THE MIGHTY ANGEL | REVELATION 10:1-2 THE MIGHTY MESSAGE ...

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Session 20 | Revelation 10 | The Little Book. Rev. 10:1-11:14 continue as part of the 2nd woe (which is the 6th trumpet)
Session 20 | Revelation 10 | The Little Book

Rev. 10:1-11:14 continue as part of the 2nd woe (which is the 6th trumpet).

THE MIGHTY ANGEL | REVELATION 10:1-2 •



The Angel’s Description: o While the description of this angel sounds like Christ, the designation as "another strong angel" needs to be taken literally. o A strong angel is seen in Rev. 5:2, asking, "who is worthy." That strong angel was clearly not Christ. o The description alone cannot be used to override the words chosen and inspired. o Verses 5-6 are problematic if Christ is the angel of vv. 1-2. o If Christ is not the angel, who is it? It is simply best to not go further than John reveals: it is another strong angel. The Christ-like description of the angel does not require that the angel be Christ. o The angel stood on land and sea. § This fact is noted three times (v. 2, 5, 8), and must have significance. § It is likely an image of dominion. § Whereas the judgment has been described beginning in chapter 5 with the "big book," the judgment is going to be completed with the contents of this little book. § This angel comes to take a position of strength, dominion, and conquest of sea and land. The Angel’s Possession: o This little book is not defined, but is clearly a book that reveals further judgment. More of its content is seen in following verses.

THE MIGHTY MESSAGE | REVELATION 10:3-7 •



The voice (v. 3): o Unlike John's cry of chapter 5, this is not a cry of sadness. This is a display of power. The seven thunders (v. 3-4): o The Greek includes a definite article, "The seven thunders." These thunders are given personification with "voices."

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The instruction (v. 4): o The things spoken were known by John but are not known to us. They are a "mystery" in the Biblical sense. Since they are unknown, speculation is unfruitful. o When John wrote, it was to reveal. He was told not to write in order to conceal. § Many students want to take what John wrote and treat it as if it is concealed, and then want to take what John didn't write and want to reveal. § John's writing was so clear that the voice from heaven did not want him to write, but rather wanted it to remain known only to John. The identification clue (v. 5-6): o These verses make an interpretation of the mighty angel as Christ to be problematic. o Christ is the creator of all things (Col. 1:16, Jn 1:3), and therefore cannot also be the mighty angel. The message itself (vv. 6-7): o Time itself will not cease to exist (as seen in Revelation 20), but rather "time to judgment" is about to be completed. o The prayer of the Martyrs ("how long...") is about to be answered. o When the 7th trumpet sounds (v. 7), "time" is up. o It would be a terrible theological flaw to conclude that the "mystery of God" in this verse is the same as the mystery revealed to the Apostle Paul. § The mystery of the church revealed to Paul was unknown before Paul (Eph. 3:9) § The mystery of the church is called the "Mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3:4) and was revealed to Paul by Christ, directly. § This "mystery of God" was "declared to...the prophets" by God. § Whatever this mystery is, we should be able to find in the Hebrew Scriptures, revealed through the prophets. o Note: be careful when allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture that you do it faithfully, not sloppily. If the "mystery" here were the church, then the church would be in the tribulation. There is no need to go with this, however, when we also see "mystery" used outside the church, as in Matthew 13:10, 11, 34, 35. o Note also: the phrase "his servants the prophets" is used 7 times, always in the Old Testament except this case. o There are similarities between John's experience and that of Daniel in Daniel 12, especially since the 1,260 days is both in Daniel 12 and Rev. 11:2-3.

THE SWEET AND SOUR BOOK | REVELATION 10:8-11 • •



The request (v. 8-9): Take and eat the book. The result (vv. 9-10): o Compare Ezek. 2:8-3:7. o There is a sweetness to knowing that "the time has come." There is bitterness to pronouncing judgment on Israel. The repetition (v. 11): o "Again" is likely not a reference to John's previous prophecies, but rather the prophecies given to the prophets in v. 7 must be proclaimed again. o The Greek word epi is literally "upon." A good English interpretation would be "against."

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