10:5-7
The mighty angel then makes a declaration, swearing by the Lord and all of creation, “there will be no more delay”. We might like to look at the minutiae of Revelation, seeking to interpret every bit of it. I don’t think this is always a good idea. Sometimes it is better to look at it as if we are watching a drama unfold. Earlier John had been told not to write the words down, now we hear that “the mystery of God will be accomplished”. The question, and a very pressing one for those under severe persecution, is how are God’s plans going to be fulfilled. Now we will see. “Just as He announced it to His servants the prophets”. All that the prophets had foretold will be fulfilled.
10:8-11
John was now to take the scroll that was in the hand of the mighty angel. There is an allusion to Ezek 3:3 when he is told that while it will taste sweet in his mouth, it will turn his stomach sour. Why so? It is sweet because it is the word of God, and will tell of the fulfilment of His purposes, including His purposes for His people, and this is glorious. However, there is also much judgement, and there is much suffering for the people of God to go through before the complete fulfilment. John takes the scroll and eats it, he is then to “prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings”. I don’t think this means we should be trying to identify who all the kings etc are! Rather it is a general pattern that applies to the whole world at many times. However, there will be a culmination of all this at the second coming.
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