The Revelation of Jesus Christ “Angels, Prophets & Witnesses” Rev 10-11
Review
I. PROLOGUE 1:1-20 (Things you have seen)
II. Messages to the Seven churches 2-3 (Things with are)
III. Last Days 4-22 (Things which are about to take place)
A. Heavenly worship around the throne 4-5
B. The Seven seals 6:1-8:1
C. The Seven Trumpets 8-9
1. Earth Shaking Prayer 8:3-5
2. First six trumpets 8:6-9:21
3. Interlude 10-11:14
Just as John included an interlude between the sixth and seventh seal, there is another interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpet. The interlude serves to inform us of simultaneous activity taking place on a different level. In this case we have a view of things in the heavenly realm and then a closer look at events on earth at the temple in Jerusalem.
John again describes events happening on earth.
a. The mighty angel and the little book 10:1-11
I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire; 2 and he had in his hand a little book which was open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land; 3 and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices. Revelation 10:1-3
The mighty angel’s identity and activity
• John identifies this as another strong angel.
He encountered another “strong” angel speaking to him earlier (5:1-2).
Strong, powerful, valiant, mighty
Most likely, this is a reference to one of the high ranking angels.
• He came down from heaven.
He probably came from God’s throne and His glorious presence.
• He is clothed with a cloud.
Clouds are associated with mystery, majesty, movement, the Second coming.
• He is crowned with a rainbow
The rainbow is often a symbol of God’s faithfulness and covenant.
• His face shines
Perhaps this reflects the fact that He had been in God’s presence.
• His feet are fiery
Symbolic of light, magnificence, judgment.
These images are reminiscent of the deliverance from Egypt.
Cloud by day and the fire by night. The glow from God’s presence.
• He holds a “little” scroll.
John sees the mighty angel holding a “little” scroll or book. This is most likely not the same book that Jesus holds requiring seven seals. It is small enough to see its contents all at once when unrolled. We are not told the content of the scroll. The context of this chapter and next may be a clue as to its content. Ezekiel (2:9) described a similar scene.
• He stood with one foot on land and one on the sea.
This observation is repeated again in verse 5 and 8 for emphasis and identification. This may indicate the reclaiming of the earth for the Lord. This mighty angel had been granted authority over both the land and the sea.
• He shouted with an intimidating voice like a loud lion’s roar.
The intimidating voice of a lion appears in several places in Scripture.
10 They will walk after the LORD, He will roar like a lion; Indeed He will roar And His sons will come trembling from the west. Hosea 11:10
If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it? 7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets. 8 A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy? Amos 3:6-8
"Therefore you shall prophesy against them all these words, and you shall say to them, 'The LORD will roar from on high And utter His voice from His holy habitation; He will roar mightily against His fold. He will shout like those who tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. Jeremiah 25:30
Here, it is God’s angel whose voice can be heard. The angel’s voice triggers more communication from heaven. The “seven thunders” reverberate throughout the earth.
John and his readers were familiar with one of the psalms of David that extols God’s glory, majesty, and power. “The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic” (Ps. 29:3–4). John’s allusion to Psalm 29 is even more meaningful when we see that in this psalm David mentions the phrase “the voice of the LORD” seven times. Also, in the Apocalypse John repeatedly mentions thunder as “a sign of the divine presence and judgment.”15 But in Psalm 29 and in Revelation the peals of thunder are not simply noise but articulate speech. (Hendricksen Commentary on Rev)
Thunder in the Bible is nearly always associated with divine judgment. God is serious.
4 When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them." Revelation 10:4
John had been obedient to write down everything he heard and saw so far and paused to jot down the latest message.
A voice from heaven (probably Jesus) prohibited John from writing the message thunderously communicated to the earth. There are some things that God keeps to Himself until the appropriate time. Daniel was told to seal up some of the revelation given to Him.
For now, John must keep the thundering message secret.
• The angel swears an oath
Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven, 6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, WHO CREATED HEAVEN AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE SEA AND THE THINGS IN IT, that there will be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets. Revelation 10:5-7
The lifting of the right hand to heaven is an acknowledgment of responsibility to a higher authority to tell the truth. The angel who stands on the earth and the sea raises his hand to heaven acknowledging the eternal God who made them all. Some of the same attributes acknowledged in earlier praise and worship appears again here. Creator of all things. Eternal. What does the angel affirm in his oath? The God who created all things and lives forever promises there will be no more delay. The end has come. Those martyrs (6:10-11) under the altar crying for justice need not wait any longer. With the sounding of the seventh trumpet, God’s plan will rapidly unfold to its conclusion. Justice is about to fall just as God promised through his prophets over thousands of years.
• The angel relinquishes the book to John
Then the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, "Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land."
Jesus instructs John to take the “little book” from the mighty angel. John walked up to the angel and requested the book.
• The angel instructed John to eat the book and prophesy.
So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said to me, "Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey." 10 I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.
This picture is a familiar one in the bible. It is a picture of full assimilation of God’s truth. The message would be sweet as honey in his mouth but later bring a uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach. God’s word often seems sweet but its judgments bitter. We love His truth.
It is as sweet as King David proclaimed it to be. Especially to the unbeliever, His words can cause an upset stomach. They reveal sin and judgment. They expose hypocrisy. They announce the wrath of God. Ezekiel was also told to eat the scroll who revealed what it contained.
7 "But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. 8 "Now you, son of man, listen to what I am speaking to you; do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I am giving you." 9 Then I looked, and behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it. 10 When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back, and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe. Ezekiel 2:7-10
Then He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." 2 So I opened my mouth, and He fed me this scroll. 3 He said to me, "Son of man, feed your stomach and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you." Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth. 4 Then He said to me, "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them. 5 "For you are not being sent to a people of unintelligible speech or difficult language, but to the house of Israel, 6 nor to many peoples of unintelligible speech or difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. But I have sent you to them who should listen to you; 7 yet the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, since they are not willing to listen to Me. Surely the whole house of Israel is stubborn and obstinate. 8 "Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. 9 "Like emery harder than flint I have made your forehead. Do not be afraid of them or be dismayed before them, though they are a rebellious house." 10 Moreover, He said to me, "Son of man, take into your heart all My words which I will speak to you and listen closely. Ezekiel 3:1-10
There are times when we assimilate the Word of God and it brings great delight yet when we try to proclaim it to others we experience the bitterness of rejection and refusal to listen.
11 And they said to me, "You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings." Revelation 10:8-11
John is instructed then to take the message of the scroll just assimilated. His proclamation is not TO the nations but concerning the nation. Perhaps this scroll contained the information about the final days of God’s judgment against the people, nations, tongues and kings of the earth revealed in the rest of the book.
Lessons
• The Eternal Creator operates on His time table not ours.
• He employs angelic beings to both communicate and carry out His directives.
• He also enlists the participation of His servants in the proclamation of His plan.
• He wants us to completely assimilate His truth into our lives so that we may faithfully proclaim it to others.
• His plan will unfold exactly as He promised.
b. The Two witnesses and the temple 11:1-14
The Temple
The use of “and” or “then” indicates that John continues his vision of earthly activity during this period. Again, John will differentiate between those protected and those about to be punished. He receives instruction from “someone” to measure the temple area. He was to measure the inner temple, the brazen altar and the worshipers. Measuring in Scripture has to do with evaluation or the assessment of possessions. God instructs John to mark out his territory.
Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, "Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2 "Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months. Revelation 11:1-2
Kalamos (measuring rod) refers to a reedlike plant that grew in the Jordan Valley to a height of fifteen to twenty feet. It had a stalk that was hollow and lightweight, yet rigid enough to be used as a walking staff (cf. Ezek. 29:6) or to be shaved down into a pen (3 John 13). The stalks, because they were long and lightweight, were ideal for use as measuring rods. In Ezekiel’s vision, an angel used such a rod to measure the millennial temple (Ezek. 40:3–43:17). (John MacArthur Revelation Commentary)
God again marks out His special people and places for protection or special blessing. The worshippers are most likely faithful Jews who worship the true God with renewed interest and longing for Messiah’s return. Such a marking out was foretold by Zechariah 13:8-9; 14:1-5
The exclusion of the outer court implies judgment upon the rest. Those who hold to a literal interpretation of Revelation understand that a new Temple must be built before these events.
This Tribulation temple will most likely be built just before or during the first 3.5 years. Daniel, Jesus and Paul all reference this temple at the end times. Daniel assumes a return to the daily sacrifices in the temple.
Current effort is underway by Jews to prepare for the rebuilding.
The major focus of the Institute is its efforts towards the beginning of the actual rebuilding of the Holy Temple. Towards this end, the Institute has begun to restore and construct the sacred vessels for the service of the Holy Temple. These vessels, which God commanded Israel to create, can be seen today at our headquarters in Jerusalem. They are made according to the exact specifications of the Bible, and have been constructed from the original source materials, such as gold, copper, silver and wood. These are authentic, accurate vessels, not merely replicas or models. All of these items are fit and ready for use in the service of the Holy Temple. Among the many items featured in the exhibition are musical instruments played by the Levitical choir, the golden crown of the High Priest, and gold and silver vessels used in the incense and sacrificial services. After many years of effort and toil, the Institute has completed the three most important and central vessels of the Divine service: the seven-branched candelabra, or Menorah, made of pure gold; the golden Incense Altar, and the golden Table of the Showbread.
The Institute is currently creating the sacred uniform of the Cohein Gadol, the High Priest. This project, the culmination of years of study and research, has been underway for several years. To date, the High Priest's Choshen (Breastplate) and Ephod have already been completed.
Another example of research currently underway involves the topography and makeup of the Temple Mount and the structure of the Holy Temple, as well as a working architectural plan for the rebuilding of the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah, according to modern building standards and with the best materials and technology available.
A panel of experts has labored to assemble all relevant data and sources from the Talmud and commentaries as well as from historical writings and archaeological sources which aid in pinpointing the exact halachic (Jewish commentary on law) location of the sanctified Temple Mount area. The same efforts are made to establish the proper location of the structure of the Temple and all of its chambers.
Taken from the Temple Institutes web site. www.templeinstitute.org
There is some thought that the Moslem temple currently stands where the outer court was leaving a possibility for the construction of the Temple side by side. Others feel that the initial alliance with and protection by the antichrist will eliminate fear of the Moslems. The outer court will be subject to the trampling of the unbelieving Gentiles for 3.5 years.
The Witnesses
God tells John about the nature and mission of His final two witnesses during the last days.
Their ministry will only last for 3.5 years. God includes men in His plan but also imposes restraints. Final retribution will be reserved for the Lamb returning in power and great glory.
These witnesses will bear testimony to the identity and coming of Messiah. MacArthur identified seven characteristics of their person and ministry.
Their duty
"And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, Rev 11:3
There are two of them. Characteristic of the New Testament pattern, God sends them out by twos. The will proclaim God’s truth for a three and a half year period.
Their Attitude
clothed in sackcloth."
Sackcloth was a symbol of humility, distress, grief, mourning.
Their Identity
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. Revelation 11:4
John only provides clues as to their identity. Two olive trees and Two lamp stands.
This imagery comes from Zech 3:1-10 which speaks of the lamp of revival perpetually connected to the source of oil. The two witnesses would be a continual witness for the specified duration. Many commentators speculate that Moses and Elijah are the two witnesses.
There are a number of factors that heavily lean the argument to those two.
Their supernatural deeds are similar.
Both overcame hostile attacks supernaturally.
Fire, plagues, draught (3.5 years), polluted water
Scripture alludes to a future appearance.
Jewish tradition expected the return of both Moses and Elijah.
Both chat with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration representing the law and prophets.
Both had unusual circumstances surrounding their earthly departures.
Their Power
And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. Revelation 11:5-6
As much as they will be hated and the pagans loath their message, nothing can stop their preaching. Not only will their preaching irritate the inhabitants of the earth, they will bring about even more environmental disasters against those who threaten them or oppose them.
They will make life even more miserable. People will want them dead.
Their Death
Only when they have completed their mission will they be eliminated.
When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 11:7-10
A beast from the abyss finally confronts them and defeats them. Only when God allows it are they martyred. This is the first of 36 references to the beast. The beast also known as the antichrist is more fully referenced in 13 and 17. All we know here is that he is empowered by Satan. Out of extreme contempt, their bodies are left to rot in the street. John makes it clear that they are martyred in the same city as their Lord for whom they died. A worldwide celebration of their death takes place. Dead witness day was instituted with a media extravaganza for all to see.
Their Resurrection
After three and a half days, God restores life and raises them up to heaven in a cloud.
But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. Rev 11:11-12
Their impact
Beside the impact of their message while alive resulting in mass conversions, even their death impacts the world.
13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13
Their message in life causes people to turn to Christ. The events of their resurrection and ascension accompanied by a great earthquake garners more attention and people of Jerusalem (presumably Jews) turn to God. John used a phrase to indicate genuine belief in God.
4. The seventh trumpet 11:15-19
Following these events John switches back to heaven where the last trumpet sounds announcing the final showdown.
Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." 16 And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying, "We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. 18 And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth." 19 And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
We will come back to this passage later.
LESSONS
God is still in control.
God is able to protect His servants against all opposition.
God empowers His servants to carry out His directives.
God’s servants have no exemption from suffering.
Service to God may require extreme sacrifice. (Church history clearly bears this out)
God uses people to bear witness to the world.
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8
Every one of the apostles was martyred except John for their witness.
Servants of God throughout history have sacrificed their lives for the sake of Christ.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9
What is our level of commitment to the cause of Christ?
As the time comes nearer the end, we may be called upon to suffering for our faith in Christ.
It is better to be prepared now then wait until then to get ready.
