Cecil A. Fayard
Elliott Baptist Church
June 13, 2004
A Mighty Angel with the Little Book
Revelation 10:1-11
INTRO: With chapter ten of the Revelation, we come near the middle of the tribulation period. The seven seal judgments belong to the first quarter of the tribulation. The seventh seal introduces the trumpet judgments of the second quarter; and now we come to a parenthesis (10:1-11:14) that precedes the last half of the tribulation. Lockyer says: "Things are now drawing to a close. The first half of Daniel's seventieth week is nearly spent...." (151).
I. VS 1, THE MIGHTY ANGEL OF CHAPTER TEN
A. Here is an angel John has not seen before. Angels had blown six of the trumpets and had been seen around the throne of God. But this is another angel.
1. "Mighty angel" means a strong angel.
a) "Mighty" operating in the power of God.
b) Angel- a servant of God. There are over sixty references to angels in the Revelation.
2. "Down from heaven"--
a) God sent this angel
b) This angel is not Christ for He does not ascend until Revelation 19.
3. It should be noted that Christ does not appear in Revelation as an angel. Since His incarnation, ever since He became flesh to die for sinners (Jn 1:14), ever since He died, was buried, and rose again, He has always, without exception, appeared as Christ, the Son of God.
B. Characteristics of this mighty angel:
1. "Clothed with a cloud"
a) MacArthur says: "He was. . . .wearing the drapery of the sky over his mighty shoulders."
b) This symbolizes power, majesty, and glory. This is God's angel sent to bring the message of awesome judgment.
2. "A rainbow was upon his head."
a) This rainbow is God's assurance to His elect that there is mercy in the midst of judgment.
b) God will keep His covenant and all blood bought believers will make it to heaven. Just as the rainbow was a sign of mercy after the flood, the rainbow here will be a sign of God's covenant promise to the redeemed. When tribulation saints see this rainbow around the angel's head, they will be reminded of God's mercy.
3. "Face was as it were the sun."
a) This refers to his brightness.
b) Here we have brilliant radiance that lights up the earth like the hot summer sun.
4. "Feet as pillars of fire."
a) Immovable.
b) Firm and determined to stamp out the wicked.
II. VSS 2-7, THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MIGHTY ANGEL
A. Vs 2, the mighty angel had in his hand a little book, and it was open. This little book will reveal the terrors to come.
1. This angel places his feet upon land and sea and swears by heaven.
a) He declares by this action that the heaven, the earth, and sea belong to the one who created them.
b) This is a claim to rightful territory declaring rightful ownership (Col 1:16).
2. He is Lord of all!
B. Vs 3, With authority from God this angel cries out with a loud voice.
1. Judgment and a loud roar are connected (Jere 25:30).
2. "Seven thunders"
a) Seven- completeness, finality/
b) Thunders- judgment.
c) Seven peals of thunder that rumble through out the sky. This will be awesome and frightening possibly the voice of God.
C. Vs. 4, The command comes from God (Psa 29:3-9) to seal up the things said by the seven thunders.
1. It could be that the judgment thundered out is just too terrible to be revealed.
2. The secret things belong to God (Deut 29:29).
D. Vs 5, Remember the little book is in his left hand.
1. This is a solemn gesture such as the gesture made at baptism.
2. It is the solemn gesture of a vow (Deut 32:40).
a) It means that the one who makes the gesture is going to tell the truth. God is greater than the angel and us.
b) What the angel is about to say is of great importance!
E. Vs 6, God is the creator.
1. Evolution is a lie: theistic or otherwise.
2. "That there should be time no more."
a) This means no more delay.
b) Time has run out! The end is to be consummated. This is it!
F. Vs 7, The mystery is to be finished.
1. The coming of Christ in glory and the millennial kingdom is in view.
2. All prophecies will be brought together. God's plan will be fully revealed (Jere 31:34).
III. VSS 8-11, THE EATING OF THE LITTLE BOOK
A. Vs 8, John is instructed to take the little book from the mighty angel. Three times we are reminded that the angel is mighty for he stands on the sea and earth.
B. Vs 9, John is instructed by the angel to take the little book and eat it. The angel also tells John what the result of this eating will be.
C. Vs 10, Obediently, John eats the little book.
1. By eating the little book, he partakes of what is in it.
a) He appropriates what is within, the promises, the prophecies, etc., just as we partake of Christ (John 6:53-56, 58).
b) This little book symbolizes the Bible the Word of God as God's divine revelation to man.
2. The Word of God is sweet.
a) It is the place where the Gospel is declared (I Cor 153-4). It is where grace is proclaimed (Eph 2:8-9). It is where mercy is revealed (Titus 3:5). It is sweet!
b) Psalm 19:7-10.
3. The Word of God is bitter.
a) "The rich man in hell lift up his eyes in hell being in torment."
b) "Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire."
c) Even to the believer, it is recorded: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (IITim 3:12).
d) We must according to the Word, "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (II Tim 2:3). John did this on Patmos.
4. Concerning the Word of God, we are to receive it, believe it, and be blessed by it.
D. Vs 11, "Again" means that John receives a second commission to get the Word out (1:19)!
1. Write it; preach it!
2. "Many" emphasizes the greatness of the field.
a) "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mk 16:15).
b) Rom 1:6
CONCLUSION: God is great. His Word is inspired, and we are to trust in Him.
For additional copies of the sermon CD's, please contact the church office:
Elliott Baptist Church
566 Nat G. Troutt Road
Elliott, Mississippi 38901
Phone: 662-226-4425
Pastors Email: cecilafayard@msn.com