Podcast Episode 22 (Condensed)
Welcome back to Wytinsea Writes! We’re still studying the book of Revelation. I know. It seems like we’ve been studying it for years at this point, but it has only been a number of months. Life has been life-ing! Ya girl’s schedule is so hectic! But, despite it all, I’m still on an assignment from God. The Lord has equipped me as one of His vessels to break down the book of Revelation for the Gen-Z and millennials. It is for such a time as this. The end times are not near, but here (that’s a bar).
But no, seriously. God is calling His people to wake up, discern the times, and prepare for what is ahead. I truly believe that the book of Revelation is unfolding by the day. Many people who seldomly read it are going to start reading it more once they realize how relevant it is today. Everything in the book of Revelation doesn’t have to be occurring in America, it could be occurring in other countries. We must stay watchful, prayed up, and ready (Matthew 24:42-44).
If you haven’t already, read my previous blog on Revelation 9 by clicking here.
You can also listen to the Revelation 9 podcast episode by clicking here.
If you’re new to my website, click here to start with Revelation 1 blog to catch up.
So, let’s dive right into Revelation 10. If you’d prefer to listen to the podcast episode on Revelation 10, click here. John the Revelator is still caught up in the spirit. God is still moving, showing him marvelous things, and speaking through him. This chapter focuses primarily on the angel and the small scroll.
Revelation 10:1-2 NLT, “Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire.”
So, we don’t know who the angel was because scripture doesn’t identify him. Some scholars believe it was Michael the Archangel because he was a messenger. Others say it was Jesus Christ because several old testament scriptures present Christ as the “angel of the Lord”. We find that in Genesis 16:7, Genesis 13, Genesis 31:11-13, and Judges 6:22.
Of course, Jesus is not a literal “angel”, but He is the creator of them (Colossians 1:15). The word angel in Greek means messenger. So, Jesus definitely fills that role. We know that Jesus came to earth to bring us God’s message of redemption and salvation. Also, He delivered the message of Revelation to apostle John (Revelation 1). The description of the “mighty angel” matches the description of Christ in Revelation 1:15-16). I encourage you to go back and read it. Even Revelation 1:7 associates Christ with clouds. Revelation 4:3 mentions a rainbow around God’s throne. Furthermore, Revelation 5:6 talks about how Jesus stood in the midst of the throne. Therefore, the angel in Revelation 10 could possibly be Jesus. Just a thought.
Let’s continue. Revelation 10:2-4 NLT, “And in his hand was a small scroll that had been opened. He stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. 3 And he gave a great shout like the roar of a lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders answered. 4 When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Keep secret what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down.”
It’s important to note that this scroll in Revelation 10 is different from the scroll in Revelation 5. The way the angel positions himself with one foot on the sea and the other on the land proves that this mighty angel has authority. This angel possesses control over both the sea and land.
I can’t help but think of Isaiah 42:13 when it states that this angel roared like a lion, “The Lord will march forth like a mighty hero; He will come out like a warrior, full of fury. He will shout his battle cry and crush all his enemies.” Is it possible that the “thunder” sound was the same sound at the end of the seal judgements from Revelation 8:5? I guess there isn’t a reason for us to wonder since Revelation 10:4 tells us that the meaning of this event is a secret. This means that God doesn’t reveal what the 7 thunders said. Keep in mind, God includes everything He wants in the Word and omits whatever He pleases from it as well.
If you’ve noticed, the number 7 is very symbolic in the book of Revelation. For example, 7 lampstands, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls, and 7 thunders. Just something to keep in mind.
As the verses continue for 5-6, “Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand toward heaven. 6 He swore an oath in the name of the one who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and everything in them, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it. He said, “There will be no more delay.”
The statement “no more delay” is very powerful. Could it be in response to believers wondering how long evil people will continue to have their way? (Psalm 94:3) We don’t know, but we can conclude that God’s merciful hand of restraining judgement on people have come to an end in this chapter. Going forward, everything that God sees fit will go forward with no more delay. God will no longer intervene to show mercy at this point of the end times.
If you’re reading this blog, be thankful. You still have time to get it right. God is patiently offering salvation and redemption to mankind (2 Peter 3:9). But someday, He will no longer be longsuffering or patient. He will no longer wait for evildoers to repent. He will return. Only the righteous will be saved and live in eternity with Him. Death marks the end of a person’s opportunity to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior (Hebrews 9:27).
Proverbs 27:1 reminds us “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.” The bible is the Word of God. I am only sharing what God has led me to share. Hebrews 3:15 NLT says, “Today when you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” As you’re reading this blog, don’t harden your hearts to the message. Tomorrow may be too late for you. Next week may be too late for you. Next month or next year may never come for you. 2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT says, “Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”
Revelation 10:7 NLT says, “When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as He announced it to His servants the prophets.” God’s timing is always perfect even if we don’t understand it. He will bring everything to pass that He pleases during the days of the 7th trumpet.
It is unfortunate that lawlessness will reach its peak. Lawlessness is destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3). People will be crashing out left and right. Destruction is occurring today, but it will be even worse during the tribulation period. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 NLT says, “For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.” This proves that God is standing in the gap, withholding the extreme lawlessness from unfolding just yet. But one day, God will step out of the way. Not because He is weak or unpowerful, but so that the bible can be fulfilled. Not only that, but also for people’s eyes to be opened to the wickedness and lawlessness that’s been upon the earth (just in secret).
Revelation 10:8-10 NLT states, “Then the voice from heaven spoke to me again: “Go and take the open scroll from the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” So I went to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. Yes, take it and eat it,” he said. “It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!” 10 So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach.”
Let’s unpack the previous scriptures. The part that really stands out is the sweet, then sour scroll given to John to eat. God’s Word contains both a supple message and tart message in a figurative sense. The gospel is sweet and supple to those who are willing to receive it. On the other hand, the gospel can be tart, bitter, or piercing to those who chooses to reject it. You have two ways to receive the Word. God allows us to choose how we take it.
For John the Revelator, He has big shoes to fill. He has been caught up in the spirit and given the Word of God to share to mankind. It is sweet at first to take in, but then it turns sour in His stomach. John is carrying this message of God within Him. Therefore, it is bittersweet due to fact that some will receive it (sweet) but others will reject it (sour).
Even we, as believers of Christ, must take the Word of God and apply it to our lives. Some scripture may be our favorite, so we’ll consider those sweet. Maybe some scriptures are easy to read and makes us feel bliss. On the other hand, some scriptures will call us out on our mess. It will convict us, offend us, or shed light on our secret sin. That would be the sour part of the Word.
The final verse (Revelation 10:11) NLT says, “Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.” Basically, John was given divine instruction on what He needs to do. John was given an impartation from God when he ate the Word and experienced the sweetness and sourness of it.
With John being a prophet, He was a voice piece to the world just like many prophets are today. The gospel has reached nations and will continue to do so. John swallowed the scroll (prophecy/Word) and now He must communicate it. Remember, John was banished to Patmos for speaking the Word of God. Fortunately for us, they couldn’t stop the prophet. There was still more God had for John to speak on, hence why the remaining chapters in the book of Revelation exist. Thank you, Jesus for imparting your Word into John and even your prophets today. It will be sweet at first, but eventually bitter. The good news is that cannot stop anyone God has called as a voice piece or prophet.
God used John the Revelator to write the book of Revelation, which is still impacting millions of lives today. I truly hope this blog has impacted your life in some sort of way. Salvation is free and you can walk in the freedom of forgiveness and grace today. All you need to do is repent. Turn to God. Do that right now if you need to make it right with Him.
Thank you so much for reading my blog on the bible study of Revelation 10. Be encouraged. Stay prayed up. Stay vigilant. Stay ready so that you don’t have to get ready. Share this blog with someone whose soul you care about. Until next time with Wytinsea Writes!
