Sound The Trumpet : Revelation 10:1 Introduction

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“Revelation 10:1 Introduction - Exploring Revelation”
by Art Sadlier
July 26th, 2020

Revelation chapters 10 & 11 are an interlude to the events that are unfolding during the tribulation. They are a pause in the story-line of the book. They give us some facts and information that help us to understand the total picture. There is an interlude in chapter 7, between the 6th and 7th seals. In this chapter we have an interlude in God’s judgment, the 144,000 are sealed, and we see God's mercy in the midst of judgment.

In chapters 8 & 9 the 7th seal is opened, which is the 7 trumpet judgments. The 7th trumpet is not sounded until Revelation 11:15, but these judgments do not begin until chapter 16. Chapters 12-14 are also a parenthesis, these chapters tell what God is doing and what Satan is doing during the blowing of the trumpets. The understanding of these parenthesis will eliminate much confusion as you study the book and try to grasp the chronology.

In the interlude between the 6th and 7th trumpets (chapters 10-11) we are introduced to three personalities, the mighty angel (chapter 10) and the two witnesses (chapter 11).

"And I 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" (Revelation 10:1). This is a very interesting verse, we have here a description of Christ, and yet we know that it is not Christ, Christ is in heaven and does not come to earth until chapter 19. We have a simple explanation.

There are several illustrations of this in scripture. Illustration #1 - The name Lucifer means "shining one", before his fall from grace, Lucifer dwelt close to the presence of God and as he hovered over the throne of God, he reflected the glory of God because of his nearness to God. Illustration #2 - Moses went up into the mountain and was with God. When came down off the mountain scripture says, "The skin of his face shone", he was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in His presence. Illustration #3 - We as believers reflect the glory of the Lord as we linger in His presence (2 Cor. 3:18).

Therefore we conclude that this mighty angel is not the Lord himself, but as it states, a mighty angel, an angel who had been in the presence of Christ, before the throne. This emphasizes that the message he bears has come right from the throne. The implication is that we are to be in the presence of Christ before the throne so that we may bear to those around us the message of our Lord and speak with authority. God delights to delegate things to His servants to do. He delights to raise up those to whom He will give great power to do His will and glorify His name. What greater privilege could there be than to be a servant of God and to glorify His name. It is all possible as we linger in His Holy presence.

The word "mighty" means strong or powerful, there are several mighty angels in the scriptures; this may be the same angel mentioned in Revelation 5:2 and the one mentioned in Revelation 8:3.

Another reason we believe that this angel is not Christ is found in Acts 1:10,11,"And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." In these verses we are told that Jesus had ascended into Heaven and when He returns it will be in like manner as they had seen Him ascend into Heaven. We do not see Christ on earth until Revelation 19:11- 21.

Do you see why it is important not give an arbitrary interpretations to the book of Revelation or to any portion of scripture.

Believer, there is no free lunch in understanding God's word. Although we have the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, yet we are instructed to work at knowing the scriptures. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 Tim. 2:15. This word "study", means to labour to the point of exhaustion.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13