Solved Mysteries (Rev. 10:1-11)

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, 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: 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, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And 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. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Illustration-

Seven Rules for Growth

A person who is “born again” starts a new life similar to that of a newborn infant. Seven rules that promote good health in babies can be adapted and applied to a Christian’s spiritual growth.

1. Daily Food. Take in the “pure milk of the word” through study and meditation.

2. Fresh Air. Pray often or you will faint. Prayer is the oxygen of the soul.

3. Regular Exercise. Put into practice what you learn in God’s Word.

4. Adequate Rest. Rely on God at all times in simple faith.

5. Clean Surroundings. Avoid evil company and whatever will weaken you spiritually.

6. Loving Care. Be part of a church where you will benefit from a pastor’s teaching and Christian fellowship.

7. Periodic Checkups. Regularly examine your spiritual health.

Source unknown

[Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).]

Main Thought: Meditation on the Revelation of God ought to move you to the Proclamation of the Gospel to every creature.

Sub-intro:

In anticipation of the Seventh Trumpet Judgment, the reader, expecting the Third Woe Judgment, receives an interruption. Life on earth was in the chaotic and demonic days of the first year past the midpoint of the Tribulation. However, the Apocalyptic narrative pauses, similar to the interlude between the Sixth and Seventh Seal Judgments (cf. Rev. 7:1-17), giving a respite from more judgment (cf. Rev. 8:1; 10:6) and perhaps more time for repentance (cf. Rev. 2:21). The narrative for the Seventh Trumpet Judgment and Third Woe Judgment does not proceed until Rev. 11:15. In the meantime, John revealed two significant truths, namely the reference to the mystery of God (cf. Rev. 10:7) and details about the two witnesses (cf. Rev. 11:1-14). Chapter Ten unfolds the heavenly perspective concerning more judgments in the word of God culminating in the mystery of God through the agency of the Apostle John. Chapter Eleven unveils the battle between the two witnesses and the Antichrist, resulting in his temporary dominion.

[Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 389.]

Body:

I. THE MIGHTY MESSENGER (Rev. 10:1-7).

Revelation 10:1 KJV 1900

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, 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:

A. His Appearance (1)

—Be pleased to observe the aspect of this august personage. All the brightness of the sun shines in his countenance, and all the rage of the fire burns in his feet.—See his apparel. The clouds compose his robe, and the drapery of the sky floats upon his shoulders. The rainbow forms his diadem; and that which "compasseth the heaven with a glorious circle," is the ornament of his head.—Behold his attitude. One foot stands on the ocean, the other rests on the land. The wide extended earth, and the world of waters, serve as pedestals for those mighty columns. —Consider the action. His hand is lifted up to the height of the stars. He speaks; and the regions of the firmament echo with the mighty accents, as the midnight desart [SIC] resounds with the lion's roar. The artillery of the skies is discharged at the signal; a peal of sevenfold thunders spreads the alarm, and prepares the universe to receive his orders.—To finish all, and give the highest grandeur, as well as the utmost solemnity to the representation, hear the decree that issues from his mouth. He swears by HIM that liveth forever and ever. In whatever manner so majestick [SIC] a person had expressed himself, he could not fail of commanding universal attention. But when he confirms his speech, by a most sacred and inviolable oath, we are not only wrapt in silent suspense, but overwhelmed with the profoundest awe. —He swears that time shall be no longer. Was ever voice so full of terrour [SIC]; so big with wonder? It proclaims, not the fall of empires, but the final period of things. It strikes off the wheels of nature; bids ages and generations cease to roll; and with one potent word, consigns a whole world over to dissolution.—This is one among a multitude of very sublime and masterly strokes, to be found in that too much neglected book—the BIBLE. [James Hervey et al., Meditations and Contemplations. In Two Volumes, Early American Imprints, 1639-1800; No. 21885 (Worcester, Massachusetts: Isaiah Thomas. Sold at his bookstore in Worcester, and by him and company in Boston, 1789).]

B. His Authority (2-4)

Revelation 10:2 KJV 1900

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,

1. Title (2a)

2. Territory (2b)

3. Thunders (3-4)

Revelation 10:3–4 KJV 1900

And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And 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 verse at hand causes the reader to give pause and reflect upon obvious truths that come from it. 1) Seven thunders sounded. 2) John began to obey the Lord as before by starting to write down the revelations of the little book. 3) Another voice from heaven prohibited him from revealing the contents therein and from writing them down in his [Apokalupsis.] 4) Elsewhere in Revelation, the noun [Bronte,] (“thunders” or “thunderings”) refers to harbingers of coming judgments meant to bring fear to men as an attention-getting device (cf. Rev. 8:5; vide also Ex. 19:16; 20:18). 5) Apparently the Apostle received revelations about coming judgments during the Tribulation time that are not revealed in the Seventh Trumpet Judgment/Third Woe Judgment or in the Seven Vial Judgments. That the Lord does not reveal all things but keeps some truth hidden finds affirmation in Moses’ declaration, who stated, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Dt. 29:29).(1513)

[1513 Interestingly, Paul stated that he had “heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (II Cor. 12:4).]

[Strouse, 398.]

C. His Affirmation (5-6)

Revelation 10:5–6 KJV 1900

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

1. His Oath to Honor the Person of God (5-6a)

2. His Oath to Halt the Patience of God (6b)

II. THE MANIFESTED MYSTERY (Rev. 10:7).

Revelation 10:7 KJV 1900

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

A. The appointed Timing (7a).

B. The accomplished Mystery (7b).

C. The afore-promised Truth (7c).

III. THE MANUSCRIPT MEAL (Rev. 10:8-10).

A. John accepted the Truth of God (8-9a)

Revelation 10:8–9 KJV 1900

And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

B. John appropriated the Truth of God (9b)

C. John assimilated the Truth of God (10)

Revelation 10:10 KJV 1900

And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

1. Sweet (10a)

2. Sour (10b)

IV. THE “MUST” OF MINISTRY (Rev. 10:11).

Revelation 10:11 KJV 1900

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

A. His Assignment (11a)

B. His Accountability (11b)

C. His Area (11c)

“If they’re breathing, they’re a candidate for the Gospel.” — Dr. Shelton Smith

Conclusion:

Well, every generation has kind of felt this is the time when God will intervene. When Eve gave birth to Cain [Genesis 4:1], practically all of your expositors will say that she thought the great promise that the Seed of the woman would bruise Satan’s head [Genesis 3:15], she thought it come to pass when that boy came, when that little baby Cain was born. When John the Baptist preached the gospel, he said, "I am introducing you to Christ, the One following me, who shall lay the axe at the root of the tree, and whose fan shall divide the chaff from the grain" [Matthew 3:10], he thought it would be in his day. Certainly the apostles thought it would be in their day. And in the great Reformation, those men thought it would be in their day. And we look in an expectancy toward heaven and think, well it will be in our day. We don’t know. There is a mystery in the purpose of God that is unfathomable to us – the delay. But you can be assured of this: first, that God intends a great thing for His people. And the trial of it, and the heartache of it, and the tears of it, and the death of it, God hath purposed for the good of His people. And the second thing, don’t you ever be persuaded that the battle belongs to our enemy. The victory belongs to us. That is why they sing so: "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto the Lord our God, And we shall reign on the earth, to Him be glory and dominion and power for ever and forever"[Revelation 1:5, 6]. That is what John said when he evangelized, he spake the good tidings to His servants the prophets [Revelation 10:7]. And any true minister of the gospel who preaches today is an echo of that ultimate and final victory. Gird up your loins, lift up your faces. Take a new hold of what God hath assigned us to do, for God’s Spirit in triumph marches before us.

Now, while we sing this song of appeal, somebody, you, give [yourself to] Jesus. Somebody, you, put your life with us in the fellowship of the church. While we sing this invitation hymn, you come and stand by me. "Preacher, today, today, I give [myself] to God. I give my hand to you. This is a public committal of my life in faith and in trust to the Lord." A family, you, to come into the fellowship of the church, as God shall say the word and lead the way, make it this morning. Make it now, while we stand and while we sing.

[W. A. Criswell, W. A. Criswell Sermon Library, W. A. Criswell Sermon Library (First Baptist Church of Dallas. TX, 2017).]

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