Rev.  10:1-4 – The Little Book and the Seven Thunders

Even though this book is called Apocalypse – Revelation – the unveiling, there are some things that must remain secret and not revealed.

 

v. 1 – John “sees” this mighty angel “coming down.”  From where?  To where?  Where is John now?  Could he be back on earth?  In these visions, one can move from place to place without warning or announcement.

Angels have been involved in the past, but attention was given to what they do or say.  Now attention is given to the appearance! This angel is very important! Each of the point made in the appearance has some connection to God in other places in Scripture.  This angel is dressed in a cloud (Ps. 104:3). His hat is a rainbow (rainbow around the Throne – 4:3).  His face is like the sun (1:16).  His legs are like fiery pillars (Ex. 13:21-22).  Some say it is like the rainbow produced by the sunshine of the angel’s face falling on the cloud.   (Other References – Dan. 7:13; Mt. 24:31 – clouds;  Ez. 1:26-28 – rainbow; Ex. 14:19,24; 13:21-22 – pillar of fire and cloud; promise to Noah – God’s presence, fire).

 

v. 2 – In Chap. 5 we heard of a mighty angel who announced about the scroll sealed with seven seals.  Here we have a mighty angel who is holding a little scroll.  Why is there a distinction?  It is apparently important.

This book or scroll lay open in his hand.  It is not sealed or concealed.  It is open in their presence.

The angel places one foot on the sea and one foot on the land.  Obviously, this angel has control or authority over both, an awesome thing to see in a vision.  Notice also how the visions are getting more intense and the symbols more powerful as we move forward in Revelation.  The enormity and authority of this angel brings awe to the vision – Contrast with 9:20-21 – sinful man’s idolatry!

 

v. 3 – The angel in Chap. 5 cried out with a loud voice, and here the mighty angel also cries out loudly – with the roar of a lion.  A deep resonance that causes one to stop and listen! 

Following the loud cry comes the sound of seven thunders.  We don’t know what this is, but thunder has been attributed to the throne, and possibly the voice of God (seven being perfection and thunder attributed to God in the past and in previous chapters). Maybe there is simply the authority behind the contents of the scroll here.  Seven thunders – perfect, complete – What God says (contained in the scroll?) – the coming peril and retribution?

 

v. 4 – Just as the seven thunders sounded, John was about to write what he saw and heard – maybe the contents of the scroll.  Suddenly – a voice (a voice of authority) from heaven speaks … “Seal up what the seven thunders have said.”   ??  (Dan12:4)

Did the seven thunders speak?  The text only says they sounded.  Did John hear more than what he wrote down?  (What the seven thunders said?)  It is not to be revealed at this pint in time to us!  The voice is from heaven and therefore divine in nature.  “Seal up” – in apocalyptic form, indicates – “to keep hidden.”  John is specifically commanded, “Do not write it down.”  Since John has been privy to such judgments as the seals and the trumpets, why would he be kept from disclosing this?  Maybe this is something just for John and not for the rest of the church (2 Cor. 12:4).  It may be that John could handle it, but the rest of his readers/hearers could not. God has chosen to keep some thing back from us.  It is for our good then.  Let it go.  It’s God’s perfect plan.

 

Rev. 10:5-7 – The Angel’s Oath

 

(The time of the end set into motion) – The end of history is under God’s control.  He lives forever and ever – creator – sustainer.  He can promise and it will be sure.

 

The angel who stood on the land and on the sea swears a solemn oath by Almighty God, creator of all things, that there would be no more delay.  The “mystery of God” will be fulfilled, competed at the sounding of the final trumpet.  “There is an answer to the perplexities of history” (Morris, p. 136). 

 

v. 5 – The angel lifted up his hand to heaven.   This was a common occurrence in ancient days – (Gen 14:22; Deut. 32:40; Dan. 12:7 – for an oath). 

 

v. 6 - The angel makes lengthy reference to the awesomeness of God, the creator of each area mentioned and all that is in them.  This is to show how solemn this oath really is, and the surety of the fulfillment of these things.  It will all happen at the sounding of the seventh trumpet.  They will take place certainly and speedily.   There will be no more delay – no more chances (2 Thess. 2:3 ff).

 

 v. 7 – The seventh trumpet is not sounded until 11:15.  In the man time, or more accurately, at this time and during this time, other events are happening.  Everything is poised, and at the perfect time, the trumpet will sound signifying that the end will come.  The end sequence will commence at the last trumpet sounding.   They mystery here is the secret purpose of God – (Moffat).  God has always had only one purpose that all humanity would love and serve Him through the plan He provided.  Now this great salvation is about to be concluded.  It will take judgment against the rebellious and also deliverance and vindication for the believers.  All the forces of the world that seemed so oppressive and powerful will be brought down and overthrown completely by God’s plan.  Chances were given, mercy and grace were extended and rejected.  There remains only one thing; the mystery of God will be accomplished.

 

Rev. 10:8-11 – The Little Scroll (Book)

 

John take this little scroll, as directed, from this angel who stands on the land and on the sea, and it contains the very words of God that he is to proclaim (prophesy) to humanity.

 

v. 8 – John “hears” – “the voice from heaven.”  We have to assume this is the voice of God or at least a voice with the authority of God.  John is commanded to take the scroll from the angel – three times now described as having one foot on the land and one foot on the sea – the extent of his authority and influence.   His position is important.  The book or scroll is noted as OPEN - This is important.   The revelation is not hidden – It is a revealed thing.

 

v. 9 – John, in obedience to the heavenly voice tells the angel to give him the scroll.  The angel tells him to “take it and eat it” (Gr. Kataphage – eat completely, devour, completely ingest so it becomes part of you…).   He is told it will turn his stomach bitter but be as sweet as honey in his mouth.  This image reminds us of Jeremiah 15:16 – where the prophet eats God’s words and they become a joy and a delight to the prophet.   Ezek. 3:1-3 – Ezekiel is told to eat the scroll and it will be a sweet as honey in his mouth – He is told to proclaim those words to the people of Israel.  John also is commanded to prophesy the words he consumed to the people.  (Ps. 119:105 – the Law is the sweet word of God).

Does it sound strange that God’s words would taste sweet in the mouth and turn John’s stomach or insides bitter?   Why do you think that is?  God’s word is always sweet to the believer.  It contains the plans and will of God.  However, sometimes it contains judgment of the wicked.  No one truly following Christ wants to see the wrath of God befall anyone.

 

The message John must proclaim is not easy.  While the true preacher of God’s Word must fulfill the call to speak words of judgment and wrath to the wicked, it doesn’t mean it is easy or joyful to do so.  He, more than any one, understands how much it grieves God to have to execute such judgment on His own creation which He loves.  The more he is filled with God’s love, the more bitter the experience of proclaiming “WOES” becomes.  The bitterness John experiences is internal – He is troubled by the message he must deliver.  The wickedness of man has grieved God in His heart.  The preacher called to bring this message, in a small way, enters into that grief. 

 

v. 10 – This voice told John to TAKE the scroll.  He told the angel to GIVE it to him.  The angel tells him to TAKE it! Significant?  Here John TAKES the scroll and eats it.  Just as foretold, it was sweet in his mouth, but it made his stomach bitter (sick).  The messenger cannot be passive.  The revelation of God must be purposely taken and proclaimed.  John had to take it for himself.

 

v. 11 – John had identified this book his is writing as a prophecy from the beginning (1:3).  Here he “is told” to prophesy again.  He has been recording what he has seen and heard.  Here “they” tell him to proclaim what he received.  The message is not on a local level, but it will be proclaimed to Kings and Nations and cultures, races, and all people.  Even kingdoms and national authorities cannot overrule this message from Almighty God.  “NO weapon formed against it shall prosper.” (Is. 54:17).