Voice Like a Trumpet

Revelation 1:10; 4:1: “A loud voice like a trumpet,” RSV.

This voice seems to be the same voice in both Revelation 1:10 and 4:1. It identifies the speaker as “Alpha and Omega,” which we know from verse 8 is the Lord Jesus.

This voice foreshadows the Seven Trumpets that are sounded later in the book.
The voice of the Lord is a most awesome experience as witnessed by the children of Israel at Sinai, Exodus 19:6, 16-19, and cited in Hebrews 12:19-26.*

The trumpet used for proclamations was the shofar. The trumpet used for proclaiming the new moon, changing of times, etc., was the yowbel. This word carries the connotation of being borne along as with a stream. It is the source of the word translated “jubilee,” and was used for proclaiming the jubilee year. It indicated the sense of marking a definite point in an endless stream of time.

Revelation 1:11 “Write what you see.”

Here in verse 11, the Voice commands John to write what he sees to the Seven Churches. In verse 11, the words “which are in Asia,” are inserted at the translators privilege and are not in the original Greek text. However, In verse 4, the words “which are in Asia,” are in the original Greek. This may be significant, as I explain in my Commentary on verse 4, (which see).

God-Given Scriptures Were Written

The authoritative Scriptures were written, as opposed to the traditions of the Jews who claimed that the Law given to Moses at Sinai was in two parts, one of which was written and the other was handed down orally. The Pharisees taught that the “oral law” was of equal authority with the written law. However, Jesus used the written Scriptures to refute the scribes and Pharisees, (Matt. 5:21-48; John 10:34, etc.), and also against the devil, (Matt. 4:4, 6, 7).

The other New Testament writers also quoted the Scriptures as authoritative by saying: “It is written,” (Rom. 11:8; 1Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 4:13, etc.).

Indeed, it is recorded that God Himself also wrote, Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:19. Many of the prophecies given to Old Testament prophets were first given orally to be proclaimed orally to the people. They were first told to “speak”, (Jer. 1:17; 7:27; 13:12; Ezekiel 2:7; etc.) But afterwards their words were written down.

The apocalyptic genre of literature is identified by being written rather than spoken.

*See Part 2 of my Book, Revelation In Context, “Bible Referents”, Revelation 1:10 for further references to the experience of hearing the voice of the Lord.

This lesson is an edited excerpt from my book, Revelation in Context, available locally at the Living Word Bookstore in Shawnee, Oklahoma or www.Amazon.com, orwww.XulonPress.com.
Free downloads are also available at www.revelationincontext.sermon.net.