We are in the Great Tribulation period; the church has been raptured from the earth. The first six trumpets have come but now we get a parenthesis in the book. This chapter shows that God is still upon the throne. A time is coming when time will run out for people to be saved.

1 – Who is this Mighty Angel?

This angel is described like the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a lot of debate among scholars on who the identity of this angel. It could be Jesus or just a mighty angel. Here are a few reasons to suggest that it is a mighty angel and not the Lord Jesus Christ.

• “Another mighty angel comes down” – The word “another” means “another of the same kind”.
• Any other time Jesus is mentioned in Revelation it is unmistakable. There is always a title that can only refer to Jesus. It is unambiguous.
• Jesus is referred to as “the Angel of the Lord” in the Old Testament but there is no mention of this title anywhere else in the New Testament.
• The oath given in verse 5-6. He is making an oath to Jesus who created all things. If this is Jesus then He is swearing by Himself.
• “Come down to earth” (vs. 1). This would be another coming of Jesus Christ.

2. The mighty angel (vs. 1-3)

Notice three things:-

• His character (vs. 1) – “Rainbow” – this symbolises mercy. This mercy even in the midst of judgment. This angel has been so close like the Lord Jesus Christ that he takes on his characteristics. This is what we should do in our lives.
• His claim (vs. 2) – This is the same book in chapter four. The angel puts one foot on the sea and one on the earth. This shows that God is soon to take control over everything. The Earth is the Lord’s and everything on it. We don’t really own anything! You are no longer your own. The Lord has a claim on your life. You belong to the Lord. Give your life to the Lord.
• His cry (vs. 3) – There is the cry like a lion. It is like the sound seven thunders. The roar of an angry lion will chill the stoutest heart. It puts a chill down your spine. The lion roars before it attacks. God is ready to take that which is His.

3. A mysterious announcement (vs. 4-6)

• The voice (vs. 4) – John heard the voices of the seven thunders. John was about to write what the voices said and he was told by God not to. We have no earthly idea what they said so there is not point speculating! There are some things that God does not want us to know. We don’t know when we are to die and I personally don’t want to know. God wants us to live for today and not for the day that we die. See Deuteronomy 29:29. There are some secret things in this world that belong to the Lord. Don’t spend your time worrying about those things.
• The vow (vs. 5-6) – The angel swore by God that there should be no more delay. We are living during days of delay today. There is time for people to come to Jesus Christ. It will come to an end. Time will run out. We need to follow God’s clock. You can’t drag your feet about Jesus. You might find that you have missed the opportunity.

4. A mandatory assignment (vs. 7-11)

• The description of this book – This book is a bitter-sweet book. This book is a symbol of the Word of God. There are parts of the Bible which are bitter and sweet. The Bible is bitter because it talks of hell. It is sweet because it talks of Heaven. It is bitter because it will convict you of your sin. It is sweet because it will save you from your sin.
• The digestion of this book – The Bible is compared many places in the Bible to food. We are to eat it up. It is spiritual food for the soul. The bitter stuff of the Bible makes us hungry for something sweet. The bitter part makes me realise I’m a sinner. The sweet part makes me realise that Jesus dies for me and I can be saved! That is the sweetest part of all. Do you need something sweet today in your life? Here is some honey for you. See John 14:18; 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Categories: Revelation