REVELATION 10, The Little Scroll

In between the sixth and seventh trumpets, John sees a vision of a strong angel descending from heaven (John is apparently consciously back on earth). The angel holds a small book, or scroll, and is standing in such a way as to display power and authority. This scroll apparently will carry through to the end of time, as well as serve to “re-commission” John’s remaining ministry.

The angel has one foot on the sea, and one on land. His stance represents the possession of both land and sea, with his message pertaining to the whole world.

As the angel cries out, seven peals of thunder are heard by John. Whatever these ‘peals of thunder’ are, John’s readers would have understood. John seems ready to write down what he heard, so he apparently understood what the thunder has said. It is likely that God speaking to Christ is what transpired, discussing future terror judgments not recorded, and John is commanded to not write them down. As God inspired him to write, so He too inspired John not to write.

The angel raises his right hand, and given the stance, holding the scroll, the picture is just like that in Daniel 12:7. God told Daniel then that the words were “sealed up until the end time”, and here in Revelation they are being opened. The angel then swears an oath by God, as in verse 6, again with a creation theme. What a great reminder of what is transpiring. God is finalizing his divine judgment, to be followed by a re-creation of this world, forever free from sin.

By stating that there are no delays, the indication is that God’s plans are now ready to proceed; the mystery of God is now unfolding, and He is bringing His Kingdom to fruition. This is the ultimate good news! To the Old Testament prophets, this was always the good news: God would eventually carry out His remaining plans.

John is told to take the scroll and eat it; he is to thoroughly take in and absorb its contents. The language is literal, and John does eat it, and in the process he experiences the joy of being part of God’s revelation (honey, sweet to the taste?) along with sorrow over the judgments and persecution yet to come (the bitterness in the stomach?). The rest of John’s prophetic life will be predicting and preaching these coming woes and judgments, while relishing the joy of salvation.

God makes it clear that His Word through the prophets takes precedence over the highest of any human ranks (kings are mentioned in the last verse). And the remaining prophecies to be fulfilled take on a world-wide scope.

SO WHAT…

So I, too experience joy over being part of God’s Kingdom; yet I should feel some sorrow over those who do not or will not accept Christ.

So, I must remain focused on telling and warning people of god’s imminent plan.

So, when I worry about current events around me, it would serve me well to remember that God’s Word does and always will reign supreme.