In Revelation 7 we saw an
interlude between the sixth and the seventh seals and now in Revelation 10-11,
we see another interlude. This time it takes place between the sixth and
seventh trumpet. It appears that John is now back on earth and saw a mighty angel
descending from heaven. John’s description of the mighty angel tells us that
this is not an ordinary messenger of God. This angel from heaven provides a
welcoming moment, especially after all the gloom and doom seen in the last six
trumpets. He comes from heaven with God’s Word for earth.
Here we are told that the angel
is attired in a cloud that speaks of the hidden presence of God. The rainbow reminds
us of the throne scene in Revelation 4. His face shines like the sun like that
of the Son of Man seen in Revelation 1. His feet like fiery pillars, brings us
back to the pillar of fire in the wilderness which refers to God’s personal presence.
The one feet of this angel is on the sea and the other on earth, tells us that
he represents the sovereignty of the Creator God over the whole of creation –
the land and the sea. When he speaks, his
voice is like a roaring lion telling us that the words he speaks come from the Lion-Lamb,
the Messiah. And when he speaks seven peals of thunder echo and uttered their messages.
The seven thunders remind us of the scene in Mount Sinai when God spoke out in thunders
and lightning. When John was about to write down what he heard, he was told not
to write them. Here we get a sense that what he angel has said is, without a doubt,
from heaven. For the angel swore an oath 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…” And whatever is said will not be delayed any longer.
For when the seventh trumpet sounds the plan and program of God will be fully
revealed just as the prophets had spoken.
In God’s plan, there are still
many things that must come to pass. He had appointed prophets to declare His Word.
At this point, we can see that John is in such a position now. And as God’s
prophet, he would not just be describing what’s going to happen, he would be
speaking those events to come to pass. That’s why he was told to go and take
the book or the little scroll now open in the hand of the angel described in
the first seven verses. As John asked for the book, he was instructed by the
angel to eat it and was even told what he would experience after he ingested
the scroll. This scroll John took to eat is the same one as the scroll in Revelation
5. But now the seals had been removed by the Lamb. And now it can be read and John
would be given the task to read it. Now we can understand why he was invited to
heaven. Now he is invited to eat it or to experience it.
John took it as instructed
and what he was told came to pass. The scroll tasted sweet like honey in his
mouth but became bitter in his stomach. This metaphor is vividly saying that John,
as a prophet, is qualified to speak with authority only when he has taken the word
of God and made it part of his life. He must first experience the word, bitter
or sweet, before he can speak without contradiction. This is how He would
accomplish through obedient human channel. Prophecy is speaking God’s word to
bring God’s fresh order to the world. We shall see God’s word spoken through John
later on from Revelation 12 onward. He will be declaring not only the terrible
judgement but also the glorious victory of mercy which God’s mystery would be completed.
As we awaits the sounding
of the seventh trumpet, we mustn’t just remain as spectators. All of us must be
participants of God’s Kingdom program for now. Let’s actively seek first the Kingdom
of God and His righteousness. Let’s allow Christ to reign in our lives – in both
the great and small things and find our delight in Him!
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