What is the purpose of prophecy? The 2nd Interlude: What is the purpose of prophecy? Forthtelling/Foretelling

“If you’re a believer, do you think of yourself as someone who was a slave until God redeemed you from slavery? If you’re a believer in Jesus, that’s your identity, and that identity matters more than your image, your style, and your reputation. The defining truth about who you are, about your identity is that you are someone whom God has gone to extravagant lengths to redeem.” James Hamilton Jr., Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches

The Angel & Little Scroll Chapter 10: The Angel & Little Scroll “Another Mighty Angel” Clouds, Rainbow, Sun, & Fire descriptions Little Scroll is open, in his hand Right foot Sea, Left foot Land Voice of a Roaring Lion Another… Some – Christ himself, but never referred to as an Angel in Rev. Descriptions Clouds, Fire – continuing Exodus imagery Rainbow – Salvation through judgment – Noah Some – refracted light from clouds and face Sun – Reflection from Christ – 1:16 – like Moses Scroll Different word than used in 5 Open – not sealed Angel holding it – not God What scroll? Same as 5 – process of redemption Too many differences Word of God/Gospel Doesn’t seem to fit context Contents of the rest of interlude – 11:1-13 What happens to believers, church Right Foot, Left Foot Vision of Colossus Symbol of Dominion Psalm 8:6 Representation of God’s sovereignty Constant reminder for comfort for God’s people Voice of a Roaring Lion Voice of the Lord in judgment and salvation Joel 3:16 Amos 1:2 Brings the Thunder! Psalm 29:3 Angel – God Will SAVE through Judgment! The Lord is much more impressive than this Angel

No More Delay Seven Thunders – Sealed up Angel raises hand to heaven Chapter 10: No More Delay Seven Thunders – Sealed up Angel raises hand to heaven Oath to “Him who lives forever and ever” There is NO MORE DELAY – 7th trumpet Mystery to be fulfilled Seven Thunders Sealed up, not to be written Could be more judgments While not exhaustive in revelation – trust worthiness is not affected Angel’s stance Hand raised – 3 Spheres – OT Oath practices Referenced as what God has made No place where God’s word does not apply! Oath By the only living God – Exodus 20:4 Background – Dan. 12:6,7 No Delay Response from Daniel 7th Trumpet issues in the final days Culmination of events – the last of the tribulation (Daniel) No more Soon – It is here Mystery Fulfilled God’s plan completed Eph. 1:9,10

The Little Scroll John involved in the action Take the Scroll – eat it Chapter 10: The Little Scroll John involved in the action Take the Scroll – eat it Bitter to stomach, but sweet in mouth More to Prophesy – 1:19 Eating the Scroll Parallel – Ezekiel 2:9-3:4 Eat – then Speak pattern Prophecy to be ingested before given Able to appropriate the Word of God – for application! Bitter/Sweet Taking in of Word of God is sweet Psalm 119:103 Jer. 15:16 Bitterness – speaks to contents Sweet is the final victory Bitter is the suffering and martyrdom endured Speaks of the believers – the church – 11:1-13 More to Prophesy Rest of interlude and final moments

“It is a very sad thing indeed when truth is simply held in the intellect with no particular bearing upon life…It is a truth that should affect the believer at every angle of his life. Anyone who really believes it cannot afterward live for self or for the world. If one professes to hold the second coming of Christ and yet lives like the world, it but evidences the fact that, whatever he may hold mentally, the truth of the Lord’s coming does not hold him. That truth believed makes carnal Christians spiritual, it makes worldly people heavenly, it makes covetous people generous, and it makes careless people earnest. I want to be very frank with you. If you do not desire to let this truth have its sway over your lives, it might be better to cease studying this book of Revelation right here because all of God’s truth has been made known for the obedience of faith…”

“…And I am certain that these truths are either going to change the lives of some people completely or harden them in their waywardness and be the means of searing their consciences as with a hot iron.” H.A. Ironside, Revelation * Terrible Judgment – Call to repent!

God’s Word was meant to be ingested into the life, not pass through the ears! Takeaway Thought.