Book of Revelation Chapter 10 The Little Scroll

Book of Revelation: Chapter 10 The Little Scroll

Revelation 10: 1 “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: 2 “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: 3 “And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. ”

Another Angel • Picture #1—”the angel and the seven peals of thunder” • A description of the angel: – “Strong—mighty angel” (5: 2) – “Coming down from heaven” – Suggests divine authority • Does this mean that John was on earth looking up into heaven?

Another Angel • Picture #1—”the angel and the seven peals of thunder” • A description of the angel: – “Clothed with a cloud” – “Rainbow upon his head” – “Face like the sun” – “Feet like pillars of fire” – From God’s presence…

Another Angel • Picture #1—”the angel and the seven peals of thunder” • A description of the angel: – “Placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land” – Mastery over all the earth; a universal message…

Another Angel • Picture #1—”the angel and the seven peals of thunder” • A description of the angel: – “Has a little book open in his hand – “Cries with a loud voice—as a lion roars” – “As he cried, seven thunders uttered their voices” – Not the same book that was sealed—a different book

Revelation 10: 4 “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. ’”

Divine Instructions • We do not know what John saw when the seven thunders spoke— commanded not to record them. • He was told to “seal up the things the seven thunders uttered. ” • Other forces are at God’s disposal for judgments which are not recorded. • Shows his great power • Deuteronomy 29: 29

Revelation 10: 5 “The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven. ”

Revelation 10: 6 “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. ”

The Angel’s Oath • The angel lifted his right hand made a solemn oath. • By the eternal nature of God and His omnipotence —there would be no more delay! • Not the end of the world—but the outpouring of God’s wrath • The Lord already issued warnings calling for repentance. • But they refused to repent. (9: 20, 21)

The Angel’s Oath • Why should this come as a mystery? • Surely God has always intended for the church to survive! • Satan’s forces (Rome) would not be permitted to thwart God’s plans! • Never forget who is in control of man’s destiny. • Choices always have consequences!

Revelation 10: 7 “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. ”

The Seventh Angel • In this day the trumpet will sound. • The “mystery” of God will be finished. • Warnings of the six previous trumpets were enough. • This mystery would involve God’s eternal purpose for His people— ultimate victory. • Judgment of evil and punishment

Revelation 10: 8 “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: 9 “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. ’”

Revelation 10: 10 “Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. ”

Instructions for John • Picture 2—”the Little book. ” • No doubt, the little book’s message coincides with the previous message, but it may contain more details. • Commanded to go and take the book • He approached the angel who stood on the sea and earth. • Similar to the prophet Ezekiel’s episode – Ezekiel 2: 8— 3: 3

Instructions for John • Picture 2—”the Little book” • John took the book from the angel. • He was to have “mastered” its contents. • Sweet in his mouth – Received the message of God—Psalm 119: 103, 104 • Bitter in his stomach – To deliver the message of God’s word – For the Christians in John’s day, the

Instructions for John • Picture 2—”the Little book. ” • John found it to be sweet in his mouth —but bitter in his stomach. • Message of hope was sweetness. • Fearful message of ongoing persecution – Men under God’s judgment for rejecting Him – Christians suffering at the hand of God’s enemies

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

John’s Work Continues • This assured John that he would not die on Patmos. • He would return to continue doing the work God had given him. • He must continue to preach God’s message to the world. – What he had “eaten” he would deliver. – The crisis would not deter the preaching of hope.