The Bible: One Bite at a Time Expository Sermon Series Notes Genesis to the Revelation Sid Galloway © 1999 ..... Sunday Sermon Tape # 66 March 11, 2001 Notes Updated  March 9, 2001

Revelation 10 Consequences of Christ:     The Little Book A Bitter-Sweet Pill  to Swallow !

Don't miss the pictures of the zoo days. The Lord willing, Creation Creature Features soon.

Review: See the previous sermon notes on the Web -

Every warning, struggle, temptation, promise, strategy, and victory 
in the Revelation can also play out in your life, your family, and your church!  
The choice is yours ................

The Text ("Blue Letter Bible"):  Revelation 10
(Strong's numbers, Hebrew-Greek lexicons, cross references, etc., can be accessed from the above link)

Review: Outline of The Revelation:  Key verses = Rev 1:8 & 19

I.  Character of Christ  for His Father's Glory (Who Was) (Things You've Seen) Chapter 1
What about your character, & your family's character, & that of your church?
Can other people see Jesus' goodness, unselfishness, & humility through each one?
  A.  Introduction (1:1-8) Of Jesus to His servants (1:4 Church)  (see also 6:1 Israel)
  B.  Post-Incarnate, glorified Jesus (1:9-18)

II.  Counsel of Christ for the Church (Who Is)  (Things Which Are)  Chapters 2-3
This counsel also applies to you personally, your family, your local church, & all of "Christianity".
  A.  Command to Prophesy (1:19)
  B.  Seven Churches Counseled (1:20) ESP-TS-PL  (Praise before correction!)
  C.  Ephesus (2:1-7)                Loveless
  D.  Smyrna (2:8-11)               Persecuted
  E.  Pergamos (2:12-17)          Compromising
  F.  Thyatira (2:18-29)             Corrupt
  G.  Sardis (3:1-6)                   Dying
  H.  Philadelphia (3:7-13)         Revived
   I.  Laodicea (3:14-22)           Lukewarm (no praise)

III.  Consequences of Christ for the Church, Israel & the World  Chapters 4-22
         (Who is to come again!) (Things which will happen soon!)
Are you ready for your future?  The judgment seat of Christ?
  A. Church In Heaven

1.  The Rapture  (Jesus Rescues His Bride) up to Heaven (4:1)
2.  The King & His Bride prepare for the future. (4:1-5:14) (see also Ch 19)

  B. Tribulation of Israel (Jacob's) Trouble on Earth (6:1-18:24) (Daniel's 70th Week)

1.  Seals (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 6:1-8:2), includes chapter 7's message of encouragement
                ** Ch. 7 Who Can Stand?  Those God Has Chosen, & Who Choose Him
        2.  Trumpets (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 8-9)
                ** a.  The Little Book  (Rev 10)
                 b.  The Two Witnesses (Rev 11)

            3.  Players (Seven) on the Tribulation Stage (Rev 12-14)
                  * These three chapters are an interlude, zooming in for a personal look at the people.
                        4.  Bowls (Seven) of Judgments (Rev 15-16)
                                5.  Babylon's Final Fall (Rev 17-18)

  C.  Christ's Wedding & War (19:1-21)
  D.  Millennial Kingdom (20:1-6)
  E.  Final Futile Rebellion (20:7-10)
  F.  Great White Throne & Second Death (20:11-15)
  G.  New Heaven & Earth Coming (21-22:15)
  H.  Jesus' Promise & Warning for YOU, your family, & your church (22:16-21)

III. B. 2. a. The Little Book

        A Necessary Bitter-Sweet Pill to Swallow  Revelation 10

Rev 10:1-7  "Another Mighty Angel" - Not Jesus Christ

This Hubble Telescope photo is of the "Eagle Nebula" out in distant space, apparently 7,000 light-years away in the constellation Serpens..  Note the awesome size of the radiant cloud, compared to the various stars around it.  Even this astronomical wonder will pale in the glory of Christ and His angels.

*  Six Reasons the "angel" is NOT Jesus, but is a high ranking emissary of Jesus:      Competent scholars disagree on who this "angel" is, but I along with many believe it is not Jesus. 1.  "allos" (same kind) is used, not "heteros" (different kind).         This angel is of the same qualitative kind as other "angels", not Jesus.           Also note that even though the OT refers to a preincarnate Jesus as            "THE Angel of the LORD", the NT never refers to the post-incarnate Jesus           as an "angel" (Greek term angel = messenger).   2.  No title is given, yet Jesus is always given a title in the Revelation.           Like "Faithful Witness", "Alpha & Omega"] 3.  Other "strong" angels are mentioned (5:2; 18:21).         So "strong"/"mighty" doesn't prove this person must be Jesus. 4.  Swears an oath by the Creator God, showing this is not God (Heb 6:13).         Heb 6:13  "For when God made a promise to Abraham,            because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,...."           *  If this were Jesus, who is the Creator, He would have sworn by Himself.           Also, the emphasis on Creator is to remind the listeners that            God has the right to remake His ruined creation.] 5.  Came down to earth, yet this is clearly not the 2nd coming of Christ.         Jesus, chronologically in the Revelation, has not yet come down to rule. 6.  Many other angels radiate created glory, even Lucifer (Eze 28:11-15).         So the reference to the "sun" doesn't prove this person must be Jesus. Why does it matter that this being is not Jesus, but a personal emissary of Jesus? The reason is because this created angel, as a representative of Christ's character and delegated authority, reminds us of our own created responsibility to reflect the A.B.C.'s of Christ (His Attitude, Behavior, & Countenenance).  See below 2 Cor 3:12-18; 1 Tim 6:16.

    

*  Clothed in a cloud = power and delegated authority to act on God's behalf.
            Note the awesome picture of the "Eagle Nebula" below.
               This massive inter-stellar cloud is so huge it dwarfs the stars seen inside it.
*  Rainbow on his head = controlled by covenant mercy (Rev 4:3; Gen 9:12-16).
            God promised Noah He'd never again judge the rebellious world with water.
               But He has warned ever since then, that FIRE (entropy) will be the final consequence.
*  Face like the Sun = reflection of God's glory (2 Cor 3:17-18; 1 Tim 6:16).

2 Corinthians 3:12-18  "Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—  unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away.  But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.  But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.  Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

1 Timothy 6:13-16  " I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.  Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart."

*  Little Book = (See Below).
*  Feet on the Sea & Land = Carries God's authority over all the earth.
*  Lion's Voice = Awesome & terrifying, like my lion at the zoo, Bratar.
        [Remember me & my dog, Suzy, and Bratar's roar in the dark tunnel!]
*  Thunders (Seven) = God's final, complete Word has come.
        [Yet, this is the only mystery kept sealed in the revelation]

Daniel 8:26-27  "And the vision of the evenings and mornings which was told is true;  Therefore seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future."
And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; 
afterward I arose and went about the king’s business. 
I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it."

Job 37:4-5  "After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice,
And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.
God thunders marvelously with His voice;
He does great things which we cannot comprehend."

Just as it was impossible for me to explain to my son, Michael, all of why he had to have many heart surgeries, God's understanding of what must happen to this world and why is beyond our comprehension.

*  "Delay no longer" = the end of corruption & it's consequences has come.
*  "Days of the 7th Angel" = The Bowl judgments will bring the world to its knees.
        [Especially Israel, which will officially cry out to Jesus for rescue!]

Rev 10:8-11  The Bite-sized 7 Sealed Scroll

*  Bibliaridion (10:2)  (biblion 5:1; 10:8)  
    This is the same scroll, from Rev. 4-5, but is now opened & bite sized.
*  Take it = We must willingly go & get God's Word, just as John did.
*  Eat it =  We must chew on it (read & study it), just as John did.
*  Digest it =  We must memorize & meditate on it.
        [Not just if it feels good, but because it is good and we need it.]
*  God's Word about sin is both Good News & Bad News.
        [Ezek 2:9-3:3, similar vision]

Sweet - Yes!  God will put an end to sin, suffering, and death.
Nauseating -  But first He must let sin prove its full depravity,
and then let the consequences of separation from Him occur.

*  Must prophesy again = Ezra 7:10 Learn, Live, L.E.A.D. others in God's Word.
        John must warn, in mercy and grace, so that some might come to repentance.
*  Many nations = John must warn of judgment against the whole world.
        [He who began creation, has the right to cleanse and recreate it!]

**  And, folks, this applies to every creature, even to you and me!

Here He comes . . . . Rev 11-22
Are you ready?  1 John 5:10-13

Who is Jesus to you?
    - Legend, Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

If He is really Lord of your life, what evidence proves it?

*  Do you submit to Him and to His delegated authorities over you?
*  Is your J.O.Y. to please Him or self?
*  Do you consistently & diligently feed on His Word on your own?
*  Do you actively love others like He expects?
*  Does His love really flow through you to others?
*  Do you open your heart and home to new visitors to the church?
*  Do you know the members of the church well enough to know who is hurting and in need, so you can invite them over and prove to them that you care about them?
*  Are you personally seeking help (man to man, woman to woman) in order to grow in the practice of God's love?

If not, then the cause is one of two reasons:

1.  Unsaved
2.  Saved but immature.  And if this is the case, then:
        a.  Ignorance of how to grow in love, or
        b.  Rebellious refusal to let Him love through you.

Remember, every warning, struggle, temptation, promise, strategy, and victory in the Revelation can also play out in your life, your family, and your church!  
The choice is yours ................
What do you need to change?

(The final question to ask God, whenever you study God's Word)
Lord, how am I doing on your conflict meter, for your glory?
Giving Up < < < < Standing Firm > > > > Blowing Up

Remember there are only two modes for a believer:
* Marching forward with the gospel.
* Standing firm when conflict arises!

Return to related articles from "The Bible:  One Bite at a Time" -

Biblical Prophecy:  A Jigsaw Puzzle with Pieces Throughout the Bible
How to Interpret Prophetic Passages: Four Different Views with Important Consequences
Why "Normal" Interpretation is the Key to Prophetic & Apocalyptic Passages
Daniel's 70 Weeks: The Heart of God's Prophetic Puzzle 
      (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, Mat 24, 2 Th 2)
Introduction & Outline of The Revelation
 . . . . . . . 

For further study of prophecy:

Prophecy Today - http://www.gospelcom.net/shofar/pp/htm/report.shtml
Soulcare's Recommended Materials on Prophecy (books, audios, videos, etc.)
http://www.soulcare.org/Resources_Biblical_Authority.htm#Prophecy
Booklet:  The Rapture, by Thomas Ice & Timothy Demy
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565073924/qid%3D980349983/104-6768955-3395119
John MacArthur, D.D., The Second Coming of Jesus: Signs of Christ's Return & the End of the Age.
     - Book: This text is an excellent overview, placing the puzzle pieces together until the picture is clear.
   *- Audio Set (9 tapes): This tape set is the best I've heard yet. Nothing beats the spoken word for clarity.
J. Vernon McGee, B.D., M.Th., Th.D.,, Thru the Bible Commentary Series, Revelation.  Dr. McGee's commentaries are probably the simplest, most practical, yet thorough and biblical that are available on the Bible.
_______, Reveling Through Revelation.
Chuck Missler, Revelation Commentary in MP3 on CD.  Chuck's commentaries on Daniel, The Revelation, etc., on CD not only contain extensive study notes, but also many hours of audio teaching.
Henry Morris, Ph. D. (Physical Science doctorate), The Revelation Record.  A theologically and scientifically sound commentary on the book of The Revelation.  Dr. Morris explains the amazingly accurate scientific parallels described in the Revelation that were unknown to the culture of the first century.  Only God's direct revelation to John can explain such accuracy.  For example, the "flaming mountain" crashing into the sea during the second trumpet judgment.  How would John have known of even the possibility of massive asteroids that would ignite in our atmosphere as a result of the friction and tremendous speed?
Dwight Pentecost, Ph.D., Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology. This is a 600 pp encyclopedic reference to all of the major passages, topics, and issues involved.
_________ Thy Kingdom Come:  Tracing God's Kingdom Program & Covenant Promises Throughout History.  1995.
Randall Price, Ph.D. Jerusalem in Prophecy (Th.M. graduate of   Dallas Theological Seminary and holds a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of  Texas at Austin. He has done graduate study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and  conducted archeological excavation in Israel with the University of  Texas in conjunction with the   teaching of courses in biblical archaeology and the history and culture of modern Israel.)
Renald Showers, Th.D., Maranatha, Our Lord, Come! A Definitive Study of the Rapture of the Church.  [Dr. Showers, a graduate of Grace Theological Seminary, serves with Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, as well as the Institute of Biblical Studies.]
John F. Walvoord, Every Prophecy of the Bible.  This reference commentary is over 600 pages long and is an invaluable tool for those studying prophecy regardless of their perspective.  When studying eschatology, nothing is more important that having a comprehensive awareness of all that the Bible says on the subject.  This new work is more than comprehensive.  It is exhaustive.  Dr. Walvoord was on the faculty of Dallas Theological Seminary for 50 years, and is recognized even by those who do not hold to a premillennial perspective as being one of the most knowledgeable scholars in the area of prophecy and eschatology.

Audio Message: "The Rapture: The Great Escape", John Ankerberg
http://www.khouse.org/media/conferences/steeling/stmankerberg98.html
Article:  "The Great Snatch", by Chuck Missler
http://www.khouse.org/articles/prophetic/19950101-35.html
Article:  Byzantine Text Discovery & the Rapture
http://www.khouse.org/articles/biblestudy/19950601-39.html