Bible Study

1. A mighty angel coming down from Heaven (v1-4)

He comes down from Heaven

His description-he is clothed with a cloud (John baptist was clothed with camels cloth). he has a rainbow around his head (rainbow was around the throne of God). This rainbow around the angel’s head, may represent how God keeps his promise. Back in Genesis God promised Noah how He would never flood the earth again, and the rainbow was a sign given.

Now His face was like the sun (it’s beaming and bright). feet like pillars of fire with one on the land, and the other on sea.

Honestly I used to think this angel might look ridicules at first glance. but let’s examine his description further: at the top you have what looks like a rainbow (which may represent the promises of God) with the brightness of the sun just below it (represented by the angel’s face). Below that you have clouds (which in nature we see as bringing rain, but in Heaven God’s judgement. and just as you would see sunbeams coming out of the clouds, here you now have pillars of fire (represented by the angel’s foot). One is in the sea and the other on land (v2). just as the sun’s rays beam through the clouds bring about a picture of peace, now fire is beaming down from the clouds, a picture of judgement ahead for the entire planet earth!

but now the vision we see looks like what we might call “sunbeams” coming from clouds. only these are not sunbeams, these are pillars of fire!)

Peter declares, although God promises not to flood the earth again, He will indeed burn it with fire!

he is clothed with a cloud (John baptist was clothed with camels cloth)

but now as Peter declares, although God promises not to flood the earth again, He will indeed burn it with fire!

2 Peter 3:5–7 NKJV

5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2Peter 3:

he has a rainbow around his head (rainbow was around the throne of God). it also represents God keeps his promises- Noah and the flood)

Matthew 6:30 NKJV

30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

his face was like the sun

feet like pillars of fire (I used to think this angel might look ridicules (but now the vision we see looks like what we might call “sunbeams” coming from clouds. only these are not sunbeams, these are pillars of fire!)

he is holding a book (v2)- this will be discussed further...

His Sound(v3-7)- It is as powerful as a lion (v3). His cry is followed by 7 thunders that utter their voices. (its no wonder John, after seeing this angel clothed in a cloud and a rainbow would hear thunders after it. thunder means there is a storm coming) (V4). John was commanded not to write what was spoken by the 7 thunders. Then the angel raises his hands to Heaven and swears by Him Who: (v5-7)Lives forever and ever, Created Heaven and everything in it, Created earth and everything on it (, ), Created the sea and everything in it

It is as powerful as a lion (v3). His cry is followed by 7 thunders that utter their voices. (its no wonder John, after seeing this angel clothed in a cloud and a rainbow would hear thunders after it. thunder means there is a storm coming) (V4)

His cry is followed by 7 thunders that utter their voices. (its no wonder John, after seeing this angel clothed in a cloud and a rainbow would hear thunders after it. thunder means there is a storm coming) (V4)

v4-John hears 7 thunders utter their voices. (its no wonder John, after seeing this angel clothed in a cloud, would hear thunders after it) (V4)

John was commanded not to write what was spoken by the 7 thunders.

He raises his hands to Heaven and swares by Him (v507)

Then the angel raises his hands to Heaven and swears by Him Who: (v5-7)

Lives forever and ever

Created Heaven and everything in it

Created earth and everything on it (, )

Created the sea and everything in it

This angel is swearing (promising) by Jesus Christ Who lives forever and ever, Who created Heaven, earth, and sea (and everything that is in them) that there should be no longer a delay.

This might mean no longer a delay in God’s judgement. that the 7th angel is about to sound his trumpet and the earth needs to be ready

It might also mean that all those sermons and Bible prophecies we grew up hearing about how the world is finally coming to an end, is now finally here. And God is not going to delay this any longer.

Peter talks about scoffers in the last days mocking the second coming of Christ and its delay (and folks today still do so). but here, God’s promise is sure and it’s too late to turn back the clock.

v7 declares the 7th angel is about to sound his trumpet and then the mystery of God will be complete as He has declared all those centuries ago by His prophets in both Old and New testaments

2 Peter 3:2–4 NKJV

2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3:

v7 declares the 7th angel is about to sound his trumpet and then the mystery of God will be complete as He has declared all those centuries ago by His prophets in both Old and New testaments

reference scripture concerning the end times.

2. The Little Book (v8-11)

v8-11- John hears that same voice from Heaven (the one who told him not to write what the 7 thunders uttered) telling him to take the little book, that is opened, from the angel who is standing on both land and sea. So John goes to the angel and ask’s for the book. when the angel gives John the book, the angel not only gives it to John, but tells John to eat it as well. It will be as sweat as honey to the taste, but it will hurt his stomach.

v8-11- John hears that same voice from Heaven (the one who told him not to write what the 7 thunders uttered) telling him to take the little book, that is opened, from the angel who is standing on both land and sea.

so John goes to the angel and ask’s for the book. when the angel gives John the book, the angel not only gives it to John, but tells John to eat it as well. It will be as sweat as honey to the taste, but it will hurt his stomach.

desire the sincere milk of the Word

sure enough when John eats the book, it hurt his stomach. The angel tells John that he must prophesy again too many different people, nations, languages and kings. I believe this means what John has to tell people, although they are the true words of God (sweet as honey) it will be hard and painful to preach. the message of the Gospel are sweet words, but often peoples reaction to it can be quite painful at times! what John is about to proclaim, will mark judgement on the world, and no one wants to be judged!

there will be times when God’s words will be hard to proclaim and sharing to Gospel will not always be accepted.

Jeremiah had a difficult time telling backslidden Israel God was going to judge them if they didn’t repent. he was afraid what they might do to him. and sure enough later he finds himself in a pit!

in our culture today it seems some church are finding ways to distort and even change God’s words so that fits with popular culture. pastors are telling folks we have misinterpreted what the Bible says about homosexuality. we have upheld it and excused it so that it fits with today’s popularity.

on the flip side the church focuses on homosexuality and ignores other sins in the church; sins like fortification, adultery, steeling, getting drunk, coveting, angrily insulting or criticizing someone. These sins will send a person to hell ().

do you know what is the most offensive thing is in this world? it’s not homosexuality (although I agree it is wrong and many Christians are protesting it). the most offensive thing in this world is the Gospel (and how many of us are proclaiming to the drunks, adulterers, prostitutes, and even homosexuals there is a God who loves them so much that Jesus died for their sins?

my point is we protest in anger about homosexuality (that’s easy in a group of people), but how many of us also proclaim the message of Jesus Christ to them?

In our personal walk with Christ, 1Peter2:2 tells us that as believers, we are to desire the sincere milk of the Word (meaning it’s true and not deceitful). tells us God’s word is alive and sharper than any 2-edged sword. there will be times when God Words comfort us and there will be times when it convicts us. there will be times when the Bible is sweet and other times it will be bitter. We don’t get to choose what’s in the Bible. you can twist it, change it, and do all sorts of things so it fits today’s culture, but deep down, you know it changes nothing what God has said.

Jesus even said that until Heaven and earth passes, one jot/1 tittle will in no wise pass from the law until all is fulfilled. Heaven and earth has not passed away yet, so guess what, we are authorized to change scripture.

If you are saved this morning, remember how that happened. Somebody shared the story of Jesus Christ to you. (explain Gospel from , , , ). the world needs to hear them again, even if it feels bitter at times.

these verses are sw