The Little Book in the Hand of the Mighty Angel - 26

Been away from our study in the book of Revelation for quite some time. This morning we returned to our study are journey through the book and we are in chapter 10. Remind you of a few things I can't give a full introduction to bring everybody up to speed because been a lot of consideration of the first nine chapters, but John the beloved apostle is exiled on the island of Patmos and is therefore his testimony of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Persecution is come upon the church's contempt contemporaries of all, given their lives in martyrdom. He writes what he sees and what he hears. He receives revelation by vision God is given truth to him and he is recording that force as he does as he writes about what he sees and what he hears. He offers little or no commentary, very few times does he say will this means that just records what he sees and what he hears and it's left to the reader to bring understanding and interpretation.

We've learned that Scripture is its best interpreter so we turn to the Scriptures and try and understand what is being said through the rest of God's revelation.

You remember the first three chapters are so our letters to the churches of Asia minor and after he is given that revelation. He is shown a vision of the heavenly throne room, and the glory of God and he is told to record those things that he sees. I will show you things which must take place is told emphasis on must and he is to record those things we come here to chapter 10 and I want you to take note of where we are.

There is a an interlude applause that we're observing and this is not the first pause. This is the second pause, but it's similar to the pause that we observed it the end of chapter 6 the end of chapter 6, there was the the revealing of the six seal then we turn to chapter 7 we read this in verse one after these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth that the wind should not blow it was a pause here and that pause lasted all the way until chapter 8 so chapter 6, verse 12 through 17, was the six seal but the seventh seal doesn't pick up again until chapter 8 so all of chapter 7 is a pause when we come here to chapter 10 we see another pause that will last.

Chapter 10 all the way till verse 14 of chapter 11. Same kind of thing.

The sixth trumpet is revealed at the end of chapter 9 verse 13 through 21 then there is a an intentional clause and we wonder about the purpose of that pause in its the answer that is hidden in the mysteries of God. For the most part, but in both cases, the pause comes at the end of very stark warnings of judgment.

It's as though God is allowing time for people to consider his threatenings and his promised judgment that they might turn and repent of their sin and idolatry.

So that's all I'm going to say in terms of introduction, I want us to look now at the chapter and there are five things I want to draw your attention to number one. I want you to look with me at an eddy mighty angel number two at a divine revelation number three I want you to see the seven thunders number four a solemn oath and then will conclude the message with a consideration of a divine commission notice with me. Verse one. I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven.

When John says still another mighty angel that room that tells us that there'd been previous angels and that is so chapter 5 verse two is the first reference to the first angel, where he said then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice who was worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals and then there is yet 1/3 reference to a mighty angel and I'll just make reference to that chapter 18 verse one after these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, so those three references to a mighty angel so mentions is mighty angel and then he gives a fourfold description of this angel.

This angel is not named but this angel has descriptions that speak of deity which led some to believe that this angel is Jesus there comparing the descriptive language here in chapter 10 with the descriptive language of chapter 1, particularly verses 12 through 16 that clearly was describing the exalted Christ.

They say there's just too much similarity here to discount the fact that this angel is the Lord Jesus Christ.

I'm convinced that's probably not accurate. Many of them identified this angel as perhaps Gabriel, whose name means strong man of God. Some see parallels here to Daniel chapter 7 in Daniel chapter 12 where Michael the Archangel is referenced for me it's difficult to see how this depiction could refer to Christ because it says I saw still another mighty angel.

There's a distinction here between this being and Christ. When we when we preach through chapter 5 and made reference to that first angel. We it was clear that that angel was not Christ because Christ was seen coming to the father and receiving the scroll that was in the right hand so I think we were really bound to identify this mighty angel as an angel and unnamed angel. Perhaps Michael the Archangel, or even Gabriel. The angel, but notice what's important here is the fourfold description of this mighty angel.

Notice first. He is clothed with a cloud I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven closed the with a cloud in the Old Testament God often appeared in a cloud is a sign of his glory on Mount Sinai Exodus chapter 16 verse 10 Ezekiel chapter 10 verse four. The angel he is a representative of God.

He wears a cloud and he wears a cloud as a sign of God's presence is clothed with a cloud. I find it interesting language. It's not something that's hanging over them.

It's something he's clothed with. Secondly, we see the angel has a rainbow upon his head again. There in the middle of verse 10 verse one and a rainbow was on his head, perhaps as a crown. Chapter 4 of Revelation.

Verse three God has a rainbow encircling his throne, which we think of a rainbow what we think of we think of God's covenant faithfulness. We think of God's mercy.

Third, the angel has a face like the sun rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun. That description of the exalted Christ in chapter 1 verse 16 tells us that his countenance was like the sun again.

Another reason why someone is say that this has to be Jesus because of the similar language, but is already showing. I don't think that's accurate your member on the Mount of Transfiguration were told that Jesus's face shone like the sun so here is one whose come from heaven who is representing God Almighty.

He has the evidences in the description of deity upon him. Notice number four. His feet are like pillars of fire and again back to chapter 1 verse 15 of the description of the exalted Christ. It said his feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace so similar language here but what is what is going on here. What is being communicated. This calls to mind. No doubt, and has its background in the wilderness wanderings of God's people as he led them as he protected them as he delivered them by how by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and in context. This angel signifies not only glory and power but also a deliverance for God's people.

This is important because John is writing to the persecuted church and he wants those who are in the throes of tribulation and persecution to have hope in a God who is able to deliver so there is the mighty angel hangers were seen more about him in a moment but consider with me this morning not only the mighty angel in his description.

But secondly, a divine revelation verse two this mighty angel. He had a little book open in his hand a little book speaking here of divine revelation. I want you to note the fact that this book is open in his hand that is mentioned three other times are two other times.

Three times in total. In this chapter the book is open in the hand of this mighty angel, and the contrast here is to chapter 5 your member what were told there I saw on the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. So here was a scroll written on the front written on the back held in the hand of God Almighty. But it was sealed. This is a little book or little scroll and is held in the hand of a mighty angel and it's open to what we learn here. Well, the fact that it is a little book tells me that it does not contain the entirety of the revealed will of God.

It's not the whole counsel of God is not the entirety of God's revelation. It's only a portion is something less and I think what God is revealing to John through the little book or scroll is synonymous with the book of root of the revelation that is the little book.

It is that which is been entrusted to him it's something that's been open to him and he has it open and he is revealing its content I think is what is going on. God is revealing this portion of redemptive history that will ultimately culminate in the new heaven and the new earth.

Notice also with me, a manifestation of dominion and sovereignty being expressed three times the angel is depicted as standing with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.

Notice the first time it's mentioned is here in verse two he had a little book open in his hand and he set his right foot on the sea and on his on his left foot on the land you see that again in verse five you see it again in verse eight what's being communicated here well to plant your foot is to exercise dominion the land and the sea speak of the whole of created the whole created realm. And it is an arresting picture of sovereign control and dominion this mighty angel is dramatically saying everywhere on land and sea. The one I represent. He owns it all.

He rules it all. His dominion is over it all is dominion includes his enemies.

It's hard not to think of what's going on in Ukraine. It is a powerful message to Vladimir Putin in the Vladimir Putin's of this world that are God rules and reigns over everything. It all belongs to him in the context here is important. I think because as we move through this book are going to come to chapter 13 and there's going to be a beast that rises up out of the sea and there's been a beast that's going to emerge out of the earth, a notice what would just what we just noted this mighty angel has 1 foot planted on the scene.

1 foot planted on the earth and we read this in chapter 13 verse one. Then I stood on the sand of the sea and I saw a beast rising up out of the sea and there's his description then verse 11 then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, spoke like a dragon.

So it's a reminder and it's an encouragement to us that God is sovereignly in control and is exercising dominion over the entire created realm, which includes all who would oppose him all who would be enemies of him in the church and of his gospel now this posture by this mighty angel is accentuated by a loud voice notice with me bird again verse two, we had a little book open in the sand. He said his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars so this mighty angel cries like the roar of a lion, and again Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah right there some again to say well here's another evidence that this is Jesus. No, I do not believe the mighty angel with Jesus. This mighty angel represents Jesus and deity and God, the mighty angel speaks with the mighty voice of God and as if this wasn't enough to impress John and us of God's supreme dominion and sovereignty.

There is a verbal response expressed at the utterance of seven thunderings notice again crowd with a loud voice, as when a lion roars and when he cried out seven thunders uttered their voices, seven thunders uttered their voices and a voice from heaven speaking to John in verse four now when the seven thunders uttered their voices I was about to write by. I heard a voice. Notice where this voice comes from. I heard a voice from heaven saying to me seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered and do not write them now John is receiving revelation and it's coming to them in vision and I can imagine how awestruck he must be can can you imagine the portrayal of an angel so large that 1 foot of it. One. 1 foot on the C1 foots on the land and and now here's thunders and he hears a voice from heaven. So what would John's response beat all of this got to get this I got a record this. I've got to write this down. I been commissioned to do that and it's as if he was going to do that and he's interrupted these told I heard a voice from heaven saying to me seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered and do not write them. Do not write them so we are introduced to seven thunders what in the world are seven thunders all again, we don't have the benefit of divine revelation.

John doesn't say the seven thunders of this the seven thunders are that he just says seven thunders or remember what we've been looking at and how the book of Revelation is is constructed. There were the seven seals. And when you got to the seventh seal.

The seventh seal actually become seven trumpets when you get to the end of the trumpet judgments you think okay. The seventh judgment will be at no the sit.

The sixth judgment for the six trumpet judgment ushers in the Duval judgments the bowl judgments. I think what's being said here is the were more judgments. There were seven thunders that were part of that prophecy of judgment that was going to come upon the earth.

We don't know why John stole to see Alyssa don't don't write this down were not told, but here is what seems to be further words. Speaking of judgment that was going to come upon the earth, but John's. John is told seal it up like this girl was in Revelation chapter 5. The scroll was in the hand and it was sealed with seven seals. He's to seal it up so that it can't be disclosed and it's a reminder that there are things about the plan and wisdom of God in the revelation of God. For months we we don't have full Revelation we have that which God is chosen to reveal to us, but there's so much more of God and his ways that are hidden from us and all that should keep us humble and fight against our pride that often can raise its ugly head in the in the midst of acquiring knowledge.

So he receives this direct message from the throne. So what are we saying we've seen a mighty angel we've seen a divine revelation in seven thunders observed with me. Number four a solemn oath that's recorded in verses five through seven. Let me read those verses again this is a solemn oath, the angel that same mighty 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 in the sea and the things that are.

And it that there should be delay no longer, 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 is declared to his servants the prophets solemn oath.

This angel swears by notice with me everything that's in heaven.

Everything that's in the earth, everything that's in the sea that pretty much covers it all. Right he is raising his hand, and he's swearing an oath to Almighty God rules and rain in the heavens above and on the earth beneath its good to be reminded that this oath, these things are going to come about our coming from him who controls all things is speaks of the EE turn analogy of God. He who lives forever and ever. He's the one who's controlling everything he's the one who started it.

He's the one who will lend it turn analogy of God, who created heaven, we can say that just so skip over that and not let it impact us the way it ought to. When you go out on a clear night and look up and you see the stars and think you know what what I see what I can see with my I and if I had a powerful microscope. What I could see with it telescope.

I mean is such a minute fraction of what their it. What exists in the in the realm of heaven. When God is created and it should it should deepen our appreciation for the greatness of God the Majesty of God, the power of God 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 no longer a delay delay. There's been a delay now turn with me back to Daniel chapter 12 Daniel chapter 12. Let me just draw your attention to something that I mentioned earlier in the message. Verse one. At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stood watch over the sons of of your people so there is a reference to Michael the Archangel go down to verse six. This is the prophecy that Daniel had received were sixes and one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river. How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be how long how long is the question that I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand in his left hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times and 1/2 a time, and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished. Although I heard I did not understand.

Then I said, my lord, what shall be the end of these things, so Daniel is asking two questions how long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be verse six what should be the end of these things in verse eight, and He Said Go Your Way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end when is that what's in Revelation is John is unpacking the end times the things that are going to take place. So there's a connection here between what John is revealing in what Daniel prophesied.

There in chapter 12. Your member of the words of the martyrs in chapter 6 of Revelation. Verse this is the fifth seal when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held and they cried with a loud voice saying how long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth. How long so there's been a delay in the purposes of God, but that delay is coming to an end. According to Revelation chapter 10 and verse seven that there should be delay no longer God is bringing about the final events that will bring the culmination to his decrees world history will come to an end and nothing can delay God's timetable.

I we don't know all that is going on in God's timetable, but again I remind you that there are three spheres that are mentioned here is this angel takes this oath before Almighty God, what are those three fears spheres heavens, the earth and the sea.

God is creator over every single thing in this world and he will bring things to pass, as he has determined. So what's the answer to both questions. A Daniel raises there in chapter 12. How long and how will this take place while Revelation again answers that question the literal translation to the Greek here is when time will be no longer one time will be no longer.

It refers to the end of the world when time itself will cease to be an eternity will begin the time of waiting is soon to be over and the vindication of the suffering saints is soon to take place. The mighty angel states that the end will occur in the days of the voice of the seventh angel notice that, 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, so when, what, when will the end come when the seventh angel.

The seventh angel, what time is time is coming to an end. You'll notice in your Bible.

Chapter 11 beginning at verse 15 is the seventh trumpet.

My Bible has a heading. The seventh trumpet. The kingdom is proclaimed to be the seventh trumpet always. I told you what what will audit what will the seventh trumpet, our serenity will usher in the seven bowl judgments, but there is not going to be a delay God's patience has come to an end. There will be an acceleration of these things. So the seventh trumpet occurs at the end of the world's history and it's probably a reference to what is recorded in chapters 1920 21 the Perugia the Armageddon, the millennium great white throne judgment in the dissent of the new heaven and the new earth.

That is what is being referred to is a lot here and for sake of time we need to move on but will probably come back to it is we continuing our expositional study and will touch on these things is the surface again in later chapters. But I want you to notice the last thing here and that is the divine commission verse eight then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again so remember the voice that spoke from heaven in response to the seven thunders that voices speaking to John again. What is the voice from heaven, telling him go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth. John says so I went to the angel and said to him give me the little book. He said to me, take a needed and it will make your stomach better, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth. Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it and it was as sweet as honey to my mouth.

But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter and he said to me, you must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongs and kings. The divine commission going take the little book again.

The book is the revelation of God and what is he to do. He is he is to inculcated he is to digest it, he asked, it is to become part of him. Notice that this revelation didn't originate with John. This is in his message. This is a message that has come from heaven and he is simply a messenger and that is the means of grace that God is given to his church. We can't just have a casual acquaintance with the word of God. We have to read the word of God. We have to absorb the word of God.

We have to digest the word of God. We have to meditate upon the word of God. We have to allow the word of God to dwell within us abide with us. This commission is not just for John. It's for his church because John's already been commission this is a new this is the churches responsibility so John did exactly as he angel commanded him. He went to an eight and he was told that it would be like sweet like honey to his mouth, but it would become bitter in his stomach with the word of God would have this dual effect upon them, and it does have the dual effect. It is sweet to the people of God. It is sweet to those who seek to obey the word of God, but it is better to those who are the objects of his wrath and his judgment and for the people of God. It brings sorrow us to see judgment, upon any particularly those that we love and care about. That's what he's told in verse 11 and it's and he said to me, you must in here is a divine must you must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongs and kings. That's what the church is about.

We are obeying the great commission, we are prophesying we are taking the word of God and we are taking it to kings and lands and peoples, and tongues were engaged in that work through our missionary family and we caught we have great cause for rejoicing over that so church, what shall we learn this morning. What dominates this chapter the little book it's mentioned three or four different times and it is the revelation of God.

It's rough is God's revelation to man declaring judgment on sin and salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone again. John is the author of the message he is simply one who is to speak it. He receives it from the mighty hand of God. We are to engage ourselves in the process as we come under the word of God. When I just sitting here passively listening work were wanting to take in the word of God. We wanted to changes we wanted to mold us. We wanted to be a part of us is reminiscent of Ezekiel's call in Ezekiel chapter 2 that was also a time of judgment of calamity, the exile of Israel with promises of future salvation and Ezekiel was told to take and eat the scroll, the word of God to the degree that we inculcate the word of God, to that degree. We will be effective messengers of that word sorta be partakers of the Bible were to apply it ourselves were to inwardly digest it, make it part of us is our daily bread, and when we do that we can expect both a sweet and a bitter experience. As I mentioned to be the sweetness of obedience and the bitterness of rejection and suffering with. We carry this message. We will be the target of a world that hates Christ and hates God. It shouldn't surprise us. We need to be mindful of the persecuted church.

Those who are bearing the name of Christ. In doing so, the threat of their own lives. There are bitter consequences to being a believer in an ever-increasing and wicked and sinful world. One commentator said before the final triumph.

Believers must pass through a formidable ordeal before the final triumph. Believers must pass through a formidable ordeal. So here is our here is our commission so sense of God must be encouraged this morning we have a we have a God whose ruling and reigning in the world is Dominion's sovereign control is over all things.

Sometimes we can hear that receive that and say amen to that.

And somehow we think what's going on in our own lives is outside of his control.

It's not the fees ruling and sovereign over everything, sea and land. He's sovereign and ruling over the affairs of your life and the things that are touching you seems at times. The world is out of control, but it's not out-of-control to him. We don't like that sense of being out of control. Therefore, we need to rest in the fact that it is not out-of-control to him.

So the word of God comes to us from our sovereign Redeemer, and we must receive it obediently and receive it in faith to reject his word is to reject the Savior who gave it in the writer of Hebrews says, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation.

We either must be saved by him or we must answer to him and judgment Sunday. Since we are assured by the Angels and by solemn testimony of its fulfillment. Why should we ever be skeptical and doubting of God's fulfilling all that he has decreed, we should be the most confident people God is going to do everything that he is said he will do. He will bring this world to completion.

He will right every wrong.

He will establish his kingdom. Righteousness will reign on this earth. As the waters cover the sea. This is a message for John, this is a message for the church. This is a message for us to take and proclaim as we dispense and go our separate ways.

In a moment, let us bow and pray father, thank you for your word. Thank you for its power. Thank you for how it reveals you and your sovereign control and dominion over all things sealless word to our hearts and cause this word to live in us for our honor for Your Honor and for your glory. Lord help us in these days of despair these days of uncertainty to rest in the God is controlling all things we pray in Jesus name, amen