Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven…and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke…but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”
Revelation 10:1-4
Ever wonder what the angel shouts?
Is it “STOP!”
Stop dropping bombs. Stop manufacturing guns. Stop funding, engineering, and imagining weapons of death and destruction as solutions for anything. Dismantle them all. Turn the armaments into tools for arming the nations with abundance, not ruin. Violence always begets violence, never peace.
Or perhaps it’s the opposite, “GO!”
Go mighty rivers of justice. Go peace like a flooding river. Go do what is right. Gather the exiles, refugees, and slaves. Send healing waters and establish righteousness on their behalf. Proclaim peace everlasting is here. Go forth in love. Bring flourishing life for all.
Or possibly it’s “NO MORE!”
No more marked or unmarked, individual or mass graves. No more predators or prey, captors or captives, tyrants or hostages. No more fear, famine, or funerals. Revenge and ruin have no place here. Suffering is no more.
Or maybe it’s a call and response. The angel roars “ONLY!” like a lion and the seven thunders rumbled back.
Only…that which is good grows.
Only…that which is true stands.
Only…that which gives joy lasts.
Only…that which brings peace prospers.
Only…that which is just is made law.
Only…that which is beautiful flourishes.
Only…that which is humble is lifted up.
Or could it be too much to hope that the sweet word proclaimed is “COME!”
Come, all who are weary and heavy laden and find rest. Come, all who are thirsty, hungry, naked, poor, and feast lavishly. From every nation, tribe, people, and language, come and find that all is made right before the Lamb. You who are without worldly beauty, power, wealth, status, title, or esteem, you are welcome in the Kingdom of God. All of you who were always last, come first and be blessed.
Precious Lord, come quickly to us. Send out the mighty angel along with the seven thunders.
And as we wait,
grant us courage to stay “stop” and “go” as Jesus world,
grant us willingness to be the hands and feet that say “no more,”
grant us imaginations for a world with “only” good, and
grant us compassionate hearts that say “Come, do not be afraid. There is more than enough to share.”
Lord, Come Quickly 