The Angel and the Little Scroll Revelation 10 Dr. Michael D. Wedman

An Interlude Between Trumpets In chapter 10 and 11 we have an interlude between the 6th trumpet and the 7th trumpet NOTE! We also saw an interlude between the 6th seal and the 7th seal There is also an interlude between the 6th bowl and the 7th bowl

Notes about the interlude A mighty angel introduces the interlude just as in the seal judgements – see 7:2 A little scroll is introduced – The seal judgements were introduced with the scroll – see 5:1 A mighty angel introduces the scroll as in 5:2 The focus of this interlude is believers as in the interlude between the seal judgements

Notes about the interlude The theme of this interlude is prophecy – 10:11 The first half of the book is framed with prophetic witness – see 1:1. Thus, the purpose so far is for the salvation of all people. It seems that conversion does take place in 11:13 The second half of the book is wrath of God as opposed to judgement of God

Notes about the interlude The Great Tribulation is introduced here as it is mentioned in 7:14 The phrase 42 months and 3 ½ years is introduced The beast is introduced in 11:17

Another Mighty Angel He introduces the little scroll His appearance: Robed in a cloud – Ps 104:3 Rainbow above his head – Rev 4:3; Ezek 1:28 Face like the sun – Rev 1:16; Mt 17:2 Legs like fiery pillars – Rev 1:15; Ex 13:21ff Shout like a roar of a lion – Hosea 11:10; Amos 3:8

Another Mighty Angel Question: Can this be Jesus? Problem – He is introduced as an angel Jesus does not appear as an angel in Revelation but always himself Verse 6 seems inappropriate for Jesus to say

Another Mighty Angel This could be Michael the archangel See Dan 10:1-11:1; 12:1:1-3 The name “Michael” means “One who is like God” or “representative of God” The great angel in Rev 18:1 is said to illuminate the earth Particular angels appear all throughout the book

Another Mighty Angel Conclusion: This angel has come from the throne of God and is a special herald who shares in the glory of God See Moses in Exodus 34:29-36 See Rev 18:1

Another Mighty Angel One foot on the land and one foot on the sea Signifies the authority of God over the whole world. Note also the authority of God over the sea, the place of Leviathan, the great sea monster of destruction and chaos

Another Mighty Angel The seven thunders answer the angel This is likely a reference to Ps. 29 because of the use of the definite article, “The” The seven thunders are the judgements of God Seven indicates the fullness of the judgement of God 7 lamps, spirits, seals, trumpets, bowls, thunders

The Voice from Heaven John is told to seal up the words of the seven thunders. He is not to write them down. See Dan 12:1-10; 2 Cor 12:1-4 Apparently there are things of God that we are not to know, but will be revealed as God determines. We cannot know the mind of God except that which He reveals to us – Revelation, special and general

The Introduction of the 7th Trumpet This is a significant turning point in the book. The 7th trumpet seems to mark the time where the theme turns from judgment for repentance to judgment for wrath The mystery of God will be revealed to all creation

The Introduction of the 7th Trumpet Note that there is still activity that needs to take place before the sounding of the 7th trumpet and the bowls of God’s wrath. This may very well be the beginning of the Great Tribulation – the 7 years. Chapter 11 is still the 6th trumpet – until 11:14

The Great Tribulation There is 3 ½ years before the antichrist is revealed – see 11:2-3 For 3 ½ years the church is in the Great Tribulation. Then the antichrist attacks them See 11:7 The church is taken up into heaven – the rapture? See 11:13 This seems to coincided with the 7th trumpet- 11:15

The Little Scroll We have not yet seen the contents of the large scroll that was sealed with the 7 seals Question: Could this little scroll be part of the large scroll? Or the same scroll? Possibly because of the parallel with the mighty angel There seems to be identity between the scrolls but not necessarily unity however

The Little Scroll NOTE! We do not know the contents of the little scroll either! John is commanded to eat the scroll. See Ezek 2:3-3:7 Sweetness – symbol of the Words of God Ps 119:103; 19:10; Jer 15:16 To eat the scroll is to take in the words of God put them into practice in one’s life so they bring comfort and life

The Little Scroll Bitterness – symbol of the judgment of God See 2 Cor 2:14-16 The words of God also include judgment and woe to those who do not listen and receive them The words of God contain both salvation and judgment, salvation and sin We are speak the whole counsel of God – Acts 20:27

The Commission of John John is told to prophecy regarding the words he has just eaten. He is called to preach the gospel for repentance for all people NOTE! Ezekiel was called to prophecy only to Israel This seems to be the last chance for repentance for the nations

Conclusion/Summary The 7th trumpet will bring the wrath of God upon all mankind who do not believe in and receive Jesus This interlude gives the command for the church to preach the gospel for the salvation of all mankind God is not willing that any should perish – see 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Tim 2:4