English
And the angel, the one I saw standing on the sea and on the earth, raised his right hand to heaven and he swore by the one who lives for ever and ever—who created heaven and those in it and the earth and those on it and the sea and those in it—‘There is no more delay, but in the days of the seventh angel’s sound, when he is about to blast, then God’s mystery will be accomplished, as he well announced to his slaves, the prophets.’
Interpretation
The emphasis on the imminence of fulfillment of the prophecy is primarily found in the epistolary framework.
Parallels
Habakkuk
2.3 For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.
1 Corinthians
15.51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed
Romans
11.25 I want you to understand this mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the nations has come in.
16.25–26 the proclamation of Jesus the Anointed One, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith
Colossians
1.26 the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but is now revealed to his holy ones.
Ephesians
1.9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in the Anointed One
3.3–5 the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of the Anointed One. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit: that is, the nations have become fellow-heirs
Hebrews
10.37 For yet ‘in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay’