God's Message and Messenger

 REVELATION 10:1-11

THEME:  God intentionally encourages and comforts His people amid the fury to remind us that He is still sovereign, that He remembers His people, and that we will ultimately be victorious.

                                                                                                           

INTRODUCTION:

1.  This is The Trumpet Judgments Interlude, part 1: The little book. The entire interlude (Rev. 10:1-11:14) is between the sixth and seventh trumpets.

2.  This break in the action began with an angel bringing John a “small book” (Rev. 10:2) and announcing that there would be no further delay before the earth felt the total and terrifying hammer of God’s angry judgment, which would be heralded by the seventh trumpet (Rev. 10:1-7).

3.  Chapter 7 dealt parenthetically with the 144,000 and the many martyrs, without advancing chronologically the events of the Great Tribulation. Similarly, Rev. 10:1-11:14 gives additional information as a background to the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments.

4.  More than sixty references to angels are made in Revelation. They are God’s army sent to accomplish His purposes on earth. Believers today seldom think about these servants (Heb 1:14), but one day in heaven we shall learn about all they did for us here.

LESSON:

I.  The Messages of the Angel of God (Rev. 10:1-7)

   A.  THE APPEARANCE OF THE MIGHTY ANGEL (Rev. 10:1)

         1.  The Identity of the Angel.

               A.  “Another ... Angel”

Another angel was introduced, apparently not one of the seven angels sounding the trumpets.  Instead he is one of the same type or kind–a created spirit-being.

               B.  “Mighty Angel”

John had seen and heard a “strong angel” (Rev 5:2), and this parallels wonderfully with this "mighty angel." All angels excel in strength (Ps 103:20), but apparently some have greater power and authority than others. This angel is a very powerful, high-ranking angel who has come down from heaven to announce the final judgments on the earth.

               C.  Christ the Angel?

This angel amazes us, for he has some of the characteristics that belong especially to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

                     1.  This assertion is based on a comparison of His description with Rev. 1:15,16; Matt. 17:2; Acts 26:13; Mal. 4:2; Ps. 97:2; Acts 1:9; Luke 21:27; Rev. 1:7; 4:3; Ezek. 1:28.

                     2.  This being could be our Lord Jesus Christ, appearing to John as a kingly angel.

                     3.  Jesus often appeared in the Old Testament as "the Angel of the Lord" (Ex 3:2; Judg 2:4; 6:11-12,21-22; 2 Sam 24:16). This was a temporary manifestation for a special purpose, not a permanent incarnation.

“Some believe this angel was Christ, pointing to the angel mentioned in 8:3 as also probably a representation of Christ as a priest. But though Christ appeared frequently as the Angel of Jehovah in the Old Testament (e.g., Gen. 16:13; 24:7; 31:11, 13; Jud. 6:22), there is no evidence that this person was other than a mighty angel (cf. Rev. 5:2), perhaps Michael the archangel.”  — John Walvoord

         2.  The Description of the Angel.

The description of the angel follows in this passage making references to his character and clothing (Rev. 10:1-4). 

              A.  His Character.

                    1.  His Face (Rev. 10:1b).

                          A.  The fact that the angel's face is "as it were the sun" corresponds to the description of Jesus Christ in Rev 1:16.

                          B.  The symbol points to the angel’s unveiled glory.

                          C.  This is much like the face of Christ at the Transfiguration (Matt 17:2).

                    2.  His Feet.

                          A.  His feet correspond to the Lord's description in Rev 1:15. His legs are portrayed as fiery pillars.

                          B.  This angel’s feet and legs indicate the firm resolve with which He will execute the Day of the Lord.

                          C.  Clearly indicating his strength and the fire points to future judgment.

              B.  His Clothes.

He is robed in a cloud with a rainbow over his head (Rev.10:1 a).

                    1.  Dressed in a Cloud.

                          A.  God is often identified with clouds.

                                 — God led Israel by a glorious cloud (Ex 16:10),

                                 — Dark clouds covered Sinai when the Law was given (Ex 19:9).

                                 — When God appeared to Moses, it was in a cloud of glory (Ex 24:15 ff; 34:5).

                                 — "[He] maketh the clouds His chariot" (Ps 104:3).

                                 — A cloud received Jesus when He ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9); and, when He returns, it will be with clouds (Rev 1:7).

                        

                          B.  Clouds symbolize God’s glory and activity—this glorious mighty angel is on a divine mission.

                    2.  Dressed in a Crown.

                          A.  We first saw the rainbow around the throne of God (Rev 4:3).    

                          B.  Now the rainbow sits like a crown on the head of this messenger.

                          C.  The rainbow was God's sign to mankind that He would never again destroy the world with a flood. Even in wrath, God remembers His mercy (Hab 3:2). The "rainbow" had been a promise to Noah that God would not cause a universal deluge as before in the earth (Gen 9:8-17).

                          D.  Whoever this angel is, he has the authority of God’s throne given to him.

   B.  THE ACTIONS OF THE MIGHTY ANGEL (Rev. 10:2-7)

        1.  He Carries a Book— What He Holds. (Rev. 10:2 a): He holds an open scroll in his hand.

               A.  The Little Book Contains the Rest of the Prophetic Message That John Will Deliver.

                      1.  It covers events from Rev. 11-19.

                      2.  It contains the revelation of the future so thus it is the Word of God. This book will be fully open and all the final judgments made visible.

               B.  The “Little Book” Is NOT the 7 Sealed Scroll—the Title Deed to the Earth (Rev. 5:1). 

               C.  This Little Book Points Back to the Lord Jesus.  The Lord is the only One worthy to give His servant the rest of the message.  This was sealed in Daniel’s time (Dan. 12:4, 9), but now revealed to John.  It pertains to the Jewish people, their tribulations and the final deliverance by Messiah.

        2.  He Claims the World— What He Does (Rev 10:2b): He stands on the land and sea.     

               A.  The Angel's Posture Is That of a Conqueror Taking Possession of His Territory.

               B.  He Is Claiming the Whole World.

Joshua 1:1-3, Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, [2] Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. [3] Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

               C.  Of Course, Only the Victorious Savior Could Make Such a Claim.

The Antichrist will soon complete his conquest and force the whole world to submit to His control. But before that happens, the Savior will claim the world for Himself, the inheritance that His Father promised Him.

Psalm 2:6-9, Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. [7] I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. [8] Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. [9] Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

        3.  He Cries out in Victory— What He Says (Rev. 10:3-7)

               A.  His Voice Is like a Lion’s Roar!

                     1.  This suggests Christ again Rev 5:5.

                     2.  Satan roars like a lion to frighten his prey (1 Peter 5:8).

                     3.  But the Lion of Judah roars to announce victory (Isa 40:12-17).

Psalm 95:3-5, For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. [4] In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. [5] The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

Although Satan has temporarily usurped the sea and the earth, this symbolic act demonstrates that all creation belongs to the Lord and He rules it with sovereign authority.

Sometimes we need a new Power Perspective during our struggles. This powerful angel conveyed his high rank and his authority from God by straddling the land and the sea. His huge size contrasts with the smallness of God's enemies. When things are going bad in your life, remember that this angel represents the kind of power that is on your side. God’s angelic forces are with you (Matt 18:10; Heb 1:14). Keep your problems in their proper perspective by remembering that God’s power is available to you to deal with your problems.  Hebrews 1:14, Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

               B.  His First Message Is an Assertion (Rev. 10:3-4): John hears what is said but is forbidden to write it down.

                     1.  The Seven Voices of Thunder.

We are not told why John was forbidden to write what the seven thunders uttered, the only “sealed” thing in an otherwise “unsealed” book (see Dan 12:9; Rev 22:10). God's voice is often compared to thunder (Ps 29; Job 26:14; 37:5; John 12:28-29).

                     2.  The Sealed Message of Judgment.

It is useless for us to speculate when God chooses to veil His truth (Deut 29:29).  The words of the seven thunders (Rev. 10:4) are the only part of the book of Revelation that remains sealed.

               C.  His Second Message Is an Affirmation (Rev. 10:5-7): The angel says God's message will be revealed at the sound of the seventh trumpet.

                     1.  Affirmation by Means of an Oath.  (Rev. 10:5-6)

This declaration fills us with awe, not only because of what the angel declares, but also because of the way he declares it. It is a solemn scene, with his hand lifted to heaven as though he were under oath.

                           A.  But if this angel is our Lord Jesus Christ, why would He take an oath?

                                  1. He affirms the solemnity and certainty of the words spoken. God put Himself "under oath" when He made His covenant with Abraham (Heb 6:13-20) and when He declared His Son to be High Priest (Heb 7:20-22).

                                  2.  He also took an oath when He promised David that the Christ would come from His family (Acts 2:29-30).

                           B.  The emphasis in Rev 10:6 is on God the Creator.

                                  1.  The clear reference to God as Creator (Rev. 4:11; 14:7) answers evolutionary speculation as to the origin of the earth, and it also affirms the omnipotence of God in dealing with the world in judgment when the time is ripe.

                                  2. Various judgments have already been felt by the heavens, the earth, and the sea; and more judgments are to come.

                                  3.  The word “time” means "delay." God has been delaying His judgments so that lost sinners will have time to repent (2 Peter 3:1-9); now, however, He will accelerate His judgments and accomplish His purposes.

                                  4.  Recall that the martyred saints in heaven were concerned about God's seeming delay in avenging their deaths (Rev 6:10-11).

“How long, O Lord, how long?" has been the cry of God's suffering people from age to age. God's seeming delay in fulfilling His promises has given the scoffers opportunity to deny God's Word and question His sincerity (see 2 Peter 3). God's Word is true and His timing, perfect. This means comfort to saints, but judgment to sinners.

                     2.  Affirmation based on a Mystery.  (Rev. 10:7)

                           A.  In the Bible, a mystery is a "sacred secret," a truth hidden to those outside but revealed to God's people by His Word (Matt 13:10-12).

                           B.  The "mystery of God" has to do with the age-old problem of evil in the world.

                                 1.  Why is there both moral and natural evil in the world?

                                 2.  Why doesn't God do something about it?

                                 3.  Of course, the Christian knows that God did "do something about it" at Calvary when Jesus Christ was made sin and experienced divine wrath for a sinful world.

                                 4.  We also know that God is permitting evil to increase until the world is ripe for judgment (2 Thess 2:7 ff, Rev 14:14-20). Since God has already paid the price for sin, He is free to delay His judgment, and He cannot be accused of injustice or unconcern.

                           C.  The signal for this mystery's completion is the sounding of the seventh trumpet (Rev 11:14-19). The last half of the Tribulation begins when the angels start to pour out the bowls, in which “is filled up [completed] the wrath of God” (Rev 15:1).

Announcement was made that the seventh . . . trumpet would bring about the accomplishment of the mystery of God. This mystery had been previously announced to God’s prophets. The reference, therefore, is not to hidden truth but to the fulfillment of many Old Testament passages which refer to the glorious return of the Son of God and the establishment of His kingdom of righteousness and peace on the earth. While God’s purposes are not necessarily revealed in current events where Satan is allowed power and manifestation, the time will come when Satan no longer will be in power and the predictions of the Old Testament prophets will be fulfilled. Then all will know the Lord and the truth about Him (Jer. 31:34). Here again is evidence that the seventh trumpet introduces the seven bowl judgments of God’s wrath described in Revelation 16.—John Walvoord

II.  The Mission of the Apostle of God (Rev. 10:8-11)

   A.  THE COMMAND TO PARTAKE OF THE BOOK (Rev. 10:8-9 a): He is to eat the scroll held by the angel.

The directions that the angel gave to John (Rev 10:8-11) should remind us of our responsibility to assimilate the Word of God and make it a part of the inner man. It was not enough for John to see the book or even know its contents and purpose. He had to receive it into his inner being.  —W. W. Wiersbe

        1.  It Will Taste like Honey in His Mouth (Rev. 10:9 b, 10 a).

John is given a small scroll and is told to eat it. He does, and as predicted, it tastes sweet in his mouth but makes his stomach sour.

             A.  The Word is Food for the Soul.

God's Word is compared to food: bread (Matt 4:4), milk (1 Peter 2:2), meat (1 Cor 3:1-2), and honey (Ps 119:103).

             B. The Word is Digested and Then Disseminated.

The Prophets Jeremiah (Jer 15:16) and Ezekiel (Ezek 2:9-3:4) knew what it was to “eat” the Word before they could share it with others.  Every prophet, preacher, parent, and teacher need to internalize the message, making it a part of his own life.  This can be achieved through meditation, memorization, and mastery.

             C.  The Word must Always "Become Flesh" (John 1:14)!

This must happen for the teacher before it can be given to those who need it. Woe unto that preacher or teacher who merely echoes God's Word and does not incarnate it, making it a living part of his very being.

             D.  The Word Must Be Received.

God will not thrust His Word into our mouths and force us to receive it. He hands it to us and we must take it.

        2.  It Will Turn Bitter in His Stomach (Rev. 10:9 c, 10 b).

God will not change the effects the Word will have in our lives:

“. . . there will be both sorrow and joy, bitterness and sweetness. God's Word contains sweet promises and assurances, but it also contains bitter warnings and prophecies of judgment.”—W. W. Wiersbe

As predicted by the angel, the scroll was sweet as honey in his mouth, but bitter in his stomach.  For the believer, it is sweet to read of God’s determination to glorify His Son where He was once crucified.  It is sweet to read of the triumph of God over Satan and all his hosts.  It is sweet to read of the times when the wrongs of the earth will all be made right.  But there is bitterness also connected with the study of prophecy.  There is the bitterness of self-judgment which the prophetic Scriptures produce.  There is the bitterness of viewing the judgments which must soon fall on apostate Judaism and Christendom.  And there is the bitterness of contemplating the eternal doom of all who reject the Savior.— William MacDonald

             A.  The Christian Bears Witness of Both Life and Death.

2 Cor. 2:14-17, Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. [15] For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: [16] To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? [17] For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

             B.  The Faithful Pastor Will Declare All of God's Counsel.

Acts 20:27, For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

             C.  God’s Man Will Not Dilute the Message of God Simply to Please His Listeners.

2 Tim. 4:1-5, I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

        3.  Prophecy is a Two-edged Sword.

It contains the sweet message of salvation and the bitter message of damnation.

Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Proverbs 16:24, Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Isaiah 30:8-11, Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: [9] That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: [10] Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: [11] Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

  

“Prophecy both gladdens and saddens, as it contains announcements of both joy and grief.” —Walter Scott

   B.  THE COMMISSION TO PROPHESY FROM THE BOOK (Rev. 10:11): He is to write concerning nations, tribes, and kings.

        1.  Commanded to Deliver God’s Message.   

The angel commissioned John to prophesy again; his work was not yet completed. He must declare God's prophetic truth “before” many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings (Rev 5:9). The word nations usually refer to the Gentile nations. John will have much to say about the nations of the world as he presents the rest of this prophecy.

        2.  Commissioned to Demonstrate God’s Method.

             A.  What God Commands do.

                    1.  He Blessed Obedience.

                    2.  We Don’t Have to know the reason, but you must obey.

             B.  What God Gives to You, Pass it On to Others.

                    1.  Whatever Insights You Learn from His Word.

                    2.  Whatever Lessons You’ve Learned in Life.

2 Tim. 2:2, And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2 Tim. 4:2, Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

                                                           

CONCLUSION:

What does this incident mean? Though no interpretation was given John, it is evident that in partaking of the book he was appropriating what the book states (Jer. 15:16). The scroll seems to symbolize the Word of God and divine revelation in general, for John was told to deliver the Word faithfully.

To John the Word of God was indeed sweet with its revelation of the grace of God and its many precious promises that belong to believers. As such it sharply contrasted with his circumstances on Patmos Island. David stated, “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. [10] More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” (Ps. 19:9-10). Though the Word is sweet to believers, it will be bitter to unbelievers when it brings divine judgment on them.