I’ve heard God’s voice speak in a whisper, telling me which nation I should go to and when. I’ve also heard it as an order, softly spoken, but with authority that would be the envy of any drill sergeant. At various times I have been corrected, persuaded and encouraged by the voice of the Lord.
When God spoke to Jesus some present thought it was thunder, others the voice of an angel, but Jesus heard his Father’s words of approval. I’m not sure what the “seven thunders” of Revelation 10:4 convey, but they may have their origin in the 29th Psalm, which lists the seven thunders of God.
The first thunder is the voice of God upon many waters. In the Bible “waters” speak of nations, whereas Israel is spoken of as “the land”. The psalmist sings, “The earth is the LORD’S, the fullness thereof, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1) God speaks and the nations tremble at His rebuke! We hear His voice in the thunderclaps that follow flashes of God’s indignation on national injustices and in the political after-effects that roll over and across nations.
The second thunder is the voice of God in power. This expresses His supreme authority. The roar of the male lion standing on a high point that overlooks his domain is a pale comparison to the thunder of God’s voice. “The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them. The LORD shall judge the ends of the earth…” (1 Samuel 2:10)
This is not just hyperbole, for in 1 Samuel 7:10 we read, “And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and brought confusion upon them, and they were smitten before Israel.”
After listing a number of God’s abilities, Job says, “Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? But the thunder of his power, who can understand? (Job 29:14) When Jesus rebuked demons, the reverberations of his voice shook the foundations of Satan’s domain! Demons believe that God is One and it is this belief that makes them tremble! (James 2:19)
The authority of Jesus so scared them, that when permitted to enter a herd of pigs they transferred their panic to the pigs and the herd ran over a cliff down into the sea and drowned. Demons panic today when they recognize the same voice of supreme authority speak to them through believers!
The third thunder is the voice of God in majesty. This expresses his sovereign rule over the earth and all that is in it. It’s worth repeating: “The earth is the LORD’S and the fullness thereof, and all they that dwell therein.” We need to make a clear distinction between the earth and the world. Satan rules the world system (Greek: “kosmos”) but does not rule earth — that is God’s prerogative. The world is the manmade system of things, with its corrupt ways and false values. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” The light of the earth is the Sun, but the light of the world is the Son. Jesus said of his followers, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
The fourth thunder is the voice of God “breaking the cedars of Lebanon”. This expresses His power to break the strongest of the strong. In ancient times the tall cedar trees that covered the mountains of Lebanon identified the nation’s stature and strength. The few cedars that are seen today testify to man’s inability to resist the power of the Almighty.
Think of the great figures in recent political history, and consider how few of them now retain their former stature. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth prophesied: “He has shown strength with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” (Luke 1:51)
The fifth thunder is the voice of God that divides the flames of fire. This expresses his authority over the angelic hosts, who, as ministering spirits, are “a flame of fire” (Hebrews 1:14). It may also refer to the “divided tongues of fire” that “sat on each” of the disciples in the Upper Room (Acts 2:3). Then again, it may also refer to the Spirit of God “dividing” spiritual gifts “to every man severally, as he will.” (1 Corinthians 12:9)
The sixth thunder is the voice of God shaking the wilderness of Kadesh (the turning point of Israel after the twelve had spied out the Promised Land and ten had despised it). Kadesh means “sanctuary” and with its extension, Barnea, becomes “a moving sanctuary” – God’s provision of safety for the children of Israel during their wander through the dry wilderness for forty years. God thundered loudly at Kadesh after He pardoned the children of Israel for their gross unbelief. “I have pardoned according to your word (the intercessory prayer of Moses).” (Numbers 14:20)
Now hear the thunder of the LORD’S voice, as it proclaims the inability of man’s rebellion to prevent Him from fulfilling His ultimate plan and purpose: “For as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.” Can you hear His thunderous voice as it rolls around land and sea?
The seventh thunder is the voice of God expressing His power to startle and to strip bare all hiding places. This causes his people to glorify Him in His Temple. The voice of the LORD spoke through Jesus Christ, who was His Temple (John 2:19). The voice of the Spirit of God now speaks through us, for we are the temple of His Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:22, 23).
These seven thunders speak of God’s sovereignty over this earth and over His people. Lightning is scary because it has power to destroy; it splits the air and superheats it. The thunder that follows is the cold air coming together to repair the split made by the lightning bolt. Thunder is noisy but it means that things are back to normal. God’s voice says the same.
So, next time you hear a loud clap of thunder overhead, ask yourself, “What is the Lord saying to me about my future and the present world situation?” Or whatever else is on your mind. Then, as the thunder rolls away into the distance, listen for the Lord’s answer in the stillness that follows.