People Aren't Hopelessly Wicked: John Is Recommissioned, As Prophet To All People (Rev. 10:1-11) Series

This morning, we have the privilege of working our way through Revelation 10. This is a great chapter. I really enjoyed studying it, and wrestling with it. But it caused me all kinds of fits, because it's a chapter that can't be understood by itself. Until you hear the OT echoes, and understand how this chapter interacts with the OT, it's a chapter that refuses to give up its treasure.

There are three separate things we have to keep in mind as we read Revelation 10.

The first, and most important, is Daniel 12. Our passage today won't make any real sense at all, if we haven't read Daniel 12. [Revelation 10 is like a picture on our wall, that has to be framed by Daniel 12].

The second, is parts of Ezekiel 2 and 3.

The third, is how Jesus was described earlier in the book of Revelation.

And the really tricky part about all of this, is all three of these things are adapted in Revelation 10, to create something new. So we are supposed to see the similarities, and the connections. But we are also supposed to note the differences, because it's the differences that unlock Revelation 10.

So there's a lot of things we need to juggle. It's a lot to teach. It's a lot to listen to. But we will all do our best :)

Since we can't really do anything in Revelation today apart from Daniel 12, let's just start there (RSV for a small reason).

I'll stop three or four places, to highlight three or four things. There are things in here I'm not at all sure how to explain. I don't have the answers, for sure. But I can point out three or four things:

12 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time; but at that time your people shall be delivered, every one whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

VERSE 4:

4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

We read here that there is a scroll/book, sealed, until the time of the end. That's the first thing we need to see.

Verse 5:

5 Then I Daniel looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream.

This doesn't seem like a big point, but see the two angels here, spanning the stream. One on one side, and one on the other. This is important.

6 And I[a] said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” 7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven; and I heard him swear by him who lives for ever that it would be for a time, two times, and half a time; and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be accomplished.

Here, we see our third key link. A third angel raises his hands toward heaven, and swears an oath by the one living forever that it will be a time, two times, and half a time until the end of these wonders.

8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.

The angel here refuses to answer Daniel's question, sort of. Daniel is told, for a second time, that the words of the scroll will be sealed up until the time of the end.

10 Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined (Revelation 7); but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and comes to the thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 But go your way till the end; and you shall rest, and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”