Rev 10:1-11 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: (2) And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, (3) And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. (4) And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. (5) And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, (6) And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: (7) But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. (8) And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. (9) And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. (10) And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. (11) And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
it’s a new day, Reader, and despite the horrible things going on around the world, I am excited to live each day because I know I am one day closer to seeing my Saviour face-to-face. I do not fear what is about to happen because I won’t be here; and neither will you, if you are born again. 😀 But if you’re not, there is no joy to look forward to for you. Granted, you may have a nice day here and there, but in the deepest parts of your heart, you will not have joy. There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is attached to people and things in your life. But joy is in the deepest part of the heart. Every human being has a “God-shaped” hole in his heart that can only be filled by your Creator and God. Until that hole is filled with Him, joy cannot live there. (John 15:11)
As we continue our series on the Tribulation, we find that half of the world’s population is gone at this point. What are people thinking? Will they be afraid? Will they repent? This post is written in 2022 and we are already wondering what in the world is going on! Abortions are legal, gay marriages are allowed, television has drag queens (even drag queens reading stories to children!!!), just to name a few. Just think of how much worse it will be during the Tribulation!
The vision in today’s Scriptures is considered an interlude between judgments and is John’s longest vision through Revelation 13:1. Between the sixth and seventh trumpets, there is a long pause. It’s as though God is asking, “Have you had enough yet”? By the end of chapter 9, we see that the world still does not repent! Well, that can’t be good!!! This will only result in even more intense judgments.
We now read that John sees a mighty angel but he is not “like” the other angels we’ve seen thus far. We know this is an angel because the Greek word for angel is “aggelos,” which is translated angel. Some believe this is Michael the Archangel, which makes sense because John says he sees a “mighty angel.” This angel is mightier than the other angels – he’s in a different class than they are. This particular angel has the following characteristics:
- clothed with a cloud – similar to the coming of Jesus in Revelation 1:7
- has a rainbow on his head – similar to the one around the throne of God in Revelation 4:3
- his face is like the sun – similar to the countenance of Jesus in Revelation 1:16
- feet like pillars of fire – similar to description of Jesus with feet like bronze “as if they burned in a furnace.” Revelation 1:15
Some scholars claim that this is Jesus, but I don’t believe that. Throughout the Book of Revelation, angels are used by the Lord to mete out the judgments; the judgments are not cast out by Jesus Himself. As well, Jesus is not called an angel in the entire book of Revelation. I, too, believe it may be Michael the Archangel (Jude 1:9). Furthermore, the definition for Michael is “who is like God.” We see in the above characteristics that he represents the power of God. In Revelation 10:6, this angel takes an oath by the Lord Jesus that “there should be time no longer.” Why would Jesus take an oath to Himself?
We also see that this mighty angel is given complete authority over land and sea. The moment he cries out, seven thunders are heard. We know that the number seven represents God’s completeness and perfection. So this may be God’s voice (also see Psalm 29:3) indicating God’s perfect divine wrath to follow. He will order John not to write these things down at this point (Revelation 10:4). Wow! I wonder what the seven thunders uttered!?? Since John could not write it down, we will have to wait to find out.
God’s plan for the ages will be unfolded. Psalm 119:103 reveals to us that the Bible is sweet to our souls. But we find that the reality of judgment is not sweet but holy and bitter as well. The same results occurred when John is told to take the little book and eat it. It was sweet to the taste but bitter in his stomach! As we read God’s Word, we find its content sweet and enlightening. But when there is sin in the believer’s heart, God’s Word judges that sin and makes it bitter in our heart of hearts so we confess and forsake it. (Hebrews 4:12)
Friend, there is coming a day of reckoning for all those who do not believe. God’s Word leads to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only. (John 14:6) Where does the bitterness lead? It is bitter to anyone who does not accept God’s Word. People who do not want to repent get angry when someone tries to tell them about salvation. They get puffed up in their hearts and call you judgmental. Don’t fret when this happens. They are not rejecting you, they are rejecting God Almighty. If you reject salvation, your bitter end is eternity in Hell. John is told to prophesy again to all possible and he surely did that through Revelation.
Friend, don’t wait for the day of reckoning! Take care of your salvation before it is too late. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
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