Revelation Chapter 10
As we reach chapter 10 almost the halfway point of the book, we need to remind ourselves that John is seeing a vision which is more like a spiritual journey in which God allows Him to see what will take place in the future. At times John is in heaven as He views the throne of God and all the angelic beings surrounding the throne. Other times John is on earth observing the judgements of God being carried out and John feverishly works to record all that He sees. We need to stop and think about this. For those of us who are believers, we believe with all of our heart that the one true God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, has revealed to us His plan from His very first words in Genesis. What other god in all of mankind has revealed what the plan for the future would be, and given a written manuscript for us to read, and backed it up with fulfilled prophecies? None, except our God.
Genesis 49:10The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
In this chapter John finds himself on earth, it is uncertain when he went back to earth but he is now observing a very massive and mighty angel. This angel has similar characteristics to the characteristics that John had used to describe Jesus. But this is an angelic being that is directed to carry out the work of God.
Let's Reflect
1. What does the angel have wrapped around his head?
2. What words describe how massively big this angel is?
3. We see the number seven again, God’s perfect number, because when the angel speaks his voice comes out like seven thunders. We have all experienced thunderstorms when the thunder is so loud it shakes your whole house, and you wonder if your house is going to come tumbling down. Now imagine hearing that loud intensity of thunder as it happens seven times in a row. Whatever this angel was saying in his thunder-powerful voice John thought he had better write it down. But the voice of God is heard from heaven and what did he tell John not to do?
The angel raised his right hand toward heaven and made a promise that there would be no more delays. The judgements of God will be carried out. I think of the precious verse that tells us how patient our God is and how He desires all men to turn to Him.
II Peter 3:9The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
The mystery of God is about to be fulfilled. This mystery, which has been referenced throughout scripture, is a truth that will be made known. This truth is that Jesus is the King of kings, and He will reign in Jerusalem.
4. Who did God reveal His mystery to according to verse 7?
5. John is then instructed to do something rather peculiar. He is told to take the scroll from the hand of this great angel and to eat the scroll. What is he told about the taste of the scroll he will eat?
6. The very words that John will ingest are the words that he is to share with us the readers of the book of Revelation. It gives a whole new meaning to the Living Word doesn’t it? This would have been a very peculiar thing for John, because he would remember reading the prophet Ezekiel who was instructed to do the same thing. See Ezekiel 2 and 3. How did the words of judgement written on the scroll make John feel afterward?
