The End of Delay and John’s Recommissioning Revelation 10:1-11

Review of What We Have Covered So Far Rev 1Rev 2-3Rev 4-5Rev 6Rev 7Rev 8-9 Introduction, John’s vision of the glorified Christ & commission to write Letters to the seven churches Visions of the One who sits upon the throne and the Lamb who is worthy to take the scroll and break its seals Breaking of the first six seals The slaves of God who are not harmed by the wrath of God Blowing of the first six trumpets

Outline of Revelation Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – 8:1) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – 8:1) The Source of the Scroll (4:1-5:14) The Source of the Scroll (4:1-5:14) The First Six Seals, “The Beginning of Birth Pangs” (6:1- 17) The First Six Seals, “The Beginning of Birth Pangs” (6:1- 17) The Slaves of God (7:1-17) The Slaves of God (7:1-17) The Seventh Seal: The Seven Trumpets Awaited (8:1) The Seventh Seal: The Seven Trumpets Awaited (8:1) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2 – 11:19) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2 – 11:19) The First Four Trumpets (8:2-13) The First Four Trumpets (8:2-13) The Fifth and Sixth Trumpet (9:1-21) The Fifth and Sixth Trumpet (9:1-21) The Announcement of the End of Delay (10:1-11) The Announcement of the End of Delay (10:1-11) Measurement of the Temple and Worshipers (11:1-14) Measurement of the Temple and Worshipers (11:1-14)

An Interlude between Trumpets This section [10:1 – 11:13] is parenthetical to the sequential movement of the trumpet judgments. It contains no reference to the judgment of the earth- dwellers, but consoles believers by reiterating God’s role as the sovereign over earthly affairs, who will not only judge the wicked, but also will exalt the suffering faithful in due time. The interlude prepares for the final trumpet-blast by reviewing developments leading up to that moment, particularly those related to the city of Jerusalem. The climactic angelic announcement of the imminence of the end (10:6-7) anticipates a time after the sixth trumpet, but immediately before the seventh sounds (Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22, pp ). This section [10:1 – 11:13] is parenthetical to the sequential movement of the trumpet judgments. It contains no reference to the judgment of the earth- dwellers, but consoles believers by reiterating God’s role as the sovereign over earthly affairs, who will not only judge the wicked, but also will exalt the suffering faithful in due time. The interlude prepares for the final trumpet-blast by reviewing developments leading up to that moment, particularly those related to the city of Jerusalem. The climactic angelic announcement of the imminence of the end (10:6-7) anticipates a time after the sixth trumpet, but immediately before the seventh sounds (Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22, pp ).

A Climactic Announcement (10:1-7) Another strong angel (like the one we met in 5:2) appears, descending from heaven to earth. Another strong angel (like the one we met in 5:2) appears, descending from heaven to earth. “Clothed in a cloud,” with legs and feet like pillars of fire, emphasize the angel’s mission of judgment. “Clothed in a cloud,” with legs and feet like pillars of fire, emphasize the angel’s mission of judgment. The rainbow headdress represents mercy in the midst of that judgment. The rainbow headdress represents mercy in the midst of that judgment. His face like the sun shining in its strength depicts his great glory and majesty. His face like the sun shining in its strength depicts his great glory and majesty. The angel holds “a little scroll” (distinct from the seven-sealed scroll) in his hand, which John will later eat. The angel holds “a little scroll” (distinct from the seven-sealed scroll) in his hand, which John will later eat. The OT parallel to this is found in Ezek 3:1-11. The OT parallel to this is found in Ezek 3:1-11.

A Climactic Announcement (10:1-7) The angel assumes a position on both the land and the sea, demonstrating his divine right and determination to execute judgment against the whole world. The angel assumes a position on both the land and the sea, demonstrating his divine right and determination to execute judgment against the whole world. He cries out with a loud, authoritative voice, like the roar of a lion. This is a voice that demands to be heard! He cries out with a loud, authoritative voice, like the roar of a lion. This is a voice that demands to be heard! As he cries out, his voice is accompanied by the utterances of the seven thunders. As he cries out, his voice is accompanied by the utterances of the seven thunders. The identity of the seven thunders is uncertain. It may be related to God’s thunderous voice, as illustrated in John 12: Whatever it was that was said, it must have been intelligible, for John started to write it down. The identity of the seven thunders is uncertain. It may be related to God’s thunderous voice, as illustrated in John 12: Whatever it was that was said, it must have been intelligible, for John started to write it down.

A Climactic Announcement (10:1-7) In obedience to the command that Christ gave John back in 1:19, he begins to record the utterance of the thunders, but he is forbidden from doing so. In obedience to the command that Christ gave John back in 1:19, he begins to record the utterance of the thunders, but he is forbidden from doing so. “Sealed” here means “leave unwritten.” “Sealed” here means “leave unwritten.” The strong angel then lifts up his right hand in a solemn oath, swearing by “Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it,” that there should be delay no longer. The strong angel then lifts up his right hand in a solemn oath, swearing by “Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it,” that there should be delay no longer. This announcement is in response to the question of “How long?” back in Rev 6:10. The culmination of God’s plan is now ready for fulfillment! This announcement is in response to the question of “How long?” back in Rev 6:10. The culmination of God’s plan is now ready for fulfillment!

A Climactic Announcement (10:1-7) Verse 7 is the key one in this chapter: “but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.” Verse 7 is the key one in this chapter: “but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.” “Mystery” in the NT refers to something that was once hidden but now is being revealed. “Mystery” in the NT refers to something that was once hidden but now is being revealed. It is used in the NT for such things as new revelation about the kingdom (Matt 13:10-35), the church (Eph 3:1-10), the revelation of Antichrist (2 Thess 2:6-8), and the truth that all shall not die (1 Cor 15:51). It is used in the NT for such things as new revelation about the kingdom (Matt 13:10-35), the church (Eph 3:1-10), the revelation of Antichrist (2 Thess 2:6-8), and the truth that all shall not die (1 Cor 15:51). To what do you think it refers to here? To what do you think it refers to here? “The mystery of God” here refers to God’s purpose in bringing the consummation of His kingdom upon the earth. “The mystery of God” here refers to God’s purpose in bringing the consummation of His kingdom upon the earth. This is a purpose that has been hidden from the world at large. However, it was preached to “his slaves the prophets” as far back as the Old Testament. This is a purpose that has been hidden from the world at large. However, it was preached to “his slaves the prophets” as far back as the Old Testament. The content of the mystery consists of the details provided in the chapters which follow, chapters which describe the establishment of God’s kingdom on the earth and, eventually, the new heavens and new earth. The content of the mystery consists of the details provided in the chapters which follow, chapters which describe the establishment of God’s kingdom on the earth and, eventually, the new heavens and new earth.

The Recommissioning of John (10:8-11) The voice from heaven (either God or Christ) commands John to go and take the scroll from the strong angel’s hand. The voice from heaven (either God or Christ) commands John to go and take the scroll from the strong angel’s hand. At this point John’s location changes from heaven to earth, and he becomes an integral part of the vision. At this point John’s location changes from heaven to earth, and he becomes an integral part of the vision. The angel gives him the scroll and tells him to eat it. The angel gives him the scroll and tells him to eat it. Such eating is a Hebrew idiom for receiving knowledge, similar to the English use of “digest” for considering and meditating upon something that has been learned (cf. Ezek 3:1-3; Jer 15:16). Such eating is a Hebrew idiom for receiving knowledge, similar to the English use of “digest” for considering and meditating upon something that has been learned (cf. Ezek 3:1-3; Jer 15:16). The angel anticipates the effect it will have on John: The angel anticipates the effect it will have on John: Bitterness in the stomach – due to the judgments which John is about to prophesy. Bitterness in the stomach – due to the judgments which John is about to prophesy. Sweetness in the mouth – the satisfaction of being informed of God’s will for the future and commissioned as His speaker. Sweetness in the mouth – the satisfaction of being informed of God’s will for the future and commissioned as His speaker.

The Recommissioning of John (10:8-11) John complies with the angel’s instruction, and it is just as the angel said. John complies with the angel’s instruction, and it is just as the angel said. This is a literal eating, rather than just mentally considering the scroll’s contents, as indicated by the references to the mouth and the stomach. This is a literal eating, rather than just mentally considering the scroll’s contents, as indicated by the references to the mouth and the stomach. John now receives direct guidelines for his future ministry (a renewal of his original commission). John now receives direct guidelines for his future ministry (a renewal of his original commission). John must do this; it is a divine necessity, decreed by God Himself. John must do this; it is a divine necessity, decreed by God Himself. “Again” indicates a renewal of his original commission (1:19). What is to come will be worse than what has proceeded. “Again” indicates a renewal of his original commission (1:19). What is to come will be worse than what has proceeded. The subjects of his future prophecies are worldwide in scope (“many peoples and nations and tongues and kings”) and go beyond John’s own time. The subjects of his future prophecies are worldwide in scope (“many peoples and nations and tongues and kings”) and go beyond John’s own time.

Next Week: The Measurement of the Temple and Worshipers (Rev 11:1-19) Read Rev