had] announced to His servants the prophets."
And when the seven thunders spoke [words], I started to write down [what the voices said], but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have [just] said, and do not write them down." And the angel I saw standing on the ocean and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven and took an oath to God, who lives forever and ever, and who created heaven and earth and [all] the things in them, and the ocean and [all] the things in it [saying], "There will be no further delay [i.e., before God's purposes are fulfilled]. But in the days when the seventh angel is ready to sound his trumpet, then the secret plan of God will be accomplished, just as He [had] announced to His servants the prophets."
Then the seventh angel sounded its trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord [i.e., God] and of His Christ, and He will rule forever and ever." And the twenty-four elders, who sit in front of God on their thrones, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, "We thank you, O Lord God Almighty, who exists [in the present] and who existed [in the past], because you have taken your great power and have begun to rule. read more.
And the nations were enraged, but your wrath has come [anyway]. The time has come for the dead to be judged and for your servants the prophets to receive their reward, [along with] the saints and [both] the insignificant and important ones who revere your name. [It is also time] to destroy those who destroy the earth." Then God's Temple in heaven was opened, and inside of it was seen the Chest containing God's Agreement [i.e., between Him and Israel]. [Immediately] there came lightning flashes, [loud] sounds, rumbling thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.
And the nations were enraged, but your wrath has come [anyway]. The time has come for the dead to be judged and for your servants the prophets to receive their reward, [along with] the saints and [both] the insignificant and important ones who revere your name. [It is also time] to destroy those who destroy the earth." Then God's Temple in heaven was opened, and inside of it was seen the Chest containing God's Agreement [i.e., between Him and Israel]. [Immediately] there came lightning flashes, [loud] sounds, rumbling thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.
Trumpet » Symbolical
And He will send out His angels [i.e., as messengers] with the sound of a great trumpet [See I Thess. 4:16] to gather His elect [i.e., God's people] from all directions, [even] from throughout the whole world. [Note: See Mark 13:27, which suggests this thought by its use of 'earth' and 'sky']
Verse Concepts
For the Lord Himself [i.e., Jesus] will come down from heaven with a commanding shout [Note: This probably refers to Jesus' voice. See John 5:25, 28], [and] with the archangel's voice [i.e., Michael. See Jude 9] and with the sound of God's trumpet; [at this] the dead in [fellowship with] Christ will rise [from the dead] first.
Verse Concepts
Then the seventh angel sounded its trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord [i.e., God] and of His Christ, and He will rule forever and ever."
Verse Concepts
I was in [i.e., under the influence of] the Holy Spirit on the Lord's day [i.e., Sunday], when I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet,
Verse Concepts
But in the days when the seventh angel is ready to sound his trumpet, then the secret plan of God will be accomplished, just as He [had] announced to His servants the prophets."
Verse Concepts
in a split second, as quickly as the twinkle of an eye, when the last trumpet blows. For the trumpet will blow and dead people [i.e., believers] will be raised up, never to decay again, and [the living] will be changed [i.e., physically and spiritually].
Verse Concepts
After [seeing all] these things, I looked, and there in heaven I saw [a vision of] an open door, and the voice I had first heard speaking to me like [the sound of] a trumpet [See 1:10], said, "Come up here [i.e., to heaven], and I will show you the things which must happen after these things [i.e., the things just revealed]."
Verse Concepts
[When] the fifth angel sounded its trumpet, I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. And the key to the shaft leading to the deep pit [Note: This is thought to be the place where the devil and his demons live] was given to him. And the fallen star opened the shaft leading to the deep pit and smoke drifted up from the shaft like smoke from a huge furnace. And the sun and the sky were darkened by the smoke from the shaft. And locusts swarmed down out of the smoke to earth and they were given power like scorpions on earth have. read more.
And they were told not to harm the grass on earth, or any greenery, or any tree, but only those people who did not have God's seal on their foreheads. And the locusts were not given the power to kill these people, but [only] to torture them for five months. And the torment they would inflict was like a scorpion stinging a person. And in those days people will be looking for death, but they will not find it; and they will want to die, but death will elude them. And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads [they wore] what appeared to be golden crowns, and their faces looked like the faces of human beings. And they had hair like women and teeth like lions. Their chests were covered with armor plate made of iron, and their wings sounded like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots rushing to battle. And they had tails like scorpions with stingers, and in their tails they had the power to inflict harm upon people for five months. They had a king over them who was the angel of the deep pit [See verses 1-2]. His name in Hebrew was "Abaddon," and in Greek it was "Apollyon" [Note: These words both mean "Destroyer"]. The first Calamity is over; look, two more calamities are yet to come. And the sixth angel sounded its trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns [i.e., corners] of the golden Altar, which is in front of God. It said to the sixth angel with the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are tied up at the great Euphrates River."
And they were told not to harm the grass on earth, or any greenery, or any tree, but only those people who did not have God's seal on their foreheads. And the locusts were not given the power to kill these people, but [only] to torture them for five months. And the torment they would inflict was like a scorpion stinging a person. And in those days people will be looking for death, but they will not find it; and they will want to die, but death will elude them. And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads [they wore] what appeared to be golden crowns, and their faces looked like the faces of human beings. And they had hair like women and teeth like lions. Their chests were covered with armor plate made of iron, and their wings sounded like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots rushing to battle. And they had tails like scorpions with stingers, and in their tails they had the power to inflict harm upon people for five months. They had a king over them who was the angel of the deep pit [See verses 1-2]. His name in Hebrew was "Abaddon," and in Greek it was "Apollyon" [Note: These words both mean "Destroyer"]. The first Calamity is over; look, two more calamities are yet to come. And the sixth angel sounded its trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns [i.e., corners] of the golden Altar, which is in front of God. It said to the sixth angel with the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are tied up at the great Euphrates River."
Vision » Of john on the island of patmos » The angel that had a book
And I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was covered by a cloud and there was a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun and his legs were like pillars of fire. He held in his hand a little book [i.e., scroll] which was open. And he placed his right foot on the ocean and his left foot on the land, and he called out in a loud voice, like a roaring lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders responded to the voice [of the angel]. [Note: These "seven thunders" have not been previously mentioned]. read more.
And when the seven thunders spoke [words], I started to write down [what the voices said], but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have [just] said, and do not write them down." And the angel I saw standing on the ocean and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven and took an oath to God, who lives forever and ever, and who created heaven and earth and [all] the things in them, and the ocean and [all] the things in it [saying], "There will be no further delay [i.e., before God's purposes are fulfilled]. But in the days when the seventh angel is ready to sound his trumpet, then the secret plan of God will be accomplished, just as He [had] announced to His servants the prophets." Then the voice which I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "Go [and] take the open book [being held] in the hand of the angel [See verse 2], who is standing on the ocean and on the land." So, I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little book. And he said to me, "Take it and eat it; it will be sweet as honey to your taste, but will cause you to have a sour stomach." So, I took the little book from the angel's hand and ate it. And [sure enough], it was sweet as honey to my taste, but after eating it, it gave me a sour stomach.
And when the seven thunders spoke [words], I started to write down [what the voices said], but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have [just] said, and do not write them down." And the angel I saw standing on the ocean and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven and took an oath to God, who lives forever and ever, and who created heaven and earth and [all] the things in them, and the ocean and [all] the things in it [saying], "There will be no further delay [i.e., before God's purposes are fulfilled]. But in the days when the seventh angel is ready to sound his trumpet, then the secret plan of God will be accomplished, just as He [had] announced to His servants the prophets." Then the voice which I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, "Go [and] take the open book [being held] in the hand of the angel [See verse 2], who is standing on the ocean and on the land." So, I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little book. And he said to me, "Take it and eat it; it will be sweet as honey to your taste, but will cause you to have a sour stomach." So, I took the little book from the angel's hand and ate it. And [sure enough], it was sweet as honey to my taste, but after eating it, it gave me a sour stomach.