Good News--Bad News

Many years ago, there was a newscaster by the name of Walter Cronkite. At the end of each evening half hour broadcast, he would sign off with, "and that's the way it is… And then he would give the date." He would share good news and bad news. He would share about world events, weather catastrophes, noted trials, etc.

One of the most difficult things to deal with in our judicial system, is the waiting period. It is difficult for the accused, especially if they are innocent. They would want a chance to prove their innocence before a court. And for those who are actually guilty, they are often hoping to quickly get the decision made, so that they can start paying the penalty for the crime. It is difficult for the victim, as well. Many simply want to get this particular life event over and behind them. For others, there is often a yearning for justice to take place quickly so that the perpetrator might experience punishment.

The latter is often the sentiment for the Christian. Frequently, many Christians wonder how long until Christ sets forth his judgment upon the evil people who have chosen to reject Christ and attack believers. Many believers yearn for the time when those who attack and persecute Christians will get "what they deserve." We read similar emotions expressed by various prophets, plus, King David.

Here, in Revelation 10, we see that the tempo of impending judgment is about to increase. You remember that in chapter 6, God told the martyrs to wait patiently. Well, their wait is about over. I've chosen to look at this chapter as if it were a news release. Verses 1-4 describes the carrier of the news. Verses 5-7 gives us a declaration about the news. The last four verses actually explain the news.

Chapters 10.1-11.14, is actually like a parenthesis between the sixth and seventh trumpets. It is a time of reminding those left that God has not forgotten His people, and that He is still in charge of all that is happening.

As I’ve mentioned earlier in this series, there is a lot of information that I’m not mentioning in the sermons. That information could actually develop into an additional sermon series. Instead, I’m focusing on specific areas and how it should impact the church.

As Christians, we must get out the whole news before the final copy is published.

The Carrier of the News

Revelation 10:1–4 (NASB95)

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; 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; 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. 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.”

I saw introduces a new vision which John experiences. In these verses, John sees “another strong angel coming down out of heaven." This is an angel, not Christ. Nowhere in the New Testament is the word for angel used as a substitute for Christ. In addition, the description shows that this is another angel just like the others.

We also see a rainbow above the head of the angel. We remember that the rainbow originated by God after the great flood from which God saved Noah and his family. This was a reminder that total and universal destruction would never again be by a flood. We are already aware from reading ahead in this passage that judgment and destruction are soon coming to fulfillment. This lets us know that it will not be by water.

John's attention is drawn to a "little book" which the angel was holding. This is not the same scroll which John described in chapter 5. This book is open and is described as "little." In addition, the scroll or book in chapter 10 is going to be eaten. The scroll seems to have a prophetic message which the whole world is supposed to know. We understand this by the fact that the mighty angel plants his feet on both land and sea. In other words, what is written will affect all humanity.

What could it possibly be? Verses 3-4 helps us in our understanding. Again, there is the sound of the roar of a lion and the speaking of the voices of the seven peals of thunders. You'll recall that thunder is often a warning of impending judgment. Also, whenever the writer attaches the number seven, this signifies divine action and complete perfection. Thus the scroll would contain a message of divine judgment. We cannot know for certain what it said, for a voice from heaven did not permit John to write anything down specifically. Still, there certainly are enough hints from the other things which John records.

So what challenge do these verses provide us? One key element I find here is that nobody will be exempt from God's ultimate purposes. Every person from all time will be held accountable for their response to the Lord of the universe. You and I must attempt to impact as many as God chooses to place in our path. Everyone we meet will be subject to Christ judgment.

This is why our theme is focusing on the fact that we must get out the whole news before the final copy is published.

The Declaration About the News

Revelation 10:5–7 (NASB95)

Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven, 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, 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.

In these verses, the angel begins to give some strong hints about what the scroll contains. If nothing else, the angel seems to be preparing John for what is going to be happening next. By virtue of the angel swearing an oath in the customary Jewish manner, it seems that what is about to be said is an absolute certainty.

So what exactly is being said? The end is eminent. There will be no more delay. God is not going to show patience any longer with rebellious humanity.

The angel then talks about a mystery which is going to be accomplished. It is a mystery that the prophets already knew, at least to some degree. Repeatedly, the prophets reminded the people that God will accomplish His purposes. It may not seem like it at the time, but God will be victorious. God will reign eternally.

When exactly will this take place? Well, the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes will begin to take place prior to the seventh trumpet being sounded.

Again, what is there within this passage that speaks to us today? Two things strike at my heart. First, the remaining time is short. Tomorrow may never come. The end is near. And only God knows the timeframe.

Secondly, no matter what people will try to attempt in their desire for immortality by means of exercise, money, health, etc., God will accomplish what He has planned.

Again, we are reminded that as Christians, we must get out the whole news before the final copy is published. My friends, the final copy is going to be published and it is going to be soon.

The Explanation of the News

Revelation 10:8–11 (NASB95)

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.” 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.” 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. And they said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”

In these very unique and interesting verses, we see that John is a participant in a unique object lesson. The voice tells John to take the book and to eat it. The angel tells him that it will be sweet in his mouth, but it will turn sour in his stomach. This is the message of the scroll. This is where I came up with the title "bad news – – good news." We would equate the bad news with suffering. The good news is the reality there will be no more delay. All of this will soon be finished.

When an individual receives God's Word, there is usually great joy. However, it can also be quite distasteful to others. And what we receive, we must also proclaim. Proclaiming the wonderful promises of God which we have received in His Word is wonderful. However, we must also include that distasteful message of His judgment.

It is never pleasant for a man or a woman of God to proclaim a message of judgment and wrath. The only prophet which I can recall, who almost seemed to enjoy bringing a message of judgment and wrath, was Jonah. Frankly, I don't know if I fully understood what Jonah’s spiritual condition ever became, since that information is not been written in Scripture. Yet, every other prophet and godly pastor would rather not have to proclaim the sour, distasteful message of judgment. It is much easier and much more enjoyable to proclaim that which is sweet in the mouth.

We must remember those who wish to follow Jesus know that they must give an accounting to God. It should never be said by anyone who is rejecting Christ’s offer of salvation, that a God-honoring person did not warn them.

Finally, the angel tells John to "prophesy again." This lends itself to a further progression of events associated with the end. What John must share from this Revelation is not over. There are many more details that all of humanity must hear.

We might ask ourselves the question, "so what?” My friends, we cannot afford to sugarcoat what the Bible presents as truth. Whether it is to unbelievers or to carnal Christians, we must present the sweet along with the sour.

As a side note, it is interesting to note that carnal Christians often do not realize that they actually are carnal. Only when they allow themselves to be measured against the measuring rod of the Bible is there Carnell known to them. Sadly, their carnal lifestyle is often visible only to other observers. This is why we must be bold and unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must be willing to confront those individuals, while speaking the truth in love. God's final copy will not be adjusted to fit us and our preferences.

All the more reason that we must understand the simple basic truth:

As Christians, we must get out the whole news before the final copy is published.

Conclusion

It has been shown that the second coming of Christ is dealt with much more in the Bible than Christ’s first coming as a child. Christ’s birth as a child has been extremely well documented. His life, His death, and His resurrection have all been well documented. So, if the prophecies concerning His first coming are less in number and yet true, how much more of the certainty of His second coming.

Throughout the Bible, when God has promised judgment, it has been completed. Noah preached for over a century that a flood would destroy the earth. He also preached a message of repentance. Yet, he preached with no seeming success. Only his family was saved. Noah spent 120 years prophesying that judgment would come. It came!

For nearly 2000 years, people have waited for Christ to come again and send forth His judgment. The Bible says that God is waiting, because He is unwilling for any to perish. Nevertheless, there is coming a day when judgment will come with absolute certainty and swiftness.

How much longer? We don't know. It could be today. It could be next year. It could be another 50 years. No one has any idea except for the Father himself.

So we need to live as if it could happen today. As Christians, we must get out the whole news before the final copy is published.