Read Revelation 10
Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does John see in Revelation 10:1? Coming where? From where? Clothed with what? What was on His head? What was His face like? What did He have in His hand (Revelation 10:2)? Where did He place His feet? What did He do (Revelation 10:3)? With what sort of voice? What did it sound like? What happened when He cried out? What was John about to do with the words of the seven thunders (Revelation 10:4)? But what did John hear from heaven? And what did the voice say to do? And not to do? What did the mighty Angel now do with His hand (Revelation 10:5)? And what did He do (Revelation 10:6)? By Whom—when does He live, and what has He made? To what does the mighty angel swear? What trumpet would signify the end to the delays (Revelation 10:7)? What will be finished? To whom had this mystery been declared? Which voice now speaks again (Revelation 10:8, cf. Revelation 10:4)? What does it say for John to take? From Whom? To Whom does John go in Revelation 10:9? What does he say to Him? What does the Angel tell John to do with the book? What will it be like in his stomach? What will it be like in his mouth? What does John do in Revelation 10:10? What was it like in his mouth? What did it do to his stomach? What did the Angel tell him that he had to do (Revelation 10:11)? About whom?
What are we to make of strange things like giant angels, secret thunder-words, and edible books? Revelation 10 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus is ruling over even the most frightening events to finish the application of His redemption, which He proclaims in His gospel.
There are six trumpets that sound during the time of delay. The Lord Jesus declares that the time of delay comes to an end only with the seventh trumpet (Revelation 10:6-7).
Between the sixth and seventh seals, we had an interlude that emphasized Jesus as our Priest, Who offers His incense with those prayers of the saints to which the Lord of History is responding in carrying out the book of His decree (cf. Revelation 8:1–4). Now, between the sixth and seventh trumpets, we have an interlude that emphasizes Jesus as our King and Prophet, ruling over all creation, and proclaiming His selected words through His servant.
This is what we need to see against the backdrop of the trumpets. The seals had been the grievous upheavals that belong to the time between Christ’s two comings. But the trumpets have been more severe. The trumpets have been announcements, throughout history, of the wrath of God that is coming in the last day, when the mystery of God is finished. In the face of all of this, we need a clear view of Jesus as our Priest, and King, and Prophet. And that is just what Revelation gives us.
Jesus is often called the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament, and we have already seen Him referred to as an Angel in Revelation. The word for “angel” fundamentally means “messenger,” and it is not surprising that the Son, Whom Scripture calls “the Word,” would also be the Word that has gone out from the Godhead—the Angel of the Lord. There really can be no doubt Who this angel is. He is crowned with the rainbow from the throne in Revelation 4:3 (Revelation 10:1), and His appearance described in the same images as in Revelation 1:15–16 (Revelation 10:1): an appearance that is so literally brilliant that one might burn his eyes by looking upon Him.
He is a larger-than-life King, with a conquering foot (cf. Psalm 110:1) upon earth and sea, representing His reign over the whole of creation. His enemies have been made a footstool for His feet; the time has come. His voice is like thunder. From the great book with the seven seals, which belongs to Him, He bears a miniature book (Revelation 10:2). Not everything that He thunders (Revelation 10:3) may be written; some of them must be sealed as well (Revelation 10:4). The secret things belong to our God (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29). He vows by God Himself (Revelation 10:5-6, cf. Hebrews 6:13–17) that He is about to finish what God has revealed. The word “mystery,” in the New Testament refers to the gospel—not that which remains hidden, but that which God has revealed. Jesus will finish accomplishing it all!
He is also a faithful Prophet. God sends John to Jesus to receive the Word (Revelation 10:8, cf. Revelation 1:1). Jesus wants John to digest it first (Revelation 10:9) before he proclaims it to the world (Revelation 10:11). It is sweet to him to know and proclaim the reign of Christ over all things, but it is bitter to digest (Revelation 10:10) what that means for those who remain His enemies and suffer His wrath. Ezekiel had experienced the same thing (cf. Ezekiel 3:1–3). The trumpets of wrath that breaks into history are accompanied by the Word that His servants proclaim. What is happening during all of the calamities of the first four trumpets, and the demonic onslaughts of the fifth and sixth trumpets? Christ is reigning, and Christ is preaching His gospel! If you belong to Him by faith, you needn’t fear anything. Your God reigns (cf. Psalm 93, 97). And Your Redeemer reigns!
What are the most alarming incidents of providence that you can think of? Who is ruling over them? To do what?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us, for we are often forgetful that Jesus is the mighty Angel of the Lord, and that all things are being placed under His feet. So we fret, and we fear. And forgive us, for we do not meditate much upon that great day that Jesus has sworn shall come with the last trumpet. So, we do not live as we will wish we had when that day comes. And forgive us, for we do not grieve enough over what will become of those who do not heed the sweet words of the gospel. Forgive us, and cleanse us, by the Spirit of Your Son, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear?”
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