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| Earl Gillespie |
The Mighty Angel and the Little Book
Revelation 10:1-7:
Genesis tells of the beginning and Revelation tells of the ending. What transpires in between is how God dealt the Devil's revolt and his attempt to take over Heaven, and the fall of man and the devil's hostile takeover of the earth. There are many incidents in between that shows us how God dealt with his chosen people as he set them on a collision course to rid the earth of its demonic influence. The Old Testament also tells the story of how God grew tired of his people. Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. After the divorce God was silent for more than four hundred years and evil was rampart. Then his Son came preaching to the Jewish remnant, "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." They killed his son who had the keys to death and hell who rose and went back to his father. He appeared to Apostle Paul and set him on a course of establishing his church, not a Jewish organization, but an organization open to whosoever will, Jews and Gentiles. This organization was to be set up for a specific heavenly purpose. In Revelation Jesus addresses the final condition of the church, the church that he had loved, the church that in its final state of apostasy has left him standing outside at the door knocking. The book of Genesis tells us how it began, the book of Revelation tells us how it's going to end.
We often present the picture of a loving nurturing God, who in this age and dispensation is handing out gifts and delivering people from all sorts of misfortunes. When I read the scripture I see a jealous God who is growing tired of the evils of mankind. I see a God that is getting ready to rain judgement down on humanity. In our study of Revelation we should see a God who is fearful. We use God's name in all types of situations and like little kids we expect God to respond to all of our whims and earthly need. Deuteronomy 5:11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. The God of Revelation is a dangerous God to mess with.
Revelation 10:1-7 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: 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, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 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. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 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: 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.
We often present the picture of a loving nurturing God, who in this age and dispensation is handing out gifts and delivering people from all sorts of misfortunes. When I read the scripture I see a jealous God who is growing tired of the evils of mankind. I see a God that is getting ready to rain judgement down on humanity. In our study of Revelation we should see a God who is fearful. We use God's name in all types of situations and like little kids we expect God to respond to all of our whims and earthly need. Deuteronomy 5:11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. The God of Revelation is a dangerous God to mess with.
Revelation 10:1-7 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: 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, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 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. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 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: 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.
Chapter ten begins with “I saw another Mighty Angel come
down from Heaven.” This is not an ordinary angel by any means. Let me point out seven
things about this Angel that I feel give us his identity:
1. This Angel is mighty.
2. This Angel came down from Heaven.
3. This Angel is clothed with a cloud.
4. The face of this Angel is like the sun.
5. The feet of this Angel are as pillars of fire.
6. He has in His hand “a little book open.”
7. He stands with one foot on the land and one on the
sea-denoting universal ownership and authority.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). These seven facts testify that this Angel could be none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the only One found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals (Revelation 5:5-7). The book is now open and in the hand of the Mighty Angel. In the Old Testament Jesus is referred to as “the Lord’s Angel . . . the Angel of the Lord.” This specific Person - an unusual Person - appears in many places in the Old Testament. In Revelation Jesus is referred to as the Lamb, as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and also as The Warrior. Why should he not be referred to as a “Mighty Angel”? Jesus can take any form He desires, in order to perform any specific mission having to do with completion of God’s program. I believe the angels mentioned in Revelation 7:2, 8:13 and 10:1 are one and the same - the Lord Jesus Christ. The angel John saw will actually appear when the time comes. He is referred to as “the Mighty Angel,” denoting His unusual strength and setting Him apart from all other angels mentioned previously and in the chapters that follow.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). These seven facts testify that this Angel could be none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the only One found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals (Revelation 5:5-7). The book is now open and in the hand of the Mighty Angel. In the Old Testament Jesus is referred to as “the Lord’s Angel . . . the Angel of the Lord.” This specific Person - an unusual Person - appears in many places in the Old Testament. In Revelation Jesus is referred to as the Lamb, as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and also as The Warrior. Why should he not be referred to as a “Mighty Angel”? Jesus can take any form He desires, in order to perform any specific mission having to do with completion of God’s program. I believe the angels mentioned in Revelation 7:2, 8:13 and 10:1 are one and the same - the Lord Jesus Christ. The angel John saw will actually appear when the time comes. He is referred to as “the Mighty Angel,” denoting His unusual strength and setting Him apart from all other angels mentioned previously and in the chapters that follow.
Wherever clouds are connected with glorious manifestations, we find the presence of deity. In Nahum we read that the clouds are the dust of His feet. Jesus was taken up in a cloud when He ascended back to Heaven after His resurrection (Acts 1:8-10). The Lord God came down on Mt. Sinai in a thick cloud (Exodus 19:9). the Lord appeared on the mercy seat in a cloud. When Israel was delivered from the hand of Pharaoh, “the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud” (Exodus 13:21, 14:24; Nehemiah 9:12). When the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, “a cloud covered the tent of the congregation” (Exodus 40:34). When the Lord reproached Israel for murmuring, “the Lord appeared in a cloud” (Exodus 16:10). The Lord said unto Moses, “Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud” (Exodus 19:9). The psalmist said, “Clouds and darkness are round about Him” (Psalm 97:2). “He maketh the clouds His chariots . . . the clouds are the dust of His feet” (Nahum 1:3). Last, but by no means least: “Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see Him” (Revelation 1:7).
As the garments of deity, clouds indicate the
unapproachableness of God and denote His infinite majesty . . . His consuming power toward sin. Sin cannot
live before His uncovered glory - and yet in Revelation 10 He draws near to earth to offer mercy
to earth’s dwellers. The Mighty Angel will have the rainbow - symbol of mercy -
upon His head. The rainbow is a sign of divine mercy in the midst of divine judgment. This
is one of the four times the rainbow is mentioned in God’s Word, and on every occasion it is
connected with God’s mercy given unto men. God put the bow in the sky, promising to remember His
covenant with the earth (Genesis 9:8-17). (The rainbow is a sign of God’s mercy - not angelic
mercy.) Angels are special creations of God, but this Mighty Angel
is not one of the created beings. He is the Lord Jesus Himself. He is about to speak to earth’s
dwellers for the last time. The face of this Mighty Angel was like the sun.In Revelation 1:16 John saw the countenance of Jesus “as the
sun shining in his full strength.” Jesus is referred to in the Bible as “the Sun of
Righteousness.” Paul saw a blinding light on the road to Damascus, when God parted the sky and Jesus looked
down. Read the account in Acts 9.This Mighty Angel had “His feet as pillars of fire.” The same statement is made describing the feet of Jesus in
Revelation 1:15: “ . . . and His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace.”
Nothing like that has been said about any ordinary angel - not even Michael or Gabriel, the
archangels.
In verse 2 we learn that this Mighty Angel had in His hand a
little book - open. This is the same book mentioned in chapter five, when John “wept much”
because no one could be found worthy to open the book; but One was found - the Lion of the Tribe
of Judah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Here in our present Scripture the book is open and the
Mighty Angel is holding it in His hand. He stands with one foot upon the land and the other foot
upon the sea. This is significant . . . it denotes possession. When the
Mighty Angel deliberately sets His feet upon the sea and upon the earth, He thereby plainly announces
that He intends to possess and take them for His own. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the
fulness thereof.” Jesus is the rightful Sovereign of both land and sea (Revelation 5:11-13); but the
devil has been the prince of the power of the air since Adam yielded to him in the Garden,
and the land and the sea have been under the control of the Lord’s enemies for more than six
thousand years. Thank God, Satan’s control of God’s creation is fast coming
to a close. The whole earth now groans and travails (Romans 8:22), but one day the earth
will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters now cover the sea. Those mighty feet
standing on the land and on the sea testify to the Lord’s enemies that there is no need for
further resistance. Who can stand against two tremendous columns of fire? Are you getting this?
The image here is one of invincible power and steadfastness,
joined with consuming destruction to those who dare oppose. Pillars are firm and mighty.
Pillars of fire are irresistible. The Mighty Angel plants His feet on the sea and on the land “as pillars
of fire.” Never forget - Jesus deals in fire and blood. The feet of the Mighty Angel are immovable
and will hurriedly consume all opposition. “ . . . And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth
. . .” This further identifies the Mighty Angel. This is the voice of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. It is a
cry of power and victory - not a cry of fear nor of distress. The lion fears no beast. He is king of
the jungle, and his roar is feared by all other beasts. This cry was an announcement of vengeance upon
the enemies of God and the wicked who at that time will inhabit the earth: “The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice
from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake” (Joel 3:16a). Think of it! In
Revelation 1:15, His voice was “as the sound of many waters.” But here His voice roars like a lion.
Read Jeremiah 25:29, 31. When Jesus comes to set His feet on the earth and on the
sea, He will shout the shout of victory as those “who tread out grapes.” The shout shall be given
and the cup of the divine fury of God shall be poured out.
The winepress of the earth will be trodden under His feet until the Blood runs to the horses’ bridles In the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 14:14-20). The shout from the Mighty Angel is the announcement of the immediate oncoming judgments of God, and Heaven answers in seven thunderous voices. In connection with this, read Psalm 29.Thunder is the voice of the Lord in judgment (I Samuel 7:10, Psalm 18:13). The seven thunders “uttered their voices.” (John assumes that the readers already have Some knowledge of these seven thunders.) In Revelation 4:2, 3 John saw a throne encircled by a rainbow, and here in chapter ten we see the same rainbow. In Revelation 4 John saw upon the throne One who was to look upon as a jasper and a sardine stone, and “out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices.”
The winepress of the earth will be trodden under His feet until the Blood runs to the horses’ bridles In the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 14:14-20). The shout from the Mighty Angel is the announcement of the immediate oncoming judgments of God, and Heaven answers in seven thunderous voices. In connection with this, read Psalm 29.Thunder is the voice of the Lord in judgment (I Samuel 7:10, Psalm 18:13). The seven thunders “uttered their voices.” (John assumes that the readers already have Some knowledge of these seven thunders.) In Revelation 4:2, 3 John saw a throne encircled by a rainbow, and here in chapter ten we see the same rainbow. In Revelation 4 John saw upon the throne One who was to look upon as a jasper and a sardine stone, and “out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices.”
In chapter 10, we have the same thunder, sounding out a
message of God’s fury and judgment. We also had these same thunders in chapter 8, when the
Priest-Angel turned the contents of His fire-filled censer upon the earth. “There were voices, and
thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.” The seven thunders are the judgment thunders from the throne
of God. When the Lion of the Tribe of Judah roars, as on the eve of bounding forth upon
His prey, the seven thunders utter their roaring voices as in full sympathy and agreement with
what is about to proceed in righteous vengeance and holy fury from the throne of eternal majesty. Personality is attributed to these “seven thunders.”
Everything is in sympathy with the Lamb of God. These mighty thunders utter messages that are
intelligible . . . they speak words. John heard what they said - and when the time comes in reality, the
seven thunders will speak literal words that earth’s dwellers will fully understand. It will be a
message in tones of thunder. We use a public address system to amplify voices when we want to be
heard - but God needs no amplification. He can speak like mighty thunder - and He
will when the time comes!
At the beginning of these marvelous visions, John was
commanded to write in a book what he saw and heard - past, present and future. But when the
thunders spoke, John was given another command. He was about to write - but a voice from Heaven
said: “Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not!” The seven thunders must have given a terrible message.
Already set before us are blood, tears, famine, heartache and heartbreak; killing, misery, hail,
fire, burning mountains, demon monstrosities, men begging to die and unable to do so.
Surely what John was forbidden to write must have been beyond human imagination and understanding!
There is no need to speculate on what the thunders said. Your guess is as good as mine; but
you may rest assured that the message had to do with God’s last gigantic, unheard of,
indescribable judgment, when God “lowers the boom” in utter destruction.
Will you be on earth when the seven thunders speak? You are the only one who can answer that question. If you are born again you will not be here - but if you are not born again, you may be here. Read John 1:11-12, 3:16-18, 3:36, 5:24; Romans 10:9-10, 10:13, 10:17; Ephesians 2:8-9; I John 1:9. Read these verses, hear what they say; receive them - and you will not be here when the seven thunders utter their message of destruction. You will be with Jesus.Verses 5 and 6: “And the Angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up His hand to Heaven, 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.”
Will you be on earth when the seven thunders speak? You are the only one who can answer that question. If you are born again you will not be here - but if you are not born again, you may be here. Read John 1:11-12, 3:16-18, 3:36, 5:24; Romans 10:9-10, 10:13, 10:17; Ephesians 2:8-9; I John 1:9. Read these verses, hear what they say; receive them - and you will not be here when the seven thunders utter their message of destruction. You will be with Jesus.Verses 5 and 6: “And the Angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up His hand to Heaven, 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.”
The Amplified New Testament reads, “And swore in the name of
Him who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and all they contain, and the
earth and all it contains, and the sea and all that it contains. He swore that no more time should intervine and there should be no more waiting or delay.” I think this rendering makes the verse a little clearer.
Time does not end here. This is not the beginning of the eternal ages. What the Angel is announcing
is that there will be no further delay; God is about to lower the boom of holy fury and
unheard of judgment. Here we have the record of one of the most sublime
unveilings of Revelation. How comforting, strengthening, assuring and magnificent! We turn from blood
strife, chaos, demon maniacs, the devil in flesh (Antichrist) - to God’s eternal purpose
concerning the earth. The earth is the Lord’s - and one day the Lord Jesus will
possess it and give it to His own. In the sweet by-and-by the meek shall inherit the earth. See the
Mighty Angel as He stands with one foot on the sea and one on the earth - and then hear God’s
holy Word: “He must reign until His enemies become His footstool.” Jesus will do just that! He is the Saviour of sinners today. He will be the Judge of
sinners in the tomorrow of the end of the age.
The book of closing prophecy in His hand - the book that was sealed with seven seals - is now open. He lifts His hand to Heaven and swears “by Him that liveth forever and ever” (one can swear by no higher nor greater), that there will be no further delay. Judgment is about to fall. The thousand years of peace are yet ahead, and will surely come at the appointed moment. Again I say, What a sight! The Mighty Angel (Jesus) with all the brightness of the sun, all the raging, roaring fire of a powerful furnace about His feet. The clouds of glory compose His robe and compass His body, the drapery of the blue sky floats over His mighty shoulders and around His divine head. The brilliance of the rainbow makes up His diadem. There He stands! One foot on the land, one foot on the sea! The wide extended earth and the mighty oceans serve as His footstool as His flaming feet stand to conquer and possess! With His mighty hand raised up to the stars, He speaks and vast regions of the firmament echo with His mighty voice. All the artillery of the sky bursts forth. Seven thunders speak, sending out the universal alarm, preparing the earth to receive Heaven’s orders to finish God’s program of judgment. There can be no further delay. - God's cup of fury is running over. - God’s long-suffering and tenderness are running out. - Consuming fire of judgment is about to fall.
The book of closing prophecy in His hand - the book that was sealed with seven seals - is now open. He lifts His hand to Heaven and swears “by Him that liveth forever and ever” (one can swear by no higher nor greater), that there will be no further delay. Judgment is about to fall. The thousand years of peace are yet ahead, and will surely come at the appointed moment. Again I say, What a sight! The Mighty Angel (Jesus) with all the brightness of the sun, all the raging, roaring fire of a powerful furnace about His feet. The clouds of glory compose His robe and compass His body, the drapery of the blue sky floats over His mighty shoulders and around His divine head. The brilliance of the rainbow makes up His diadem. There He stands! One foot on the land, one foot on the sea! The wide extended earth and the mighty oceans serve as His footstool as His flaming feet stand to conquer and possess! With His mighty hand raised up to the stars, He speaks and vast regions of the firmament echo with His mighty voice. All the artillery of the sky bursts forth. Seven thunders speak, sending out the universal alarm, preparing the earth to receive Heaven’s orders to finish God’s program of judgment. There can be no further delay. - God's cup of fury is running over. - God’s long-suffering and tenderness are running out. - Consuming fire of judgment is about to fall.
For 2,000 years God has not interfered with the governments
of the world. His Son came unto his own and they received him not The visible church has pushed Him out. The world is a colossal wreck. God has
put up with man’s insults long enough. Man has had his chance; governments of the earth have had theirs
chance; the visible church has had its chance. There can be no further delay. The day of Judgement is at hand
In verse 7 we read, “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.” Let me list the seven mysteries:
1. The mystery of God’s will (Ephesians 1:9).
2. The mystery of iniquity (the devil in flesh) (II
Thessalonians 2: 7).
3. The mystery of godliness (I Timothy 3:16).
4. The mystery of God (Colossians 2:2).
5. The mystery of the seven stars (Revelation 1:20).
6. The mystery of the woman on the beast (Revelation 17:7).
7. The mystery of Israel (Romans 11:25).
These mysteries are distinct from the mystery of God in our
present passage . . . they denote something previously unknown but now revealed. The mystery mentioned in Revelation 10:7 will be unfolded at
the time when the Mighty Angel, the Lord Jesus, will stand with the earth and the sea under
His feet, and His hand raised toward God’s throne. Does it not seem strange that God has allowed Satan to rule
the affairs of men for nearly 6,000 years? Satan has warped, twisted, marred, scarred, and
almost completely wrecked creation. What havoc he has wrought! Why has God permitted it? We know God is more powerful than
the devil. We know Satan’s power is subject to and limited by the power of God. Satan
is mighty - but God is ALMIGHTY.
The God of Heaven rules, and all power is ordained of Him.
We know that Satan will soon be casted down. Why has God allowed him to get by so long? The Devil poluted the ranks of the angel, and when God created man he poluted man. That old satan wrecked havoc upon the earth in the first earth age and he is about to do it again. If man had done its job then God judgment would not be necessary. God does not want this to happen agan in his new heaven and earth, the angels have already been tested now every soul must be tested. Who is the tester of souls? The Devil himself. Jesus is standing in the midist of the lampstands watching and his message to us is, "If you can endure I will give you a crown of life." It make more sense to me to say it is only a test. After God has rained his final judgement upon earth do you think angel or man will dare sin against God again?
Yes, God sees it all, but it is man in corporation with the Devil that has caused all of these problem. Many times we blame these things on God, but God is waiting to make a final ending of all things. This is why Jesus said in Matthew 6:10, pray "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
continued
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