The Angel and the Little Book

Revelation 10

Introduction:  The Bible records in chapter 9, three woes will be given.  There were two woes in chapter 9, and the last woe will be here in chapter 11:14.  In this chapter we find John actually involved in the vision itself.  There is this interlude between the second and third woe.  We are introduced to three personalities:  the angel and two witnesses.  There are more than sixty angels mentioned in Revelation. God uses them to accomplish His purpose on earth.

I. Vision of the angel vv. 1-7

A. His description vv. 1-3a

1.  Another angel means not the angel of the sixth or seventh trumpet-perhaps a very special angel.

2. Angel of great power and great authority-another in the sense of the same kind-perhaps a level of the rank of the other angels-they announce Christ’s first coming and now second coming.

3. Clothed with a cloud which is a picture of judgment v.-God is also identified with clouds.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.[1]

4.  Face as the sun-came from God’s presence

“And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him[2] Ex. 34:29

5.  Rainbow around his head-glory v. 1-also intimates a promise

6. Book in hand with feet on the sea and earth-authority and conquest v.2

7. Loud voice like a lion-His power v.3

B. His activity vv. 3b-7

1.  Since Jesus was the only One worthy enough to take the book in His hand, the little book contains the rest of the prophetic message John will delivers.

2. Nothing is written about the 7 thunders however, they cried out and 7 thunders roared v. 3b

3. John commanded to seal the message because not all judgements are revealed v. 4

4. Angel gave an oath to God to end the time of delaying the great judgment on the earth-vv. 5-6

5. The time is no longer delayed for its fulfillment

6. Mystery of God refers to all the purposes, counsels, and prophecies regarding the Old Testament and New Testament prophecy-God’s plan for the future.

7. This mystery is a sacred secret that is hidden to those outside of Christ but revealed to His people.

II. Communication with the angel vv. 8-11

A. The request vv. 8-9

1.  Voice comes from the angel-commands to take the book from the angel’s hand v.8

2. He is to eat the book v. 9-there is only One who can stand on the earth and have complete control.  The earth is God’s Psalm 24:1 and though Satan and others believe they are in control.

3. Eat refers to the ingesting of God’s Word in our lives-sweet to taste but once all prophecies and plan of the ages to come is ingested, it becomes bitter

“ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.[3]      Psalm 19:9-10

4.  Sweet-tells of God’s program and fulfillment of deliverance of God’s people- which is salvation/bitter is the judgment of God on mankind.

5. God’s Word gives bitter warnings and sweet promises of assurance-there will be sorrow and joy, bitterness and sweet in God’s Word.

B. The effect vv. 10-11

1.  Interlude permits the Word to affect John.

2. Fulfill v. 10-necessary to future prophecies-ingest it in the inner being-not just taste but let it penetrate our complete being.

3. Prophecies deal with people and we must be considerate of people. 

Conclusion:  God will fulfill His prophecy.  God’s people will recognize that His will is more important than our will or anyone else’s.  God wants us to take heed to His Word. 

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), 1 Th 4:16–17.

[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Ex 34:29.

Most of these characteristics would cause one to conclude this to be the Jesus Christ.