Transcript

A Strong Angel and A Little Scroll

Revelation 10:1-11
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Pastor Randy Smith

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You ever notice how uncertain life can be?

A few weeks ago my daughter and I took a short trip to Long Island. On the way back I thought it would be a nice idea to visit Coney Island and stop off at Nathan's for a hot dog. We parked on the abandoned street near the beach, paid 75 cents for 45 minutes on the meter and enjoyed our time together. To my surprise, when I returned to the car a half hour later I had one of those dreaded slips of paper underneath my left windshield wiper. I couldn't believe it, a parking ticket for 60 dollars!

I was dumbfounded as to exactly which ordinance I violated. When I looked closely at the ticket, it said I failed to back into the diagonal parking place. Folks, I've been driving a car for over 35 years and I have never heard about the expectation to back into a diagonal parking place. So immediately I looked for something that would display this requirement. Sure enough, there was a sign off in the distance loaded with rules and on the bottom in the small print it read "back in parking only".

For many of us, this describes our life. Almost on a daily basis you have a, "You've got to be kidding me moment." We know God's sovereign over these events and we know all these events will work together for our good, but on a frequent basis we're thrown a curveball that comes beyond our expectations. Life is very uncertain.

Yet I'm thankful when I study Revelation in the Bible that the most important events we can ever face have been spelled out to us by God in large print, and they come with a definite guarantee that His will will always be accomplished in the exact way that He has determined. For instance, we know that this world as we know it will come to an end. We know God will keep His children from ever falling from the faith. We know that we are protected from His wrath. We know our Savior will return for His own. We know He will deliver us from evil. And we know that we will be with Him in Paradise for all of eternity.

Today's chapter in Revelation, which we'll look at before we break for the Lord's Table, is probably the least known chapter in the entire book. And while the details of this chapter are often debated by the best Christian scholars, we will once again see the big picture of the certainty of God's victory over evil and the certainly of our calling while still here on earth.

You will recall the timeline. In chapter 6 there were seven seals on the large scroll taken by Jesus. When these seven seals are broken at the end of time the scroll will be opened and Jesus will enact His final plan of judging the lost and rewarding His people. We learned that after the sixth seal was broken, there was an interlude in chapter 7 that showed what was happening for the believer just prior to the breaking of the seventh and final seal.

We see here in chapter 10 the exact same pattern. The seventh seal is the seven trumpets. We've read about the first six trumpets and now before the sounding of the seventh trumpet, there is again an interlude here in chapter 10 to show you things from the Christian's perspective.

Let's begin. In verse 1 we are introduced to another angel. We simply see him identified as a "strong angel" that descended from heaven. Though some have tried to argue that this is Jesus Christ Himself, for several reasons I believe that assumption is incorrect. However, we see the description of this angel very similar to the description of Jesus Christ Himself. You can see in verse 1 that He is "clothed with a cloud" with "the rainbow on his head." "His face was like the sun and his feet like pillars of fire."

Some have identified this angel with the angel Gabriel who is known as the "mighty one of God." Perhaps, but we do know that this angel came directly from the Lord and was an amazing sight to see. This incredible and intimidating created being represents the One who sent Him both in will and appearance and stands prepared to faithfully execute the Creator's purposes.

Verse 2 tells us he held in his had a little scroll which was opened. You remember the big scroll from chapter 5 was closed and sealed and held only by Jesus Himself in heaven. This scroll was open and in the hand of the angel on earth and soon would be taken by John.

What were the contents of this scroll? Hard to say, but it is most likely that the scroll contained what would be spoken of in the following chapters in Revelation, the judgment that John as we will see is commissioned to speak about.

Now demonstrating the authority and dominion and sovereignty of God, verse 2 says this angel, "placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land." So what's the significance of that? It's interesting when these words are read in the overall context. We know it has, even to our ears, the ring of God's control over the world. But the land and the sea bear great symbolism to the first century reader of Revelation.

When we get to chapters 12 and 13, we'll be closely introduced to the forces of evil under the direction of Satan. It's fascinating to note how much Satan seeks to imitate God. After all, he's the prince of darkness, but seeks to be an angel of the light to mimic the "Light of the World." God performs miracles. Satan performs miracles. Within the Godhead there is the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the number being 777 (the fullness of perfection). With Satan there is the unholy trinity - Satan, the antichrist and the false prophet. As you know the number there is 666. And so on.

In 13:1 we read, "And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea." When we see the sea referenced in the Bible, the symbolism is one of evil. The ancient Jews were fishermen, but they were not known for their love and aptitude in the water. They feared the water and whatever might be living deep in its depths. Therefore the sea became the image for fear and evil. So it's no wonder that both the dragon (Satan) and the beast (antichrist) in 13:1 are identified with the sea. Remember, Jesus calmed the sea (some heavy symbolism in that sign). Also, we know that around God's throne in 4:6 is a crystal sea of glass.

So here in Revelation 10, we see the comfort that God gives His people. Where is the angel in verses 2, 5 and 8? His right foot is placed on the sea. In verse 6 we see that God created the sea. Again, this book was written to a persecuted church. Here's it is clear. Not only did God create the sea, but God rules over the sea, God rules over evil and uncertainty with absolute authority as seen with His angelic representative.

Verse 3, this angel "cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars." When he did that, verse 3, "The seven peals of thunder uttered their voices." There is much debate on the "seven peals of thunder." Safe to say seven is the number of completeness and thunder is symbolic for judgment. Beyond that we really have to start making educated guesses.

Nevertheless, John is a good scribe. Verse 4 says he is about to take notes as to what he heard and saw, but as soon as he was about to write, he heard a voice from heaven (perhaps God). The voice told him to, verse 4, "Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them." So John receives this vision and like the Apostle Paul when he was caught up to the third heavens, is not permitted to disclose it (2 Cor. 12:4; cf. Dan. 12:9).

Many have argued that these seven peals of thunder were about to deliver additional judgment from God similar to the seven seals, trumpets and bowls. But since men do not repent (end of chapter 9) when it comes, God simply is now prepared to bring about the final events that will draw things to a close (as we'll soon see here in chapter 10).

Verses 5-7, "Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven." He is making an oath to God. "And swore by Him who lives forever and ever [God is eternal], WHO CREATED HEAVEN AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE SEA AND THE THINGS IN IT [God is creator], that there will be delay no longer, 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."

So the question that has been looming throughout this book is the same cry uttered from God's faithful throughout the Bible. "How long, O God?" The answer is here. The time has now come for God to arrive in all authority and exercise His rightful dominion over this world. Those who rejected Him and persecuted His people will receive their just judgment and those who loved Him and obeyed the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ will receive their undeserved blessings as a token of God's grace and faithfulness.

In these verses there is a direct allusion to Daniel 12:7 from the Old Testament. "I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed."

Here in Revelation we see that fulfillment. There will come a time when the Eternal One, the Creator of all that exists, determines that there will no longer be any interruption. The verse reads "that there will be delay no longer" (Rev. 10:6). The wait is over. The anticipation is realized. The end has arrived.

And when? We've covered the first six trumpets already, now verse 7 tells us that things will be completed when the final and seventh angel sounds his trumpet. Then as verse 7 says, "The mystery of God is finished."

In other words, all that's been hidden in the past is now at last completely revealed. Nothing will stand in the way of this final dramatic period of world history. The triumph over evil is completed. God's kingdom is fully consummated in Christ.

Verse 8, "Then the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, 'Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.'"

So do you get the picture here? The strong angel we were introduced to earlier in the chapter held this little scroll. A voice from heaven, again, probably God, now directs John to take the scroll that is in the angel's hand. But as we'll see in a moment in verses 9 and 10, John taking the scroll was not just in the way of receiving it externally. John is expected to eat this scroll which is symbolic for fulling internalizing the contents of the scroll.

Let's remember that John is a prophet. He is commissioned by God to speak to the people on behalf of God. The imagery here is that of God delivering His word to John so John can deliver God's Word to the people. But as it is with any good mouthpiece for God, the speaker of God's Word must fully "take in," "live out" "assimilate" "become one with" that which he is about to present to others.

This, my friends, is the heart of all good Bible teachers, who are all prophets of God's Word contained in the Bible. This applies from those who teach in the nursery all the way up to the pulpit. Teachers don't just read the Word of God, make a few notes and then present it to God's people. They become one with the Word. They memorize it. They meditate on it. They examine their life in line with it. They make it their own so that when they preach to others, their lesson is not from the notepad, but rather from the overflow of the heart.

This, my friends, by God's grace, is what I try to do with you every Sunday morning. Though I try to give myself a general feel of Revelation by frequently reading the book through, I basically study one chapter at a time each week. Let me let you in on a little secret. When I approach the new passage early in the week, I often have a vague idea of what the passage is saying and often no idea of what I am going to communicate to you on Sunday morning. I study as much as I can. I let the Word of God impact my spirit. It directs me. It challenges me. It encourages me. It convicts me. It strengthens me. It humbles me. Then on Sunday morning the goal is simply to give you the overflow of what God did in my heart throughout the week.

You see, the graphic language in verses 9 and 10 seeks to make this point, a point that every Bible teacher should be able to identify with. "So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said to me, 'Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.' I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter."

You see the imagery? First, we can't give out that which we do not first take in. If we are going to teach from the heart, the Word must first impact our hearts. We must internalize it no different than every true student of the Scriptures. John is told to eat the Word of God - to take it in, to digest it, to allow it to turn in his belly, to allow him to become one with the Word so much that it radically impacts his affections and lifestyle.

Second, in John's case we get his specific reaction. We see it goes down as sweet as honey, but not long afterwards makes his stomach bitter.

The reception of the Word of God is often compared to sweetness in the Bible. Psalm 16:10, "Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb." Psalm 119:113, "How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" And one of my favorites, Jeremiah 15:16, "Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart." We can identify with this, right?

Yet we also know when we really allow God's Holy Word to cut away at our sinful hearts like the scalpel from a surgeon, there is pain and conviction. We are exposed to our rough edges that were hidden away. We are reminded of the pain we bring our Savior. We are brought back to the rightful place of humility. These realizations are good. We welcome the opportunity to grow. We greater appreciate the Lord's grace and love. But we all have to agree, this exposure and the repentance expected can be quite bitter. It is sweet in the beginning in hearing and sweet in the end with the results, but often bitter in the middle phase of reflection and repentance. And this is what contrasts us with the unbeliever under God's wrath mentioned in the final verses of chapter 9. Remember, they "did not repent" (Rev. 9:20).

I believe this was particularly bitter for John because he soon realized that he was to prophesy judgment. Remember, that is what I believe the little scroll was - the following chapters in Revelation - judgment on the unbeliever. As much as we wish to see our Lord vindicated and His will go forth and as much as we wish to see God's people rescued, there is a grief in every human heart when it comes to the realization of the fate for those without Christ. And the bitterness is even greater when you proclaim God's judgment over and over and over and no one ever seems to repent. This was the experience of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. John's commissioning would be no different.

Speaking of Ezekiel, listen to these parallel verses from his book in the Old Testament. "Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you. Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it. When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe. Then He said to me, 'Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.' So I opened my mouth, and He fed me this scroll. He said to me, 'Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you.' Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth" (Eze. 2:8-3:3).

Verse 11, the council of God speaking to John, "And they said to me, 'You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.'"

Judgment is coming as contained in that little scroll. It's coming on all unbelievers without distinction. All people and nations and tongues without exception. It's even coming on the mightiest people the world esteems as we read about all "kings" as well.

God must in His holy nature punish that which violates His Word, because His Word is a reflection of His character. Yet He has given this world hope. That regardless of who you are without distinction, there is the opportunity now before death or this end time judgment, whichever comes first for you, to repent and believe on Jesus Christ whom the Father has sent to remove sin through His death on the cross. He faced the judgment. Justice was accomplished in Him. Those who trust Him according to the Scriptures can be forgiven and saved from His wrath. Have you trusted Him with your life for salvation?

You know, I tried to appeal that $60 parking ticket. A day before the money was due I logged on to their website and found my case. Under my name it simply said this - "Case reviewed: guilty."

Apart from Christ, my case has already been reviewed by the God who sees all things. I have already been found guilty in His sight because of a daily violation of His large print expectation. But thanks be to God for our Savior, Jesus Christ who took away our sin and also our guilt by making it His own and has then pronounced His people innocent. In other words, with my ticket I wanted mercy. I deserved judgment. I received judgment. Yet with God, we want mercy. We deserve judgment. Yet through Christ we are given mercy. Jesus made our crime, His crime so that we who deserve God's judgment might be eternally protected and delivered from God's wrath. That was the reason for Jesus' arrival. That great Christmas message, Matthew 1:21, "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."