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If you haven’t been with us we have deconstructed these gatherings down to the essentials:
We begin with prayer
Sing the Word of God set to music (as a means to get it into our heads) and then we sit for a moment in silence here at the Church/Studio.
When we come back we pick up where we left off last week in our verse by verse study.
Alright we covered the first verse of chapter 10 last week and I made the argument that the angel is Jesus.
Let’s read on:
Revelation 10. Part III
Meat
October 8th 2017
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,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Back to verse two – though we covered much of it already as to what this little book was.
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,
From the description His having this little book is the reason for His appearing – He is going to do something important with it or it symbolizes something important.
The fact that he sets his right foot upon the sea and his left foot on the earth with the book in his hand is highly symbolic of the fact that the message in His hand (contained in the little book – which, since they are coming from heaven, must mean that they are the words of God and they are now for all peoples – Jews (on land) and Gentiles (represented by the Sea).
Interestingly, the Greek word used here and translated book is “biblaridion” and it does NOT occur anywhere else in the New Testament – except again in this chapter at verses 8-10.
Of course the word “biblion” is all over the New Testament and is translated as “book,” and “bill of divorcement.”
But this word bibliridion was evidently chosen to describe something that would distinguish it from an ordinary book or set of papers (as seen in a bill of divorcement).
Presumably, this unique word describes a small scroll – and John tells us it was open.
We must assume that it is different from the book that was seen in the hand of him that sat on the throne in Revelation 5.
Remembering that the Revelation is illustrating for us the fact that an entirely unshakable kingdom, one that was spiritual and dwelled in the hearts of people spiritually, was fully coming to earth, perhaps this bibliridion was the King coming with the rules of this Kingdom, the laws of this Kingdom.
We know from 2nd Kings 11:12 and 2nd Chronicles 23:11 that the Jewish kings, when they were crowned, had the book of the law of God put into their hands.
This was done to suggest that they were to observe the law, and that their administration was to be one of intelligence and uprightness.
Even today the gift of a Bible is often given to a monarch when he is crowned suggesting the same thing.
When Jesus taught that all of the Law and the Prophets hung on the two great commandments to love God and love neighbor as self, the King and His Kingdom, with the law and the prophets in hand, could have been emblematic of this.
Take additional notice that we do NOT see this messenger – Jesus – coming with a sword in His hand (implying vengeance), or a pair of scales (implying justice) – nothing to suggest continued warfare of any kind.
Just a little book or small opened scroll.
In my estimation this book was to be the emblem of the new Kingdom – upon which hung all the Law and the prophets.
The fact that it was open – “anewgmenon” – not sealed or better yet once sealed but now open, tells us that when presented to the world of Jews and Gentiles it had application (in this new and eternal kingdom).
It could be read or understood, an appropriate emblem of His Kingdom – and we must note – it was in written form.
In my estimation this single vision is the single BEST evidence that the Word of God is written for all ages.
Now, one caveat to this though: if it was the whole Bible, word for word, and all of the Books to serve as a manual for the nations, then I would think that John would have seen a messenger bearing a giant book, or one who had His arms full of sixty-six scrolls, right?
But instead, John sees a vision where the messenger, standing on land and sea, is bearing a very small open book – which is evidenced by the very Greek word used to depict it.
Just imagine how this vision would be interpreted by Christians today if John beheld a messenger that was bearing sixty-six scrolls!
The message would be so clear to all of us, right? And right on the nose about the import of every word in the book.
But we merely see a small opened scroll in his hand. This SHOULD be as significant as Him having sixty six large opened scrolls in his arms.
But that is NOT what He was shown, was it.
Nevertheless, Bible commentators still use this element of this vision to suggest that the great agent in the Reformation, the moving cause of it, its suggestor and supporter, was a book–the entire Bible.
Part of their argument in interpreting the little book in this manner is the fact that in the hands of the Messenger the little book was open.
The suggestion is that at the Reformation the Bible became an “open” book. It was made accessible and it was at this point that it had became the popular book of the world and it did more than all other things to change the aspect of the faith outside of Catholicism.
That being said, however, even the Catholics were greatly ignorant of its contents as a whole prior to the Reformation.
Many of them were unable to read; few had access to the Bible; and those who had, drew their doctrines rather from the Fathers of the church than from the word of God.
On scholar, Hallam (in his book, Middle Ages, ii. 241) says,
“Of this prevailing ignorance [in the tenth century, and onward] it is easy to produce abundant testimony. In almost every council the ignorance of the clergy forms a subject for reproach. It is asserted by one held in 992 AD that scarcely a single person could be found in Rome itself who knew the first elements of letters. Not one priest of a thousand in Spain, about the age of Charlemagne, could address a letter of common salutation to another. In England, Alfred declares that he could not recollect a single priest south of the Thames, (the best part of England,) at the time of his accession, who understood the ordinary prayers, or who could translate the Latin into the mother tongue.”
Add in that even if there had been an ability to read the cost of books was so extraordinary that the masses of the people would still have zero access to the sacred Scriptures.
In his book, History of Charles the Fifth one Dr. Robertson, writes:
‘Persons of the highest rank, and in the most eminent stations, could neither read nor write.”
He adds
“Private persons seldom possessed any books whatever. Even monasteries of considerable note had only one Mss. The price of books became so high that persons of a moderate fortune could not afford to purchase them. The Countess of Anjou paid for a copy of the Homilies of Haimon, bishop of Alberstadt, two hundred sheep, five quarters of wheat, and the same quantity of rye and millet,” etc.
The result? There were almost no scriptures in the hands of the people. And the few copies that were in existence were mostly in the libraries of monasteries and universities, or in the hands of some of the higher clergy.
Add in that just preceding the Reformation all Papal influence was opposed to a free circulation of the Bible and we have a setting in the least of 600 years and the most 1200, of non Bible among the world’s inhabitants.
Therefore it is no wonder that people will read this element of the vision to be the coming of the Bible to earth and having application during the years of the Reformation when it became an open book.
But I cannot help myself to point out that this opening of the Bible to the world led to unfathomable suffering, death, hatred and deeply dividing denominationalism – which are things so contrary to the Spirit and the Good News that I can’t help but believe that the leaders of Reformation were only partly correct in how they viewed its contents.
But that is another story – and all available in Knife to a Gunfight.
So the messenger has set his foot upon the sea and the land with a small open book in his hand
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
Of course the lion is the monarch of the woods, and his roar is an image of terror.
Because of the placement of this vision – meaning it is between the sixth and seventh trumpet – we really cannot tell if this cry was a roar of victory or one of warning to the world.
Probably one of judgements to come – but I have to admit this explanation seems incongruent with the peaceful kingdom planting I described earlier.
It is said that a Lions roar in a jungle sets a tone of authority – and any creature to hear it is reminded that there is a powerful force at hand that needs to be considered.
Perhaps this is the meaning of this roar.
Again, we are not given any explanation by John so it is impossible to determine with any certainty to what is meant.
Of course, tying it to the Reformation might be helpful, but in my estimation this is anachronistic.
“And when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.”
Now there is a debate on whether the article “the” should be included here or not.
If it was then we would read this line this way:
“And when he had cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.”
If inserting the article – which the better Greek scholars over the years cannot understand why it was ever removed – then there is the question:
Who or what are these seven thunders as the article makes them seem like they should be known or understood or at least mentioned somewhere before – but they are not.
What’s interesting is that in verses 3 and 4 there is a question about the article relative to seven thunders OR the seven thunders.
In verse three we read
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, (no article) seven thunders uttered their voices.
And then in verse four
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. (article article)
This is would be correct if the seven thunders were not known or spoken of prior to verse three. But a number of scholars say that article SHOULD be present in verse three AND verse four.
Were the seven thunders anything well known and pre-eminent? No.
But the best editions of the New Testament retain the article in both places with there truly being no authority for having removed it.
It is plain, however, obvious that there has been no mention of “seven thunders” before in Revelation nor anything that suggests them other than perhaps the Seven Spirits and other items that are spoken of as coming in sevens.
The reason for article here in verse three must refer to some tie or knowledge that escapes us but was perhaps well known to the people of that day and age?
Perhaps it is simply the voices of the Seven Spirits of God which are emblematic of the Spirit of God itself in Revelation.
Perhaps it is just a reference to the perfect number, as it is frequently in this book, where we have it so often repeated–seven spirits; seven angels; seven seals; seven trumpets.
Or perhaps it represents the Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit – responding to the voice of the Lamb relative to the Seven Continents on earth.
After all, He is standing with a foot in the sea and with a foot on land so tying this view in may make some real sense.
(Verse 4 gives us some addition information to the seven thunders – namely, they were voices that were communicating actual messages.)
Finally, because what happens next, there is the idea that the seven thunders had NOTHING to do with heaven but were in fact darkness, the earth, uproar, evil, Satan or demons that were responding to His cries!
This makes some great sense to when we think about it and consider the next verse – which we’ll do now.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
Meaning, when I was about to record what was uttered and from this we can learn that John wrote down what he saw and heard in pictures and images calling seven voices seven thunders and from this evidence we know that we have to be careful assigning literalism to figurative symbols in the book.
I any case, John was going to record what he heard and perhaps saw as He was instructed to do in this vision but he adds
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me
I think we can safely assume this was the voice either of God or one commanded by God to speak.
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me seal up those things and write them not.
The term seal up here seems to mean something to the effect of block them out from this vision or perhaps you’re your mind, John, “and don’t even write them.”
This suggests so strongly to me that these voices of thunder were not of heavenly origin but were revealing things that God did not either want as part of this Revelation or that He did not want revealed there or anywhere else.
Some have said that these were the voices of the Crusades – but there were nine of them.
Perhaps they were seven periods of time that had no bearing on the church or the establishment of the Kingdom and would have only taken up superfluous space in the Revelation.
Of course some think that these thunders echo the content of the Seven seals, seven trumpets or Seven vials and for John to include them would merely cause for redundancy in the Revelation.
For every reader of Revelation there seems to be an opinion – no surprise.
All we can really say is they were offered up and John, about to write them, was told to refrain.
Perhaps the next verse will give us some insight to at least the tenor of the seven thunders.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
All through the Old Testament we see the posturing of this angel reflected when men are taking an oath before God.
Going back to Abraham in
Genesis 14:22 we read
“And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,”
Deuteronomy 32:40 reads, For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
Daniel 12:7 says “And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.”
The act of raising up the hands to heaven seems to imply that there is a petition for heaven to be a witness to what is being said, or at least there is an appeal to the heavens for help and sustenance.
So this messenger, that has come with a clouds and a rainbow around his head, and roaring like a lion, places a foot on sea and a foot on land and then lifts up his hand to the heaven
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
I want to present several insights here for whatever they are worth.
I have made my case over the past weeks that this messenger is Jesus – supported by the descriptions of Him found herein.
Jesus has descended from heaven in this intermediary vision between the six and seventh trumpets, He has landed on earth, bearing a small open scroll in His hand.
He raises a hand to heaven and
And sware . . .
When Jesus was on earth He gave a teaching (located in the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5) that said:
33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
And yet we have who I believe is without question Jesus doing the very thing that He taught His chosen apostles to not do!
Why?
Because He was able to do it – had every right to do it – and could do it with the certainty that the oath would NEVER fail.
Who or what does He swear by?
“by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein,”
In other words, Jesus swore by God – the only true and living God, creator of heaven and earth and all things that in them are.
I though Jesus created all things? The second person of the Trinity? Why is the second person of the co-equal, co-eternal trinity speaking as though the Father was the creator and not Himself?
Let this example – one of hundreds in the New Testament – serve to help us understand the One True God and His Son who He sent.
There is One God – creator of all things. A little baby God named Jesus in a pre-existence did not carry out the job of creation on behalf of the One True God, His Father.
The One true God created all things.
How? By speaking them into existence.
By His word, God said, and it was.
The one true God spoke – however that was or however that looked – and all things were created.
And the Words that this one true God spoke, the very words that spake everything into existence, became flesh – the flesh of a man – whose name was Jesus, who was of Nazareth – and the Words of the One True God became flesh and dwelled among us.
Where those words eternal? Yes. Created? No. The Words of God are God Himself. Was the fleshly man of Nazareth named Jesus created? Absolutely.
And with the Word of God in Him He – the One True God’s Only Human Son, having the fullness of God in Him – went forward and lived obediently to the will of His Father by loving others more than Himself.
Overcoming the flesh, sin, self-will, death and the grave, Jesus of Nazareth – God with us in Human flesh – returned to His Father and Jesus of Nazareth – the Man, received ALL that His Father had – all of it.
He is our head, He is our God. He is the One God, sitting on the One throne, the fullness of God still in Him.
But to wrap all things up from that age through which He came, there was to be a consummation over which He would personally oversee.
This is what I believe John is witnessing her – Jesus coming from heaven, our mediator, of Nazareth now wholly glorified, coming down from heaven, voice of a lion, planting His feet upon the Gentiles and the Jews, and with book in hand, raises the other hand to God and swears (again)
“by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein,”
And what does He sware in this vision which was a picture of what was coming to earth in the future?
“that there should be time no longer.”
Which I would suggest is speaking of time before the utter end of the age and of the mysteries of God to remain obscured in any fashion what so ever.
When Jesus planted his two feet back on the sea and on the land, riding on clouds with a rainbow around his brow, a small book in hand, the end was here.
No more warnings. No more revelations. The wrapping up of everything warned about – which are described in the seventh seal that is coming up next.
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Are you able to put all of this into a reasonable chronology with this verse right here? I hope so.
Let’s read it again with verse 6:
“sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein that there should be time no longer. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel (which we are about to read coming with the seventh trumpet), when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
As He has declared unto His Servants the prophets this mystery is finished. There is no more time to wait. It’s all over. In relation to the Prophets.
And of course, we remember Jesus saying in Luke 16:16
“The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”
And of course we read in the Book of Hebrews (1:1) written so long ago:
Hebrews 1:1 In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son.
We know, from this verse that the mystery of God was to be accomplished at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which as will be seen in Revelation 11:15, and which will herald in a new age in which Christ will permanently reign.
John was told that the finishing of “the mystery of God” had been foretold by “His servants the prophets.”
In other words for a long time, the prophets had been looking forward to what John was about to witness!
The expression, “the mystery of God,” should ring a bell for anyone familiar with the epistles written by Paul.
I mean he speaks of this mystery in Romans 16:25-26 and also Romans 11:25 but he covers this topic most thoroughly in his epistles to the
Ephesians
1:7-10, 2:11-3:11, 5:31-32, 6:18-20
and to the Colossians
1:24-27, 2:1-4, 4:3-4.
Getting really specific, Paul told the Ephesians 3:4-5 that they could perceive his insight into “the mystery of Christ” which was not made known to previous generations as it had been revealed to the apostles and prophets in his day.
But then in Ephesians 3:6, Paul explicitly defines this mystery, and this definition is most crucial to our understanding of Revelation 10:7. Ready to know the mystery that had been long spoken of by the Prophets?
Ready? Let me tell you, this WAS a mystery to the Jews of that day. And Paul tells us what this mystery is. Ready?
“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
In the previous chapter Paul had given some hints to what this mystery would contain, saying that Jesus had already
“broken down the middle wall of division” between Jews and Gentiles, creating “one new man from the two” (Eph. 2:14-15).
He also taught that they were all joined together “into a holy temple in the Lord” (verse 21) and were “being built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit” (verse 22), descriptions which, of course, line up with other New Testament declarations that say,
“in Jesus, there is no difference, no favoritism, and no distinction between Jews and non-Jews, male and female, bind and free.”
And right here we have a major difference between fulfilled eschatology and futurist eschatology.
Now ask yourselves, in your opinion, has this mystery come to fruition?
Are all one in Christ today or are we still waiting for the gentile and the Jews to be one in Christ as the Bible so clearly says they will?
Now listen to verse 7 again – which John sees the messenger deliver:
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel (which we are about to read coming with the seventh trumpet), when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
What this tells us is that IF the mystery is finished it was finished in association with the sounding of the seventh trumpet – meaning, that trumpet had to have sounded in order for all to be one in Christ today, as symbolized by the Messenger straddling both the sea and the land.
We will stop there.
Q and A
Prayer
Coming Shows October 31st 2017
