Sweet Hope and Bitter Compassion

Corrie Ten Boom survived the horrors of Ravensbrück concentration camp. Her sister Betsie did not. Years later, Corrie was speaking at a church in Munich, telling people about God’s forgiveness.

When the message ended and people began leaving, she saw a man making his way toward her — and time froze.

She recognized him.

He had been one of the guards at Ravensbrück.

One of the cruel ones.

One involved in the suffering — and possibly the death — of her beloved sister.

He put out his hand and said, “I have become a Christian. I know God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did… but I want to hear it from your lips as well. Will you forgive me?”

Corrie wrote, “I felt nothing. Not the slightest spark of warmth. Betsie had died in that place. Could he erase her slow, terrible death simply by asking?”

He deserved judgment.

He deserved the consequences he had faced.

His guilt was not imaginary — it was real, and just.

And yet…

Corrie felt another truth rising inside her — not from sentiment, and not from her flesh — but from Christ.

She later wrote, “The Lord gave me the strength.” “I took his hand. And as I did, I realized I had never felt God’s love so intensely as in that moment.”

Justice was still justice. But compassion — bitter, costly compassion — overflowed anyway.

Corrie forgave him.

And she mourned the life he had lived that brought him to that dark place.

Justice stood.

Compassion wept.

And Christ was glorified.

As we enter into chapter 10 of Revelation, we will behold the tension between joy and hope in God’s justice and bitter compassion for those who face His wrath and the just consequence of it.

Body

This is the second interlude that we will see between judgments. The first was in chapter 7. It fell after the 6th seal before the 7th seal.

Now the second interlude falls between 6th trumpet and the 7th trumpet.

The Third will come in chapter 12 after the 7th trumpet and before the 1st bowl judgment.

We are reaching a crescendo point. As we enter the 7th trumpet and the 1st bowl, we find ourselves reaching the midway point of the 7 year tribulation. And the bowl judgments will become infinitely worse than the seals and trumpets.

Two interludes, close together, at this point, feels appropriate. It feels heavy, weighty. And thus brings a somberness and seriousness to the situation that keeps the reality of what is transpiring at the forefront.

At the beginning of this interlude, we have yet another angel introduced to us.

Another mighty angel Revelation 10:1

Revelation 10:1 ESV

1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire.

Not Christ. Several compelling reasons.

Allos - Another of the same kind is used again. If the title angel were being assigned to Christ Heteros - Another of a different kind, would have been used to distinguish him clearly from the angels that are frequent in this vision of John’s.

Whenever Christ does appear in Revelation, John gives Him an unmistakable title. Faithful Witness… Firstborn of the Dead… Son of Man… the Lion of Judah… the Lamb… the Word of God… King of kings. None of those appear here.

Other strong angels appear frequently in Revelation that are clearly not associated with Christ. Since they are not, there is no compelling reasons to assume this angel is Christ.

In verses 5-6, the angel swears by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and earth and all that is in it. The fact that he does not swear by HIMSELF, for if he were Christ, this would refer to Him, rules the angel out as being Christ.

Finally, the angel is seen as coming down to earth, if Christ, would add another coming of Christ to the earth unforeseen in scripture.

For these reasons, it does not seem likely that this angel is in fact Christ, though some, including Larkin, have designated him so.

His Appearance

The splendor this angel displays in appearance does not force a Christ identification. Many of the angels depicted in scripture can be referenced with such splendor. Satan himself, before his fall, was reference thus. (Ezekiel 28:11-15)

Clothed with a Cloud — Symbolizes power, majesty, and glory. Clouds are associated with Jesus’ second coming in judgment - Rev 1:7; 14:14-16; Mt 24:30; Mk 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27

Rainbow Upon His Head — The rainbow, when God first used it, was a symbol of promise to never flood the earth again (Gen 9:12-16). It is a symbol of mercy. In the midst of the coming judgment (the clouds), there will be mercy.

Face Like the Sun — Depicting his brilliance. Though not God, though not Jesus, the angel was indeed brilliant and glorious. He was mighty and powerful. He was representative of God’s glory.

Legs as Pillars of Fire — Fire, judgement. Legs, strength and might. Thus, the legs of fire depicting the strength and unyielding holiness that is coming to stamp out the wickedness of man on earth. (Mal 4:1)

The Little Book - Revelation 10:2

Revelation 10:2 ESV

2 He had a little scroll open in his hand.

Likely the same one reference in Revelation 5:1, and again in Revelation 10:8. Though perhaps a miniaturized version of it for the sake of the events taking place.

It is the book that depicts the unveiling of all the judgments coming upon the earth.

It will be a book both sweet and bitter in its opening.

Its sweetness—the fulfillment of God’s redemption and promises.

Its bitterness —The suffering it brings at the wrath of God in order to fulfill the cherished and coveted promises.

The Stance - Revelation 10:2-3

Revelation 10:2–3 ESV

2 …And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, 3 and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring…

He has one foot on land and one in the sea. Not likely as man on the beach who might have one foot touching the water and one touching land. One foot firmly IN THE OCEAN and one foot firmly on dry ground. To have such a stance would make him extraordinarily tall and reaching spans into the sky.

That BOTH land and sea are touched, seems likely it is pointed out the totality of God’s sovereign control and claim over the earth. There is no limitation to that which He has right to claim and have dominion over.

Having planted his feet in a firm stance on land and sea…

He calls out in a loud verse that is likened to that of a lion’s roar.

It is because of this depiction that some have taken this to be Christ who is said to be “The LION of the Tribe of Judah.”

But for the reasons already mentioned, we do not believe this is Christ.

However

He speaks with the authority of Christ, with the authority of heaven. The voice depicts its authority and majesty. This is an angel on mission from God, by God with profound significance.

The OT prophets associated the roaring voice with God and with judgment (Jer 25:30; Hos 11:10; Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2; 3:8)

This angel will make a declaration in Revelation 10:6 (which we will get to). Whether what he says there is what is he is saying here, we are not sure. Certainly possible, but could have been something else entirely.

But we will see what he says in verse 6 in a moment.

The Seven Thunders - Revelation 10:3

Revelation 10:3 ESV

3 …When he called out, the seven thunders sounded.

Seven speaks of completeness. Perfection. Finality.

Thunder speaks of judgment (cf. Revelation 8:5; 11:19; 16:18; 1 Sam. 2:10; 2 Sam. 22:14; Ps. 18:13; John 12:28–30)

Exodus 9:23 is just one example.

Exodus 9:23 ESV

23 Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.

1 Samuel 7:10 is another

1 Samuel 7:10 ESV

10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel.

The fact that there are SEVEN thunders…

This is God’s cry of vengeance and judgment on the earth.

This is falling in the interval between the sixth and seventh trumpets. This interlude.

These seven thunders…likely refer to the coming 7 bowl judgments, the worst of the judgments to fall.

We do not know what the thunder said, but a good roll of thunder can add terror to any situation and this was seven in the midst of the some of the worst terrors know to man.

These thunders were different than the angel’s voice and may represent the voice of God Himself, though we cannot say for certain.

The Thunders Sealed Up - Revelation 10:4

Revelation 10:4 ESV

4 And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”

John was about to write it down but was told NOT to. One of the few times he was given a vision that he was told not to share. The time for its revealing was not yet.

The voice, whether God’s, an angel’s or Christ’s…the authority of it was unmistakably God.

What he was told NOT to write about is beyond our grasp. Speculation becomes useless and even dangerous here, lest we read something into the text that is not there.

God reveals what God reveals when He is ready to reveal it. Not before. And His timing is always perfect.

Deuteronomy 29:29 make it clear that the secret things belong to God.

Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV

29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

In this instance God held back something He was not yet ready to reveal.

Application - Trusting in the Unknown

For those of us who do not like mysteries, or the unknown, this is part of following Christ that is challenging for us. We do not like that God sometimes does not tell us everything, does not disclose the entirety of His plan.

But He does not.

And we are in no place to argue or dispute that. Rather, we are called to trust. To obedience.

And because we know that God is GOOD and TRUE and HOLY and JUST, we can trust Him with the answers to things we do not know and/or cannot comprehend.

Church, do you trust Him with the unknown?

Or do you drown your fear of the unknown in whatever false refuge/addiction brings you a temporary and unsatisfying momentary relief? (Food, sex, alcohol, work, sports, games, amusement, etc)

Do you, with contentment, accept the mystery and strive to live in obedience and submission to Him despite it?

As we move further into the text, we do see at least some of what he declared.

No More Delay - Revelation 10:5-7

Revelation 10:5–7 ESV

5 And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, 7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.

Whether this is the same thing that he declared in verse 3 or a subsequent declaration, we cannot be 100% probably, but we are told what he declares here at the very least. 9

Raising of the right hand and swearing an oath…

What does that sound like?

Court of law.

Where do you think we get the practice from? Probably wasn’t our original idea. lol. I am just getting here, but it would be my thought. lol

The raising of the right hand in solemn vow indicates that what is about to be said is the truth and nothing but the truth.

And he will swear, on the name of the eternal God….WHO IS TRUTH…

Understand, making such a vow, such a declaration is no small matter - Matthew 23:16-22

Matthew 23:16–22 ESV

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.

Listen, when you invoke the name of something in your vow (I swear on my dead mother’s grave…), you invoke the honor, integrity, and authority/weight of the one by whom you swear.

Which is why, in a court of law, they used to have you place your hand on a bible, on the very words of truth, and swear by the authority of that word, and the God who gave it, that what you are about the testify to is true.

I am not sure if they still do this or not, to be honest, but that is why it USED to be done in our courts of law, in a day when the fear of God still mattered to us as a nation.

To make such a vow should NEVER be taken lightly…

In fact, church, our every day word should be as GOOD AS ANY SOLEMN VOW. Matthew 5:33-37

Matthew 5:33–37 ESV

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

Jesus was addressing the poor use of making vows. They were justifying breaking their word simply because it was not a vow or it was a vow made on a lesser thing.

Jesus rebukes that.

As people of integrity, as people following the One who IS truth, we ought to be truth talkers and promise keepers. We should not need a vow to ensure to someone that we will do was we have said, as we have promises.

Granted in this life, circumstances sometimes prevent us from following through but as much as depends on us, we should be people of our word — no vow needed.

This angel, though, makes his statement, with his right hand up, to show the certainty of the words he was about to speak. Speaking them in a fashion that we would understand as a solemn vow, though none was or should be needed.

What the angel is about to say is nothing but truthfulness.

The designation of God that the angel swears by indicates his eternality. God is both the creator and first cause of all creation.

Paul declared it in Athens — Acts 17:23-26

Acts 17:23–26 ESV

23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,

The 24 elders declared it back in Revelation 4:11.

Revelation 4:11 ESV

11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

God is the eternal origin and cause of every living thing.

By THAT name…on His authority…On His honor and glory…on with reputation and character…

The angel swears, there will no longer be any delay.

With the sounding of the seventh trumpet (still yet come, momentarily), the final and terrible judgments will come. God’s patience will be gone. Things will escalate quickly.

This could well be yet another answer to the saints question in Revelation 6:10.

Revelation 6:10 ESV

10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

and their prayers in Revelation 8:3-5

Revelation 8:3–5 ESV

3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

We have seen other instances where it appears that things that unfolded were connected to the saints prayers and petitions, but given the nature of these coming judgments and the increase in intensity, the finality of them, it is likely that this too is a response to their petition and question.

The plurality of “Days” in this verse do indicate that it will be a span of time that these judgments will unfold in. This is not a singular day event.

But with the sounding of these angels, the pouring out of the bowls, the end will come.

Revelation 11:15 will tell us that with the sounding of the 7th angel, the kingdom of God will come.

Revelation 11:15 ESV

15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, 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 shall reign forever and ever.”

When this happens, the mystery of God will be revealed.

Now mystery in scripture refers to truths that God has hidden and revealed in His time, when it was appropriate for Him to do so. Romans 16:25-26

Romans 16:25–26 ESV

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—

In God’s wisdom and plan, He does not reveal everything as once. But He chooses to reveal things throughout the course of time.

In the NT, several mysteries were revealed.

The Kingdom - Matthew 13:11

Israel’s Blindness - Romans 11:25

The Rapture - 1 Corinthians 15:51

Lawlessness - 2 Thessalonians 2:7

Christ - Ephesians 3:4

Christ and the Church - Ephesians 5:32

Christ and the Believer - Colossians 1:26-27

The Incarnation - 1 Timothy 3:16

The grand mystery about to revealed here in Revelation is the one spoken of in Ephesians 1:10

Ephesians 1:10 ESV

10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

The uniting of ALL THINGS under Christ. His reclamation of the earth. His perfect rule coming.

The Kingdom of God will come to its glorious fulfillment. Never more to depart.

The mystery of the kingdom, which was preached and alluded to the prophets, but not fully revealed, will not be finally and fully revealed.

We have seen several places in our study already where the 1000 year reign is alluded to, pointed towards, but not fully realized or explained yet.

This declaration is making known, not only is it a reality, but it is coming soon.

The kingdom of God, in its fullness, is coming.

His second coming is imminent.

In just a short span of time, He will come in the clouds, will win the battle at Armageddon, will establish his earthly kingdom, will bind Satan and rule 1000 years on earth before the final judgment and the glorious kingdom.

This imminent return is not immediate, but soon.

In our understanding, the final trumpet that ushers in the Bowl judgments happens at the midway point of the tribulation…so 3.5 more years before it happens.

In MacArthur’s timing who sees the trumpets and bowls happening in the second half of the tribulation, the timing between this seventh trumpet and the end of the tribulation is much shorter, but either way, BOTH are imminent.

This interlude sets up the bowl judgments and the fulfillment of God’s mystery.

But it doesn’t only prepare us prophetically — it prepares us spiritually and emotionally.

God intends for us to feel the weight of what’s coming, so that we respond to Him with the reverence, obedience, and urgency the moment demands.

Church, how would this promise land for saints how have been long anticipating the fulfillment of prophecy?

How would this promise land for those currently enduring the hardships of the tribulation?

How should this promise land for those of us who will not face it?

How should this promise land for those of use living in this day and age?

It should land the same for all of us. BOTH with HOPE and DREAD.

The same way it is going to land for John.

The Bitter Scroll - Revelation 10:8-11

Revelation 10:8–11 ESV

8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. 11 And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”

The previous voice from heaven returns.

This time with an odd instruction reminiscent of Ezekiel 2:9-3:3.

Ezekiel 2:9–3:3 ESV

9 And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 And he spread it before me. And it had writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of lamentation and mourning and woe. 1 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.

Like Ezekiel before him, John is now instructed to eat this book. He is told it will be sweet in his mouth and bitter in his stomach.

The imagery here…the news of the coming fulfillment of the mystery of God, the promise of the coming fulfillment of the Kingdom of God and His rule…IS SWEET IN HIS MOUTH.

AND YET

The judgments, suffering, and death that must come first in order to usher it in…WILL BE BITTER IN HIS BELLY.

There will be great angst and bitterness at the coming of great joy.

Application - Hope of Justice and Bitter Compassion for Wrath

Church, if we can look forward to the hope of the coming of Christ, His second coming…

If we can look forward to the coming to the fulfillment of His kingdom with only HOPE and without the dread of His wrath for the unbeliever, then we have not experienced or known the heart of God.

If you do not also feel dread for the unbeliever even while you feel hope for yourself, then you have not been moved by the grace of heaven.

No, our hope is not equal to our dread. Our hope SHOULD be stronger, hotter.

But that does not mean we should be void of dread.

Our dread IS OUR compassion for them.

The same compassion that God has shown to us.

Our hope in Christ SHAPES our dread for the unbeliever. It is because of our hope, one that stands ready for the unbeliever to embrace, that we have any dread/compassion for them in the first place.

There still stands a chance for them to repent. The hope remains. And thus our hearts should yearn for their repentance and dread their suffering precisely because we know there is a solution for it.

While there ought to be joy at the justice of God being accomplished, we ought not delight in the death of the wicked.

Is there any rightness in celebrating the death and judgment of the wicked? Especially the malicious ones that have knowingly and purposefully sought the suffering of God’s saints or waged war on the truth of heaven?

There IS rightness in celebrating that righteousness and justice are achieved. YES!

However, we ought not to delight in the loss and death of those who bear the image of God.

God, in perfect holiness, can hold wrath toward the wicked in perfect righteousness. We, as His imperfect image bearers, however, have no such capacity. We are called to compassion, intercession, and longing for their repentance. Even those who maliciously seek our harm and oppose God.

We ought to mourn that those whom God created to reflect His likeness, reject Him until the bitter end…even while we celebrate the justice they experience from his just throne.

Church, the scroll IS sweet in our mouths. The King is coming. His Kingdom will be fully and completely realized. Soon. Justice will be had. THIS IS OUR JOY.

But if all we taste is sweetness, then we have not understood or known God as we think we have.

For God takes no delight in the death of the wicked, yet He is righteous in their judgment.

Thus, mixed with the sweet taste in our mouths, our stomachs should turn with bitter grief for the unrepentant and their suffering, just though it may be.

And that tension…that tension should be the compulsion for why we speak truth while time remains for man to repent and be spared this coming wrath.

Beloved, if you are here today and you have not repented, you stand in danger of this wrath. But listen, Christ drank the cup of wrath so that you don’t have to. All that stands is for you to repent and believe, and accept the mercy and grace His outstretched hand offers.

Church, ought not this message be on our lips every day, inviting others to embrace it?

Recommissioned - Revelation 10:11

Revelation 10:11 ESV

11 And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”

After consuming this book, John is once again recommissioned to write, to record, to prophesy about what is to come.

God ends the sealing up, the silencing of the message and instead tells him, now you must write again and tell what is to come.

The message is the warning of the wrath to come…

The giving of this warning IS GRACE before the wrath descends. Never let it be said that God is ONLY anger and wrath.

Never let it be said that He does not send grace and mercy.

The warning, the prophesy that He gives to John IS grace, it is the mercy to warn the ungodly and unrepentant that NOW is the time to turn.

It is truly one of the primary reasons for the book of Revelation. A book of warning.

First and foremost, it is about Christ.

It is about His righteous character

His holy wrath

His boundless grace

But it is also a warning. A warning in grace to repent before these days of wrath come.

So…

Conclusion

Big Idea: May the sweet hope of God’s coming justice, compel us to bitter compassion for the unrepentant.

Pray

Application

How can the sweet hope of God's justice lead you to demonstrate compassion in your daily interactions?

In what ways can you prepare your heart to feel the tension between hope for God's justice and compassion for the unrepentant?

How does understanding God's character as both just and merciful influence your prayers for those who are lost?

Can you recall a time when you felt compelled to share God's love with someone you considered undeserving? What prompted that action?

How does knowing that God takes no delight in the death of the wicked shape your view of evangelism and outreach?

What are some practical ways you can demonstrate compassion to someone who may not share your beliefs?

In what situations do you find it challenging to balance hope for God's justice with compassion for others?

How can you support someone who is struggling with their faith while holding onto your own hope in God?

What does it mean for you to 'speak truth' while showing care for those who might reject it?

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