What are we to do when going through our trials? Last week, we came away with the great calling to pray. Pray hard, with the power of God, in His Name. What else is important for us to take home from this part of the Revelation study? Read. Read, read, read, and keep on reading- the Word, that is. Get it in there, way up in there. Our pastor likes to say, "you have the Bible, but does the Bible have you?".
Another mighty angel shows up. Some have thought this to be Jesus, and have some justifications, even within the passage, considering the references to the rainbow over his head, robed in a cloud, face like the sun, and legs of fire. He's even holding the little scroll, where as we remember, the Lamb took the scroll or title deed to creation when He was found worthy to have purchased us with His sacrificial blood. This angel has surely been in the presence of Jesus. He's reflecting and representing His character. He's got his "Mo-glo" on. (Moses glowing after God's glory shining on him.)
But as we continue reading, there is even more evidence this is not Jesus, but yet another mighty angel, as observed by John. How big are we talking? I consider this one to be the biggest one I can imagine. Though his name is not mentioned, he stands with one foot on the sea and the other on land, basically claiming the Earth for God, as a victor and conqueror. As a side note, the Earth is the Lord's and everything in it. Everything we think we "own" is really His. In fact, He owns us! We are in effect, slaves to God, no longer slaves to sin. We can trust Him with our stuff- our kids, spouses, circumstances, and futures. It's all His.
That's why I'm thinking huge size here for this angel portrayed, using my imagination, with feet the size of Texas, possibly. I don't have any basis for this thinking, other than a giant hope in a giant God, bigger than all of me and my great needs. I want to picture Him big enough to hold all of this universe together, right in the palm of His hands. He's got this. I'd rather not picture this angel as petite, barely on the shoreline, dipping a diminutive, size 9D sandal in the surf, wiggling tiny pink toes in the sand.
We've got this big guy, a purely spiritual being, invading physical Earth, standing on our shores, roaring like a lion in the loudest voice imaginable. Notice John didn't fall down, as when he saw Jesus in glory. When this guy shouted, the seven thunders spoke, some actual factual audible words. It reminds me of being in the midst of lightning crashing, with thunder immediately booming and crackling across the sky. It also reminds me of calling wild game in hunting season with a manmade device. If you catch them just at the right time, they are aroused to immediately return the call with an inspired response. God is "all in". He's ready to roll. He's responding just at the perfect time. And His timing is always perfect.
Who are these seven thunders? We don't have much to go on, because John was about to write down what they said, when a voice from heaven said to seal up what they said and not write it down. Jesus is still in heaven, not on the earth. He's at the right hand of God, in glory. He is directing the judgments of the Great Tribulation. The Jews would have been familiar with the reference to the seven thunders. They knew this to be the voice of God Almighty.
Then, the angel lifts up his hand to heaven and swears by God alone, (Jesus wouldn't swear to Himself), proclaiming the wait is over. There will be no more delay. The prayers have all been heard. The questions have all been received. The mysteries of God are to be revealed, completed, and known. These are the answers to our frustrations as frail creations. Why does He allow evil to continue? What about all this injustice in the world? Why does He appear silent at times? What's the meaning of all these problems? What is this coming kingdom He promised? What is the truth about judgment? Why is Israel such a big deal? Why does everyone hate Her? Remember the scoffers described in 2 Peter 3? "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." Oh, He's coming alright- and we had better be ready. This delay has been grace and opportunity for repentance and salvation for mankind.
The angel states that the answers will be known during the days of the seventh angel sounding his voice in the very near future. The time period is the last three and a half years of the Tribulation. Jesus orders John to take the little book from the huge angel and eat it up- all of it. It will taste sweet as honey in his mouth, but will turn his stomach bitter. This is the effect of the whole counsel of the Word of God- the two-edged sword of Heb. 4:12. Just as we studied the letters to the churches in Rev. 2-3, Jesus brings both compliments and complaints. The Truth is good, but it's ministry hurts, causes pain, tears down strongholds, convicts, cuts away darkness, etc. We are to take it in, as food, digest it, and allow it to become a part of us. This is to be our regular diet. "The mouth speaks what the heart is full of." (Luke 6:45). Being regularly full of the Word is absolutely critical in our lives. I believe we will be full of something, but what will we choose? Are we reading His Word? Is it getting in there? Are we just going through the motions to check off another daily reading plan? Are we reading with intent to hear from the Lord, personally? Do we read with belief that He might? Please, Lord, help us to not speak to others on Your behalf without first truly digesting Your Word into our hearts. Many a misspoken word has gone out. Remember Job's friends giving their advice? They were quickly labeled "sorry, miserable comforters". With friends like that, who needs enemies?
Revelation 10 ends with the purpose of eating the little book. It seems the Lord always prepares us for what's to come, whether we believe that or not. He is in charge of this thing. He told John to eat up His Word because He still needs John to go tell lots of other people the Truth. God has a plan and a purpose for our lives that's way bigger than just ourselves. We honestly have no idea of what He can do through one available, willing, cooperative participant. He can do a whole lot with a little. I'm reminded of the little boy that offered his five loaves and two fish. He gave all he had, though obviously meager vittles for a crowd of 5,000 plus. Jesus took it, blessed it, broke it, and multiplied it. That's what He can do with His Word through us. Move away from worldly measures of success. "How many do you have coming to your Bible studies?", they might ask. "How many converts have you made in the last month?" "What's in your bank account?" Leave behind these type of judgments and images of success. Do you remember Jesus going across the lake, healing one guy possessed by demons, getting back in the boat, and leaving? The guy wanted to come with Jesus, but He said, "No, go tell your family". History says this region was called Decapolis. It experienced a massive revival with thousands of people saved- from the heart of one man speaking the Word. That should be us. Take in the Word. Share it with your family. May it be so much a part of you, you take it with you wherever you go, being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading on when to let it out for different situations. He promised His Word to not return void, without fruit; therefore, we will never know, this side of heaven, the impact of our sharing His Word in grace and truth.
So what do we do? Draw close to Him, friends. Keep getting back up, and returning to Him. Stay in His Word. Hold on to it. We're gonna make it. He promised. Last time I checked, He's fairly faithful. He...pretty well keeps His promises. Count on it.
