are you listening when god speaks? the mighty angel

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CHAPTER 10-11:13

Are You Listening When God Speaks?• (V1): John sees a mighty angel, described as being

“clothed with a cloud,” a “rainbow on his head,” “his face was like the sun,” and his feet “like pillars of fire.”–John’s attempt to describe this mighty

(strong/powerful) angel is filled with metaphors and similes.–Many have attempted to identify “who” this

angel is, but the text simply does not tell us, nor give us enough information to deduce his identity either…he is simply a “mighty” angel and this phrase is used often in Revelation (5:2, 18:21).

THE MIGHTY ANGEL–From the description of the “cloud,” “sun,”

and “pillars of fire,” it seems as if the description emphasis is on God’s judgment. However, the mention of the “rainbow” would also indicate God’s mercy…these two truths are found in the Tribulation judgments.

• (V2): This angel is holding a “little book” in his hand, and he sets his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land.–To put one foot on sea and one foot on land,

this must have been a large angel and very impressive to view!

• Having one foot on both land and sea symbolized his authority over the whole earth, and the implication is that the little book’s message involves the whole earth.

– The angel is holding an open “little book”…what is this little book (literally “little scroll”)?• Well, it cannot be the scroll with the seven seals

that Jesus alone was worthy to hold and open its seals from Revelation 5 & 6.• However, it does appear to reflect the same

topic as the scroll of God’s judgment on earth to bring about the earthly Kingdom reign of Christ and complete redemption.

THE MIGHTY ANGEL

• This is very similar language as was used in Ezekiel 2:9-3:3 and probably reflects the same concept here…it is a little scroll with lamentations, mourning, and woe written upon it (i.e. judgments).–It is edible, and it tastes sweet in John’s mouth,

but once digested, it is bitter. –This is exactly how God’s judgment on those

upon the earth should be…in one sense, we worship God because He is rightfully judging rebellious humanity (sweet in the mouth), but when we see the horrendous results of judgment it is hard to stomach (bitterness in our stomach).

THE MIGHTY ANGEL

• (V3): The mighty angel cries out (“as” when a lion roars)—again, more metaphoric language used here to describe the volume with which the angel “screams.”–Another good title for this section is “Hark, the

Mighty Angel Screams!”

HARK! THE MIGHTY ANGEL SCREAMS

SEVEN THUNDERS• (V4): Then seven thunders uttered their voices,

and when John goes to record what they said, a voice from heaven tells him to seal up the things and do not write them.–Who or what are the “seven thunders?”—Not

sure, but it is clear from what the angel does day, and what John is able to record that this is referring to the judgments which are taking place on the earth during the Tribulation. (See V7-V8).

–The fact that John is instructed not to record what the seven thunders uttered indicates possibly that God has not revealed in Scripture all the judgments that will take place on the earth during the Great Tribulation.•Although, we cannot say for certain, if this is

true it is quite alarming!

SEVEN THUNDERS

COMPLETION OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD

• (V5-V7): The mighty angel swears by God that the seventh trumpet would not be delayed and when it is sounded the mystery of God would be finished.– (V6): Notice again, the emphasis on God as the

Creator in this verse. Because He is the Creator-Owner, He has the unquestioned right to judge the earth, complete the redemption of mankind, and establish the rightful Kingdom of His Son who holds the title deed to the earth.

– (V7): This expression, “the mystery of God,” in this connection seems to indicate all the plans and purposes of God made known by Him to and through the Scriptures concerning His governmental proceedings with people on earth, looking always toward the establishment of the millennial kingdom under the rule of Christ.

– He obviously revealed a lot of details to the Old Testament prophets, but the new details given to John regarding the “how,” (i.e. 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls) and the “who” (i.e. needing a “worthy One” such as the Lamb who died for our sins to begin these judgments) are new and heretofore unrevealed truths.


–The seventh trumpet will bring the seven bowl judgments in rapid succession, completing the seven year tribulation period.–The significance of this statement (i.e. “would

be finished” or completed) can scarcely be underestimated.


EATING A BOOK…?• (V8-V10): In an odd exchange, John is told to take

the little book from the hand of the mighty angel, and then he is instructed by that angel to eat the book which would be sweet to the taste, but would make his stomach bitter.– (V8): The same voice that told John not to record

what the seven thunders said, now commands him to go and take the little scroll from the angel.– (V9): John commands this “mighty” angel to give

him the little book!—That would be a little scary considering what this angel looked and sounded like!

–The angel then complies and gives John two commands, “Take” and “Eat.”• The angel then describes what John’s

experience would be like when he eats the book: (1) It will make his stomach bitter, but (2) It will taste sweet in his mouth.•What is the significance of this?—The

righteous judgments of God will have a dual effect on the righteous because all they and some others are saved by grace from His judgments, others who are given the same opportunity do not respond to the Lord and are judged.

EATING A BOOK…?

• (V10): John’s experience is exactly how the angel described it would be, although notice the order is switched in John’s description.

EATING A BOOK…?

RENEWED COMMISSION• (V11): John is told by the conglomeration of the

voice from heaven and the angel that he must prophecy about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.–This is the content of the little book regarding

the still yet future judgments to come, the conquering of the beast and his army, and eventually Satan and his final rebellious army at the end of the Millennial Kingdom.–This renewed commission may stress that what

follows would be more burdensome than what John had prophesied so far…it clearly will be!

MEASURING STICK• (V1): John was given a measuring rod, and John

was to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.– “Then” (kai) ties this chapter closely to the

previous one, and gives us John’s first prophetic assignment following his fresh re-commission.

– This is referring to the physical temple in Jerusalem during the time of the tribulation.• Notice that John is to measure the temple, the

altar, and those who are actively “worshipping” there. Because he is to exclude the court of the Gentiles, those worshipping are Jews.

• These Jews are probably godly Jews who will worship God in this Tribulation temple that will have had to have been re-built by this time.–With current events being what they are

(i.e. the Dome of the Rock currently on the Temple compound site) it will be interesting to see how God works this out.–Very clearly stated though is that there

will be a Temple during this time period.–Why is he to measure these things?

MEASURING STICK

• “In other words, John’s future prophecies will distinguish between God’s favor toward the sanctuary, the altar, and their worshipers and His disapproval of all that is of Gentile orientation because of their profanation of the holy city for half of the future seventieth week. . . . So the measuring is an object lesson of how entities favored by God will fare during the period of Gentile oppression that lies ahead”

MEASURING STICK

• (V2): However, John was NOT to measure the court which is outside the temple (literally “throw out” or leave out), because it has been given to the Gentiles and they will tread the holy city (Jerusalem) underfoot for 42 months (3.5 years).– This is a reference to the last half of the Tribulation

period (7 years split in half is 42 months).–Why was John NOT to measure the court of the

Gentiles?—Again, it is an object lesson of how the Gentiles and their actions are viewed by God in terms of their profaning the holy city, and the Antichrist’s defamation of the altar. (See Dan. 9:27).

MEASURING STICK

–Anti-semitism will peak after the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week (i.e. the Tribulation). (See Dan. 9:27). In some sense, the nation of Israel will have a relative time of calm and peace.

MEASURING STICK

THE TWO WITNESSES• (V3): God will give power to His two witnesses

(distinct and separate from the 144K sealed servants of chap. 7) and they will prophecy for 1,260 days (42 months/3.5 years) clothed in sackcloth.– The identity of these two witnesses has been a

debated for a long time. The potential list of characters include: Moses, Elijah, and Enoch.• Some people feel it will be Elijah and Enoch

because they were the only two men in history who did not die, but were translated. Additionally Malachi 4:5 seems to indicate that Elijah would return before the “coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

•However, it seems best to conclude that these two individuals will be people living at this time, rather than former prophets brought back to earth for this ministry.

–Being clothed in sackcloth indicates mourning and coming judgment as it did during the ministry of Old Testament prophets (Isa. 22:12; Jer. 4:8, 6:26; Jon. 3:5, 6, 8; Matt. 11:21, etc.).

THE TWO WITNESSES

• (V4): The two witnesses are described as two olive trees and two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. (See Zechariah 4:14)– The idea is that these two witnesses are standing

before God presented for service.–Much like the account in Zechariah, where God had

set apart two men to fulfill specific tasks with divinely specific roles, these two witnesses will function in the same way.

– It is interesting to note that this Zechariah passage also contains one of the most beloved and appropriate verses describing how those two men (Zerubbabel and Joshua) fulfilled their role, and how these two witnesses will fulfill theirs (See Zech 4:6).

THE TWO WITNESSES

• (V5): The witnesses’ power will include a form of self-protection in that they can spit fire out of their mouth to devour (literally “eat them up”) their enemies, and whoever tries to harm them will suffer death through this means.–This could mean that fire literally proceeds

from their mouth, or it could be referring to the same way Elijah called down fire with his words (See 2 Kings 1:10-14). Either way, this fire should be a very visible way that God validates these witnesses’ message and ministry.

THE TWO WITNESSES

–With NO exception, every person who wants to harm these two prophets must be killed by fire breathed out by these two witnesses… “he must (of necessity, it is inevitable in the nature of things)…”

THE TWO WITNESSES

• (V6): Additionally, the two witnesses have power to enact “mini-judgments” similar to the seals and trumpets thus far. Those include the power to: – Shut heaven so that no rain falls—Obviously, this

could cause a shortage of food, both agriculturally and in rivers, lakes, ponds, etc.

– Turn waters to blood—This would again kill marine life, and make the water sources undrinkable, causing more death.

– Strike the earth with plagues…as often as they desire!—We are not given details on what these are, but apparently they will be hindrances and disruptions to people’s normal daily lives.

THE TWO WITNESSES

Is it any wonder that those who do not believe their message will hate

them?!

• (V7): Notice “when they finish their testimony” (i.e. after 3.5 years), referring to an appointed time.–God, in His special protection of these

witnesses, provides a consistent human witness on earth for the unbelieving world. –As the incredibly difficult bowl judgments are

poured out on the world, God in His mercy, is still providing two voices of truth to explain the judgments and encourage people to put their faith in the Lord.

THE TWO WITNESSES

THE WITNESSES’ MORTAL ENEMY• The beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit

(same one that produced the “locusts”) will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.–The timing of this account of the beast

ascending out of the bottomless pit is not described in the text. We see later that the beast is said to arise out of the sea (Rev. 13:1-10), but his origins is the pit itself.

–This is none other than the Antichrist, and he will be at the heart of the murder of the two witnesses.• The text says he will “make war” against

them, “overcome” them, and “kill them.” This should cause him to stand out and be validated to some extent, because everyone who has tried to harm them up until now has been devoured by fire from their mouths.

THE WITNESSES’ MORTAL ENEMY

MISTREATMENT OF CORPSES• (V8-V10): The treatment of the witnesses’ dead

bodies is despicable in that they leave them on the streets and do not allow them to be buried. This is the worst indignity that someone could perpetrate on a person in biblical times.– (V8): Not content with mere execution of these

witnesses, the beast now decides to make a point and disrespects their dead corpses by not provided a proper burial…most likely this is to discourage any further opposition to his reign.

–Notice too the reference to the “great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt.” Because of the added phrase “where also our Lord was crucified,” we are able to identify their ministry location and place of death as Jerusalem.

• (V9): The people from all over the globe, will also not allow the burial of the witnesses’ bodies. Again, they were most likely very upset and annoyed by the additional plagues brought on by these two witnesses.

MISTREATMENT OF CORPSES

–The sheer fact that “all” of the people of the world would be able to see their dead bodies provided older commentators difficulty, however with the media as advanced as it is in our day, this is not hard to imagine at all.– Instead of listening and responding to the

witnesses validated message (validated by the plagues and signs), instead the peoples of the earth just wanted them to stop bothering them and allow them to die in ignorance or rejection of the truth.


• (V10): Additionally, all the people who are living at the time rejoice and party and send gifts to one another because the two witnesses are dead (they are said to have “tormented” or tortured those who dwell on earth).–This is the view of the earth dwellers…NOT

that the two witnesses were trying to tell them the truth and give them an opportunity to be saved by responding by faith to God’s Word, but rather these two witnesses “tortured” them!


–This is the only instance of earth dwellers rejoicing during the Tribulation recorded in the entire book of Revelation!


GOD RESURRECTS THEM• (V11): After 3.5 days, God resurrects these witnesses

(hence, Him allowing their bodies to remain unburied and in public view).–God utilizes this clear miracle to get the earth

dwellers attention yet again. When He does this, and the witnesses stand on their feet, great fear fell on those who “saw” them (i.e. everyone who saw them stand up).

–Consider also the fact that these two witnesses had been martyred, that their corpses had been subject to unspeakable indignity of being left unburied, the people had celebrated their demise with gifts and parties, and now they were alive…surely these witnesses would be out for revenge!

TWO WITNESSES’ ASCENSION• (V12): Following the witnesses’ resurrection, they

hear a voice from heaven which calls them to heaven and they ascend to heaven in a cloud…again, it is stated that their enemies “saw” them.

THE AFTERMATH: EARTHQUAKE• (V13): Immediately following the two witnesses

resurrection and ascension, there was a great earthquake, localized to the city of Jerusalem and it destroyed 1/10 of the city, and 7,000 people were killed. – The response of the earth dwellers was different

than usual. The rest of the inhabitants were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven (a definite change of mind and attitude then what they have had in the past thus far).

– It is hard to say whether or not any were saved, but they were definitely getting some of the message and they will at least acknowledge God’s hand in these events, if they were not saved.

are you listening when god speaks? the mighty angel

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