Day 248, Revelation 10
Before the seventh trumpet is sounded, the vision moves toward hope, as we begin to see messengers sent from God.
There is great power in words, and we will also see a shift in the focus of the vision. John was originally an observing participant, occasionally asking a question but otherwise simply present to record the vision. Now he becomes an active participant in the drama. Messengers are a key part of God’s plan. Just as the silence that followed the breaking of the seventh seal enabled us to KNOW God, so the words spoken by God are now relayed through various messengers to release powerful change on the earth.
First, we see a messenger coming out of heaven, robed in cloud, and holding an open scroll. He is immense, standing astride land and sea. He gives a tremendous shout that is met with a response that most commentators agree is the complete message of God sent out by the seven spirits of God. John is told to seal up that message for now!
This angel is full of light, and his hat is a rainbow! This is a welcome change from the darkness, death, and destruction of previous chapters.
This magnificent messenger swears an oath that reveals more of Jesus to us: He lives for an eternity of eternities (that’s beyond any measurement or comprehension) and He is the Creator of heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them. In other words, He is greater than all the turmoils and tribulations that have preceded this announcement, and shortly the final trumpet will sound to fulfill the mystery of God.
But first, John steps onto the stage of this prophetic drama. He asks for the scroll (presumably to read it and understand more fully what the angel has just announced). Instead, the messenger tells John to eat it. Now our sense of taste joins sight, sound, and smell in this all-encompassing prophetic apocalypse! The scroll tastes as sweet as honey (symbolizing revelation knowledge – see footnote to verse 10) but it turns bitter in the stomach. Prophetic revelation is sweet to receive, but often the application is less pleasant. And so, John is instructed to prophesy again to many – which he does through this prophetic completion of the canon of scripture.
Have a great day!
Mark.