Last week, as we began studying chapter 10, we came to the second set of back-to-back parenthetical visions in the book of Revelation. We were reminded that the main focus of the Tribulation period is the judgment of God, and that the main purpose of parenthetical visions is for God to be able to give us insight into other events which run concurrent with that judgment.
As we examined verses 1-7, we saw a "mighty angel" and examined his message, and we were reminded of some of the recurring themes, both in Revelation, and all of God’s Word: that we need to worship Christ; that judgment IS coming; and that we should not abuse the grace God demonstrates in any divine delay He orchestrates.
The main question we raised from all of that was: Are you ready? If you are not saved, you are not ready for God’s judgment. If you are saved, but not serving God, you also are not ready for the judgment you will have to face. No wonder that these are recurring themes; God knows we need constant reminders of these things!
As we finish chapter 10 this week, we move forward from these thoughts; we are almost propelled forward by them. We see John asking for the "little book" from the angel, who then instructs John to eat the book. (See verses 9-10). In verse 11, John is told that God has more work for him to do -- preaching the Gospel & testifying to "the things which shall be hereafter."
We find several instances in this book where John seems to stand literally in our place. It is as if Christ’s intention was to speak directly to us, but since we are not there, He speaks to John, who becomes simply a vessel bearing a message for us. I believe when John first encounters the glorified Christ, the grace and kindness Christ shows John mirrors the grace and kindness which awaits those of us who believe. And when "the church" is raptured, at the beginning of chapter 4, who literally goes up? John.
In the same way, I believe John is standing in our stead here. I believe the actions of John indicates actions for the church -- for both the Church which will exist during the tribulation period, and for God’s church today (for us!).
And what does John do? He feasts on God’s Word; he finds it sweet and bitter; he is then instructed to prophesy. What will the church of the tribulation period do? They will need to feast on God’s Word; they will find it sweet (in the way It nourishes them), and bitter (with the realizations of the message of judgment on the wicked around them, and on what they have to go through); and they will be called on to prophesy again.
What about God’s church today? What message are we to take away from these verses? I believe the message for us is very much the same as for the church of the tribulation period, so let’s look a little more closely at it this morning.
FIRST, I believe God is telling us that we need to feast on His Word.
Last week, I made the argument that I do not believe the "mighty angel" of chap. 10 is Christ. I don’t mean to be dogmatic or re-hash the arguments, but I do see another reason which supports that claim, which is important for this point.
Those who claim this angel is Christ point to the fact that this angel has a book, and so did Christ is chap. 5. As I have preached previously, I believe the book of chap. 5 is the "title deed" to the earth, and certainly Christ takes it there. He alone is worthy to do so!
But what does John do here? He says, "Give me the little book." Certainly, the blessings of salvation include future service to Christ, but can we really expect that John, or any man, or even the church "collectively," would be able to ask for the title deed to the earth? No...BUT! What should -- what can -- what MUST every Christian do? Ask God for His Word.
Ask God for His Word? Pastor, what are you talking about? I have a Bible in my hands right here. Goodness, the number of "versions" and perversions of Bibles in English abound! What do you mean we have to "ask" God for His Word?
Look at 1 Cor. 2:14-16. Clearly, this "Book" is unique, different than ANY other book known to man -- different even than any other "religious" book. This is God’s holy, infallible, inerrant, perfect Word! And it is a Spiritual Book. You MUST be saved to be able to receive any of the blessings God has in His Word.
Then notice 1 Cor. 3:1-2. Not only must you be saved, but you must be a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led Christian; carnal Christians can’t understand much of God’s Word, can’t enjoy many of the blessings of God’s Word -- and they probably aren’t interested in doing so, either!
John could see the book, but until he took it personally, he was no better. And God’s Word does us no good until we ingest it, and digest it. Consider these verses: Job 23:11-12; Ps. 19:7-10. As the prophet says, (Jer. 15:16) "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts."
AND until you learn to feed off the Book, you will be an undernourished Christian. God wants to give you a nice steak, sizzling and hot of the grill; too often we’d rather have something produced by Gerber foods. That leaves you weak...and a weak Christian is simply unable to deal with the World, the flesh, or the devil. Consider what happened in Matt. 4:1-4!
NEXT, I believe God’s message to us is that His Word has a two-fold effect.
Christian, do you know how sweet & nourishing the Word of God is! Listen to these verses: Ps. 119:72, 97, 101-103, 111. It is so sweet, because it tells of a sweet future for the Christian, and contains knowledge that is sweet for the Christian. We are secure in Christ! One mistake...many mistakes...doesn’t mean God throws us out or casts us away! No! He forgives, and loves, and keeps on pouring His love into our lives, ever working to make us more like His Own dear Son.
But it is also bitter, for the time is coming when the wicked will be judged. Who are the wicked? Perhaps that will include your boss, your friend at school, or the woman you visit with each week at the hair dresser. You’ve tried to witness to them, but they just don’t have time for "religion" right now, they’re too busy living their life. Are they wicked? Not as men like to measure such things -- but one day you will stand on God’s side because you accepted His free gift of salvation by the blood of Jesus -- and if they die without Christ they will one day stand against God, and against you.
They will be wicked. And they will be judged. And that is bitter.
There are some nights, in the quiet, that I cry when I think of Gracie (our second daughter who died of SIDS). Goodness, how much like her Kara looks (our 8 month old daughter). Such a resemblance! And I think, I wonder what Gracie would have been like if she lived. So many hopes, gone...so many dreams, shattered. Yet my tears are tempered by the fact that I know one day I will be reunited with Gracie.
And then there are some nights, in the quiet of the night, that I shed tears for my brother Perry. So often people say, "Oh, I’ll get saved on my deathbed, I’m not worried about it now." Not if you die like Perry. High, drunk, tipped his bike. Laid on the ground for an hour before someone found him at 4 in the morning. Before he made it to the hospital, he was dead from exsanguination (literally, you bleed internally, and your blood fills your lungs, and you drown).
And all I can shed are bitter tears, knowing that I am forever separated from my brother.
The Word of God! So sweet for the Christian! And so bitter! WHICH BRINGS US TO THE LAST POINT. I believe God would have us understand that along with the blessings of His Word comes responsibility.
Look again at verse 11. We are presently living in the days of divine delay. We must pray, and study, and get ahold of the mind of Christ -- so that we can be effective witnesses for Him. Oh, how long-suffering the Lord is! When I think of how long-suffering He had to be in my case, how amazing as well! And so we must be long-suffering with those around us. We must live Christ and love like Christ to draw the lost to Christ.
Consider Ezek. 33. The prophet there was called to be a "watchman" (verses 7-9). So are we. Notice his message in verses 10-11. The Lord has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, neither should we. We need to be pleading for them to turn from their sin.
Friend, is there someone you know, currently destined for hell, who you have done nothing to call them to salvation? The Word of God says if they die, surely they will be judged for their sin -- and they should be -- but their blood will be on your hands! How few of us can, like Paul, say "I am free of the blood of all men."
So plead with them, plead with them to turn from their sin and be saved. They still may not repent and be saved -- and they will in that case still be judged -- however your hands will then be clean from their blood.
Friend, are you saved? That’s the most important issue. If you aren’t, then most of this message is not for you. Please know, if you are not saved, you have already been found guilty in the Word of God, and if you die in your sins, all you have to look forward to is judgment, and hell.
If you are saved, then are you serving God according to His Way, His Will, His Word? Have you asked God for His Word? Are you ingesting it, digesting it? Are you reading & praying & studying? Are you enjoying the sweetness of it for the daily battle with the World, the Flesh & the Devil?
Do you know God’s Word enough so you can share it? Are you sharing it? Do you know HOW to share it? If not, will you learn how? Do you even desire to learn how?
Do you remember the "Great Commission" (Matt. 28:19-20)? Are you a "go-missionary," obeying the command to go and preach? Are you a "co-missionary," supporting the work of God around the world through our missions program?
Or, are you just a "no-missionary?"
John did his job well. Can we say the same thing?
~ Pastor Timothy Shumer
PLEASE NOTE: This manuscript was created from the preaching notes for the sermon delivered at Colosse Baptist Church in Parish, NY on June 10, 2001 at 11 a.m.. Due to the often spontaneous nature of preaching, there are some differences between this manuscript and the actual sermon given. If you would like an audio copy of this message as it was delivered, please contact Pastor Shumer.
