I. Video Data:
From the series “Revelation: The Last Words of Jesus” featuring very special guests Dr. Ron Rhodes, Dr. Ed Hindson, and, Dr. Mark Hitchcock.
II. Introduction.
Dr. Robert L. Thomas (Th.M., Th. D.;1928-2017).) Revelation Commentary.
With the completion of the sixth trumpet, also called the second woe, the seventh trumpet does not come immediately, but awaits the setting of the stage for its sounding. Two preliminary elements must prepare the way for this last in the trumpet series: the announcement of the end of delay (10:1-11) and the measurement of the temple and its worshippers (11:1-14).
III. Outline.
Dr. Harold L. Wilmington (D. Min.; 1932-2018) The Outline Bible.
A. John is given a small scroll and is told to eat it. He does, and as predicted, it tastes sweet in his mouth but makes his stomach sour.
B. The messages given by the angel of God (10:1-7).
1. The appearance of this angel (10:1).
a. He is robed in a cloud with a rainbow over his head (10:1a).
b. His face is as the sun, and his legs as fiery pillows (10:1b).
2. The actions of this angel (10:2-7).
a. What he holds (10:2a): He holds an open scroll in his hand.
b. What he does (10:2b): He stands on the land and sea.
c. What he says (10:3-7).
(1) First message (10:3-4): John hears what is said, but is forbidden to write it down.
(2) Second message (10:5-7): The angel says God’s message will be revealed at the sound of the seventh trumpet.
C. The mission given to the Apostle of God (10:8-11).
1. To partake (10:8-9a): He is to eat the scroll held by the angel:
a. It will taste like honey in his mouth (10:9b, 10:a).
b. It will turn sour in his stomach (10:9c, 10b).
2. To prophesy (10:11): He is to write concerning nations, tribes, and kings.
IV. Scripture Text.
Revelation Chapter 10 (NASB 1995). Pasted from Bible Hub.
1 I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire; 2 and he had in his hand a little book which was open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land; 3 and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices. 4 When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them.” 5 Then the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven, 6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things in it, and the earth and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it, that there will be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.
8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10 I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. 11 And they said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”
V. Examination.
A. Dr. Charles C. Ryrie (Th. M., Th. D., Ph., D.; 1925-2016) Ryrie Study Bible.
1. 10:6. “there will be no longer.” I.e., when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet (11:15), the bowl judgments will be poured out.
2. 10:7. “the mystery of God.” Truth concerning God, Himself, which will not be revealed until His kingdom is established on earth.
3. 10:9-10. The eating of the “little book” (scroll) was to remind John that, although these truths from God may be pleasant to his taste, they were bitter when digested because they spoke judgment. The revelation of God’s judgment, on careful reflection, should always bring heaviness of heart to the child of God. Compare Ezek 2:8-3:3.
B. Dr. John F. Walvoord (Th. M.. Th. D.; 1910-2002) Revelation Commentary.
1. 10:1. Revelation 10:1-11:14 gives additional information as a background to the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments. Another angel is introduced, but apparently was not one of the seven angels sounding the trumpets. There is no evidence other than his being a mighty angel, (cf. Rev 5:2), perhaps, Michael the Archangel. In contrast with the seven-sealed scroll held by the Lamb (5:1), this angel held a small scroll, also used in 10:9-10. This scroll apparently contained the angel’s written order for the mission he was about to fulfill.
2. 10:5-7. The angel declared, “there will be delay no longer.” Announcement was made that the “seventh trumpet” would bring about the accomplishment of the mystery of God. This mystery had been previously announced to God’s prophets. The reference, therefore, is not to hidden truth, but to the fulfillment of many Old Testament passages which refer to the glorious return of the Son of God and the establishment of His Kingdom of righteousness and peace on the earth. Here again is evidence that the seventh trumpet introduces the seven bowl judgments of God’s wrath in Revelation 16.
3. 10:9-10. “The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than pure gold, than pure gold; they are sweeter than honey from the comb” (Ps 19:9-10). Though the Word is sweet to believers, it will be bitter to unbelievers when it brings divine judgment to them.
C. Dr. Robert L. Thomas (Th. M., Th. D.; 1928-2017) Revelation Commentary.
1. 10:1a. John sees the angel in the process of his descent from heaven, as he does the angel in 20:1. This confirms that John has moved from heaven, where he has been since 8:2, to the earth. Being “clothed in a cloud” enhanced the glory of the angel’s appearance. Clouds are often the vehicles on which heavenly beings ascend or descend, usually in an eschatologial setting (Ps 104:3; Dan 7:13; Isa 19:1; Acts 1:9; Rev 1:7).
2. 10:1b. The angel’s function is shown in relation to the trumpet judgments, past and future. This association adds reinforcement to the theme of judgment suggested by the fire, tempered by mercy already seen in the rainbow.
3. 10:7. The period of the seventh trumpet includes the seven bowls (16 :1 ff.), which culminate in the destruction of Babylon and consummation of all things.
D. Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost (Th. M., Th. D.; 1915-2014) Things To Come, pp 187-190.
1. 10:7. (1) The trumpet of 1 Cor 15:52, sounds before the wrath of God descends, while, the chronology of Revelation indicates that the trumpet in Rev 11:15 sounds at the end of the time of wrath, just prior to the second advent. (2) The trumpet that summons the church is called “the trump of God,” while the seventh trump is an angel’s trumpet. (3) The trumpet for the church is singular. No trumpets have preceded it so that it can not be said to be the last of a series. The trumpet that closes the tribulation period is clearly the last of a series of seven. (4) In 1 Thes 4:16-17, the voice associated with the sounding of the trumpet summons the dead and the living, and consequently is heard before the resurrection. In the Revelation, while a resurrection is mentioned (11:12), the trumpet does not sound until after the resurrection, showing that two different events must be in view. (5) The trumpet in 1 Thessalonians issues in blessing, in life, in glory, while the trumpet in Revelation issues in judgment upon the enemies of God. (6) In the Thessalonian passage the trumpet sounds “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” In Rev 10:7, the indication is that the seventh trumpet shall sound over a continued period of time, probably for the duration of the judgments that fall under it, for John speaks of the angel that shall “begin to sound.” The duration gives the evidence of the distinction in these two. (7). The trumpet in 1 Thes is distinctly for the church. Since God is dealing with Israel in particular, and Gentiles in general, in the tribulation, this seventh trumpet, which falls in the period of the tribulation, could not have reference to the church without losing the distinctions between the church and Israel. (8) The passage in Revelation depicts a great earthquake in which thousands are slain, and the believing remnant that worships God is stricken with fear. In the Thes passage there is no earthquake mentioned. There will be no believing remnant left behind at the rapture to experience the fear of Rev 11:13. (9) While the church will be rewarded at the time of the rapture, yet the reward given to “thy servants the prophets, and to the saints” can not be that event. The rewarding mentioned in Rev 11:18 is seen to take place on the earth after the second advent of Christ, following the judgment on His enemies. Since the church is rewarded in the air, following the rapture, these must be two distinct events.
2. 10:11. John has outlined the events of the first half of the tribulation under the seals (4:1-7:17), the last half of the tribulation under the trumpets (8:1-11:14), and closes the period with the return of the Lord to reign (11:15-18). Between the sixth and seventh trumpets, John is told (10:11) that “it is necessary for you to prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.” Concerning the word “again”, “it denotes renewal or repetition of the action.” This would seem to be a divine notice that, since John has taken us through the entire period once, it is God’s intention to have him retrace his way through the period again. Therefore, beginning in Chapter 12, John surveys the period a second time, placing emphasis on the individuals who play so important a part in the events of the 70th week. The bowls (Rev 16:1-17) evidently come at the close at the period and occupy only a brief period of time and can not be spread over the last 3 1/2 years of the period. This second survey, like the first, terminates the period by the return of Christ, and the consequent judgment of His enemies (Rev 19).
VI. My Bucket List shows the references, of people and documents, that I use when I write my articles.
VII. My Websites To Follow.
https://untotheleastofthese.home.blog/ Equipping The Saints Web Site
https://thechurchoftheopendoor.wordpress.com/ Israel Web Site
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https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/ Eternity
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