The Angel with the
Little Book
– Revelation Ten –
Revelation Ten is the
record of "another" mighty angel. This is a new scene as John is on
earth and the mighty angel descended from heaven. The angel with the little
book appeared between the sixth and seventh "woe trumpets." The angel
was, "clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face
was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire." This heavenly
messenger was a "mighty angel."
The angel stood
upon land and sea and lifted up his hands to heaven. He swore by the most
solemn things that "there should be time no longer." John is then
commanded to take the little book from the angel and eat it. It was to be sweet
as he ate it, but would be bitter afterwards. (Revelation 10:8-10) The chapter
concluded with a declaration that he must yet prophesy before many people and
nations. (Revelation 10:11)
The
angel with the little book – Revelation 10:1-2: In this interlude
"another mighty angel appeared." The description of this angel
resembles that of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:16. This has caused some
to conclude that this was the Christ. It could not be the Christ because he is
called "another" angel. It could not be the Christ if there was
"another." This mighty angel
could be Michael. There are several similarities to this mighty angel and to
Michael as he is described in Daniel 12:1 and Daniel 12:6-7. Angels are
mentioned several times in the book of Revelation. Only three of the angels in
Revelation are called mighty angels.
The angel had a little book in his hand.
"And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon
the sea, and his left foot on the earth. (Revelation 10:2) The book was opened.
It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. When the angle set his right foot upon the
sea and his left foot on the earth this indicated that the gospel is for all.
God provides every opportunity for man to learn the truth and turn from his
wicked ways. There, however, comes a time when God's mercy comes to an end. The
wicked
Seven
thunders uttered their voices – Revelation 10:3-4: The mighty angle
"cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried,
seven thunders uttered their voices." (Revelation 10:3) This cry was loud
because it was designed to attract attention to the message of God. When God
speaks men do well to take heed! When the loin roars the
other beast of the jungle tremble. When the Almighty God speaks the
occupants of sea and land should hear His voice and heed His message. Sadly
many will not hear nor repent. Remember the words of Revelation 9:20-21.
"And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet
repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship
devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which
neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their
murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their
thefts."
John said,
"when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write:
and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the
seven thunders uttered, and write them not." The seven thunders indicate
that a storm is coming. This was another warning from God concerning the
wicked. John had been commanded to write what he saw. (Revelation 1:11) Now he
is told not to write what the seven thunders uttered. Judgment had been
announced, God's warnings had been given and now there would be no delay.
There
shalt be time no longer – Revelation 10:5-7. The angle raised his hand
toward heaven with an announcement. The people had received their warnings.
They did not repent. Now the announcement is that "time shall be no
more." The wicked had rejected the gospel plan of salvation and now there
is nothing left to offer them.
When the seventh
trumpet sounded God's mystery would be finished. More than enough time will be
given for man's repentance and then God will have the trumpet blown. Then it
will be too late for repentance. Before the trumpet is blown God has some more
words of encouragement for His people.
Take
the little book and eat it – Revelation 10:8-11. The message of the
little book was that His people must continue to preach the word. The voice
John heard was likely the voice of God. The little book is very similar to what
was seen in Ezekiel 2:8-3:14. The message to Ezekiel was "eat and
preach." The word of God tasted good as John studied and meditated upon
it.
When we teach and
apply God's word it often becomes bitter. John must speak the word of God even
though the "woes" were coming. People had rejected the word of God.
The Christians would endure physical woes. The church would suffer because of
great world conflict. But mostly the
God's destructive
power will come against those that do not obey the gospel and serve Him
faithfully. To obey the gospel one must hear God's truth (Romans