Revelation 10

Revelation 10:1-11:3

This is between the 6^th and 7^th Trumpets

What was Chapter 9 all about?

It was the sounding of the first 5^th and 6^th trumpets.

It ended with the statement: (Rev 9:21) And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Chapter 10 and part of 11 are somewhat parenthetical. The 7^th trumpet does not sound until Revelation 11:15

(Rev 10:1 NKJV) I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.

And a rainbow was on his head—This would seem to be symbolic of peace. That was the intent of the first rainbow.

his feet like pillars of fire. This would seem to indicate judgment. Judgment of the wicked.

(Rev 10:2 NKJV) He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,

He had a little book – The little book will be dealt with in verse 10.

And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, Apparently a way of showing that what is about to follow will affect the entire world since the world is composed of sea and land

(Rev 10:3-4 NKJV) and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. {4} Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them."

“Seal up!” – Something was revealed which we do not know. For whatever reason, God withheld this information.

(Deu 29:29 NKJV) "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

(Rev 10:5-6 NKJV) The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven {6} and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,

“[He] raised up his hand to heaven {6} and swore by Him who lives forever and ever” He swore! A very solemn and serious moment! What is it?

(Rev 10:6 KJV) 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:

“Time” is the usual way of translating this word, but in this case, “Delay” is probably the better way to translate the verse and most versions agree.

(Rev 6:10-11 NKJV) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" {11} Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

“there should be delay no longer” God has been waiting, but the waiting is over!

(2 Pet 3:9-10 NASB) The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. {10} But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

(Rev 10:7 NKJV) but in [1] the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, [2] the mystery of God would be finished, [3] as He declared to His servants the prophets.

Let’s take these three statements one at a time.

[1] the days of the sounding of the seventh angel,

Remember! We aren’t there yet:

(Rev 11:15 NKJV) Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"

(Eph 1:9 NKJV) having made known to us the mystery [or secret] of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself,

(Eph 5:32 NKJV) This is a great mystery [or secret], but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

(Amos 3:7 NKJV) Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

(Rev 10:8-10 NKJV) Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth." {9} So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth." {10} Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.

(1) What is the little book? – It could be the Bible. It seems more likely to be what follows in the next verse:

(Rev 10:11 NKJV) And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings."

(2) Why is it sweet in the mouth, but makes the stomach bitter? – If this is referring to prophecy, the prophecy is against evil. Justice will finally be served, and that sounds great.

A little later (when it reaches the stomach), and it’s full horror is realized, it’s hard to “stomach” the judgment that is measured out.

What he prophesies about will affect all people. It not just something that will affect Israel.

(Rev 10:11 NKJV) And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.

(Rev 11:1 NKJV) Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure¹ the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

I think definition (1b) may help us make better sense of what is happening here. Consider what follows:

(Rev 11:2) "But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

Interesting problem: I believe Revelation to have been written about AD 92 to 96. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed about AD 70.

Some sources say that the Jewish people are preparing to rebuild the temple in the near future. What temple was John to measure? It may have just been part of the vision of heaven that he was allowed to see.

(Rev 11:3 NKJV) "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."

We plan to continue with the two witnesses next time, but let’s look at this time period:

(Dan 12:7 NKJV) Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.

(Rev 1:3 NKJV) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.