BETWEEN THE SIXTH AND
SEVENTH TRUMPET JUDGMENTS
THE APOSTLE JOHN EATS A
LITTLE SCROLL
Revelation 10:1-11
As taught by Dave
Lindstrom
I. John is visited by another mighty
angel with a specific message after the sixth trumpet judgment is
finished (Rev. 10:1-7).
A. John was first visited by a mighty
or strong angel in Revelation 5:2 and receives another visit in
Revelation 18:21. Daniel received mighty angel visits in Daniel 10:5-6 and Daniel 12:5-7. It
seems like “mighty angel” visits bring information to Yahweh’s
prophets in the form of new revelation and were also sent to
protect Yahweh’s people (verse 1).
B. John describes the mighty angels
clothes, head, face, and feet as radiating color and light which
should clue us in that the message he brings comes from Yahweh’s
throne (verse 1, Rev. 1:14, 15, Rev. 4:3-5).
C. The mighty angel seemed large and
powerful to the Apostle John placing his right foot on the sea and
his left foot on the earth. This probably represented Yahweh’s
authority to rule and judge everything in, on, or above the earth as
has been shown already in the previous seal and trumpet judgments.
In his right hand he had a little open scroll which was different
from the previous closed scroll in Revelation 5:1, 2 (verse 2).
D. The mighty angel cried out with a
loud lion-like voice and as he did, John heard a message of seven
thunders which he was not permitted to write for some reason
(verses 3, 4; II Cor. 12:4). Maybe when we meet him we are supposed
to ask what these were as a special blessing to us for studying
Revelation!
E. The mighty angel then gives a
message which he swears comes from the very throne of Yahweh by
raising one hand (verse 6a, b). The angel in Daniel 12:7 lifted
both hands in a sworn oath. The Israelites were told to swear their
oaths by the name of Yahweh (Deut. 6:13, 10:20), however, Christ
found abuse in oath taking (Matt. 5:33-37, 23:16-22) and so
instructed His believers to simply speak the truth and do it (Matt.
5:33-37; James 5:12).
F. The sworn message was “that there
will no longer be delay” (verse 6c).
1. Some in the early church
translated this “that there will no longer be time” which is a
possible translation if you can support it contextually. Since
there are time events still to come in Revelation chapters 11-22,
the context does not support this reading.
2. This seems to be an answered
prayer to the persecuted martyrs, saints, and prophets for Yahweh
to judge this earth and establish His Kingdom as in Revelation
6:9-11 (also see Daniel 12:7).
G. The sworn message goes on to say
that the “mystery of God” will be finished during the days of
the seventh trumpet judgment and probably during the beginning of
it when the angel is “about to” sound (verse 7).
1. The “mystery of God” is
interpreted by most expositors as a secret that is revealed by
God.
2. Many pre, mid, and post
tribulation rapturists would view this as Yahweh finishing up His
judgment of this earth during the seventh trumpet (which includes
the seven bowl judgments) before establishing His Kingdom on
earth.
3. Most pre-wrath tribulation
rapturists view this “mystery of God” with the definition the
Apostle Paul used in Col. 1:24 – 2:3; Eph. 1:9, 10; 3:1-10
(possibly I Cor. 2:1). In these texts, the Apostle Paul defined
the mystery of God as a time period where God has determined to
bring salvation to many Gentiles while Israel (as a nation)
rejects Christ. When the full number of Gentiles are brought
salvation, Yahweh then turns His Kingdom program back to national
Israel and their salvation (Dan. 12:7; Acts 15:14-16; Romans
11:25b-26).
II. John is instructed to take the
little scroll from the angel and eat it (Rev. 10:8-11).
A. Ezekiel in the Old Testament had a
similar experience (Ezekiel 2:8 – 3:3). Prophets in the Old and
New Testaments received Yahweh’s message, digested it, and
delivered it to the people (verses 8-9a).
B. The message of the little open
scroll was sweet to John’s mouth (probably the overall message of
Christ’s ultimate rule) but bitter to his stomach (probably the
message of judgment and suffering) (verses 9b-10).
C. This prophetic message would go out
to all the people of the world involving judgment and the wrapping
up of all things (verse 11; Rev. chapters 11-22).
THOUGHT: Read Psalm
2:1-12 this week and give Yahweh Father and Yahweh Jesus all the
praise and all the glory! Hallelu-Yah!
