REVELATION
SIMPLIFIED
CHAPTER 10.1
Gleanings
from the Book of Revelation:
A
Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series
The
REVELATION
TO JOHN
(The
Apocalypse)
Chapter
Ten
The
Great Tribulation
(Parenthesis)
Preface
Some contend
Revelation is not a chronological book, though it is indeed linear. Since John
transcribed it exactly the way the Holy Spirit showed it to him, Revelation is
written in a sequential linear fashion which overrides the importance of a
narrative chronology.
Once
again, the main sequence of the Great Tribulation narrative events is
interrupted as did in the prior parenthesis between the sixth and seventh seals
found in Chapter Seven. You recall, in that pause, the reader was given a
behind-the-scenes look as God sealed the foreheads of the 144,000 remnants of
Israel to preach the Gospel to the unsaved Jews and Gentiles.
General
Overview
An
abbreviated synopsis would mirror the outline of Revelation 1:19 as such:
1. The things which you have seen – During the
First coming, Christ walked among mankind in human form and flesh, was
crucified, died, buried, rose again, and ascended back into Heaven: The post-resurrected
glorified Christ is recorded by John in Revelation
2. The things which are – Another Comforter (the
Holy Spirit) is sent to teach and keep the lights of believers shining in a
dark world during the seven periods of church history. At the end of the
Laodicean Age, the Church is caught up before Christ retakes the title deed to
this earth just before the launch of Tribulation judgments
3. The
things which shall be hereafter –Christ is recorded as directing the wrath of
Tribulation accordingly, while amid the Throne of God the Father in Heaven. He
then comes back a second time at the Battle of Armageddon and establishes a
one-thousand-year reign of peace called the Millennial Kingdom
Tribulation
Outline
Overall,
the Great Tribulation is divided into three waves of judgments. The three segments
are labeled as follows:
1. The
Seven Seals
2. The
Seven Trumpets
3. The
Seven Vials or Bowls
Intermission
This
study begins with a pause between the sixth and seventh trumpets. In the
interlude of Chapters Ten and Eleven, John the Apostle records some pertinent
information to behold before the seventh trumpet is sounded. This parenthesis
is the longest of three: The next pause will be the shortest (Revelation 16:15)
between the sixth and seventh bowl. Thereafter, the Tribulation will conclude
with the Battle of Armageddon and the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
Before
being completely swept away by divine judgment, God comforts and reassures His
believers, not only that He is in total control of events, but also shows,
even amid unimaginable horrors, His grace continues to be extended to those who
accept Jesus Christ as Saviour or Messiah before the final destruction of the
earth.
(Verse
1)
And I (John) saw
another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow
was upon his head, and his face
was as it were the sun, and his
feet as pillars of fire.
And I (John) saw, marks the beginning of a new revelation:
He sees a created being never seen before.
Another Mighty Angel
Question:
Who is this mighty angel?
It has
been a long-held view by scholars throughout the centuries that this angel is
Jesus Christ. There are many believable indications and similarities from the
passage that support its supposition. For example:
1. This angel
is mighty
2. This angel
comes down from Heaven
3. This angel
is clothed with a cloud
4. This angel’s face is like the sun
5. This
angel’s feet are like pillars of fire
6. This
angel has in His hand a little open book
7. This
angel stands, one foot on the land, and one on the sea
Although
there are convincing arguments and references to this angel being Jesus Christ,
a meticulous application of biblical hermeneutics (interpretation) --- one
being the literal --- discloses greater evidence that lends support to the
contrary. Although there are many, for simplification, just a few will be
discussed.
Consider:
1. There
are two Greek words often used to express another:
a. Allos – Another (angel) of the same
kind
b. Heteros –
Another (angel) of a different kind
Since allos is
used in this passage, an angel of the same kind of heavenly being and not of
another kind is John's original intention. Also, you recall, the Greek word for
angel, is aggelos having its primary
definition as a messenger. The mighty angel is one of many angels mentioned in
Revelation, each having a different function but acting as a servant on behalf
of or representing Jesus Christ.
A good
point to observe: If this was Christ, John would have fallen down and
worshipped Him as in Revelation 1:17 and other references. Here, John does not
fall down and worship the mighty angel.
2. Some
may argue that this is a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus similar to those in
various Old Testament (a Theophany or
Christophany) passages. Nonetheless, such
an appearance is always referenced as The
Angel of the Lord and not an angel or a mighty angel.
3. Verse 1
states: "A rainbow was upon his head." Many confuse this with early
paintings of Jesus. The rainbow in the Old Testament is always associated with mercy
and the covenant God made with Noah (cf. Genesis 9:16) that the earth would
never again be destroyed by water.
Only in
the New Testament, references the colors surrounding the Throne of God in Heaven
(cf. Revelation 4:3). Labeling the angel as such highlights his power and
authority as one higher in command. Moreover, there is no other verse in the
Bible where Jesus Christ is depicted crowned with a rainbow.
Consequently,
from the above arguments, the mighty angel mentioned is merely one of God's
attending angels, especially commissioned by God and entrusted with great
authority. Just as an angel (messenger) was heard by shepherds heralding
Christ's first incarnation (cf. Luke 2:9-10), likewise the mighty angel
announces --- the end of the age --- seven thunderous voices (cf. Revelation
3b-4), which in turn foreshows Christ's Second Coming.
4. The
angel's face shone like the sun – Moses' face also glowed like the sun after
coming from the presence of God on Mount Sanai (cf. Exodus 34:29-10)
5. Quickly
observing Verse 6, the mighty angel is similarly heard taking an oath by
swearing on the name of Him who is the Creator, Jesus Christ (cf. John 1:1-3).
If this being was Jesus, He would swear by Himself because there is none
greater than God. Observe:
Hebrews 6:13 - For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself.
6. Clothed with a cloud: -
Clouds of glory are associated with the Second Coming. Once Jesus comes the
second time, He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood (cf. Revelation 19:13). However, the angel
described in this verse is not coming in clouds of glory, but a cloud. Like his
other descriptive garments, the cloud is merely part of his clothing or uniform.
Nothing is outstanding or unusual about the spirit being's attire.
7. Mainly
and lastly, no clear evidence is uncovered in Scripture supporting Christ
coming down to earth during the Tribulation or before His second incarnation.
Since Christ's Second Coming is the main apex of Revelation prophecy, it would
be erroneous to state otherwise.
(Verse 2)
And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his
left foot on the earth.
The
Little Book
In
the right hand of the mighty angel is a visible opened little book or scroll.
There
are three words for a book that appears in the Greek language. To understand
what the book is, let us consider these words being applied:
1. Biblos (G976)
is a book seemingly on a larger scale as in a papyrus sheet or scroll
2. Biblion (G975)
is a smaller book or scroll in a Biblos'
diminutive form, i.e., a little book or scroll
3. Bibliaridion (G974)
is also a little book, yet in the form of a booklet
Following
its usage and thought pattern beginning in Revelation Chapter 1 and Verse 11,
John was told to write what he sees in a little book or scroll (G975 –
biblion). This book or scroll
reappears in Chapter 5 as a sealed document or scroll that has seven seals –
The title deed to the Earth which no one can open but Christ (Obviously not the
same scroll on which John is writing).
As
the biblion is opened, each seal
unleashes judgments of God's wrath sequentially until it reappears in our text
in Verse 10 as bibliaridion (G974),
a diminutive of biblion indicating a
smaller size book. At this juncture, six of the seven seals have been opened
and pronounced in judgment, leaving one scroll remaining (bibliaridion (G974). What John sees
in the hand of the mighty angel is a smaller version of the seven-sealed scroll
– the final scroll.
By comparison, within the last chapter of Revelation, biblos (G976) is employed – A large
scroll or sheet of parchment.
Revelation 22:10 – And he saith
unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book (G976): for the time is at hand.
Further evidence is found in the Greek
construct of the word open (V.2)
which is in the perfect passive tense, indicating the book the angel is holding
has already been opened before it appears, and it remains open. So, the little
book in the mighty angel's hand is the seventh and final trumpet judgment
(containing the seven vials or bowls) that is about to be released.
And he set (purposely
set down) his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth
Something very unusual is happening in
this phrase. The mighty angel is also seen setting his right foot on the sea
and left on the earth. The significance of this action metaphorically connotes subjugation,
taking possession, and conquest of the entire world. Interestingly, while feet
are the lowest extremities of man, they are generally analogous to servitude.
Right and Left
a. The right denotes goodness and wisdom. It
is a place of honor and strength
b. The left denotes evil and foolishness.
It is a place of humility and weakness
Land and Sea
Psalm
24:1 - A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell
therein.
a. The earth - Often referred to as the
inhabitants of the land also symbolizes the church
b. The sea – Often used symbolically for
restlessness or stability and is analogous to sin
Summary
Thus far, one-fourth of the earth was
destroyed after the first wave of judgments. Then, after the second wave,
one-third was destroyed. Now, when addressing both, the entire world is in play,
and it becomes a general indication and anticipation of what is to come - Destruction.
The Judgment of the Nations
Presently, as mentioned in earlier
studies, Satan is the prince of the power of the air (cf. Ephesians 3:2) and
the prince of this world. John's Gospel predicts his future in no uncertain
terms:
John
12:31 - Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world
be cast out.
During Jesus' Olivet Discourse, a
parabolic prophecy of two classes of people is in view during the Great
Tribulation.
Matthew
25:31-33, 41 - When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the Throne of His
glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations (both
Jews and Gentiles): and He shall separate
them one from another, as a shepherd
divideth his sheep (righteous believers) from
the goats (unrighteous heathen unbelievers): And
He (Jesus, the Good Shepherd)
shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the
left…Then
shall He say also unto them on the left hand,
Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the
devil and his angels.
And so, what the future holds, in
expectation, is solely in the sovereign control of God. The following study
will further reveal more activities of the mighty angel.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the meaning of the word angel?
2. Name three reasons this angel may be Christ
3. Name three reasons this angel may not be Christ.
4. What is the purpose of interrupting the judgment
narrative?
5. What is the
little book?
6. Explain the symbolism of left and right?
7. What events are about to take place?
If this study was a blessing to you, make it a blessing to others.
SAVE
AND FORWARD THIS LINK
