Revelation 10 begins another interlude. Just as there was a break between the 6th and 7th seals, there is a break between the 6th and 7th trumpet blasts. This time we get a picture of God’s dominance of human history.
John says he sees a mighty angel coming down from heaven. This angel is dressed in a cloud, a rainbow, his face shines like the sun, and his legs are like pillars of fire. All of these things represent God’s glory and presence. During the Exodus God led his people by a pillar which was cloud by day and fire by night. The rainbow reminds us of God’s promise to Noah, but it also takes us back to the throne room where the rainbow surrounded God’s throne. The shining face reminds us of Jesus in chapter 1 as well as on the Mount of Transfiguration. It also reminds us of Moses whose face shown after he had spoken face to face with God, and God’s glory radiated through him.
This angel stands with one foot upon the sea, and the other on the land. He dominates the history of the earth; both the enemies of God represented by the sea, and the people of God represented by the land. He is given a message through the seven thunders that are not revealed for us here. (Now that’s something worth wondering about! What was said by that thunder?)
Some have said that this angel is actually Jesus, but verses 5-6 make it clear that he is not. If he was he would have sworn by himself. But he awaits the seventh trumpet blast where the mystery of God would be fulfilled. That mystery is that God loves sinful people and has redeemed them (us) through Jesus’ blood so we can live with him eternally. That angel wants to make that happen.
This angel has a scroll in his hand which John is commanded to eat, much as the prophet Ezekiel was commanded to eat a scroll in Ezekiel 3. Both scrolls are sweet to the taste, but both result in a bitter response in the eater (Ez 3:14). Both must prophesy. This sweetness and bitterness represent the two main teachings of God’s Word – His Gospel and Law. While we receive the sweet message of forgiveness and salvation, those who do not know the Lord experience his wrath and punishment. What is more, the message that John & Ezekiel are called to preach (and we to heed) is a message of repentance – turning from our sins, changing the way we think and act in response to God’s forgiveness in Christ.
This is the message of the mighty angel: All throughout human history our relationship with God has been one where God continually calls us to repentance. From Adam to today that bitter message of, “turn back!” has been spoken to us, and always the ability to turn back has been rooted in the sweetness of God’s love and forgiveness for us. Even today, that is the message that God has given us to proclaim – both Law and Gospel. Even today, as the Law convicts us of our sins, the Gospel comforts us with the ultimate expression of God’s love – that Jesus gave Himself to redeem us. He was dead, but now He lives forever!
Father, thank you for your Law and Gospel. I have not always paid attention to how You use both in my life. Help me to receive the whole counsel of your Word and grow in my faith and maturity. Then help me to share Your Word with others, so they may hear of Your love and forgiveness and turn and repent. In Jesus name; Amen.
John says he sees a mighty angel coming down from heaven. This angel is dressed in a cloud, a rainbow, his face shines like the sun, and his legs are like pillars of fire. All of these things represent God’s glory and presence. During the Exodus God led his people by a pillar which was cloud by day and fire by night. The rainbow reminds us of God’s promise to Noah, but it also takes us back to the throne room where the rainbow surrounded God’s throne. The shining face reminds us of Jesus in chapter 1 as well as on the Mount of Transfiguration. It also reminds us of Moses whose face shown after he had spoken face to face with God, and God’s glory radiated through him.
This angel stands with one foot upon the sea, and the other on the land. He dominates the history of the earth; both the enemies of God represented by the sea, and the people of God represented by the land. He is given a message through the seven thunders that are not revealed for us here. (Now that’s something worth wondering about! What was said by that thunder?)
Some have said that this angel is actually Jesus, but verses 5-6 make it clear that he is not. If he was he would have sworn by himself. But he awaits the seventh trumpet blast where the mystery of God would be fulfilled. That mystery is that God loves sinful people and has redeemed them (us) through Jesus’ blood so we can live with him eternally. That angel wants to make that happen.
This angel has a scroll in his hand which John is commanded to eat, much as the prophet Ezekiel was commanded to eat a scroll in Ezekiel 3. Both scrolls are sweet to the taste, but both result in a bitter response in the eater (Ez 3:14). Both must prophesy. This sweetness and bitterness represent the two main teachings of God’s Word – His Gospel and Law. While we receive the sweet message of forgiveness and salvation, those who do not know the Lord experience his wrath and punishment. What is more, the message that John & Ezekiel are called to preach (and we to heed) is a message of repentance – turning from our sins, changing the way we think and act in response to God’s forgiveness in Christ.
This is the message of the mighty angel: All throughout human history our relationship with God has been one where God continually calls us to repentance. From Adam to today that bitter message of, “turn back!” has been spoken to us, and always the ability to turn back has been rooted in the sweetness of God’s love and forgiveness for us. Even today, that is the message that God has given us to proclaim – both Law and Gospel. Even today, as the Law convicts us of our sins, the Gospel comforts us with the ultimate expression of God’s love – that Jesus gave Himself to redeem us. He was dead, but now He lives forever!
Father, thank you for your Law and Gospel. I have not always paid attention to how You use both in my life. Help me to receive the whole counsel of your Word and grow in my faith and maturity. Then help me to share Your Word with others, so they may hear of Your love and forgiveness and turn and repent. In Jesus name; Amen.
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