03.15. Lesson 15
Lesson 15:Read Revelation 8:1-13; Revelation 9:1-21; Revelation 10:1-11 once, and then Revelation 10:1-11 at least two additional times, without referring to notes or commentaries. Also read Ezekiel 2:1-10; Ezekiel 3:1-14, which has some interesting parallels with Revelation 10:1-11.
(1) Consider the description of the angel that opens the chapter. What do the various elements of the description signify? For rainbow look at Genesis 9:16, Ezekiel 1:28; for his face, Daniel 10:6, Matthew 17:2; for the clouds, Psalms 97:2; for his straddling the sea and the land, Genesis 1:9-10. In thinking about this angel, consider also the first phrase of Revelation 10:6 as well as Hebrews 6:13.
(2) In Revelation 10:3-4, the angel shouts like a lion’s roar, prompting the seven thunders to speak. Recall that thunder accompanies hail in the Egyptian plagues (Exodus 9:1-35). For more on roaring, see Jeremiah 25:30, Amos 1:2; Amos 3:8, and especially Joel 3:9-17. For thunder, see also Exodus 19:16-19, 1 Samuel 2:10, Job 40:6-9, Psalms 29:1-11, John 12:27-29. How is thunder used in these passages? What about roaring? Given these other uses of the words, what type of statement may have been spoken by the thunders? See also 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 for others words which a man was unable to repeat.
(3) Consider Revelation 10:6 and Exodus 20:11. What is the immediate context of the verse in Exodus? When the angel announces that there will be no more delay, what is he talking about? Is there a parallel between the end of the delay, and the passage in Exodus?
(4) In Revelation 10:7, what is the mystery of God? The verse itself contains some interesting evidence: what is the Greek verb used in the phrase translated "as He preached to His servants the prophets" in the NASB and "as he announced to his servants the prophets" in the NIV. Translate this phrase literally. Does this help you understand “the mystery of God”? See also Romans 16:25-27, 1 Corinthians 4:1, Ephesians 3:2-12, Ephesians 6:19, Colossians 1:25-29; Colossians 2:1-3.
(5) As you have seen, there is a close parallel between Revelation 10:9-10 and the Ezekiel passage you read at the beginning. See also Psalms 19:10; Psalms 119:103, and Jeremiah 15:15-21. What do you understand by the scroll being sweet in the mouth and bitter in the stomach? What is written in the scroll? Is there any indication in the other passages that some bitterness follows the sweetness of the word? How does this relate to some of the larger themes in Revelation that we have discussed previously?
Now read Stedman chapter 16 as well as Wilcock pages 100-103. Revise your answers, if necessary, in light of the insights of these two commentators.