Sermon - Revelation 10 - A mighty angel and a small scroll - Littleby Baptist Church - September 19, 2021
1. Recap
a.
Read – Revelation 9:20-21
b.
We have covered the 7 Seals.
c.
We have talked about the devastation caused by
the first six Trumpets.
d.
In spite of all of that, people continued to
turn their back on God.
e.
A dark time, but Scripture continues to show us
that God is in control.
2.
Here we find a pause before the final Trumpet.
3.
Revelation 10:1
a.
This is a mighty angel, Michael, Gabriel, or
some other angel who is carrying out the will of God.
b.
Wrapped in a cloud – sent as a special messenger
for God.
c.
Rainbow over his head – a complete full circled
rainbow, similar to the one that surrounds the Father’s throne.
i. The
rainbow is a symbol of God’s mercy to His people.
ii. The
judgement has been and will be harsh, but God’s mercy to those who follow Him has
no end.
d.
Face like the sun – a reflection of the righteousness
of God, similar to how Jesus’ face was shinning like the full strength of the
sun when He was walking amongst the lamp stands.
e.
Legs were like pillars of fire – representative
of God’s mercy, protection, and provision as in the time when the pillar of
fire and smoke guided the young nation of Israel in the wilderness.
i. A
symbol of hope to those who are following God.
4.
Revelation 10:2
a.
The angel was holding a small scroll in his hand,
which we will get into later.
b.
Right foot on the sea, his left on the land points
to the power that he has been given to carry out the Lord’s will for the whole
earth.
5.
Revelation 10:3-4
a.
The angel calls out and the Seven Thunders
respond.
b.
Knowing that we are looking at Seven Seals,
Trumpets, and Bowls… makes one wonder what part the Thunders play?
i. What
did they say?
ii. How
will it affect those who are on the earth at that time?
iii. How
do they play into the End of Days?
c.
Scripture does not answer that for us as John
was commanded to not record what the Seven Thunders had to say.
d.
While this book of prophecy gives us an insight
to what to expect during the end of times, the fact that what the Thunders said
is not revealed to us, is a reminder that not every detail is written for us.
i. Revelation
is a guide, but there are things we are not meant to know.
6.
Revelation 10:5-6a
a.
The angel who stood on the land and the sea took
a posture of praise and raised his right hand to heaven.
b.
Colossians 1:15-16 – the angel is swearing on
Jesus.
i. The
mighty angel is swearing by our Creator Jesus.
7.
Revelation 10:6b-7 – Let’s read that
declaration.
a.
Let’s break this down a bit.
b.
There will no longer be a delay – For thousands
of years, people have wondered how much longer.
i. From
the OT prophets to the martyrs under the altar, people have questioned when the
end will come.
ii. The
angel swears by Jesus that the time has come.
c.
In the days when the seventh angel will blow his
trumpet – with the Sixth trumpet having passed, the next will bring to fruition
God’s plan.
d.
The mystery of God will be completed – Not some
hidden truth, but the complete fulfillment of many many prophecies that foretold
of the glorious return of the Son of God. Prophecies that tell of the
establishment of Jesus’ kingdom.
e.
As God had announced to and through his servants
the prophets…
i. All
those prophecies will unfold as He had said.
8.
Revelation 10:8
a.
Go take the little scroll from the angel.
9.
Revelation 10:9
a.
Words John was likely familiar with… Ezekiel 3:1-3
b.
The Word of God is sweet as honey to those who
believe.
c.
We know that they are God’s Word and were written
to guide us.
d.
The message may be hard to deal with.
i. Think
of prophets of Old who knew they were God’s messengers but had to proclaim judgements
on those who they were speaking to.
ii. The
Word also cuts deep into each of us as our sins are brought to light.
10. Revelation
10:10
a.
The angels’ words were true.
b.
Sweet as honey as John understand that God was
using him to reveal His words to those who will listen.
i. Whatever
the message held, John found joy in being used by God.
c.
Bitter because the burden that John was carrying
included a message of suffering that will impact God’s people.
d.
Bitter as it hurts to share the message of wrath
to those who continue to reject God.
e.
There is Joy is sharing the Word of God with
others, but there is a burden that comes with it.
i. Knowing
that that who do not respond are facing an eternity without God.
11. Revelation
10:11
a.
The task is not complete.
b.
John is told that he must continue to be God’s
mouth piece, sharing what is to come, what is going to impact ‘many peoples,
nations, languages, and kings.’
c.
John has tasted the message.
i. He
knows the sweetness of being used by God.
ii. He
is aware of the bitterness it will cause.
iii. He
knows that he will carry God’s messages to those who will listen.
12. What
does all of this tell us?
a.
We saw a mighty angel swears by Jesus,
proclaiming that the end is coming.
b.
We are reminded by the Seven Thunders, that everything
is not recorded in the Bible.
i. There
are things we are not meant to know. Things we will not understand.
ii. We
must trust that God is in Control!
c.
We see John charged with continuing to carry the
message of God to ‘many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.’
13. The
prophecies we are looking at are not pleasant.
a.
The challenges are more than we would wish on
anyone.
b.
But our God is in Control.
c.
Our Hope is in Jesus, not in this world.
d.
Our Joy comes from knowing we get to spend an
eternity with God.
e.
If you are a follower of Jesus, your future
address is already set.
f.
Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
14. Psalm
30:4-5
a.
“4 Sing to the Lord,
you his faithful ones, and praise his holy name. 5 For
his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor, a lifetime. Weeping may stay
overnight, but there is joy in the morning.”
b.
No matter what the future holds, our Joy comes
from Jesus.
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