Why doesn’t God give instantaneous judgment? None of us would survive one minute past the age of accountability! The delay in judgment is for our benefit. God’s slow anger also gives more people time to accept Christ. On Sunday, we will cover Revelation 10. Note how the passage ends.
Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.” – Revelation 10:11 (NLT)
God desires for people all over the world to enter His kingdom. In Revelation 10, a mighty angel commands John to consume the scroll containing God’s message. While strange, other Scripture passages direct biblical characters to do the same. What is the meaning? The consumption of a scroll symbolizes how one should deeply internalize God’s Word.
In John’s case, the message is bittersweet. God’s Word is both sweet and sour. What does this dichotomy mean? Read Revelation 10:10.
So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but when I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach. – Revelation 10:10 (NLT)
1. There is salvation for those who accept God’s Word (sweet in the mouth).
2. There is judgment for those who reject God’s Word (sour in the stomach).
Revelation 10 is an interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets. There was a similar pause between the sixth & seventh seals in Revelation 7. Yet, by Revelation 16, there is no pause between the sixth and seventh bowl judgments. What is the reason? Once God’s judgment is poured out, then it’s done!
At the beginning of Revelation 10, a mighty angel descends from heaven. Angels are in 60 passages in Revelation, but only three are described as mighty. This angel carries a small scroll, an encouragement for believers and a reminder that God has not forgotten His promise of salvation.
The angel is surrounded by a cloud, representing God’s presence and His judgment. The rainbow over his head reminds the church about God’s promises. The first three verses also contain other symbols.
• Feet like pillars of fire represent God’s holiness and the stability of His Word.
• The right foot in the sea and the left foot on land demonstrate how God’s message will
• The great shout represents how God’s complete message is something everyone across
the globe should hear.
There is much more to this passage that we will cover on Sunday. So read Revelation 10 a few times and come ready to be encouraged. God’s Word tastes sweet to the saints! Onward!
go to the entire world.
• The great shout represents how God’s complete message is something everyone across
the globe should hear.
There is much more to this passage that we will cover on Sunday. So read Revelation 10 a few times and come ready to be encouraged. God’s Word tastes sweet to the saints! Onward!