Hello, and welcome back to our exciting study of Revelation. We have now seen 6 of the 7 trumpet judgments, taking place during the period of time known as the Tribulation. There is a pattern to these judgments which we have seen so far: the first 6 seals---- then an interlude, now out of the 7th seal come the Trumpets. And out of the 6th trumpet-----another interlude. After this interlude, the 7th trumpet will introduce us to the 7 bowl judgments. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. During this interlude in the Trumpet judgments we have some interesting things to deal with first.

 

These interludes are like a parenthesis. When a parenthesis is used in writing, it usually contains information that is necessary for the reader to understand.

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                                                                                                    Revelation 10:1

       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 like the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

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                                                                                                     QUESTION:

Who is this angel? Some think it is Jesus. Some say another angel. If it was Jesus, wouldn’t John have recognized Him? Another simply means another of the same kind as before.

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             Now look at the vision. This happens in the spiritual realm. People of earth can not see this event. Clothed with a cloud, describes a heavenly being of high authority. He seems to be a special messenger of Christ carrying the credentials of the position he holds. A rainbow crown on his head would indicate that he might be associated with God’s promise to Noah. So this would be a reminder from God’s covenant with man. The angel’s face shines as the sun reminding us of Moses coming down from the presence of God. Feet as pillars of fire indicate authority in judgment.

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                                                                                                                Rev. 10:2-3

2. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,

3. and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.

 

 

                                                                                                        What is this scroll?

     Notice it is a 7 sealed scroll and is open in his hand. This book is the same one that was originally in the hands of God the Father. He gave it to the Lamb and He opened the seals. Now He has given it to the angel.

 

 

The book is now opened and the judgments are displayed. The book gives the angel the authority to claim both the sea and the earth for Christ. He is taking back possession of the earth and sea from Satan.

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Remember we said in the beginning that this scroll was the title deed to the earth. Leviticus 25:23 “‘The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.

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This angel cries out with a loud booming voice, that the end has come. (v, 6), Remember, the Lord is giving John a glimpse into the future because there are more events yet to come before the end.. This is to give us hope in the midst of all the judgment. Now John heard something and was about to write it down, but is told not to write it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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                                                                                                                 Rev 10:4

And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”

 

 

What did the seven thunders (or voices) say to John? We don’t know. I think the voice of these 7 thunders was the very voice of God Himself. Job 37:5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways he does great things beyond our understanding.

 

John heard what the voices said. They were audible words. They remain to this day a secret which no one knows.

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                                                                                                               Rev. 10:5-6

5. Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven.

6. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay!

 

The angel is telling the occupants of heaven that it won’t be long now. Time is running out.

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                                                                                                                Rev. 10:7

But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”

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What is the mystery of God?

Many seem to think that it is the question

“Why did God permit evil, and why has He tolerated it for so long?

There are a lot of unanswered questions. Questions that don’t have answers.

Where were you, God, when the baby died?

Where were you when the missionaries were massacred?

Why do bad guys seem to win and good guys lose?

Where were you, God, when the children were abused, and suffered unspeakable horrors?

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                                                                                                                 Rev.8-10

8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”

9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.”

 

 

  John is told to take the book. The angel tells him to eat it. Tasting is hearing. Eating is believing. Jeremiah 15:16

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.

This is where we get our expression “eat your words”. What are some of the “bitter” aspects of being a true witness of Jesus Christ in today’s world?

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What is the Lord saying to John? Digest the truth of prophecy and be ready to go to the nations of the earth with a warning. He was to saturate himself with God’s word so that it was literally a part of him. This is the kind of spiritual involvement that all Christians should have before we open our mouths to declare God to anyone.

He said it would be sweet to the taste but bitter in his belly. You’ve heard of a bitter/sweet experience? Remember the same gospel that makes it possible for me to go to heaven, also puts someone ese in hell.

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                                                                                                          Rev. 10:10-11

10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.

11 And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

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He seems to be saying to John, “Now, John, go back and tell it again. This time with more detail.” There is more prophecy yet to come. We are only about halfway through the book of the Revelation. We are going to find that God has a lot more to say and we have a lot more to learn before the end finally comes

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See you next week, precious friends,

In the meantime, see how many people you can witness to and how many you can tell about our study. Invite them to join us.

Blessings to all,

Maggie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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