God’s Messenger And Its Little Scroll Series

Alpha and Omega, Part 34, Revelation Part 11

God’s Messenger and its Little Scroll

Revelation 10:1-11 and Revelation 11:1-2

Introduction

- Been studying together, chapter by chapter, to understand God’s plan for creation

- Last week, we saw the 5th and 6th trumpet (1st and 2nd terrors prophesied in Ch 8)

• A fierce storm and volcanic explosion - destroys industry and shipping

• A meteor that contaminates 1/3 of the fresh water supply – can’t drink it

• An eclipse that temporarily removes 1/3 of the daylight – disrupts days

• A demonic locust attack that causes unbelievable torture to the ungodly

• A second demonic army, 200M, that kills 1/3 of the ungodly on Earth

-- Why? Remember: Billions will follow the Antichrist in the end days

-- They will believe his nonsense, his lies, his promises, and his fake miracles

-- But their allegiance will be their undoing – and now we see them being judged

- Today is (again) a bit of a parenthesis (like Ch 7 was) … a pause to understand

-- Show CHART of Revelation as a reference to where we are in time

-- This is just before the 7th trumpet, or the 7th woe, is heard from Heaven

- Read Revelation 10:1-11 and 11:1-2 / Pray

- With so much doom falling upon the Earth, a natural question comes to mind:

-- “Is there any hope for mankind at this point?” The answer is, YES!

-- The triumph that is coming will settle all things - good overcoming evil!

-- For mankind, there is hope if you choose to turn to Jesus Christ!

- TR: Ch 10 shows us three things that we must understand today … First

Point 1 – John sees a mighty angel descend on the Earth

- He has come with an incredible appearance and an announcement

-- Greek (seen this before): aggelos; a messenger or an angel

- Know this: the message comes from the throne of God, from Heaven itself

• Messenger was dressed in a cloud – symbolizes a heavenly appearance

• Had a rainbow on its head – symbolizes mercy of God

• Had a face that shone as the sun – symbolizes light, wisdom, splendor

• Had feet that were pillars of fire – symbolizes purity and strength

- He held a small book – (later) v11 tells us this is what must be proclaimed

-- The message is the Word of God, it’s the declaration of God’s promises

• Set his feet on sea and earth – signifies his giant size, power and reach (v5)

• Had a voice that roared like a lion – this is the symbol of the voice of God

-- This confirms Joel 3:16, “The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel.”

• Messenger called forth the 7 thundering voices – symbolizes voice of God

o It demonstrates the completeness / fullness of authority (power!)

-- Voice does speak to John; see how John is stopped from telling their words (v4)

- There is no way to know what was said – but in it we can find our curiosity

-- The word of God is always perfect in its timing – and it’s not for us to know yet

- Natural question: Who is the angel or messenger? (v1)

-- Some say this is one of God’s highest angels – perhaps it is Gabriel

-- Gabriel’s name actually means “mighty one”; Daniel rcvs. 2 messages from him

-- But others say that this Jesus Christ Himself (note the glorified appearance)

-- Strengthening this, he refers to “His witnesses” in Revelation 11:3

-- It is not clear, but those are two options of who this is Second …

Point 2 – John hears a declaration and an oath by the angel

- This moment is so spectacular, that we cannot help but marvel at it (v6)

-- He speaks an oath (GR: omnuó; oath) to the one who has sent Him … oath is:

• By Him who lives for ever and ever

• Who created the heavens and everything in them

• Who created the earth and everything in it

• Who created the sea and everything in it

- Now consider this … what is the great oath (or promise) that is made?

• That soon, time shall be no more

• The delay of the end shall be no more

• The culmination of all events is now at hand – be ushered by the 7th trumpet

• All the horrors of Revelation and God’s judgment will be revealed

• And then … God’s wrath will be complete