Chapter 10 serves as a hiatus, the interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets. Previously, we saw that chapter 7 served as an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. Between the sixth and seventh seals, we noticed the sealing of the One hundred forty-four thousand and the salvation of the great multitude. As chapter 10 opens, the Apostle John introduces a mighty (strong) Angel who comes from heaven with great power and authority (vv. 1-4). This powerful Angel was clothed with a cloud, having a rainbow upon his head, his face was brilliant as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. John uttered that this mighty strong Angel held a scroll, and stood with his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land. This same Angel shouted like the roar of a lion. The Angel’s shout was indeed impressive, for when the Angel shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke! John was instructed not to record what the seven thunders said.
In verses 5-7, the mighty Angel made an oath to God, the Eternal and powerful Creator, and affirmed in the oath that “there should be time no longer,” and that “the mystery of God” will be finished soon. The expression, “there should be time no longer,” can be properly translated, “there will be no more delay.” This Angel was making an emphatic announcement that the seventh trumpet would bring about the accomplishment of the mystery of God. Speaking on the expression, “the mystery of God,” William R. Newell writes: “This expression, ‘the mystery of God,’ in this connection seems to indicate all those counsels and dealings of God made known by Him to and through the Old Testament prophets, concerning His governmental proceedings with men on earth looking always toward the establishment of the kingdom in the hands of Christ. When Christ comes to take the kingdom, there will be no mystery, but, on the contrary, manifestation” (The Book of Revelation, p. 143).
In verses 8-11, the Apostle John was instructed to eat the scroll (book), which was sweet (like honey) in his mouth, but to his stomach, it was bitter. In other words, at the instructions of the Angel, John eats the little book, and the results were bitter sweet! In eating of the little book, John was brought to an understanding that the revelations of God’s word may be delightful to his taste, but becomes bitter when internalized because the revelations contained God’s judgments on the earth during the Great Tribulation Period.
As believers, we should read God’s Word daily with delight and appropriate it “by eating it”, for wholesome living. Prophets who appropriated God’s Word “by eating it”, and found God’s Word to be a delight, were Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In Jeremiah 15:16, Jeremiah stated: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Ezekiel also expressed his delight in eating God’s Word, as he wrote: “Moreover He said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that roll. And He said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness” (Ezekiel 3:1-3).
In verses 9-10, John eagerly received the little book that was sweet to his taste when he ate it, but became biter to his digestive system and brought travail of soul and sorrow of heart because there was more judgment to come. As children of God, as we continue to assimilate the truths of Revelation, it should bring delight to our hearts that God will bring all things to a consummate end in the Second Coming of Christ; however, when we digest the fact that a Christ-rejecting world will be severely judged, then that fact should promote us to share the gospel with those who are lost before it is too late! As we conclude this chapter, John is promised the opportunity to preach to many more governmental officials of his time the contents of this book (v. 11).
May God Bless!
