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HIS
SERVANTS' MINISTRY
www.godcannotlie.org
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The
Book of Revelation
Chapter 10
The Angel and the
Little Scroll - Revelation 10:1-11
Rev. 10:1 And I saw another mighty angel
come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was
upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet
as pillars of fire: (KJV) John now sees another mighty angel
coming down from Heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow
over his head. His face was bright as the sun, and his feet were
like pillars of fire.
Chapters 10 & 11 are parenthetical chapters; giving us additional
information. It is a pause between the 6th and 7th trumpet judgments
(2nd and 3rd woes). John sees yet another mighty angel come down
from Heaven. I can’t even imagine how he could have been
feeling through all these visions. Fear? Awe? Amazement? Confusion?
All of these and more? The purpose of this mighty angel is very
clear . . . to announce the final judgments on sinful mankind.
Just WHO this mighty angel is, is not clear. Some commentators
say it is Christ. Others say it could not be Christ. I will go
along with the second group. I do not think this is Jesus, even
though the symbolism is similar to Rev.1:13-16, where it most
certainly is Christ Jesus. Christ does NOT appear in the Book
of Revelation as an angel. We see Him only in a place of great
power and glory here. In the Old Testament, the preincarnate Christ
did appear as the “Angel of the Lord” but
after He became Man; after He suffered and bled and died, and
after He rose again with a glorified Body; our precious Lord never
again appeared as an angel, not to my knowledge. NOTICE: this verse states that John saw “another angel.”
Another means that this angel was another of the same kind! The
other angels that John saw were NOT Jesus. IF this angel were
Christ, John would most certainly have fallen down and worshipped
Him as he did in Rev.1:17.
This angel is clothed (or surrounded) with a cloud: and he had
a rainbow upon (or over) his head. In the Old Testament, clouds
were called “chariots of God” (Ps.104:3).
This angel is a messenger! The rainbow symbolizes God’s
faithfulness and covenant with mankind. His face shone like the
sun. His feet were as pillars of fire. Fire is a symbol of God’s
judgment, of which this angel is bringing news. Psalm 104:4 states
that God’s angels are a flaming fire. I think the angel’s
clothing is his uniform and credentials for the special, serious
and solemn job that Christ has given him.
Rev. 10:2-3 And he had in his hand a little
book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left
foot on the earth, [3] And cried with a loud voice, as when a
lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their
voices. (KJV) And in his hand was a small, unrolled scroll.
The angel stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot
on the land. He shouted, like the roar of a lion. And when he
shouted, seven thunders answered.
Some claim this “little book” is the same
seven seal book or scroll that contained the seal judgments. It
could be, because this little book is open; and the Lamb has already
ripped off the seals in the scroll, thus opening it in chapters
5 & 6. I have always felt this little book was the Word of
God, but there are many who are much better educated than I. I
could easily be wrong. (See comment on Ps.119:103 below).
The angel’s right foot being on the sea and his left foot
on the land indicates that his words deal with ALL Creation, not
just a limited part as did the Seal and Trumpet Judgments. The
angel “cried with a loud voice” (which sounded
like a lion). And when the angel had shouted his message, seven
thunders answered back with a roar.
The seven thunders were confirming what the angel had said. God’s
Voice is associated with thunder in Scriptures (Ps.29:3; Job 37:5).
Israel spoke of thunder as being the “voice of the Lord,”
and the seven “voices of God.” Psalm 29 is
short, yet "the voice of the Lord” occurs
7 times.
Rev. 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. (KJV) When the seven
thunders spoke, John was about to write, as he had been instructed
at the beginning, but a voice from Heaven said: "Keep this
secret, do not write this down."
The “voices of the seven thunders” could
be clearly understood. John had been told to write down all that
he saw, but now, “a voice from heaven” told
him NOT to write what the “seven thunders”
had said. Christ was the One who had told John to write in a book,
everything he saw (Rev,1:11); so this new command most certainly
has to come from Christ also. This “voice from heaven”
which John hears, is Christ!
This is the Book of Revelation (revealing) of Christ and coming
events. WHY are these words from the seven thunders to be concealed?
This is the ONLY place in this marvelous Book that anything is
concealed or hidden! All throughout history, people have wanted
to know what would happen in the future, and God reveals MUCH
in this Book. In our desire to know what will happen; and to be
ready for the end, we must not place too much emphasis on speculation
about the “last days,” but instead, on obedience to
God while we wait. NO MAN knows what was spoken here; only our
Triune God in Heaven! Jesus told the disciples that the time of
the end is known by NO ONE BUT GOD (Mark 13:32-33). All that we
NEED to know has been revealed! IF Christ had wanted us to know
what the angel said, He would have allowed John to write it down.
What we need to do is trust and obey! Believe God! We should not
try to figure out things that are far beyond our comprehension.
Rev. 10:5-6 And the angel which I saw stand
upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
[6] And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created
heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the
things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are
therein, that there should be time no longer: (KJV) Then
the mighty angel standing on the sea and on the land lifted his
right hand to Heaven. And he swore an oath in the Name of the
One who lives forever and ever, who created Heaven and everything
in it, the Earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything
in it. He said, "Time for judgment is here.".
The angel himself is telling us here that he is NOT Christ! He
took an oath by our eternal Creator, Christ (Heb.1:2). He swore
by Him that liveth for ever and ever, which is Christ! Our Lord
Jesus IS the eternal God! John 1:1-3 In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things
were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that
was made. (KJV)
There should be time no longer, means God is through waiting.
There will be NO more delays! The angel is telling God’s
people that the judgment that they waited and prayed for is very
near!
Rev. 10:7 But in the days of the voice of
the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of
God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the
prophets. (KJV) But when the seventh angel blows his trumpet,
God's mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as
he told it to His servants the prophets."
There are MANY mysteries about God, that we do not understand:
Israel, suffering, His tolerating sin, injustice, judgment, His
silence, His love, His mercy, His grace, His Plan of salvation,
His coming Kingdom, etc. When God’s plan is completely revealed,
ALL prophecy will be fulfilled. The end of the age will have arrived
(Rev.11:15; Eph.1:9-10). Though the time may not be yet, it cannot
be far off!
Rev. 10:8 And the voice which I heard from
heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book
which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the
sea and upon the earth. (KJV) Then the Voice from Heaven
spoke to me again: "Go and take the unrolled scroll from
the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."
The Voice from Heaven has to be Christ! It is the same Voice
as in Rev.10:4, for Jesus is directing everything that happens!
Rev. 10:9-10 And I went unto the angel,
and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me,
Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but
it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. [10] And I took the little
book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my
mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly
was bitter. (KJV) John went up to the angel and asked him
to give me the little scroll. "Take it and eat it,"
he said. "At first it will taste like honey, but when you
swallow it, it will make your stomach sour!" So John took
the little scroll from the hands of the angel, and ate it! It
was sweet in his mouth, but it made his stomach sour.
So far, John has been seeing and hearing the visions set before
him; and writing (recording) what he sees and hears. Now, John
is asked to “eat the little book.” Does this
seem strange to you? I believe that eating the little book means
to RECEIVE God’s Word with faith. Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was
unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by
thy name, O Lord God of hosts. (KJV) Ezekiel 3:1-3 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest;
eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. [2] So I
opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. [3] And he
said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy
bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and
it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. (KJV) The “roll”
here is NOT a bread roll, but Ezekiel ate it like it was! In his
vision, Ezekiel ATE God’s Message. Not only was this spiritual
food good for him, but also sweet as honey (as in Rev.10:8-10).
IF you DIGEST God’s Word in faith, not only will it make
you stronger in your faith, but the wisdom it departs will sweeten
your life! We NEED spiritual food just as we need physical food,
maybe even more! This does not mean just skipping over God’s
Truths; it means we must make digesting God’s Word a regular
part of out life. BE WELL FED!
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto
my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (KJV) Ezekiel
received (ate) the Truths of God as food for his soul. He fed
upon them by faith, and he was strengthened. Ezekiel then took
the Words of God to the people. He spoke all that God had given
him, but nothing more. We can never better God’s Words with
ours, but we can speak God’s Mind through HIS Words. IF
people won’t listen to us, we must not be offended. Gracious,
willing souls receive the Truths of God with great delight, but
they bring terror to the wicked (unbelievers). It was rare that
people ever listened to the prophets of the Old Testament. We
must leave this to the Divine sovereignty of Almighty God. All
we are required to do by God, is tell them about Jesus and what
He has done in your life. Most (Mat.7:13-14) will not regard the
word of the prophet (those bringing God’s Word), for they
will not regard the Word of God. Let us seek to be taught by Christ,
and to obey His orders, meditating daily on His Word, that it
may nourish our souls; and then declare it to others. The sweetness
of God’s Word will often be mingled with bitterness to those
who live an immoral life.
Do you see now why I say the “little book”
is God’s Word?
Rev. 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must
prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues,
and kings. (KJV) Then he said to John, "You must prophesy
again to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings."
John was NOT a racist! He believed that God loves ALL people,
and that ALL people (red, yellow, black or white) should hear
the Word of God. We too, need to bring the Word of God to ALL
people. If you are a child of God, it is your solemn DUTY to tell
others about Jesus! One young man recently wrote to me and said
he was not a “baby Christian” but he felt he did not
have enough knowledge to bring Scriptures to others. Just tell
people what Jesus has done in your life, and what He means to
you. He saved you from the penalty of sin and from being condemned
to Hell. You cannot go wrong there! People NEED to hear about
Jesus and the salvation that is available ONLY through Him, because
there is a BITTER judgment coming! Prophecy will either bring
you closer to Jesus, or drive you farther away from Him. People
do NOT want to hear the TRUTH! They want to think that God is
a loving God and that He will send everyone to Heaven. This is
NOT what the BIBLE teaches! If you don’t know Jesus as your
Saviour and Lord, YOU SHALL BE CONDEMNED TO HELL!
John 3:18 He
that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth
not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the
name of the only begotten Son of God. (KJV) John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting
life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but
the wrath of God abideth on him. (KJV) 1 John 5:10-12 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself:
he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth
not the record that God gave of his Son. [11] And this is the
record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life
is in his Son. [12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life. (KJV) PLEASE
do NOT call God a “Liar.”
Book of Revelation
Ch.1. . Ch.2 . . Ch.3 . . Ch.4 . . Ch.5. . Ch.6 . . Ch.7 . . Ch.8 . . Ch.9 . . Ch.10 . . Ch.11 . . Ch.12 . . Ch.13 . . Ch.14 . . Ch.15 . . Ch.16 . . Ch.`17 . . Ch.18 . . Ch.19 . . Ch.20 . . Ch.21 . . Ch.22 . . Special Comments
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