Revelation 10 Reminds me of working as a magician’s assistant. While I played a minor part, I was able to go backstage to watch other performances. Illusions are hidden from the audience, and I was told never to reveal the secrets. Today’s lesson is about not being tricked. John continues his observation from behind heaven’s curtain. John sees: “another mighty angel coming down from heaven.” This is apparently a new being. His description includes some symbols associated with Messiah, but Jesus is never called an angel. Many speculate, but we are not told his identity. Recall that almost every time an angel is seen, they are mistaken to be God. Any attempt to worship them is quickly rebuked. Angels are certainly not cute, harmless beings. John continues: “He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head.” The rainbow represents God’s merciful patience. But John adds: “his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.” The sun brings life to everything properly planted, and death to anything without water. Jesus said: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38). This angel deals with the thirsty. John continues: “He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand.” What is this “little book”? We are not told. We only know it is a short, open book. Perhaps it represents what we should be to those struggling around us, a simple example of forgiveness through faith in Christ to the deceived.
This mighty angel “planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.” God has given him great authority for a time. John says that “he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion… I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say… ‘do not write it down’.” People ask, why even mention this? I think in part, God knows our human tendency to latch onto tiny portions of complex ideas. People are dying every day from loneliness, addiction, and violence and yet they reject the restoration message in the Bible. They have been told to ignore God’s Word because their particular sin is included. Jesus spent time with the sinners: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” We are easily fooled by misdirection.
The chapter closes with a volunteer from the audience. John tells us that the mighty angel “raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by Him… who created the heavens and all that is in them… ‘There will be no more delay!’” God’s patience is limitless, but the day of judgement will come. The angel continues: “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.” To me the mystery can be summed up into one verse: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The entire Bible is given to teach us that we cannot achieve righteousness on our own. Salvation is a gift that is received by faith in Christ. John is instructed to “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel… eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” This is exactly what happens when we finally embrace Jesus as savior. We are overwhelmed by the forgiveness and the peace of God. Individually, we are filled with joy, but then we see the misery of those around us who have not accepted the truth. What a sour feeling to know they do not know the love God has for them. John is told: “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” Friend, you may have a minor part, but God can use you to speak the simple truth: Jesus willing died to pay the penalty for your sin, He offers all of us hope for today and eternity.