Lesson One

Chapter 10 & 11:1-14

Second Interlude: Temple & Two Witness

a) Introduction

- This is the second interlude in the book and it is about two visions: Temple and Two Witness.

- At the end of the interlude, we see repentance of the wicked by the church doing as Jesus did. It is not by fighting their enemies, but by loving their enemies and dying for them that aid some of the wicked to repent.

- Mission of the Church: God’s kingdom will be revealed when nations see the church imitating the loving sacrifice of the lamb not killing their enemies but dying for them. It is God’s mercy show through Jesus’ followers that brings the nation to repentance.

b) Might Angel Descends (10:1-4)

- This is the second might angel mention in the book of Revelation. The first one was in chapter 6. The third and finally might angel appears in 18:21. Both angels are glorious beings “a face like the sun”

- The might of the angel speaks of “great authority. This is in contrast to the beast that ascends from the abyss.

- The angel holds the open little scroll in his hand. This is a different scroll from the one in chapter 6 or part of that scroll. The contents of the scroll in chapter five are closed, but the contents of this little open scroll is restricted.

- The scroll that was sealed in the right hand of God in chapter 5 was opened by the Lamb in chapter 6 and now lies open in the hand of the mighty angle in chapter 10. It now John is shown how the plan relates to the saints that are still on earth.

- The scroll here is a small portion of the whole scroll containing the plan of God for ending the present evil world and introducing the “new heavens and new earth.” It is depicting the place of the church in these events that unfold. This includes the “sweet” and “bitter” aspects of these events for the people of God (10:1-11) and the witnessing activity of the church during this time (11:1-13).

- Chapter 6, 8-9 describe the relevance of these judgments for the nation of the world and the two interludes of 7:1-17 and 10:1-11:13 describe its relevance for the saints

- The mighty angel plants his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. John is stressing the dominion of the angel over the whole world and the significance of the message in the scroll for the entire world. This is an OT conquering motif. See the book of Joshua

- The great shout is liken to the roar of a lion. When the angle shouts, the thunders respond. God speaks like thunder seven times. This points to the power of God who is Ruler of creation over land and sea. Read Ps 29

- The seven thunders do not refer to a specific number of judgments but stem from the Ps. 29 allusion. It points to a general judgment. I believe it speaks about the specific events of the tribulation period on the eve of Jesus return

- John must seal up the voice of the seven thunders to keep them from the people of this world as he did in chapter 5

- This is an echo of Dan 12:4, where Daniel is told to “close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end.” God has determined the time when the Church the contents, and they must await his will.

- This also points to the sovereignty of God. He is in control especially when God commands John to not only “seal up” the message, but also not to “write it down.”

c) Angel Makes an Oath (10:5-7)

- Daniel 12:1-10 predicts that at the end of time the true people of God will be resurrected to eternal life, and the evildoers will be resurrected to eternal punishment; the angel then commands Daniel seal up the scroll unit the time of the eschaton.

- Verse 5 & 6: The Oath—the might angel swore by him who lives forever and ever. OT common oath: “as the Lord lives” (Numbers 14:21; Judges 8:19). Those who made an oath, placed themselves under the power and judgment of Yahweh, who was invoked and recognized as witness for the validity of the promise. This oath speaks to the finality of God’s proclamation.

- Verse 7: “Mystery of God to the Prophets is about to be accomplished:” In Daniel 12:5-7 ask a great question: “How long withal it be?” The answer is, “only God knows.” and verse 7 it is linked to “time and times and half a time.” In Rev 10, the time has arrived. This time speaks about the three and a half year speaks of the tribulation period as further talked about in the rest of the book (11:2, 3: 12:6. 14; 13:5). This speaks about the “end of the world.” This is when time will be no more (“time of the end”) and eternity will begin (Daniel 12:9)-the eschaton. That “time” will occur at the seventh trumpet (11:15-19). The might angel states that he eschaton will occur in the days of the voice of the seventh angel. This answers Daniel’s question.

d) John Commissioned to Prophesy (10:8-11)

- John is called to eat the scroll and read it out. Consuming the scroll signifies the passion on of the revelation from Jesus to John and his own commission to prophesy (10:11).

- It also concerns the Church’s place in the mystery of God so to be consummated. It will be bitter because it involves much suffering, yet sweet because the church will emerge triumphant.

- The scroll of the lamb to the little scroll lay open is where John is now asked to replicate the action of the lamb in 5:7 by thing form the hand of the angel.

- The little open scroll signifies that the message is now open to the church. The plan of God for the consumption of this world has been revealed through the prophetic ministry of John in writing down these visions.

- John’s prophetic activity was to be about many nations and people and tongues and kings. This is a positive message addressed to the Church in its mission to the nations.