Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven.The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the skyAnd the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven,
3 sermons cite this verse
… that he heard in the peals of thunder. And then you see this announcement of the strong angel in verse 5. Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who is forever and ever, who created heavens and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things that are in it. And what did he swear? That there should be delay no longer. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished as he preached to his servants, the prophets. This angel raised his hand toward heaven, and by God's authority, he swore two things. First of all, he swore that there would be delay no longer. What does that mean? Christ's coming will no longer be delayed. And then the angel says, not only will there be no longer a delay, but the mystery will be finished, verse 7. What does he mean the mystery is finished? …
… That restriction is followed by an unusual announcement. Verse 5, "'Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven.'" This is the sign of a pledge or an oath or a promise, technically the raising of the hand as we know from biblical illustrations of that, such as in Daniel 12. The angel lifts his hand toward heaven. He's about to swear to God, and he does. And he swore, verse 6, by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things in it, and earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it. He's swearing to God. God, the eternal God, not bounded by time who can kill but never be killed, destroy but never be destroyed, the Creator God, the Almighty Creator God. He swears to God. What does he swear? What's the angel's promise? End of verse 6, there will be no delay. No more delay. The mystery is over. …
3. Improve well your time of leisure from worldly business. Many persons have a great deal of such time, and all have some. If men be but disposed to it, such time may be improved to great advantage. When we are most free from cares for the body, and business of an outward nature, a happy opportunity for the soul is afforded. Therefore spend not such opportunities unprofitably, nor in such a manner that you will not be able to give a good account thereof to God. Waste them not away wholly in unprofitable visits, or useless diversions or amusements. Diversion should be used only in subserviency to business. So much, and no more, should be used, as doth most fit the mind and body for the work of our general and particular callings. You have need to improve every talent, advantage, and opportunity, to your utmost, while time lasts; for it will soon be said concerning you, according to the oath of the angel, inRev. x. 5, 6. “And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.”