Reading: Revelation 9-11
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: 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, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 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(Rev. 10:1-4).
Chapter 10 of the Book of Revelation offers us a brief respite from the stark images on display in the chapters that stand to both sides of it. Chapter 9 bears witness to the opening of the pit of hell and the monsters that pour forth as a result. And He opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power (Rev. 9:2-3). Chapter 11 describes the ministry and fate of the Lord’s two final witnesses to mankind. And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth (11:3). And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them (11:7). While both of these chapters ultimately underscore the absolute authority of God over all things, they also can be somewhat disconcerting to read. Chapter 10 gives us a moment to simply stand in the presence of God’s messenger, reflect on what has been revealed thus far, and prepare ourselves for what is yet to come.
As the mighty angel stands with his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, we are forcibly reminded of the all-encompassing power of our Lord. When he opens his mouth and cries out with the roar of a lion, imparting a truth too glorious for our ears to yet hear, we are reminded that in God’s time, and God’s time only, all will be revealed. We can draw comfort from the fact that God doesn’t expect us to know everything and still rest secure in the knowledge that He does.
As its last gift to us, Chapter 10 reminds us of the potency of God’s Word and its essential place in the life of every believer. It enters into us with sweetness, at once filling us with the grace and glory of our God. Then, it digs its way further inward and goes to work, transforming us from the inside out. Though this process may sometimes be bitter and uncomfortable, it is the most important experience of our lives. It is one that we must endure, and having endured, we will be cleansed and ready to take our place in God’s eternal court.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon(Ps. 29:3-5).
Thought for Today: Revelation depicts chaos and upheaval throughout the world, but it will only be chaos to eyes that don’t perceive the hand of God at work.
Cross References:For Rev. 9:2: See Joel 2:10. Rev. 9:4: See Ex. 12:23. Rev. 9:6: See Jer. 8:3. Rev. 9:7: See Joel 2:4. Rev. 9:8: See Joel 1:6. Rev 9:9: See Joel 2:5-7. Rev. 10:6: See Neh. 9:6. Rev. 11:4: See Zech. 4:2- 3,11-12,14. Rev. 11:11: See Ezek. 37:5.
Word Studies:9:11 Abaddon (Apollyon or destroyer) = satanic angel and king of the abyss reserved for the wicked; 10:6 time no longer = no more delay.
Pray for StaffRyan McCrary • Country: Marshall Islands (70,983) North Pacific Ocean • Religious Freedom • 80.6% Protestant; 8.4% Roman Catholic; 2.8% Bukot Nan Jesus; 2.1% Mormon; 3.6% Other Christian; 1% Other; 1.5% None • Prayer Suggestion: Commit your fears to the Lord; He will give you peace and strength (Dan. 10:19).