Bible Commentaries
Revelation 10

Verses 7-9

WAITING FOR THE LAST TRUMP

But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. Revelation 10:7

In chapters ten and eleven we are presented with an interlude prior to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. It seems that earth is given a small respite. In this interlude there appears a mighty angel from heaven, who stands with one foot on the land and one on the sea (10:1-3). His very stance seems indicative of a heavenly takeover of the earth.^(F1) This heavenly figure makes an oath and informs us that when the seventh angel finally sounds, the mystery of God will be finished without delay (10:7). As we see in all the various symbols used in Revelation, the number seven on each occasion signifies the end of the age.

John is given instructions by the mighty angel. He is to take a little scroll from the angel's hand and eat it (10:9). As John does so, the little scroll tastes sweet as honey in his mouth, but sour in his stomach (cf. Ezekiel 2:9-3:3). How true it is, as we eat and digest God's sweet prophetic word, it turns into something bitter. The true prophetic message today will certainly be received as a bitter message by many in the world, perhaps even by some Christians.