Revelation 10:1-11 "Interlude 2: The Little Scroll"
Pastor: Brian Henson Series: Revelation Topic: Eschatology Scripture: Revelation 10:1–11
Introduction
Last time we looked at the last half of chapter 9 and the demonic calvary of the 6th trumpet. Tonight we begin Revelation’s second interlude – a break between the 6th and the 7th trumpets.
This second interlude starts in chapter 10 (part 1, the little scroll) and goes through chapter 11 verse 14 (part 2, the two witnessess).
These interludes play an important part in the way John is structuring the seals, trumpets, and bowls in Revelation, which, remember, are playing out (or will be playing out) in real-time during the 7-year tribulation period. Remember the 7th seal opens the 7 trumpets and the 7th trumpet will open the 7 bowls. So in a sense, all of the trumpets and bowls are contained within the 7th seal, which is the final seal on the scroll of destiny in chapters 5 and 6.
Understanding the structure of the seals, trumpets, bowls, and their respective interludes are important because they locate everything in scroll of destiny whose seals were opened by Christ the Lamb, the only One worthy to take the scroll from the Father and unfold the future of redemptive history.
Verse-By-Verse Notes
Verse 1
- The “mighty angel” is most like a reference to one of the highest-ranking Archangels, possibly Gabriel based on the obvious parallel to Daniel 8:16 & 12:7.
Verse 2
- The “little scroll” should not be confused with the “scroll of destiny” (or, the “scroll of the Lamb”) in Revelation 5.
- This “little scroll” is different from the scroll of destiny (Rev. 5) in a couple of ways. 1) The “little scroll” is already open in the hand of the angel while the scroll of Revelation 5 is sealed, and Christ has to open the seals. 2) The scroll of destiny begins with the seals and unfolds the rest of redemptive history. The “little scroll” is contained within the Lamb’s scroll and addresses only God’s people during the final stage of history (see verses 9 and 10).
- The appearance of the angel is colossal and his posture over the earth (land & water) signify his heavenly authority over the earthly realm.
Verse 3
- The seven thunders should be understood as manifestations of God’s anger and judgment.
- Robert Mounce: “[The thunder] forebodes the coming of divine retribution.”
- Thunder in Scripture has represented the voice of God. Job 37:5 says God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend. (See also Psalm 29)
Verse 4
- John is forbidden to write what he “hears” in the thunder (the voice of the Lord). Why? Two possible reasons:
- Thunder signifies warning, but “those who dwell on the earth” (i.e., the wicked; see Revelation 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8 & 14; 14:6) have refused any offer of grace, therefore the window for repentance is closed (See Revelation 9:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-13)
- The delay is over, and the events that bring human history to its consummation are fast approaching without restraint.
Verses 5 & 6
- The angel swears an oath to God Himself. What is that oath? “That there would be no more delay.” There is no more time to warn or call anyone to repent.
- Robert Mounce: “Now nothing stands in the way of the final dramatic period of human history. From this point forward God will not intervene to give the human race further opportunity to repent. Restraint is to be removed, and the Antichrist is to be revealed. . . . The appointed delay is over, and the period of the end is irrevocably set in motion.”
Verse 7
- The seventh trumpet signals the end of restraint and redemptive history is “full speed head” to its appointed end.
- The “mystery of God” refers to the purpose of God for human history.
- Robert Mounce: “With the sounding of the seventh trumpet that which God purposed in creation and made possible through the blood of the Lam will be brought to its fulfillment.”
- John MacArthur: “The mystery is the final consummation of all things as God destroys sinners and establishes His righteous kingdom on earth.”
Verses 8-10
- The contents of the scroll is a message to believers alive during the tribulation is that the delay is over, the end of tribulation is coming soon (sweet news to weary saints), but they will suffer first (a bitter reality), which is signified by the suffering of the two witnesses in chapter 11, the part two of this second and final interlude.
- The Antichrist will persecute the tribulation saints (the bitter message), but the saints will finally and ultimately be vindicated (sweet victory). See Revelation 13:7-10
Verse 11
- Verse 11 is representative of what the two witnesses do in chapter 11 – they prophesy God’s judgment on a wicked world.
BIG TAKEAWAY: THE BITTERNESS OF SUFFERING UNDER THE WICKED WILL GIVE WAY TO THE SWEETNESS OF REDEMPTIVE JUDGMENT
other sermons in this series
Oct 9
2024
Revelation 9:13-21 "The Sixth Trumpet: A Demonic Calvary"
Pastor: Brian Henson Scripture: Revelation 9:13–21 Series: Revelation
Oct 2
2024
Revelation 9:1-12 "The Fifth Trumpet: A Demonic Horde"
Pastor: Brian Henson Scripture: Revelation 9:1–12 Series: Revelation
Sep 25
2024
Revelation 8:6-13 "The Seventh Seal (Part 2): The First Four Trumpets"
Pastor: Brian Henson Scripture: Revelation 8:6–13 Series: Revelation