These were preliminary woes on the body of Jews and Christianized Gentiles,
not the direct antagonism of the power of evil with God. This is now
unfolded but first, in the little open book, put in its place in the
general history. The book is open as part of well-known prophecy, and now
brought to a direct issue on known ground; not the unrevealed and more
unmanifest ways of God introducing the final issue. Christ comes down and
affirms His right to all below; puts His right foot on the sea, the left on
the earth, and utters the voice of His might, to which the voice of the
Almighty in power answers. But its revelations were sealed up; but Christ
swears by Him who lives for ever and ever that there should be no more
delay. All things are drawing to a final issue. In the sounding of the
seventh trumpet the mystery of God would be closed-His direct power come.
The prophet is to recommence his prophecy to nations and tongues, and
languages.
