Behold | Sermons through the Revelation

Sermon #20 | Rev. 9:13-11:14 | The Sixth Trumpet, part 2 (10:1-11:2)

Revelation 10:1-4 | Another Mighty Angel and a Message Kept Secret

• The remainder of the information on the sixth trumpet is not chronological but gives additional information.
• In verse 1, Another mighty angel is introduced. While we are not told the identity of this angel, it does not appear to be one of the seven holding the trumpets.
• This angel had a little book open. The book of Revelation 5:1 was sealed with seven seals. Now we have the seventh seal removed, and thus this little book open could be the same book; once closed, now open.
• The angel set one foot on the sea and the other on the land, surely signifying the authority of his message over both all the earth.
• The angel cried with a loud voice, and upon this cry seven thunders uttered their voices (v. 3).
  • Note that the seven thunders are not the angel.
  • Compare Psalm 29, especially verse 3, followed by seven voices.
  • Compare also John 12:28-29, where the voice of God is taken as thunder by some who hear it.
• The voices of the seven thunders were to be sealed up and not written.
  • The things spoken were known by John but are not known to us. They are a “mystery” in the Biblical sense. Since they are unknown, speculation is unfruitful.
  • When John wrote, it was to reveal. He was told not to write in order to conceal.
    • Many students want to take what John wrote and treat it as if it is concealed, and then want to take what John didn’t write and want to reveal.
    • John’s writing was so clear that the voice from heaven did not want him to write, but rather wanted it to remain known only to John.

      Revelation 10:5-11 | The Time Has Arrived

• By the content of verses 5-6, we can see that this mighty angel is not Christ (as some teach).
• In Revelation 6:10-11 the martyrs cry How long? In Revelation 10:6 the time has come to a close. With the sound of the seventh trumpet (which is yet to come), the Mystery of God will be finished (v. 7)
• The mystery of verse 7 is one of many mysteries in the Bible. It is important not to confuse and mix the mysteries.
  • This mystery was declared to his servants the prophets.
  • The Pauline mystery was hidden in God until revealed to Paul (Eph. 3:2, 9).
• John was given instruction to take the book and eat it.
  • It would be sweet to the taste, but bitter to the belly.
  • Compare Ezekiel 2:8-3:7. There is a sweetness to knowing that “the time has come.” There is a bitterness to pronouncing judgment on Israel.
• John was then told to prophesy again (v. 11).
  • Since John was not a prophet, the again likely refers to the prophecies of his servants the prophets mentioned in verse 7.
  • The word before is epi, which, when used with an indirect object (as here), means upon or against. The prophecies would be against many peoples…etc (v. 11). Compare Luke 12:52-53, where the same word is used in the same form.

    Revelation 11:1-14 | The Two Witnesses

• These verses are a continuation of the previous verses. Note the word and at Revelation 11:1.
• John was given a reed like unto a rod –
  • The word was used of a reed that, depending on size, was used for a number of purposes. The smallest were filled with ink and made into pens, thus the word can, in context, mean pen. The size variation is the reason John clarifies that this reed is “like a rod.”
  • The English word calamari comes from κάλαμος [kalamos], because types of calamari are hollow and contain a natural ink.
• The Temple of God (v. 1) is not a heavenly temple but the future tribulation-era temple, yet to be built.
• For a period of forty and two months the city of Jerusalem will be tread under foot by the Gentiles. This is a future time of 3.5 years, which is (I believe) the last half of the tribulation.
• During this same time, the two witnesses will proclaim the word of God. –stay tuned!