THE STUDY OF REVELATION 1
Creation Revelation Robert & Mary Tozier WWW.CREATIONREVELATION.ORG Rtozier@creationrevelation.org At Sunrise Bible Church Las Vegas, NV 2
Behold I Come Quickly Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 3
Behold I Come Quickly. The Study of Revelation Lesson 26 4
Opening Prayer 5
Behold I Come Quickly The Study of Revelation Lesson 26 THE BREAK {REV 10:1-11} 6
INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 10 7
INTRODUCTION Revelation chapters 10 and 11 represent a break between judgments. These chapters are similar to chapter 7 in relation to the Seal Judgments. The scene in chapter 10, as in chapter 7, shifts to the events occurring in heaven before the seventh trumpet sounds to usher in the next series of judgments, the Bowl (or Vial) Judgments. 8
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL 9
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL REV 10:1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: Many believe that since this angel is described in similar terms to the glory of God he is Jesus. However, because he is described as "another" angel, it indicates that he is of the same kind as the previous angels. 10
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL The Greek word used here for "another" means "another of the same kind" as in Revelation 5:2. Because of this and other considerations it is doubtful that this angel is Jesus Christ. Some of the attributes in this verse parallel the description of Jesus, however, that it is not Jesus will be made clear in Revelation 10:6. 11
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL Notice the "strong angel" in Revelation chapter 5. REV 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? Because "Gabriel" means "strength of God" some believe that the "strong angel" mentioned in Revelation chapter 5 verse 2 is none other than Gabriel. 12
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL As in Revelation chapter 5 verse 2 we see another mighty angel in Revelation 10:1. While they might be the same angel, it is not certain that the "strong" angel and the "mighty" angel are the same. That he is a representative of God is clear from his description, the first of which is that he is clothed with a cloud. Notice that the Lord appears in a cloud. 13
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL EXO 19:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. When Jesus returns He will come in a cloud. REV 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 14
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL Jesus will come in the clouds and all those on earth shall see and mourn. Notice the following reference to Christ's return in His own words: MAT 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with 15 power and great glory.
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL Likewise, when Jesus ascended, He ascended in a cloud. At the same time it was announced that he would return "in like manner." ACT 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 16 (Continued)
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 17
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL Returning to Revelation 10:1 we see that a rainbow was upon his head. Notice also that a rainbow was around God's throne. REV 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 18
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL The emerald appearing rainbow completely surrounding the throne in a circle symbolizes perfection. That it surrounds the throne indicates flawless judgment. The rainbow was God's symbol of promise to man that He would not again destroy the world with water. The color green emphasizes that the judgment has to do with the earth. 19
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL The angel had been in God's presence because "his face was as it were the Sun." We find a similarity when Moses returned from the presence of God. This is the shekinah glory of God. EXO 34:29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. (Continued) 20
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL 35 And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. Jesus' face also shone as the Sun. REV 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 21
ANOTHER MIGHTY ANGEL Next we see that the angel's feet were as pillars of fire. Again we see this is like the description of Jesus. REV 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. The fiery feet symbolize judgment. 22
A LITTLE BOOK 23
A LITTLE BOOK REV 10:2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, This small "book," or scroll, most likely represents the Word of God, and possibly has no connection with the scroll of Revelation 5. However, if there is a connection with the scroll of Revelation 5, then, this angel probably is sent to earth to announce the repossession of the earth from Satan's grip. 24
A LITTLE BOOK Planting his feet on the sea and earth symbolizes the claiming of possession of the property in the name of the King. This angel is the Lord's emissary. Angels are ministers of the Divine will. They are invested with such delegated glory and attributes as befits their special missions Earthly kings have representatives. They appoint persons and give them authority to act on their behalf. 25
A LITTLE BOOK History shows that king Belshazzar could appoint Daniel third ruler in his kingdom because he himself was the second ruler. Belshazzar's father Nabonidus was still living. Belshazzar represented the authority and power of his father, while Daniel would represent the authority and power of Belshazzar. 26
A LITTLE BOOK Likewise, this angel represented the power and authority of Jesus Christ. It is possible that this angel is Michael, called "the archangel" in Jude 9. JUD 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 27
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT 28
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT REV 10:3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. The angel shouted like the roar of a lion. At this shout a voice in heaven roared like seven thunders. "The seven thunders is a symbol for the voice of God," emphasizing the importance of God's message and purpose. 29
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT Notice that "thunderings" proceeded from God's throne. REV 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 30
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT Let's look also at the "thunder" from heaven speaking to Jesus. JOH 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. 29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. (Continued) 31
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. The comments by Jesus after the voice thundered were of judgment and of casting out the prince of this world. Judgment came upon mankind once before. 32
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT But God preserved from judgment one righteous man with his family. GEN 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. God is longsuffering. All this time Noah did what God had asked him to do by faith, obedient and without complaint, preaching righteousness to a wicked generation. 33
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT 1JO 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. It was by God s grace that Noah was saved, and it is by God s grace that we are saved. As is today, the whole world was disobedient and rebellious while Noah walked with God. GEN 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 34
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT LUK 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. It is recorded that seven times God spoke in fellowship and blessing to Noah and his family. 35
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT God s Seven Blessings and Fellowship to Noah 1. GEN 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 2. GEN 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. 36
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT 3. GEN 8:15 And God spake unto Noah, saying, 16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. 4. GEN 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. 5. GEN 9:8 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying: 9 "And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you, 37
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT 6. GEN 9:12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 7. GEN 9:17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. 38
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT In contrast to the seven blessings look at Psalm 29 that deals with the Noachic Flood. The Seven Thunders of Judgment at the Flood PSA 29:1 Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 39
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT 1. 3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. 2. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; 3. the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 4. 5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 5. 7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. 40
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT 6. 8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. 7. 9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. 10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever. 11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. 41
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT The voice of the Lord thunders forth seven times in majesty and judgment before a world that rejected Him. The Seven Thunders of Future Judgment Compare the seven blessings of Noah and the seven thunders of God at the Flood to the seven thunders of the future judgment of Revelation chapter 10. 42
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT REV 10:3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 43
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT The last time God uttered the seven thunders He destroyed the world that then was. Notice that the rainbow is there. The sign that God is faithful. He will never again destroy the earth by a flood. God provided a way of escape for his own at the Flood. 44
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT It is interesting to realize that God told Noah to "pitch" (Kaphar) the ark inside and out. The Hebrew word used for "pitch" is "kopher," which is from the Hebrew "Kaphar" meaning "to cover," or as a noun, "covering." Both Hebrew words refer to a "cover" or covering," and the English word "pitch" is a correct translation for both. 45
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT "Kaphar" is the same Hebrew word translated "atonement" elsewhere. GEN 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch [kaphar] it within and without with pitch [kopher]. 46
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT Notice that the Hebrew word "kaphar" is translated "atonement" in Leviticus. LEV 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement [kaphar] for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement [kaphar] for the soul. By the ark God preserved Noah and his family during the Flood judgment. 47
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT By the Rapture God will preserve his people from His wrath at the time of future judgment. 1TH 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, God wants to preserve us by faith in the atonement of the sacrifice of the cross. Those who obtain the free gift of salvation will be preserved from His wrath. 48
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT REV 10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, (Continued) 49
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: It's unknown why John was not permitted to reveal what the seven thunders said. "Seven thunders" symbolize God's voice. "Thunders" is a symbol of God's wrath. 50
BLESSINGS AND JUDGMENT What God said probably referred to Divine judgment. By lifting up his hand to heaven and swearing "by Him that liveth" indicates that this angel is not the Lord Jesus Christ. He swore by someone greater than himself, the Creator, Jesus Christ. "That there should be time no longer" means that what is about to happen will not be delayed. 51
MYSTERIES 52
MYSTERIES REV 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. The "mystery of God" may refer to salvation. The mystery is that "a Holy God could love sinful men sufficiently to send His only Son into the world to die for their sins." 53
MYSTERIES This is what has been declared to his servants the prophets since the fall of Adam. All of these years men have lived under this mystery that "sinful, fallen men" could be "reinstated into fellowship with God," not by works, but by faith. This mystery is soon coming to a close. 54
MYSTERIES Alternately, David Jeremiah believes that "the mystery" is "the mystery of the silence in heaven." There will soon be an end to the unrestrained sin and evil in this world. Of this Walter Scott said: Does it not seem strange that Satan has been allowed for 6000 years to wrap and twist his coils around the world, to work evil and spoil and mar the work of God? 55
MYSTERIES Is it not a mystery why God, the God of righteousness and holiness, allows evil to go unpunished and His own people to be crushed and broken on every hand? Truly this is the mystery of God. God bears with evil till the hour of judgment arrives, when he will avenge the cry of His elect, and come out of His place to punish the wicked evil, now tolerated and allowed, will be openly punished. The mystery is at an end. Christ is about to reign. 56
MYSTERIES God says this about Israel in Hosea 5:15: Hos 5:15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. Lets briefly look at the mysteries. 57
MYSTERIES 1.The mystery of lawlessness. a) Why did God allow Satan to cause the fall of man? b) Why does God allow sin to damage the world? c) Why does God allow His people to be persecuted and martyred? d) Why will God allow the Antichrist and the False Prophet to reign? 2. The mystery of the Rapture. a) 1CO 15:51. 58
MYSTERIES 3. The mystery of Israel's blindness. a) ROM 11:25. 4. The mystery of God's wisdom. a) 1CO 2:7. 5. The mystery of Christ and the Church. a) EPH 5:31-32. 6. The Mystery of Christ in us. a) COL 1:26-27. 7. The mystery of the kingdom of heaven. a) The kingdom parables of Matthew 13. b) MAT 13:19; ROM 14:17. 59
MYSTERIES 8. The mystery of Godliness. a) 1 TI 3:16. What ever this Mystery of God of Revelation 10:7 may be it most likely refers to the whole purpose and plan of God, including the mysteries we have mentioned. 60
MYSTERIES REV 10:8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. (Continued) 61
MYSTERIES 10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. The parallels found in the Old Testament are the following: EZE 2:8-3:4 JER 15:16-18 62
MYSTERIES This book, or scroll, as we have seen probably represents the Word of God, and God's Word is sweet, but the message is bitter to John's stomach. We find that God's Word is sweet in Psalms 19. PSA 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Continued) 63
MYSTERIES 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 64
MYSTERIES The bitter side of God's Word probably refers to those chapters that deal with Divine judgment. The message of much of the church today is a sweet message forsaking the bitter message of coming judgment through end-times prophecy. The idea of eating the book is like saying that John devoured the book, or digested its contents. 65
MYSTERIES The book must contain prophecy because in the next verse we see that John is told to "prophesy again." 66
MYSTERIES REV 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. This reassures John that his imprisonment on Patmos is temporary, and he will be afforded the opportunity to carry this message to "many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. John was eventually freed, and the Revelation has been carried to many nations. 67
End of The Study of REVELATION Lesson 26 68
Closing Prayer 69
Creation Revelation Robert & Mary Tozier WWW.CREATIONREVELATION.ORG Rtozier@creationrevelation.org At Sunrise Bible Church Las Vegas, NV 70