Rev. David Holwick
Study Notes
October 13, 1991
Revelation 10
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Commentators: Beasely-Murray (BM)
Johnson (Jo)
I. Angel with the little scroll. Rev 10
A. Chapter is part of an interlude between six trumpets and the last. Rev 10-11
1) Same type of interlude as in seals (chapter 7).
2) Main points to be communicated: [BM]
a) God's purposes will definitely be fulfilled at last trumpet. 10:7
1> The question of the saints, "How long?", is answered.
b) The church's task is to be faithful to the last breath.
1> Their testimony will be accompanied by tremendous spiritual
power.
2> The Church will be vindicated and many saved. 11:1-13
3) Time period and setting fluctuates during the interlude. [BM]
B. Meaning of chapter 10.
1) In spite of the long series of judgments, it will not go on indefinitely.
a) The end, contained in the seventh trumpet, is at the door. 10:6-7
2) John's call to be a prophet of God is re-affirmed. note 10:11
a) It is both a joyous and a bitter task.
II. Identity of mighty angel. 10:1 [Jo]
A. Some say Jesus, since he is described in dazzling terms.
1) The voice speaking in 10:4 is probably Jesus. [Jo]
B. Better interpretation - he is a mighty angel, possibly Michael. Dan 12:1
III. Identity of small scroll. 10:2
A. Not the Lamb's scroll in Rev 5-7.
B. It is connected with the symbolic scroll in Ezekiel 2:9 - 3:3.
C. Common points.
1) Both John and Ezekiel were told to eat the scroll.
2) Eating symbolizes the reception of the Word of God into the innermost being as
a necessary requirement to proclaim it with confidence.
3) Straddling land and sea symbolizes that the message is for the whole world.
IV. Seven thunders. 10:3-4
A. Perhaps another series of seven.
B. Or could be intended to strike a note of mystery.
1) "Hidden" messages are common in apocalyptic prophecy. Daniel 12:4,9
2) As the visible portion of an iceberg is only a small part of the iceberg, most
of which is hidden from man's sight, so God's disclosures reveal only part of
his total being and purposes. [Jo]
V. The angel's oath. 10:5-7
A. The angel's raised hand (10:6) alludes to the Jewish oath-swearing procedure.
Deut 32:40, Dan 12:7
B. When the seventh trumpet is sounded, the final purposes of God will be
fulfilled.
VI. John eats the scroll. 10:9
A. Like Ezekiel, John eats the scroll.
1) Unlike Ezekiel or Jeremiah, he finds it bitter as well as sweet.
Ezekiel 2:9 - 3:3
"Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll,
which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament
and mourning and woe. And he said to me, "Son of man, eat what is before you,
eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my
mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat
this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and
it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. He then said to me: "Son of man, go
now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them."
Jeremiah 15:16,19 -
"When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. ... Therefore this is what the LORD
says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter
worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman."
2) This signifies that receiving the Word of God is a great joy; but since the
Word is a prophecy of judgment, it results in the unpleasant experience of
proclaiming a message of wrath and woe.
3) Preaching wrath is not sweet, but bitter. Jeremiah 9:1
B. Eating the scroll functions as a re-commissioning ceremony for John.
1) He is told to prophesy to all humanity. 10:11
2) Note "kings" instead of "tribes", as in 5:9; 7:9; 13:7; 14:6.
a) This may anticipate the emphasis on the "kings of the earth" found in 17:9-12
and elsewhere.
b) These kings ally with Satan against God, but are later found giving homage to
Jesus in the New Jerusalem. 21:24
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