What was retarded? (Revelation 10:4)

And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. Apocalypse 10:4 - Louis Segond

 

 

⚪ The Lord retarded the publications (Studies in the Scriptures)

Rev. 10:4 [...] And [when] WHATSOEVER the seven thunden had uttered [their voices], I. — Pastor Russell as a representative of the John class. Was about to write. — Intended to put on paper at once. And I heard a voice from Heaven. — The guidance of the Heavenly Father, directing and overruling, knowing that the results would be better If the Interest of His little ones were sustained by expectancy throughout the whole time of Harvest, rather than to give them all the light at once.—John 16:12. Saying [unto me], Seal up [those] WHAT things [which] SOEVER the seven thunders uttered. — Do not immediately disclose their full contents.—Dan. 8:26; 12:4, 9. And write them not. — Observe how the Lord retarded the publications: Vol. I was published In 1886. "In sending forth this first volume of the MILLENNIAL. DAWN, It is but proper that we apologize to the many friends who have waited for It so patiently since promised." (A3.) Volume II was published In 1889, and m in 1891 "Some have urged greater haste In the writing and publishing of the several volumes of this series, and, to a large extent. I have shared the same feelings of Impatience; but my observations of the Lord's dealings and leadings and unfoldings of His Plan are gradually convincing me that He has not shared our impatience. Indeed, I can clearly trace His hand in some of the hindrances encountered and can realize by the delay I have been enabled to grasp the subjects more thoroughly, and to present them more folly, than If the work had been hastened more. Not only has this delay worked for my good and yours, but in another way also. It has afforded time for a more thorough digestion of the truths of each volume, and thereby has given to the faithful student the very necessary preparation for that which was to follow. And not only so, but It has also given opportunity for practicing the lessons learned, and for exercising the talents of each In spreading the advancing light before others of God's saints." (C12-) Volume IV was published in 1897, V in 1899, VI in 1904 and VII In 1917. This makes a total lapse of 36 years from the publication of FOOD FOR THTNKING CHRISTIANS to the last volume of the SCRIPTURE STUDIES. Meantime the Harvest work grew to a movement of vast proportions; and Volume VII was delayed. Source : 🇺🇸 1917 - Studies in the Scriptures, Vol 7, The finished mystery, page 168 + Cover

 

⚫ Delay of the day of vengeance, publication of "The Harp of God"

"I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not." (Rev. 10:4) It was expected by God's faithful witnesses that Number twenty-seven of The Golden Age would be quickly followed by much more testimony in the way of denunciation of Satan's organization, but this expectation was not at all realized. The Lord, through the columns of The Watch Tower (January 1, 1921), revealed to his people the true symbolic meaning of the term "beast", as used in the Scriptures, showing the same to apply to the visible part of Satan's organization, the ruling factors of which are Big Business, politicians and the clergy. This was an expression from Jehovah's Word of his indignation against the unholy alliance that would make void The Kingdom; hence more was expected quickly to follow in like manner. But the time was at hand to gather the saints together and seal them and then send them forth to give notice and to witness to the name of Jehovah. Seemingly Jehovah would teach his people that while it is important to declare the day of his vengeance there must first be some preparatory work done in behalf of the witnesses and for the preaching of the kingdom message; hence "a voice from heaven saying unto me [the servant class pictured by John], Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not". The Lord by his duly constituted officers was directing his servants as to what should be done. Instead of further denunciation of Satan's organization immediately following there was issued the book entitled The Harp of God, which contains the plain and simple statement of some of the beauties of God's revealed purposes, setting forth how he is redeeming, saving, and will bless the people through his kingdom. It may be here noted that The Harp of God contains not one criticism of the enemy's visible organization. This was not premeditated by any creature, but was doubtless the result of the Lord's direction, given through the duly constituted deputies or angels invisible to man. Source : 🇺🇸 1930 - Light, Vol 1, page 177, page 178 + Cover