Revelation Chapter 10‏‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome back! During this week’s fellowship time, we’ll continue our study of Revelation.

Revelation Chapter 10
 
This week we will investigate chapter 10 in our journey of the end times.
Chapter 10 represents another parenthetical chapter. Here we take another “break” from the terrible turmoil as the Lord pauses again to give His true believers hope, assurance and comfort in the midst of the seven-year “hell on earth” that is by this time, well under way. He has everything under His perfect, sovereign control.

As we will discover, chapter 10 also represents a “parenthesis” between the Sixth Trumpet Judgment from chapter 9 and the Seventh Trumpet Judgment to come in chapter 11 – which will usher in the Seven Bowl Judgments of chapter 16. Although this is a short chapter, it reflects the enormity of the emotional impact the passages in the first part of this book have had on the Apostle John. One could argue that this pause is quite necessary for John to regain himself, in preparation for all the pending judgment that is yet to be revealed!

 

This is also a very interesting chapter and can be difficult to “put one’s arms around” – so to speak. Expositors are all over the map in attempting to provide insight concerning three main issues:

• Who is this mighty angel? Some scholars believe this is Jesus Christ, while others do not
  

• Who are the seven thunders and what do they say? Some scholars have attempted to infer what was said, others leave it alone.
  

• What is the little book John is given to eat? Some scholars believe this to be the Seven Sealed scroll that was already open by Jesus Christ, others believe it to be the title deed to the earth.

More questions than answers are often spawned by this challenging chapter! With that background in place, let’s continue in our studies…
In verse 1, the Apostle John observers a “mighty angel” as this chapter begins:

I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire – Revelation 10:1

There was a previous occasion when “a mighty” angel was made known to John. We will remember that this first appearance was seen in heaven, before the throne of God, as this “mighty angel” asked who is worthy to open the scroll and loose its seals:

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals? – Revelation 5:1-2

Unlike the occasion depicted in chapter 5, the events recorded here in chapter 10 occur on earth rather than in heaven. There is also no indication that the “mighty angel” mentioned in this chapter is the same as the one that John observed in chapter 5. However, one aspect of the “mighty angel” of this chapter is his physical appearance. His physical characteristics are similar to those described of Jesus Christ and the Throne of God, which may indicate that this angel’s position in heaven may be very close to the Throne and represent the Lord’s Sovereign power and glory. This “mighty angel” does not seem to be the Lord Jesus Christ for two reasons. First, this verse clearly states that this is “another” mighty angel. The Greek word here is translated to mean “like” or “created” and we know that Jesus Christ is not a created being but is God Himself! Second, John does not fall on his face before this “mighty angel” as he did in chapter one.

Interestingly, there are two other occasions in the Scriptures when someone physically close to the Lord had their bodily characteristics reflect that encounter. In the Old Testament, Moses' face was radiant after coming down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony:

Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him – Exodus 34:29-30

Also, in the New Testament at the mount of transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus Christ and all were surrounded by a bright cloud. They also possessed physical, bodily forms in which Peter, James & John could readily recognize:

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him! – Matthew 17:1-5

The physical characteristics of this “mighty angel” are likened to Jesus Christ throughout the Scriptures showing his Christ-likeness:

• Robed in a cloud – Acts 1:9 & Revelation 1:7

• A rainbow above his head – Ezekiel 1:28 & Revelation 4:3

• His Face shown like the sun – Exodus 34:29, Luke 24:4 & Revelation 1:16

• His legs were like fiery pillars – Revelation 1:15

 
In verse 2, John also observes that the “mighty angel” is holding a little scroll that is laid open in his hand:

He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land – Revelation 10:2

Some scholars believe the scroll opened earlier by the Lord Jesus Christ – which included the seven seals – is the same as this one. However, there is no indication given that this little scroll is related to any other known document. The physical size of the scroll is described as “little” and its contents are not revealed. There is no effort made in Scripture to associate the two documents. This scroll represents the “title deed” to the earth. We also see that the right foot of this “mighty angel” is on the sea, and his left foot on the land. This “mighty angel” does indeed appear to be Jesus Christ’s “representative” due to the physical characteristics given of him in the previous verse. As Christ’s ambassador, he may be given the right and authority over all that is part of the terrestrial and maritime environments – the land and the sea.

In verse 3, John then hears this “mighty angel” shout with a voice sounding like the roar of a lion:

…and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices – Revelation 10:3

Again, this reflects another characteristic of Jesus Christ, as the Lion of Judah. Interestingly, John does not provide the content or word(s) that the “mighty angel” shouted. John also hears a response given to the “mighty angel’s” shout by voices of the seven thunders. The identification of the seven thunders is not given, but since there are seven spirits of God before the throne, it is often assumed that the response is from the Holy Spirit. However, the main objective of the Holy Spirit is to bring glory to the Son, but we don’t see that represented here in this context. Also, throughout the Scriptures, thundering always denotes judgment and power.

In verse 4, John is told by the voice from heaven to seal up the words of the seven thunders and not to write them down.

Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them – Revelation 10:4

The voice John hears is similar to the One he heard in chapter four. Also, John’s instruction from the Lord Jesus Christ here is different from the direction Daniel received when he was told to seal his book. Daniel was told to “shut up” what he saw and heard for a later time. The sealing of Daniel’s book meant that he was to “officially” preserve the book he wrote for a later time:

But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase – Daniel 12:4

It is important to note that this is the only time in the book of Revelation that the Apostle John is told to seal up the words without writing them down. All other times he is told to write down the things he witnesses. The words between the “mighty angel” and the Holy Spirit were intelligible as reported by John, who was about to write them down. Why is this important? As I noted above, this is a parenthetical chapter and may have been intended for John’s personal benefit to prepare him – as well as the tribulation saints – for the final events that he will have to witness and record to assure them of God’s sovereignty over His creation and that He has everything under complete, Sovereign control.

In verses 5 - 7, John observes the “mighty angel” lifting his hands toward heaven and swearing by the name of the Lord Jesus.

The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets –  Revelation 10:5-7

The Apostle Mark also notes that there will be no more delay in the judgments – just as we also see noted in the Gospel of Mark:

For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days – Mark 13:19-20

Remember, at this point in the Tribulation, there remains the Seventh Trumpet Judgment of chapter 11 that is yet to sound, as well as the Seven Bowl Judgments of chapter 16 yet to be poured out on the earth's inhabitants! It is declared that the seventh angel will sound to indicate when the mystery of God should be finished. This is the mystery that the Lord had revealed to His servants – the Old Testament Prophets. This scenario may be pointing to the beginning of the mystery revealed by a dream to King Nebuchadnezzar, which God revealed the dream and interpretation to Daniel in chapter two of his book:

Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven… Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret – Daniel 2:19 & 46-47

In verse 8, John hears the voice from heaven and records and is told to take the scroll from the “mighty angel’s” hand:

Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth – Revelation 10:8

In verses 9 & 10, John asks for the scroll from the “mighty angel” who warns John that his stomach will become sour and his mouth will taste sweet as honey:

So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.” And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.” Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter – Revelation 10:9-10

Bitter and Sweet? What could this mean? Sweet are the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ and are a delight as “honey in your mouth” which satisfies the Apostle John’s soul. Bitter in that the horrors and carnage in which John witnesses and records will make him incredibly nauseous!

This scenario is parallel to the experiences of the Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel when he was commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to prophecy to the exiled Israelites:

And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me. And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them – Ezekiel 2:1-5

But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe – Ezekiel 2:8-10

Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. Then He said to me: “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them – Ezekiel 3:1-4

Finally, in verse 11, John is told to prophesy again concerning the entire world:

And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings – Revelation 10:11

Some misguided scholars argue that the events in Revelation regarding the tribulation are limited to the near east region or the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. However, this text clearly indicates that it is the entire world that is being judged!

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapter 10 of Revelation.

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapter 11 of Revelation…

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)