Rev.10 The Big Angel w/ the Little Book

Read v.1-11

 

Intro: Divide this Chapter into 3 sections

I.                  The Angel who looks like Jesus v.1-3

II.               The Message that was Sealed v. 4-7
III.           The Sweet & Sour Book that was to be Eaten V.8-11

 

 

I.                The Angel who looks like Jesus

A)   John sees this giant Angel -  who in his description looks very similar to the  vision of  Jesus John received in Ch. 1

 

B)   Face like the Sun / Rainbow around his head / feet like Pillars of fire / loud voice that roars

1)                 He looks so much like it that many commentators have said this is Jesus Kind of a Preview of Coming attractions -

 

A)    ( Note 2 things )– Why this is not Jesus / But why whoever this is – does He look like Jesus

 

1st Why this is not Jesus -  Several reasons

A) #1 V.1 Another Mighty Angel -   (Grk word (allos)  Another of the

      same  Kind – takes us back to Ch. 8 / 7 Angels w/ the 7 Trumpets

 

B) We are still in the Trumpet  Judgements/ This is  Another of that same 

       Kind same rank –

1)                           But If John was Talking about – Jesus – he would have used the grk word heteros for another = another of a Different Kind

 

2nd Reason this is not Jesus is because – although Jesus did appear in the O.T. as the Angel of the Lord – never does in the N.T.

A)   And whenever Jesus is Mentioned in the Book of Rev. / John always gives Him AN UNMISTAKABLE TITLE

B)    Ch. 1:5 the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

Ch. 1:11  Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," / CH. 2:18 Son of God,/ Ch. 3:7  He who is holy, He who is true,

1)                 Ch. 3:14 the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

 

A)   We could go on & on – Different Titles that Jesus revealed Himself to John as    ( Never Vague Never abstract)

 

3rd reason is it is inconceivable that Jesus the 2nd Person of the trinity would take the Oath that is recorded in v.6

6  and He swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,

 

A)   Especially since we are told by Paul in Col. 1:16 speaking of Jesus

16  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

17      And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

 

B) So for those reasons I don’t think this Angel is a reference to Jesus

1)                Which would cause one to question well why does He look so much like Jesus – 2Nd CONSIDERATION

 

C) It is the same REASON that when you study through the Bible you see that there were other Angels who also had similar Features

 1) I like the way Eugene Peterson describes them: "Vast, fiery, sea-striding creatures, with hell in their nostrils and heaven in their eyes."

 

So why does this Angel resemble Jesus ? Some have suggested & I tend to agree w/ this idea ( They look like Jesus /been in the Presence of Jesus)

A)   It is a Principle of scripture that declares you become what you worship !!!!

Psa. 115: 4  But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.

5  They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see;

6  they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell;

7  they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

8  Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

 

B)    Why you see people walking around – looking like Elvis / or some other celebrity –

1)                 Or you listen to them talk and – what ever they are into – all they talk about / Surfing / Cars / Homes / Money

 

Now this Principle of you become like what you Worship is a great Principle for us – Because we worship the Lord – more like Him

A)   So as we come together here on Sundays – Worship & study God is doing a work to make us more like Himself !!!!

 

B)   He is TRANSFORMING US to be more like Him / molding & Shaping our very hearts after His

1) It happens more & more as we spend time w/ Him!!!!

 

C)   Like Moses on Mt. Sinai – Face was Shinning Glow / Comes down the Mt. There is a Shinning / a glory / a RADIANCE  on his face !!!

1)                 All Israel says – WOW !!!! - WHY?  They recognized that Moses had been in the Presence of the Lord

 

A)   But  after a few days it says that the Glow began to fade from Moses face so He put on a Veil – hide that the Glow was fading

1)                 Went back into the Presence of the Lord – get that Glow Back

 

 

 

In Reality we do the Same thing – you get up tomorrow & spent time w/ the Lord – Glow – go off into your day /

A)Living in this world has a way of taking the glow right out of you !

A)   Why each day we need to spend time w/ the Lord –INDIVIDUALLY in  devotions – it is that way of getting that glow back

 

 B)  Also TOGETHER That is also why mid week Bible study is so

       important –

1)                 because we are like coals in a fire / what happens together   - flame gets brighter

 

CC)We come together like we are today & we Brighten each other up so that when we go out – Little Embers – Shinning for the Lord

1)                 It has a way of affecting your Attitudes – Someone cuts you off coming out of Parking Lot – Smile Love your Bro. It is Sunday

 

CC)But by the time Wed. afternoon comes around – the World has affected your Glow – Cut off Get out of  my way you Jerk

1)                 You shake your Head & give them that little stare when you drive By

 

CC)What is needed – I need to get back w/ the Other coals – Brighten up

1)           Why Personal Devotion that time we spend alone w/ God & Fellowship ( that time we spend seeking the Lord w/ the Body are so Vital)

 

And that is what  we see here I think this Angel looks a whole lot like Jesus because he has been in the Presence of Jesus

A)   He is  becoming like the one He worships /      This description  also signifies that  He comes in w/ all the Authority of Heaven behind Him

 

B)    Notice that the Angel puts his feet – Oceans & the Land – this

       signifies a take over

1)        The World has been under the control of Satan the god of this world long enough – here the Lord is saying I’m putting my foot down – IT’S OVER

 

A)   This symbolizes the Final take over of planet earth is about to be set in Motion ( as the 7th trumpet is sounded, 7 Bowl judgements are unleashed)

1) V. 6,7 – No more Delay – The Mystery of God  Finished 

4  Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them."

 

II. The 2nd Message that is sealed

A)   John hears the thunders & starts to write these down but is told to stop – which is kind of odd – since this is the book of Rev. – Unveiling

 

B)   So what was uttered ? We don’t know – some try to speculate but it is better to be Silent where the Bible is silent

 

C)   But why was John told not to write : Suggest two Possible reasons

1)                 One this message was Just for John

2)                 Or It was a Message for a Latter time !!!!!!

 

A)   Don’t know for sure & won’t know this side of Heaven but those Principles are very real in our own lives

 

See we all have times where the Lord shows us something in the Word or speaks to our hearts about a certain conviction

A)   And it is for us !!! God’s message to me –

 

B)    But our tendency is to think it is for everyone – “Listen to what the Lord thundered to me” 

1)                 But it was not for everyone else or at least not at that time – it was simply what God was working in Your Life / speaking to You

 

A)   That is one of the reasons that I never do my devotions in the books that I am teaching out of

1)                 See when I am studying Sun .am / Night / Wed. night or Tues. Staff meeting or Tues Chapel or Men’s Retreat or whatever

 

A)   I always get ministered to by the Scriptures & I always get challenged spiritually – but I am constantly thinking –

1)                 What do you want to say to Your Body at CCV – God’s word to Us

A)   But when I sit down each morning to spend time w/ the Lord in the section that I am reading out of personally –

1)                 Lord what are you saying to me – better Christian / Husband / Dad / Pastor

 

A)   And those things I am looking at – FOR ME -  I might not every share those things – or maybe not for a long time

1)                 It is between the Lord & I – what He is doing in Me – May not be the same thing He is doing in You

 

Need to learn to Discern is this for me !!! Or is this something that the Lord is saying that He wants me to Share !!!!

A)   REMEMBER MARY – shepherds came

 

Lk. 2 16  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

18  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

 

So we don’t Know what was said /  this has really bugged some / but to me it is a Blessing -  Produces 3 attitudes in us

A)   1st keeps us Humble – when I start thinking that I have all the answers I become pride full & self sufficient

 

B)   There are so many things I don’t understand – about God / Trinity / Eternity / God’s Foreknowledge & Sovereignty

1)                 But that doesn’t bug me – it encourages me / I am so Glad that  God is bigger than I can figure out / bigger than I can comprehend

 

A)    Moody asked about a certain Passage : Mr. Moody How do You explain this /  Moody responded I don’t

1)                 Well how do you Interpret ……I don’t / Well I do you Understand it …….I don’t understand it / Well what do w/ it ….. I Believe it !!!!

Psalmist knew of this Psa. 131:1,2

131:1  LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me.

2       Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, , like a baby with its mother. I am at peace, like a baby with its mother.

 

A)    In other words saying Lord I am not going to stress out about the things that I don’t understand – but I am going to just trust in you

1)                 And rest in You like a Baby does w/ its Mom

 

A)   There isn’t a more peaceful sight than that a little Baby asleep in the arms of it’s Mother – ( Once Crying – Now Content ) My Kids Rocker

1)                 It is that heart that says to the Lord – There is a lot that I don’t understand –but I will trust you for what I do understand & rest

 

 

So it has a Way of Keeping me Humble / Also has a way of keeping me Useful #2

A)    Story of George Washington Carver

 

George Washington Carver was The son of ex-slaves, SHARP GUY EARNED  a college education. After graduating from Simpson College right before the turn of the century, Carver was invited to remain at his alma mater as a science professor. Perhaps feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of this new responsibility, he prayed, "Lord, show me something of the mysteries of the universe." But there was  no response.

 

"Maybe I'm asking for something a little too big for me", he thought. "Lord, show me the mysteries of our earth," he prayed.  But again, no response.  "Lord show me something about our bodies", he then prayed --- to no avail.  Finally he prayed, "Lord show me something about a peanut", and he writes that he experienced a strange sense of God's presence.

 

So George Washington Carver began to study the peanut, which, up to that time was thought to be a fairly useless commodity. In the ensuing years, he discovered 300 uses for the lowly peanut.:

Soap, shoeshine, ink, and of course, peanut butter,

 

A)   His discovery helped strengthen the economy of the south which was really struggling up to that Point !!!

1)                 Keeps us seeking the Lord

 

I love that – Lord I don’t understand the Universe / Lord I don’t understand the Mysteries of the earth –

A) But as you keep seeking the Lord – He gives you some insight into something little – that will have a major impact on your sphere influence

 

So it has a Way of Keeping me Humble / 2nd it  has a way of keeping me Useful / 3rd – Keeps us stable

A)    We so often like to ask Lord why / knowing though that even if the Lord explained to us His reasoning it wouldn’t make sense

 

B)    You won't find a single verse in Scripture which promises we'll understand/ closest we get here is what Paul said in 1 Cor. 13:12

1) Right now we know in Part !!!!

 

C)    Not reasoning that we need BUT RESOURCES – that is so often what the Lord gives / when we turn to Him

1)                 That peace that surpasses all understanding  / Strength in times of weakness !!!

 

The sixteen year old daughter of G. Campbell Morgan lay on her deathbed.  As he prayed, the Lord gave him the Scripture about Jairus.  "Come quickly" said Jairus to Jesus, "My daughter is sick even to the point of death".  "I will come" Jesus said.  But on the way, another need arose and He was delayed in reaching the house of Jairus. When He finally arrived, messengers said "Don't bother to come in, Master. She's dead." But Jesus took the hand of Jairus' daughter and said "Daughter arise" and she was healed.  Mark 5:41

G. Campbell Morgan embraced the promise and knew his daughter would also be healed. But Three days later, she died. 

A) "Wait a minute, Lord" he cried. "You gave me this scripture: daughter arise".

 

B) And the Lord gently whispered, "That's exactly what happened. I took her hand, said "Daughter arise --- and took her to heaven."

 

2 Timothy 1: 12  For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

 

 

III.The Sweet & Sour Book that was Eaten

A) Several passages that liken the Word to food !!!!

 

Jer.15 : 16  Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;

 

Psa. 19 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.

 

Heb. 5 – Meat of the word

 

1Pet. 2 the Milk

 

A)    But this word that is our spiritual food – has both a SWEET & SOUR  effect on our lives

1)                 Some parts of the Word are Sweet -  Psalms –HAGADAZ BAR

Hebrews Steak / Eph. Pizza ( Favorite Passages)

 

A)     Some passages you study – RIGHT ON !!! YES LORD / AMEN !!!

Preach it Brother !!!!!

B)    But there are other passages – can rub us the wrong way – Conviction

1) Wives submit to Your Husbands -  Irritates some ( Lewis Talbot)

 

C)    Listen to a Message – that is not an issue – I am ok there / but then something is said – that just hits you – BUSTED that is me

1)                 Bitter or Sour – I don’t want to deal w/ that – tune it out

 

Like watching T.V.- Ballgame – commercial – Compassion International – starving kids –

A)   I don’t want to deal w/ this right Now – Clicker

 

B)    We do that w/ the Word – Click – turn on Music – tune out –go do something Else – Becomes it is Sour / It is Bitter

 

C)    But if we would RESPOND to that Conviction of the H.S. instead of REISISTING IT  – ( that word that was Bitter / sour – becomes sweet

1)                 As we watch it transform our very Lives !!!!  Grow / Fruit

 

 

Rev. as a Book is both Bitter & Sweet -  Read about my Lord – coming Back – Rapture – Sweet –

A)   Read about Trib – Realize that I am going to Miss / this – Not appointed unto Wrath – SWEET

 

B)   But it is also Bitter – when I Realize that People I know are going to go through this – ( Makes my stomach uncomfortable - )

1) I have got to say something

 

C)   Like Paul – I am a Debtor – Got to Share – (risk offending) – Believe that there is power in the gospel –

1) There are some People – I need to talk to / Relatives I need to Write