Re-Reading Revelation, Lecture # 14: Message and Mission in the Trumpets

Just as in the seven seals, the seven trumpets have a break between the sixth and the seventh item in the sequence. The break has been called an "interlude," an "intercalation," a "digression," and a "timeout." Perhaps the notion of a "timeout" works if we think about it as an analogy to sports in the US: a moment to refocus the team, to remember the message, as it were, to recommit to the mission. It is certainly misguided to call it a "digression." Revelation has not changed the subject, but the focus has shifted to the believing community. A mighty angel appears with a little opened book (10:1-3). The importance of the angel--and of the book--is obvious. On closer examination, the angel resembles a similar figure in the Book of Daniel, and the opened book may well be understood as the message of the Old Testament prophet-in-exile. "There will be no more time!" the angel proclaims (10:6), adding that when "the seventh trumpet sounds, the mystery of God will be brought to completion" (10:7). What is "the mystery of God"? The best clue will be found in Daniel. John is then told to eat the book and then go forth to witness again (10:8-11)--Message and Mission during the Timeout.