10 & 11

                                                           Revelation Chapter 10

This chapter is about God’s final judgement and downfall of Satan and his kingdom.

Vs.1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.

John saw another mighty angel coming down for the sky. 

1. This angel was different from the sixth angels with the trumpets.

2. Mighty angel:  One with strength and power

The angel was clothes in a cloud.

1. Encompassed by a cloud represents majesty, glory, and divine presence.

Exodus 24:16 Now the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.

I Kings 8:10-11 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the Lord.

A Rainbow Was Upon his head:  The angel came in peace and not with wrath.

1. A symbol of God’s covenant and mercy. Divine favor.

2. The angel came in peace and not with wrath.

The Angel Face Was As It Were The Sun: Reflection of God’s glory.

Exodus 34:29-30 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So, when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

The Angel Feet Were Like Pillars of Fire:  

1. The angel reflected Christ’s glory and his attributes.

2. Feet represented strong foundation and purity from the fire.

Revelation 1: 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.

We can interpret that this is a powerful and godly angel.

Vs. 2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,

The angel had a little book opened in his hand.

1. This is not the scroll that the seals had been broken by Christ.

2. This book represents a divine message that is ready to be revealed.

The Angel Set His Right Foot On The Sea and Left Foot On The Land:

1. The angel’s authority was over the entire earth.  

2. He had authority over both land and sea.

3. The message that was about to be release was for the entire world.

Vs. 3 and cried with a loud voice,  as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.

The Angel Cried Out With A Loud Voice As When A Lion Roar:  

1. The angel spoke loud and powerful.

2. This represented power, authority, strength, and fear in the message to come.

When He Cried Out In A Loud Voice, Seven Thunders Uttered Their Voices:

Seven Thunders:  The voice of the Lord and is powerful.

1. Seven represents completeness spoken from the voice of the Lord.

Psalm 29: 3-9 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters, The God of  glory thunders, The Lord is over many waters. 4. The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is majestic. 5.The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; Yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. 6.He makes Lebanon skip like a calf and Sirion like a young ox.7. The voice of the Lord hews out flames of fire. 8. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;  The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9. The voice of the Lord makes the deer to calve and strips the forest bare; and in the temple everything says, Glory! 

(Sirion is name for Mt. Hermon)

1. One day the voice of the Lord will cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess that He is Lord.

Vs 4. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”

The seven thunders spoke and John was told not to write what they had spoken.

1. God spoked and told John not to revealed what he had heard from God’s voice in this vision.

2. Sealing up these things represents that there are some of God’s judgement during the tribulation that will be hidden from us. God is not relieving what He will do during this time.

Vs. 5-6 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,

The angel that stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on land lifted up his hands to heaven and swore by authority of God that there would be no more delay before the seven-angel release judgement.

1. No more delay

2. God is about to fulfil his final judgement on earth.

3. These events in these verses will occur between the sixth and seventh trumpets, and what will occur during this time are unknown.

Vs. 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

When the seventh angel is about to blow his trumpet, the mystery of God will be revealed and finished just as God have shown them to His prophets.

1. The mystery that God had John to seal will have been revealed and finished.

2. Whatever the mystery is, it will come to pass just as God had revealed it to John

3. All the divine prophecies will have taken place as they were revealed. (All the things we read about in the previous chapters.)

Vs. 8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”

1. God spoked to John and told him to take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and earth.

2. Book is open to be read and understood.

3. John taking the book represents that the vision God showed him is about to unfold.

Vs. 9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.” And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”

 John asked the angel to give him the little book, and he said take it and eat it. 

The book will make your stomach bitter and your mouth sweet as honey.

1. John was to take the message in and to prophesy it contents.

Stomach Bitter:  

1. The message from the little book would involve suffering and bad news.

Sweet As Honey in Your Mouth: 

1. re God’s eternal purpose would experience no further delay which is good news.

Ezekiel 3: 1-4 Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So, I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So, I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. Then He said to me: “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them.

Vs. 10 Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.

Ate it: Received and understood it.

1.  John read and took in the message of the book.

2. As soon a John took in the content of the book, he felt the bitterness of the message that he had to deliver.

1. John felt the heaviness of the content of the message that he had to deliver to the people.

3. The word came from John’s mouth sweet as honey because it was revelation from God.

Vs. 11 And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

1. Even though the content of the message was bitter, John was to prophesy to all types of people, many nations, many languages, and many kinds.

Discussion:

                                                               CHAPTER 11

This chapter is God’s authority reigns supreme and victory of the church.

Vs. 1Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

John is given a measuring rod and told by and angel to measure the temple of God, the altar, and the worshippers.

Measuring these areas represents God’s protection and preservation of God’s children

Measurements are symbolic for ownership.

Ezkiel 40:  Prophet Ezkiel had a vision and he was given a measuring rod to measure the future temple in Jerusalem.  The vision gave Ezekiel hope to the people of Israel that God will one day dwell among them again. John had similar vision of measuring the temple. 

What does measuring the temple represents:

1. Measuring the temple of God:  Represents the return of the Lord. God is preparing a place for His people.

2. Temple represents God’s present with His people.

3. The precise measurements represents divine order.

Measuring the worshippers means to count them.

1. It also represents hope of a new beginning with Christ.

2. God will dwell with His people in a holy place.

3. These visions of John and Ezkiel represents God’s commitment to restore and bless His people.

4. No matter what the impending judgements, God’s children will dwell with Him.

In Johns vision, He recognized these symbols:

1. The temple:  God’s place of dwelling.

2. The altar:  The place of sacrifices.

3. The worshippers:  The overcomers who worship God.

Vs. 2 But leave out the court, which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

John was told not to measure the outer court of the temple because it had been given to the Gentiles and they would tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

1. John was not to measure the outer court because it belonged to the Gentiles.

2. The outer court was where anyone that was non-Jewish and impure were allowed.

3. The outer court was external part of the temple.

4. Gentile here is referring to Greek word ethos (eth-nos) which means pagan, heathen, and foreigner. 

1. John was not to measure because the outer court represented the false worshipper and the unbelievers.

5. Not measuring the outer court also represented a separation of faithful worshippers and unfaithful people.

The Gentiles will trample under their feet the holy city which is the sacred city for forty -two months.

Daniel 12: 7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.

1. Forty-two months are 3 ½ years.

2. Which is a time (one year) and a time (two years) and a half time (a half of a year).

3. Can also be written as 1,260 days.

4. All these are the same time period.

5. This is a period of time when the unrighteous will persecute the faithful.

Vs. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

 I will grant power to my two witnesses.

1. God personally chose His witnesses.

2. A conviction of death was granted at the testimony of two witnesses that stated the same fact.

Deuteronomy 17:6 Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.

These witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days which is 3 ½ years.

1. They will prophesy during the time the Gentiles(unrighteous) have come against God and His holy people.

2. They will prophesy in sackcloth which represent mourning. 

3. They are sending warning to the unbelievers.

Vs. 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

The two witness are said to be two olive trees and two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

Zechariah 4: 11-14 Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?” And I further answered and said to him, “What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains? 

 Then he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said no my Lord. So, he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”

The two witness are anointed by the Holy Spirit and are a part of God’s church. Their identity are unknown.

1. The olive trees provide the oil for the lamps, and the lamps gives light.

2. They will preach deliverance to the people on earth during the great tribulation.

3. There are severe consequences for anyone who do not accept their message of God’s warning.

VS. 5. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.

1. The two anointed one has been given great power by God.

2. They had protection from God against anyone trying to harm them.  

3. They were given power to grant divine judgement through their message against anyone who opposed them.

Vs. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

The anointed one had power and could use their power as often as they saw fit to use it.

1. Power to shut the sky and stop the rain during the time of their prophecy.

2. Power to turn water into blood.

3. Power to send plaques over the earth. 

Vs. 7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.

1. When the two witnesses finish the assignment of prophesy that God had given them, or when they have spoken of the truth that God had shown them, then they can be killed.

The Beast:  

1. Wild, powerful.

2. The beast comes from the bottomless pit which means it is the working of Satan.

3. The beast gets his power and authority from Satan and hate God and his church.

The Beast Will War Against the Two Witnesses:  They have been in war against them all the time but was not allowed to harm them in anyway. Now the beast could and will harm the two witnesses.

The Beast Would Overcome the Two Witnesses and Kill Them:  The beast would silent their testimony after they had prophesied.

Vs.8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Their Two Witnesses bodies will lie in the street of the great city.

1. It was a dishonor to leave a dead body unburied. 

2. The two witnesses were treated with no respect and as if they were worthless.

Great city:   Jerusalem

Jesus died on cross outside of Jerusalem.

Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

The great city was spiritually called Sodom and Egypt.

1. Sodom represented wickedness.

2. Egypt represented bondage.

Vs. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.

A multitude of people from different walks of life will gaze on the dead prophets and will not allow their bodies to be buried.

Vs. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

1. Unbelievers are so glad these two witnesses are dead that they rejoice and exchange gifts with each other.

2. They rejoice because they were offended by the message the two witnesses brought to them.

Vs. 11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.

1. After their bodies laid in the street for three and half days, God breath of life into them and they came back alive and stood up.  

2. Standing on their feet represents victory, empowerment, and restoration.

3. Great fear came over those who observing their bodies.

4. God’s shows His divine authority and intervention.

Vs. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

1. The unbelievers thought they had triumph over the two witnesses, but God showed them who had the victory.

2. A loud voice called out from heaven and told the two witnesses to come up there, and they ascended to heaven in a cloud while their enemies looked on.

3. They witness for themselves God divine intervention.

(When our enemies seem as if they have triumph over us, just remember God’s have your enemies under His control; and in His own time, He will avenge you.)

Vs. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

God judge the people immediately after the two witnesses were resurrected with an earthquake that killed a tenth of Jerusalem.

1. Seven thousand people were killed by the earthquake.

2. The death of the people from the earthquake and witnessing the resurrection of the two witnesses cause the people to fear and acknowledge God.

Vs. 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

The first woe/judgement 

1. Invading locusts that brought torment and suffering.

2. Satan opening the bottomless pit and pollution darkening the sky.

Second woe/judgement:  

1. Release of the angels of Euphrates army who kills a third of mankind.

2. The mystery of God that was sealed will take place.

3. The prophesy of the two witnesses.

Discussion/Questions

Vs. 15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

1. The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and John heard loud voices from heavens saying the kingdoms of the world has become the kingdoms of the Lord.

2. Kingdoms:  Dominions, realm, and people in a territory under kingly rule. Places control by worldly leadership.

3.  The kingdom of the world is now in the hands of the King of King which is Jesus Christ and He shall rule over the kingdoms forever.

4. This is the end of human government and beginning of Christ’s eternal reign.

Vs. 16 -17 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. 

1. The overcomers in heaven fell prostrate before the Lord and worship and was thankful to Christ  because He had taken His authority and was ruling the worldly kingdoms.

Vs. 18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

The nations were angry: The nation raged against God and God’s judgement came against them.

Psalm 2: 1-6 Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us. He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath and distress them in His deep displeasure. Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. 

1. The nations were angry:  God had disrupted their earthly rule and power.

2. God’s wrath:   God’s righteous judgment.

3. Judgement of the dead:  The final judgement where everyone will have to give in account of their actions.

4. Reward for the Faithful:  God’s children will be recognized and rewarded.

5. Destruction of the Destroyers:  The wicked destroyers will be destroyed.

Vs. 19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thundering, an earthquake, and great hail. 

Temple a place where God lives.

Ark of the covenant was seen in the temple:  Represented God among His people, His leadership, and protection of His people.

1. The ark of the covenant in the New Testament represented God’s faithfulness and covenant to those who accept Him which is the New Covenant.

Lighting, noises, thundering, an earthquake, and great hail:  Represents the awesome majesty power of God. It also represents an important event connected to the heavenly temple.

Revelation 8: 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thundering, lightnings, and an earthquake.

Revelation 16:18 And there were noises and thundering, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.

Verse 19 represents the presence of God among the overcomers.