Revelation 10:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The loud voice is the voice of the heavens, which declares to men the words of Almighty God: once the time granted for repentance has ended, no hope for the future will remain.

The voice of the angel, like the roaring of a lion, points to his fearful and unbearable punishments. Daniel bears witness to this, for he could not behold an angel without pain, even though the angel was not threatening, but meek and quiet (Dan 10:8-10). The seven thunders, we think, indicate either the seven voices of one dread angel, or seven other angels who foretell the future. These angels are regarded as repeating the words of the first. According to the good order of the angels described by blessed Dionysius, they receive from him not only the command, but also the appointed time for prophesying.

The loud voice means that through His servants He was able to proclaim Himself with power and assurance. Therefore the prophet says, "I made strong the glory of his power."

And when He cried out, then the seven thunders spoke. Relying on the familiar use of the number seven, I think that the seven trumpets signify the various modes of ecclesial preaching.

Of this preaching Paul, ministering to others, spoke in one place thus: "As babes in Christ I fed you with milk, not with solid food" (1 Cor 3:1-2). In another place he says, "solid food is for the perfect" (Heb 5:14).

And in a third place: "Reject a heretic after the first and second admonition" (Tit 3:10). Thus it is said of the Church that she skillfully proclaims herself through the customary ministries of preaching.

Psalm 28 names these seven voices. The first is the voice of the God of glory, thundering over many waters. The second is the voice of power and majesty. The third is the voice of splendor. The fourth is the voice of the Lord, breaking the cedars and shaking the mountains. The fifth is the voice of the Lord, cutting through the wilderness. The seventh is the voice that binds a wild and rough nature.