A LOOK BACK: Chapter 9 reveals the first “woe” and the second. People die. The judgment against the people of the Earth not marked with God’s mark. The Star (King / Angel) with the key to the bottomless pit falls from heaven to earth. Then the four angels under the altar of God release plagues to bring more judgment upon sinful humanity. After all this, humanity still does not repent of their iniquity.
Note: The second woe continues until Revelation 11:13.
The Angel and the Book: John sees another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He holds a little book open in his hand. He speaks, and his voice is like the roar of a lion in strength. When he cries out, seven thunders speak. John listens to the voices (thunders) and is prepared to write their message, but a voice stops him and tells him, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
The angel raised his hand to heaven and swore by God that there should be no further delay, but “in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.”
Note: God’s description: “…Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it…” From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures carry one unified creation account. Accept it or reject it, but if you reject it, also reject the eternal nature of God, and His prophesies contained within Scripture. They all stand or fall together.
Then the voice that stopped John from writing speaks again and tells John to take the book from the hand of the angel. John tells the angel, “Give me the little book.” The angel responds, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
John takes the book and eats it, and it is sweet like honey in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. He must again prophesy about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings (his prophecy will end bitterly for them).
Next week: The Two Olive Trees.