Mighty Angel and Little Scroll

INTRO:

Cpt 10-11 are the 2nd interlude in the book of Revelation.

Between the 6th and 7th trumpets we change scenes and other details are given to us.

There are two main aspects of the vision of cpt 10

Revelation 10:1–11 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. 2 He had a little scroll open in his hand. 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. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. 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.” 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. 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.”

1. The Mighty Angel

Identity

Revelation 10:1–2 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. 2 He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land,

Much speculation surround the identity.

We are given no specific name.

Two main views:

Jesus

in OT, he was called the angel of the Lord

The description here sounds bigger and mightier than other angels.

How does the description of the mighty angel compare to the Jesus’ description in & 4:2-3?

Revelation 1:12–15 ESV

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.

Revelation 4:2–3 ESV

2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.

Rev. 4:

Cloud is often included in descriptions of the glory of God.

An unnamed powerful angel.

This is consistent with the text

If it isn’t Jesus, this is an unnamed and powerful angel

Thunders

Revelation 10:3–4 ESV

3 and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. 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.”

Rev. 10:

The angel cried out and 7 thunders are heard

John began to write them, but God told him to “seal up” what they said

Even though God gave this book to reveal much of His plans, He still sealed some of it to remain a mystery.

The Angels Oath

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.

The angel swears there should be no more delay

This is the epitome of “The End is Near!”

God’s judgement will accelerate.

The declared end will not be avoided

2. The Scroll

2. The Scroll

2. The Scroll

Contents

Revelation 10:2 ESV

2 He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land,

Rev. 10

Revelation 10:9–11 ESV

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.”

Rev. 10:

We are never given details of the contents

It goes from the angel to John and he consumes it

Some see in this the rest of Revelation

the parts of heaven are sweet an the judgment is bitter

V. 11 points out that John had work yet to do

whatever the content, the scroll is equipping him to deliver God’s message.

What does tell us about God’s word and being equipped to serve God?

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

John Eats the Scroll

How is John being told to eat the scroll similar to other prophet’s experiences?

Jeremiah 15:16 ESV

16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.

Ezekiel 3:1–3 ESV

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.

Eating/consuming the scroll

can be considered as digesting it

In reference to God’s Word, we are to study it, memorize it, meditate upon it.

We are to know and understand it and allow it to be a part of us.

Like John, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah, we must allow God’s word to be a part of us.

T

Conclusion:

Are you digesting God’s word?

How well do you know the Scriptures?

Do you obey what you do know to the be the truth of God’s Word?