Revelation 10 (NIV)

Summary:

The Angel and the Little Scroll
Verses 1-11

John saw another mighty angel descending from heaven.  He was robed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head.  His face was like the sun and his legs were like fiery pillars.  He was holding a little scroll, laying open in his hand.  He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.  He gave a loud shout, like that of a roaring lion.  Then, the 7 thunders spoke.  John was about to write what the thunders said, but a voice from heaven told him to seal it up and not write it.

The angel swore by Him who lives forever, who created the heavens, earth, sea, and all that is in them.  The angel said, " 'There will be no more delay!  But in the days when the 7th angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as He announced to His servants the prophets.' " (Vs. 6b-7)

The voice from heaven told John to take the little scroll from the angel.  John asked for it and the angel told him to take it and eat it.  It would taste like honey, but turn his stomach sour.  John did so.  John was then told that he must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.

Lori's Thoughts:

Humans are organic.  We're elemental, but not like angels.  The angel that John saw was embodied by light, not tissue.  He was clothed in water vapor and more light, not fabric.  When we get new bodies in heaven, will we be more like this angel?  Is that what Adam and Eve were like before they sinned?

I wonder what was written on this little scroll?  Maybe the thunders revealed it, but only John was meant to know it.  Maybe this chapter is meant to remind us that our understanding is minute compared to that of our Creator.  God is mysterious.  That is a humbling fact.  God is good to remind us to be humble, to prevent us from falling as King Saul did.

According to this angel, whatever this mystery is, God will accomplish it just before the 7th angel blows his trumpet.  I do not deign to guess as to what this could be.  I'll just walk blindly in faith and know that anything God does is good and for our benefit.

Why did John need to eat the scroll?  Why was it sweet in his mouth and sour in his stomach?  Maybe the future prophecies will be easy to say, but difficult in nature?  The last thing written in Chapter 9 was about those refusing to repent.  The coming prophecies can't be good.

Let's end on a happier note:  God loves us and wants us to reign with Him in heaven!

"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him (died to sin by accepting Him as our Saviour & Master), we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him..."  (II Timothy 2:11-12a)

" 'To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.' "  (Revelation 3:21)