The Mighty Angel and the Small Scroll – Revelation 10

Joy: You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #248.  Today we’ll read Revelation chapter 10 together:  here John describes the mighty angel and the small scroll.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

Can you believe that Christmas is next week?  I don’t think I’ve ever been this far behind.  There are still a few gifts that I need to get and I’m looking at a pile of presents that need to be wrapped.  Time just seems to be passing by at warp speed.  Of course, this has been a pretty weird year, full of change and a requirement that we be quick to adapt.  

I started thinking about Scripture related to time and my mind went straight to the third chapter of Ecclesiastes.  If you’re as old as I am, you can sing this as well as recite it.

The Mystery of Time

1 There is an occasion for everything,

   and a time for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to give birth and a time to die;

    a time to plant and a time to uproot;

3 a time to kill and a time to heal;

   a time to tear down and a time to build;

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh;

   a time to mourn and a time to dance;

5 a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;

   a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing;

6 a time to search and a time to count as lost;

   a time to keep and a time to throw away;

7 a time to tear and a time to sew;

   a time to be silent and a time to speak;

8 a time to love and a time to hate;

   a time for war and a time for peace.

 This passage centers me and brings me back to gratefulness for the time that God has given me.  Whereas in my flesh, I always want more, the word of God tells me that each day is ordained for me, that I must be content with the 168 hours I have every week, and that I am called to used it wisely.

So, perhaps instead of speeding up this time of year, we should slow down.  Let’s breathe in the blessings right in front of us.  Let’s count our many blessings.  And instead of getting caught up in what we don’t have time to do, let’s thank God for the many luxuries He has provided to help us accomplish so much.  And let’s get some sleep.  

Challenge

Now if you can name the group rocked this passage in the 1960s, let me know at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Revelation Chapter 10

The Mighty Angel and the Small Scroll

Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face was like the sun, his legs were like pillars of fire, and he held a little scroll opened in his hand. He put his right foot on the sea, his left on the land, and he called out with a loud voice like a roaring lion. When he cried out, the seven thunders raised their voices. And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down!”

Then the angel that I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. He swore by the one 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, “There will no longer be a delay, but in the days when the seventh angel will blow his trumpet, then the mystery of God will be completed, as he announced to his servants the prophets.”

Bittersweet

Then the voice that I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “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 and eat it; it will be bitter in your stomach, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”

Then I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I ate it, my stomach became bitter. And they said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”

Well, well, well…this one is intriguing.  Let’s go to our CSB Study Notes for some direction on a few key curiosities.  

Closing Thoughts

First, we learn right away that, this is indeed an angel and not Christ.  Christ is never referred to as an angel in the New Testament.  We’re not sure who this angel is, but it’s unlikely Christ.  But this guy is big, judging from where he needs to place his feet and that the scroll looks little in his hand.  And do you think that the inclusion of the rainbow suggests that God is remembering His promise to Noah, even in judgement?

As we have learned, the number seven means perfection or completeness.  In terms of God’s judgement, these seven thunders may indicate that God’s judgement is nearing completion.  We have also discussed Deuteronomy 29:29 that says the hidden things belong to God.  And we have to be okay with that.

Finally, it is suggested that the ministry of the Word of God is bittersweet.  While the intake and preaching is sweet, the rejection of the hearers is bitter.  Let’s pray.

Prayer

Oh, Jesus, I pray that You would go before us and soften the hearts of unbelievers to accept Your Gospel.  Let it be only the sweetness of Your promises with no bitterness of regret.  Amen.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.