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?

 

 

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