Don't Give Up in the Middle of the Fight

Introduction

Good evening and welcome back!

Tonight if you will, turn in your Bibles to Revelation 10.

We have spent a lot of time in the Old Testament lately, but tonight we are going to all the way to the other end of the Bible.

And we are actually going to be looking at some events that haven’t even happened yet.

We are taking a glimpse into the future and into things that John had not even seen or could have imagined—but yet he was trying his best to describe these things throughout Revelation.

Just think about it, cars, planes, computers, cell phones—all things we take for granted—would have been considered magic by John.

And he is peering into a future and into things that we have not even seen yet.

So there may be things on our horizon that right now we would think are “magic” or far fetched, but in years to come, could actually just be normal.

But the chapter we are looking at tonight takes place right in the middle of Revelation.

And, the event that John is seeing is taking place between the 6th seal of judgment (the death of 1/3 of all men) and is leading up to the two Witnesses in Chapter 11 and the 7th seal of judgment (with the final plagues and judgments).

John is seeing this vision of the little book and the Angel right after the 6th seal of judgment.

Right after six horrifying judgments had past but still . . .

Revelation 9:20–21 NIV84

The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Not really unlike the people today.

We are seeing the judgments of God all around us, every day, but still no one wants to repent.

And this attitude is nothing new either . . .

Genesis 6:5 NIV84

The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

And as a result of our wickedness . . .

Genesis 6:3 NIV84

Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

So all the way back we see God telling us that His Spirit, the Holy Spirit is not always going to be here.

Which makes me ask, what are we waiting on?

Why are we, the Church, not taking things more seriously?

Why are we not about our Father’s business?

But what is the Father’s business for us?

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV84

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

And, it’s here I want to spend some time chewing on tonight.

Because, for many of us, we have been about the Father's business, but we are growing faint, growing weary.

And we already know the Bible tells us to . . .

Galatians 6:9 NIV84

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

But, the battle is long and hard and we may want to give up, but the message of the hours is "Don't Give Up in the Middle of the Fight."

We cannot give up—there is way too much at stake.

So, let’s look at Revelation 10:1-11 and then break it down just a bit.

Scripture Focus

Revelation 10:1–11 NIV84

Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.” Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”

The Vision of an Angel

So, even though John had seen all he had seen.

Even though John had been through all he had been through.

There was still more God had for him.

Still more he had to do.

But before we get to that, let’s back up a bit and look at just how amazing this vision actually was.

Again, starting in verse 1 . . .

Revelation 10:1–4 NIV84

Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”

Like I said, up to this point, John had already seen some awesome things, mighty angels, and devastating judgments.

Things that would both be exciting (the hope for believers) and also terrifying (judgments on the lost and dying world).

And now, John is writing all he sees and he all of a sudden sees a new vision.

And this time he sees another mighty angel coming down from heaven.

This angel was clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet pillars of fire.

And scholars debate whether this was a mighty angel or the Lord Himself.

From the description giving, I feel this is very well could have been the Lord himself bringing this message to John.

Because was clothed with a cloud symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit and a sign of His coming, which is also what we see in Matthew . . .

Matthew 17:5 NIV84

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

And . . .

Matthew 24:30 NIV84

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

Also, a rainbow appeared over His head, showing God's covenant with man.

Genesis 9:12–16 NIV84

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

And also, His legs were like fiery pillars that symbolized the protection and guidance of the Lord.

Exodus 13:21–22 NIV84

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

And whether this was the Lord Himself, or an angel, it says that this angel or the Lord was holding this little scroll opened in his hand that represented the Word of God.

The living eternal Word of God.

He planted on foot on the land and one on the sea, showing that He has dominion over all creation and all the earth.

He gave a shout that sounded like the lion's roar, symbolizing power, authority, and, kingship.

Proverbs 19:12 NIV84

A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

And . . .

Hosea 11:10 NIV84

They will follow the Lord; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.

And when He shouted the voices of the seven thunders (seven angels of judgment) answered Him back.

But what they said, we don't know because John was commanded to seal it up and not write it down.

But just for a moment imagine that you are John and you are seeing all of this.

Put yourself in his shoes just for a minute.

And how we would react to this.

Mysteries of God Revealed

But God did not show John this just for a good show or just as a witness to His power and authority.

God had a purpose in showing John this and through John revealing this to our generation as well . . .

Revelation 10:5–7 NIV84

Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”

So the Angel (Lord) at that point lifts up His hand and swears an oath on behalf of Him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein.

That there should be no more delay.

The time had finally come that the final judgment would be poured out on the earth.

Which goes back to what we already know from what Peter has told us . . .

2 Peter 3:9–10 NIV84

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

And we focus a great deal on the “Lord is not slow” part but be often forget the “day of the Lord WILL come” and when it does it will be “like a thief,” unexpected and sudden.

But that doesn’t mean we have not been warned.

We have been warned and we are continually be warned by God.

It is coming.

However, we, as humans do not learn our lesson.

Look all the way back to Daniel 12 . . .

Daniel 12:1–4 NIV84

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

The KJV puts verse 4 this way . . .

Daniel 12:4 KJV 1900

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Never in history have we been so busy running to and fro.

Never in history has technology and knowledge been increased as fast as now.

In fact according to research studies, the total store of human knowledge is now doubling every eight years.

80% of all the scientists who have ever lived are alive today.

Every minute they add 2000 pages to man's scientific knowledge, and the scientific material they produce every 24 hours would take one person 5 years to read.

About a half-million new books are published every year.

When Apollo 13 was lost in space, computers worked out, in an hour and a half, a way to bring it back.

It's reported that it would have taken a scientist working with pencil & paper over a million years to figure out how to perform the same feat.

But even since 1970, computer technology has developed so fast that if the auto industry had developed at the same rate, you would today be able to buy a Rolls Royce for three dollars!...and you could fit eight them on the head of a pin!

The most basic building block of computer technology, the transistor, was invented at Bell Labs in 1948.

In 1994 a computer chip could hold 3.1 million transistors, more than twice as many as the previous year's model.

By the end of the decade, a chip will contain more than a billion transistors.

Machines today have become so complicated, only the most highly trained technicians can even understand them!

We are living in the last days and everything that God has been telling us through the Prophets and through His Word, the Bible is about to come to pass.

That time is here and now and we MUST BE READY AND WE MUST STAY READY AND WE MUST HELP OTHERS GET READY!

There is too much at stake and we CANNOT GIVE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIGHT!

Devour The Word

But, how do we know we are ready?

Or even, how do we get ready?

Look at the rest of the passage here . . .

Revelation 10:8–11 NIV84

Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”

So, the voice from heaven told John to go and take the book from the Angel and to take it and eat the book.

The Angel tells him that the book will be sweet in his mouth but bitter in his belly.

He was to devour the book—the Word of God.

We are also to take the Word of God and devour it and all it entails.

Psalm 119:11 NIV84

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

And . . .

Psalm 119:103 NIV84

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

And . . .

Psalm 119:105 NIV84

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

And the Word is sweet when we take it in and when we hear it, but sometimes when the Word speaks judgment it cuts, it hurts, and is hard to deliver.

Hebrews 4:12 NIV84

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The Word does not always speak of good times and blessings but also speaks clearly of judgment, disobedience, and destruction.

AND WE DON’T WANT TO DELIVER IT ALL THE TIME.

But we must.

That is our call.

All of us have a responsibility to deliver God's Word.

We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to sin.

Whether it is in our own life or the lives of others around us.

Time has come to stop being afraid that we are going to offend someone and start sharing the truth.

The truth about what is going to happen if they do not change their ways.

If we do not, their blood is on our hands.

Altar/Challenge

And our challenge for tonight is simple—are we giving up?

Are we turning a blind eye?

Only we and God know where we stand.

Let’s pray . . .