“What is ‘the mystery of God’ in Revelation 10:7?”

“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” (Rev. 10:7).

This question was posed to me at a Bible conference in 2023. Initially, I was able to explain what it did not mean, that it was not referring to the revelation of the mystery that was committed to the Apostle Paul (Eph. 3:1-9); rather, it concerned a message for the future after this dispensation of grace is concluded. From there, I stumbled all over myself and had to admit that I really did not know what this “mystery of God” was. Later, after studying the chapter and its context for the Grace Study Bible, I came to see what I believe is the answer.

The term mystery in Scripture refers to truth that had been hidden or kept secret by God. God has truth in the Book of Revelation that had not been revealed before it was first made known to the Apostle John. This mystery is defined by the time period in the Tribulation during “the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound.” This refers to the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15) which sounds to announce the seven bowl judgments that take place during the second half of the Tribulation. Thus, here in chapter 10, we are at the midpoint of the Tribulation.

The “mystery of God” refers to the truth made known in Revelation 11-15 regarding details about the middle of the Tribulation that are found nowhere else in Scripture, such as the death, resurrection, and ascension of the two witnesses (11:7-12), the war in heaven between Michael and Satan (12:7-9), the assassination and resurrection of the Antichrist (13:1-3), the workings of the false prophet (13:11-15), and the mark of the beast (13:16-18).

This mystery was revealed to John, and it will be revealed to “His servants the prophets” (10:7). When you see this verse refer to “prophets,” don’t think past Old Testament prophets; think future Tribulation prophets. After the Rapture, when God resumes His dealings with Israel, the gifts of apostles and prophets will again be given to believing Israel by the Holy Spirit (11:18; 16:6; 18:20). And during the Tribulation, God will declare “the mystery of God” and when it “should be finished [fulfilled]” to His servants the prophets for them to declare it to others.

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