Bible Commentaries
Revelation 10

Introduction

I. STUDY NOTES--Revelation 10:1-11; Revelation 11:1-13

Between the sixth and seventh trumpets come the three visions of THE LITTLE BOOK, THE MEASURED SANCTUARY, and THE TWO WITNESSES.

1. Chapter 10 records John’s vision of THE LITTLE BOOK.

This is a vision of judgment and mercy combined. The judgment is shown in a mighty angel "wrapped in a cloud," in verse 1, "with a rainbow over his head."--The cloud is a symbol of judgment, the rainbow is a symbol of mercy. The angel’s feet set on "sea" and "land" (verse 2) suggests heavens final mastery over "the sea," "the treachery of human government,"--"the land" "the falsity of human religion." This vision teaches at the outset that heaven holds final sway over the political and religious systems of men.

II. MEDITATION--Revelation 10:1-11; Revelation 11:1-13 (1) The Little Book chapter 10 (2) The measured sanctuary 11:1, 2 (3) The two witnesses 11:3-13 Just as there are consoling visions about the safety of the church in chapter 7 between the sixth and seventh seals so there are comforting visions of the church in the world between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments. 1. CHAPTER 10 records John’s vision of THE LITTLE BOOK John heard a "voice of seven thunders"--a symbol of the perfect revelation of God’s purposes--but John was not permitted to write that complete message. God does not reveal His secret yet to men. John was only allowed to write the message which is in the little book in the hand of the angel. This book is part of God’s plans which He makes known. This is a different book from the previous book of 5:1 which was sealed. This book of chapter 10 according to verse 7 reveals the "mystery" of God’s purposes. (This word "mystery" is used in the same sense as used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:7 --as the purpose of God in history which man’s own reasoning cannot know but which God has REVEALED TO MEN IN JESUS CHRIST AND IN HIS GOSPEL.) John, at the bidding of the angel ATE the book. It was sweet to his taste, but it became bitter in his stomach. Does this mean that in God’s revelation the sweet mingles with the bitter?--God’s mercy on His people and also God’s judgment on evil? (Romans 11:22 reminds us that "the goodness and the severity of God are both included in God’s counsel.) As mentioned in our notes it is important that we learn to accept and DIGEST the Word of God in its entirety. The bitter of judgment on evil as well as the sweet of mercy. Both judgment and mercy are included in His word. This little book vision begins a new set of visions in John’s book of Revelation. In this new set of visions we are shown not only the sweet of God’s protection of His church but also the bitter of the failure and worldliness of the church.

Verse 2

Verse 2.

"He had a little scroll OPEN in his hand." The previous book of 5:1 was "sealed" and only Christ was able to reveal God’s purposes for the world which were written in that book. This book of chapter 1 is a different book, it is OPEN. This is part of God’s counsels which is revealed.

Verse 9

Verse 9.

At the bidding of the angel John took the book and ATE it. It was sweet to his taste in his mouth but became bitter in his stomach. Recall the reference in Ezekiel 2:8-10; Ezekiel 3:1-3; Ezekiel was told to "eat a scroll"--that is, TO DIGEST ITS MESSAGE THOROUGHLY. Ezekiel found the scroll "sweet as, honey to his mouth" (Ezekiel 3:3). But John’s experience is more profound. He found not only that the message of God was SWEET to his taste in his mouth, but John also found that after he had eaten it the taste "became BITTER TO HIS STOMACH." Does this mean that in God’s revelation the SWEET mingles with the BITTER? God’s MERCY on His people is revealed as well as God’s judgment on evil. (Romans 11:22 --"The goodness and severity of God," are both included in God’s counsels). It is important that we learn to accept and digest the Word of God as it is, in its entirety, the bitter of judgment on evil as well as the sweet of mercy is included in His Word. The work of Christ in His church too, calls us to accept hardship and sacrifice. Many Christians accept the "sweet" of SALVATION but are not prepared to accept the "bitter" of sacrifice in service--the "sweet" of communion without the "bitter" of sacrificial service. THE LITTLE SCROLL of Revelation chapter 10 should help us to sing with meaning-- "I thank Thee, Lord, that all my joy is touched with pain; That shadows fall on brightest hours, that thorns remain; So that earth’s bliss may be my guide, and not my chain."

(1) It is true of THE WORD OF GOD John’s experience of eating the book which was sweet in the mouth at first but became bitter in the stomach is a reminder that God’s Word is two-edged. It brings judgment on failure to obey God, as well as bringing blessing on acceptance and obedience. The whole counsel of God includes "the goodness and the severity of God." (2) It is true of THE WORK OF GOD In our Christian work we have sweet joys of seeing the results of souls to whom we have witnessed turning to accept Jesus Christ as God and Saviour. We taste the sweetness of seeing lives renewed and transformed. But with that sweetness there is always the bitter experiences of seeing many who refuse to respond in obedience to Jesus Christ. We experience the bitter of seeing many who used to serve Christ turning away from Him back to the world. (3) It is true OF OUR DISCIPLESHIP It is sweet to find pardon and peace in Jesus. It is sweet to rest in His love, grow in His knowledge, and rejoice in His grace and blessing. "’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus Just to take Him at His word; Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord." But our discipleship also calls us to accept the bitter of hardship and sacrifice in Christ’s service. Many Christians readily accept the sweet of salvation, but are not ready to accept the bitter of real service in Christ’s church. We accept the sweet of the communion table on Sunday morning but we are not prepared to accept the bitter of any sacrifice of our ease and comfort, of time and energy in attendance at the Sunday evening gospel service, or in Christian service during the week. This vision of the little book which was sweet to the taste, but bitter in the stomach reminds Christians that we cannot have the sweet of salvation without the bitter of sacrificial service. I am reminded of the little girl who was asked to say what her father’s religion was. She replied "Oh He’s a member of the Church of Christ but he isn’t practising his religion just at present." That’s a statement we might well ponder ourselves.