GETTING THE MESSAGE/The glory and power of Christ

In the first four verses of Revelation chapter 10, John sees a mighty angel come from heaven down to earth. The description of the angel that follows represents the glory and attributes of the Lord Jesus Christ. A view of Christ is a consolation for his people confronted by the evil forces and impenitent men depicted in Chapter 9.

Christians, therefore, learn from these contrasting visions to think upon the glory and power of Christ because they will face darkness and tribulation on earth. Their struggle, however, is not long, and the time of Christ’s return is not far off. The passage we are looking at today, Revelation 10:5-11, points to that day.

In verse 5, the angel John saw raised his hand and swore by him who lives forever and ever, and who made all things that there would be no more delay, but that when the 7th trumpet sounded the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as God announced to his servants the prophets.

The mystery of God is the gospel of Christ. In Romans 16, the apostle Paul says, “The mystery was kept secret for ages but now disclosed through the prophets and made known to the nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith.”

The gospel, or good news from God, has been made known in Christ, of whom the prophets spoke. What was shadowy in the Old Testament has been brought to light in Christ’s coming into the world, his death, and his resurrection from the dead. The gospel declares the greatness of the things God has done in Christ, redeeming sinners by laying their sins and the judgment they deserved upon Christ. Christ came into the world to save sinners is the sum of the gospel.

That the gospel will be fulfilled means the end of the present world. All who believed in Christ will know the blessedness of God and all the impenitent will face the judgment of God. The announcement John hears from the angel is just before that time. It is welcome news to believers who long for Christ’s appearing. 

In verses 8-11, John is told to go and take the little scroll from the angel and eat it. When John eats the scroll, it is sweet in his mouth but makes his stomach bitter. He is then told he must prophesy about many peoples and languages and nations and kings (verse 11).

Through out the gospel age, the gospel goes to the ends of the earth. Many hear the good news of Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven. Christians in every age undergo tribulation, temptation, and threats of persecution. The little scroll points to an increase in tribulation.

The little scroll is sweet to John because it contains the same gospel message and points to the consummation of God’s purposes when Christ comes to establish his kingdom of glory forever in a new heaven and earth (Revelation 11). It is the eternal home Christ promised to his people.

It is bitter to his stomach for several reasons. Ezekiel and Jeremiah both tasted the sweetness of God’s word, but then were distressed over the refusal of men to turn from sin to God. Ezekiel sat appalled when he considered it. Jeremiah was distressed over the woes men would face who refused to listen: “I did not sit in the circle of the merry makers. My pain is perpetual” (Jeremiah 15). John also knows the woes men will face.

Also, the little scroll points to false prophets and satanic deceptions that will increase before Christ comes. In Matthew 24, the Lord Jesus warned of the advent of many false prophets: “Because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold, but he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

And the little scroll is bitter to John’s stomach because the saints will suffer great tribulation in those days. The little scroll is likened to Satan’s little season in Revelation 20, when, before Christ comes, Satan will gather the nations against the people of God. 

So, there is much to lament in this world that is headed for the judgment of God. But there is more to rejoice in. God has made a way to have peace through Christ, and to know the love of God in his name. If we have Christ, we have all and can face all. He who brought the mystery of God to light will not forsake the children of that light.