Revelation 10:1-11
Please read your Bible text: Rev 10:1-11
Notice a second parenthesis, here in Chapter 10 to 11:14, just after the sounding of the sixth trumpet. The first parenthesis is found in Chapter 7 just after the sixth seal, in which John digresses into the 144,000 sealed Jewish remnants and the multitude of Christians out of the tribulation. It seems to me that the Holy Spirit, who is the divine authorship of the Bible, allows a parenthesis here for our good. A parenthesis will enable us to re-focus on the Lord Himself as the ONE, who is still in sovereign control amid all the demonic inspired disaster, destruction, and death. So, John draws our attention in this parenthesis to the Lord Jesus Himself who appears here as the colossal angel. What a magnificent grandeur when the Lord Jesus Himself roars as the Lion of Judah. His roar triggers the 7 thunder voices each with a message. However, John is prohibited to write, and these 7 thunder voices remain a mystery.
Could those unrecorded 7 peals of thunder be very well parallelism to the last 7 cries of Jesus on the cross? At the Cross, Jesus looked down on the people around at the foot of His Crucifixion, He made 7 cries. Now as the Colossal Angel, He looks down on the people of the world in the Great Tribulation, and He roars those 7 thunder-voices.
The colossal angel is none other than the Lord Jesus Himself – vv.1-3
The description of this mighty angel calls to mind similarities with that of the Lord Jesus Himself. The cloud, the rainbow, the face was like the sun, feet were like pillars of fire, the roaring voice was like that of a lion. The one foot on the land and the other on the sea would indeed reveal to be a colossal one. He is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He appears to John as the enormous angel with a little book in his hand. Notice that in the vision of the last days’ happenings – all the judgments of God are executed or unfold by angels. Hence in the parenthesis here – the Lord Jesus Himself appears as the more glorious and greatest angel that John has ever seen. The vital difference is that the Lord Jesus Himself is the Son of God whereas the other angels, appearing glorious, are just ministering spirits at the Lord’s command. The fact that this colossal angel comes from heaven, with one foot on land and the other on sea shows his dominion over air, land, and sea. Think about this for a moment and give Him praise.
There is no more delay with the Mighty God – vv.4-7
The roaring of this angel brings forth the seven thunders, which John is forbidden to write what is revealed by the sound of these thunders. Perhaps they are only meant for John, but what God has not revealed we shall not even try to speculate or pry into. The Lord Jesus roars as the Lion of Judah. He is the King – the One who has the right to the royal throne of the Davidic Kingdom. Notice the magnificent description of ever-living God, the Creator of heaven and earth and all things there are…the revealer of the mystery of His dealings…by which this colossal angel swears that there will not be any more delay. The Lord is going to bring about quickly – His Kingdom rule and authority – of peace and prosperity.
Perhaps you are waiting for the Lord for something in life – you waited almost in despair. May this be the word of the Lord for you, “There will not be any more delay” for you. The reason we feel the delay is because we are bounded by time. But God lives outside time. God’s will or plan for you is never delayed on time but only perfect on time!
We must feed on the Word of God – vv.9-11
The colossal angel has a little opened scroll (a tiny book), and John was asked to eat it. It will be sweet in the mouth but bitter in the stomach. God’s word is always sweet like honey. It is only bitter in the stomach because there is an element of judgment. The revelation of God’s judgment, on careful reflection, should always bring heaviness of heart to the child of God. We grieve that Judgment will fall on the unbelieving sinful world; at the same time, it is sweet that the revelation of God’s judgment brings justice and destruction of Satan and all his cohorts.
John is asked to eat it. We must feed on God’s word if we are to prophesy to peoples, nations, and kings. Prophesy is a gift of the Spirit, but the Holy Spirit can only use vessels that are always filled with the Word of God. What good are we if we are empty vessels – void of God’s word?
Think: The Lord will not delay. He is never late, but always on time.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that there is no more delay in bringing forth Justice and righteousness and your Kingdom rule. With you, there is no delay in dispensing the best to your beloved.
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