Bible Study - Chapter 10 --

Revelation 10:

The student must remember as we studied between the sixth and seventh seals: THERE IS AN INTERLUDE between the sixth and the seventh trumpets. This chapter plainly states that “time will be no longer: -- BUT IT DOES NOT SAY WHEN THAT EXACT MOMENT IS! It is important for us to remember God does things in HIS own time (Eccl. 3:11) and therefore, the conclusion to “time shall be no more” is simply “these are the last days.” Several times within the New Testament, following the arrival of the Lord’s church (Acts 2), we find this statement “last days” referring to the end of time, but in actual meaning, saying, “There will be no further dispensation of God’s Word to man!”

1. While no angel is “weak,” the mention of this angel as being “mighty” is indicative of the power/authority possessed. His work is to send upon the earth a message of utmost importance, heard throughout the world. His work is sent from heaven! The appearance of this angel is reminiscent of Revelation 1:7. Clouds indicate God’s presence. The rainbow about his head is indicative of a covenant (lasting agreement) and his bright shining face shows his unmatched light to illuminate. His feet are reminiscent of Exodus 13:21.
2. In his hand is a scroll … this one unsealed as the book is opened. His standing on both sea and land shows his all-encompassing ability to surround the earth and its inhabitants with his authoritative message.
3. His cry as a lion roars announces his authority and then this roar sounds, seven thunders uttered their voices. Seven being complete, we know this is God’s authority delivered to the earth dwellers.
4. Whatever these thundering voices said, John HEARD, and was prepared to record, but was emphatically told, “Seal up those things which the seven thunders utter and write them not.” Any conjecture upon the content of the voices might be, is at best, unfounded speculation. We must accept there are some things we are NOT to know (Deut. 29:29). Neither may we conclude that while John heard he thus could remember and just didn’t tell! When told “seal up those things …” he was to completely keep them conceded EVEN FROM HIMSELF!
5. – 7. Lifting up his hand to heaven and swearing (affirming via that authority) by the Creator (God), he declares there should be time no longer. As mentioned in the introduction, THIS IS NOT THE CONCLUSION OF THE EARTH AND TIME AS MAN KNOWS TIME. The reasons are at least these:
a. The seventh trumpet has not sounded.
b. John is told in the conclusion of this chapter he must continue to prophesy (teach) before many peoples and nations. (See verse 11)
c. Students know as well that there are to be seven “vials” poured out upon the earth.
Therefore, we must conclude the statement means “this is the last dispensation of God’s Word to man.” If man fails to heed the Word of God within the law of Christ Jesus, there is nothing left and nothing to come that can or will redeem man from the wickedness of this world’s sin.
The fact is that “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.” Notice Hebrews 1:1 -2 and then 2: 1- 4 for clarity.

Now we must note “the mystery of God.” (vs. 7) The mystery is something unknown to us but known to God. As to the timing of this mystery being revealed, that also is within God’s jurisdiction. Daniel 2: 1- 49 is one such passage revealing “in the days of these kings” etc., and yet remember this is THE LAST message God reveals!

That the mystery is the gospel we cannot doubt. Notice the following work of each part of the Godhead regarding this “mystery of the gospel.”

THE MYSTERY CONCEIVED BY GOD – Ephesians 1: 9 – 11
THE MYSTERY ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH CHRIST – Ephesians 3: 8 – 11
THE MYSTERY REVEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT – Ephesians 3: 1- 5

This confirms again the necessity of THREE within the divinity known as GOD. It also confirms the “plan of salvation” including the church was in the mind of God (all three) from the beginning of creation. There is no question of God’s desire to SAVE man – neither is there any question of man’s rejection of God’s love! Sin and righteousness cannot combine for they are eternally enmity one of the other (Rom. 8: 6 – 8). Therefore, God (plural) has used every means possible to prove His (actually THEIR) love for the souls of all! However, unless that love is reciprocated by OUR OBEDIENCE, God rightly views this lack of obedience as REBELLION, and via His Authority, has every right to condemn that soul to an eternity in hell! This very message was taught through the prophets of old, through the apostles of the New Testament, and is the ONLY message permitted for us to teach in today’s world – 2 Timothy 4: 1- 8.

8. – 11. Now the angel speaks again to John saying, “Take the book … eat the book. IT shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.” Following the instruction of the angel, the result was just as stated: sweet in his mouth, and bitter in his belly. There seems little controversy relating to the identity of the book. The context of this chapter gives every indication is it THE MYSTERY OF GOD, i.e., THE GOSPEL. The sweetness is its offer of love, peace, joy, freedom from sin, eternity with God if faithfulness to Him is our life (Col. 3: 1- 5). And while it is such to those who receive it and appreciate it, it is this same message that CONDEMNS the souls of the rebellious. Those who refuse to repent and serve God (as seen in Rev. 9: 20 – 21) are destined to nothing more than eternal damnation of their souls! See John 12: 46 – 48.

CHAPTER ELEVEN:

Introduction:
With every subsequent step of this Revelation, the student sees an increase of God’s wrath upon the disobedient (Rom. 11:22) and as well, an increase of glory to
God from those who escape that wrath and heed the message given from the Administrator if the wrath (mentioned in verse 13 of this chapter as “the remnant”).
This chapter of the study has received great speculation as to the “two prophets,” the “forty-two months,” the “1260 days”, etc. To the best of our ability, we will examine these carefully and attempt identification: albeit, we will NOT be bashful about saying, “We simply do not know!” if such is the case.

1. – 2. John is given a reed (long rod) and told by the angel “Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court, which is without the temple, leave out, and measure it not: it is given to the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Obviously, the reed (rod) is a STANDARD OF MEASURE, like our yardstick. It thus requires an exacting of the temple, altar, and worshippers to “measure up” to the standard. Anything less than the demand of this standard is less than God’s demand … and therefore rejected. These rejected ones will include many “peoples, nations, tongues and kings” (see 10:11).
From 1 Corinthians 3:16 – 17, we know the TEMPLE is the church: 1 Pet. 2:5; Eph. 2: 19 – 22
From Revelation 6:9, we know the ALTAR is the approved worship from God’s children to Him: Revelation 8: 3 – 4
From Matthew 7:21 and John 4:23, we can determine WORSHIPPERS are those individual members of the church of Christ. Their worship must be PRECISELY what God orders, or it is vain: Matthew 15: 8 – 9.

GENTILES in this context means those NOT PART OF THE LORD’S CHURCH – NOT HIS PEOPLE! These wicked ones trample the holy city under foot for 42 months. This is to say, a lengthy, but limited period of time. This shows also there is a definite reason for the WOE yet to come – the fact these wicked ones disgrace and trample the Church (Holy City). Now notice these passages: Hebrews 12:22; John 16:33; John 15:18. The fact of oppression from the WICKED upon the RIGHTEOUS is evident here, even as Paul said to Timothy: 21 Timothy 3:12.

2. – 6. Now we must examine the term “42 months”. If we assume 30 days per month, then three and a half years = 42 months = 1260 days. Still, WE MUST NOT TAKE THIS LITERALLY! It means a lengthy period of time, yet a LIMITED period of time. Notice, however, the same length of time the wicked ones trample under foot the church (compare also to Hebrews 6:4 – 6; 10:28 – 30) the two witnesses prophesy. The witnesses testify for God as such is their power.

Several speculate as to the identity of these two witnesses. The Scriptures are quite helpful in answering this speculation. (In fact, the ONLY AUTHENTIC COMMENTARY TO GOD’S WORD IS GOD’S WORD).

First, let us notice the INSPIRED identification:
(vs. 4) “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” Refer to the notes from our minor prophet study, Zechariah 4:3, 11, 14, and you will notice a very similar scene. At that place, we noticed the angel’s explanation of these articles and found them to be God’s eternal care of TRUTH for the people of God! Inspired by the Spirit and continued in the speaking of the prophets, these two items shadow the vision now seen by John.

Next, we see the New Testament explanation:
Acts 5: 29 – 32
Ephesians 2:20
In both passages, the record shows BOTH the Spirit and the Apostles (Acts 5:32) and the FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS (Eph. 2:20) which we know included the Spirit. (2 Pet. 1:21).

The sackcloth indicates humility. Since this woe is great upon the earth, it is critical to note as well, TRUTH is the only cure for the sickness of sin in the world! Still, the REJECTION OF THE TRUTH makes this testimony difficult and sad simultaneously. There is protection for these witnesses, however. If any man hurt these witnesses, fire comes from the mouths of the witnesses to devour the enemies. Additionally, if any hurt these witnesses, he (the offender) must, in the same manner, be killed.

The point is that TRUTH can never be defeated, although it can be rejected! If rejected, TRUTH still conquers and does so in the same manner (power) as evil attempted to defeat the truth!

Now examine verse 6. This confirms the power of these witnesses. If the power to shut heaven, control rain, turn water to blood, and smite the earth with plagues is not from God (see Exodus) then from whom? Remember the cause of the plagues in Egypt – it was not as much for PUNISHMENT as it was for CONVERTING THE SOULS TO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GOD! The same is true of these witnesses and their power. The Word of God is not so much as to punish (though it will) as it is to save (which it will ONLY if obeyed.)

6. – 10. These passages seem to “undo” the foregoing passages. But there is a reason for what we read and what we see happening. Once the testimony of these witnesses concludes (thus there is a limited time) the beast of the bottomless pit arises, makes war with the witnesses, and kills them. The disrespect these earth dwellers have for these witnesses is compounded by their refusal to bury the bodies. They instead remain in the streets of the spiritual Sodom and Egypt, which John states as being EQUAL TO the same place where Jesus was crucified, (Jerusalem). How can this be an equality? Simply stated, BECAUSE OF THE SIN OF REJECTING GOD’S WORD. In Sodom, God’s angels came to save those that were righteous, and even of them, one was lost. In Egypt, God’s Word was rejected by Pharaoh and his nation, because for 400 years they oppressed God’s people. Therefore, God destroyed Egypt. In Jerusalem, the very Son of God Himself was cast out, killed outside the gates of the city, and rejected by those who had once appreciated His kindness. Thus, the comparison here is the world continues in the wallow of sin, scoffing at and rejoicing in their declared victory over God’s Truth! Yet, notice this seeming “eternal” defeat of truth (just as the supposed “eternal” defeat of Christ Jesus) is NOT eternal at all! In three and a half days, these dead bodies arise!

11. – 14. Remember this woe is continued from chapter 9:13 and is the second of three woes. We have not yet come to the seventh trumpet or the final woe! Therefore, this horrid scene of truth working to convert the world, only to be killed by the beast of the bottomless pit, must have a POSITIVE conclusion to show forth VICTORY, HOPE, PROMISE, AND GLORY for God’s people.

Both their life and death glorified God and convicted the world of its ungodliness. Because of their faithful witness to God, God exalts them by putting the Spirit of life in them (John 10:10; Acts 2:39; 1 John 2:25; Rev. 2:10, et al). When the wicked world sees the exaltation of this truth to LIFE, great fear comes to them. They realize there is NO WAY to defeat truth! At this same hour, came an earthquake (change of government be it civil or religious) and a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand were slain (the number again simply meaning a complete significance of God’s enemies.) While the REMNANT of mankind feared God and gave Him glory, we will see that God must again, prove His power in severe fashion to gain the attention and allegiance of man. This shows a continued effort on God’s part to extend all efforts to save man from sin.

15. – 19. We must remember the book of Revelation is “symbolism” … that is, the book is prophetic and through God’s eyes, permits us an understanding of what SHALL be. That the seventh angel has LITERALLY not sounded is evidenced in the fact we are still alive, the earth still exists, and we’re still teaching the gospel to all. That the seventh angel WILL sound is just as evident (Acts 17:31). Nonetheless, when this angel does sound, the great voices of heaven shout, “The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.” This means all that will obey the gospel, have obeyed. Those obedient are from every nation, kindred, tongue, tribe, and people. The twenty-four elders fall in worshipful obedience to God and thank Him for exerting His great power and reigning in victory. While the nations of the earth were angry, it does not stop His judgment and the rewarding of his servants from past and present. Included in the judgment is the eternal destruction of those who refused to obey Him.
The temple of God (here meaning the permanent place of abode for the righteous) was opened and seen within the temple is the ark of His testament. Remember from the Old Testament Law, the ark of the covenant contained Aaron’s rod that budded (proof of God’s appointment), the golden pot of manna (proof that God continues to care for His righteous), and the tables of stones (the law of God by which His people, in obedience, are made righteous.) This is what we see within the New Testament: God’s proof of appointment to those who obey Him (1 Thessalonians 5:9) and God’s proof of appointment to those who disobey Him (1 Peter 2:8); proof that God continues to care for His righteous – Hebrews 13:5 -6 and proof of God’s law through Christ saving us from sin (Romans 1:16 – 17; John 12:48).