Bittersweet Truth

• 1^st – Seven Thunders… vs. 1-4
  • 1^st – Mighty Angel… vs. 1-2
    • Another pause… vs. 1
      • I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven!
      • With TWO woes done – and the final WOE yet to come – there is another PAUSE!
      • Again emphasizing – it is NOT the desire of God to destroy mankind…
      • If that was the case – it would NOT take SEVEN years…
      • God created the universe in SIX days – He could destroy it in a moment…
      • The purpose of the TRIBULATION – is to give TIME for men to REPENT!
    • The Angel… vs. 1
      • [He was] – clothed with a cloud – and a rainbow was on his head…
      • His face was like the sun – and his feet like pillars of fire!
      • What John saw during this PAUSE – before the SEVENTH trumpet – was a mighty ANGEL…
      • The description of this ANGEL has led some to believe it is Jesus…
      • He is clothed in WHITE [clouds] – with a RAINBOW around his head…
      • SECOND of only TWO times the word RAINBOW appears in NT – Revelation 4:3
      • His face shines like the SUN – and his feet were on FIRE…
      • VERY similar to the description John gave of Jesus – Revelation 1: 13-16
      • There are times in the OT when Jesus is referred to as the ANGEL of the LORD – Exodus 3:2
      • BUT – there are TWO Greek for ANOTHER – [ἄλλος] same kind – [ἕτερος] – different kind
      • This mighty ANGEL was the same kind [ἄλλος] of ANGEL as the others John had seen!
      • It does NOT appear to be Jesus – instead an ARCHANGEL – perhaps Michael – Daniel 12:1
        
    • Little Book… vs. 2
      • He had a little book open in his hand!
      • Little BOOK [βιβλαρίδιον] – similar [diminutive] to SCROLL [βιβλίον] – Revelation 5:1
      • Most likely NOT the same BOOK we saw previously in the HAND of the LAMB [seven seals]
      • The SCROLL that presumably contains the PLAN of God to redeem a LOST world…
      • But this little BOOK is certainly CONNECTED to the main SCROLL…
      • Perhaps an abbreviated version of the contents of the full SCROLL…
      • But whereas the SCROLL was SEALED – the little book is OPEN [passive]!
      • When I was in college – I had to read WAR and PEACE – over THOUSAND pages…
      • But there was a STUDY guide [CLIFFS notes] – an overview of the book – only 120 pages…
      • The problem with a study guide – it is the opinion of someone about the original book!
      • It can seem intimidating to read the whole BIBLE – the plan of God for mankind…
      • It can be tempting to want to read other BOOKS that give us an overview of the WORD…
      • The dilemma with commentaries – devotional books…
      • They are the opinions of others about the WORD – but they are NOT the WORD…
      • God does not promise to bless the words of others – He blesses those who read His WORD!
    • His Authority… vs. 2
      • He set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land!
      • The AUTHORITY of this mighty ANGEL – was over the whole earth…
      • Emphasized by his FEET being on both the SEA and the LAND…
      • Meaning what he is about to say – will have an EFFECT on EVERYONE!
  • 2^nd – The Mystery… vs. 3-4
    • Seven Thunders… vs. 3
      • [The Angel] cried with a loud voice – as when a lion roars.
      • When he cried out – seven thunders uttered their voices!
      • When the ANGEL spoke – it was LOUD [μέγας] – a deep roar like a LION…
      • And when he spoke – there was an ANSWER from heaven – SEVEN thunders…
      • We assume the response was the THUNDEROUS voice of the LORD!
      • Psalm 29:3-4 – “Voice of the LORD is over the waters. The God of glory thunders… The voice of the LORD is powerful!
      • One of the most amazing things I have ever seen is Niagara Falls…
      • Almost THREE million liters of water fall over the falls every SECOND…
      • The result is not just beautiful – it is also VERY loud – like THUNDER!
      • God is NOT quiet when He speaks – His voice is VERY loud – like THUNDER…
      • To which we might answer – I have never HEARD the VOICE of the LORD…
      • God does not have to SPEAK with an audible voice [although He certainly can]
      • He SPEAKS through His CREATION – He speaks through His WORD – Psalm 19:1-2
      • God is NOT silent – the question is are we LISTENING!
    • Do NOT write… vs. 4
      • Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices I was about to write.
      • But I heard a voice from heaven saying to me…
      • Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered – and do not write them!
      • John was about the WRITE what the SEVEN thunders said [the response of God]
      • But a voice came from heaven telling him – do NOT write it down – SEAL [imperative] it up…
      • Most likely because the reply contained prophecy that was NOT yet to be revealed…
      • So – John did NOT write down what he HEARD – just that he heard SOMETHING!
      • Daniel 12:9 – “The words are closed up and SEALED till the time of the end.”
      • There is a part of us that wants to say – John why would you do that to us…
      • Better to just not say ANYTHING – because now we want to KNOW…
      • Our nature is to be NOSY – we want to KNOW all the SECRETS!
      • Proverbs 18:8 – “Rumors are [junk food] that sink deep into [our] heart.” [NLT]
      • GOSSIP is like JUNK food – it is really tempting – but NOT good for us…
      • Like JUNK food it sinks down into our heart – and clogs it up!
      • We do NOT need to KNOW everything – and certainty should not run and tell others…
      • Not everything God says to us needs to be SHARED – sometimes it is just for us!

• 2^nd – The End of the Mystery… vs. 5-7 
  • 1^st – The Promise… vs. 5-6
    • Who made the Promise… vs. 5
      • The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven!
      • The mighty ANGEL – who has AUTHORITY over the earth [land and sea]
      • Lifted up his right HAND to heaven – to make a PROMISE to God…
      • Although we do NOT know what the ANGEL said [roar] – or the reply from God [thunder]
      • We are TOLD the promise he made to God – as a RESULT of their conversation!
    • Guaranteeing the Promise… vs. 6
      • Swore by 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!
      • The Angel guaranteed he would keep his PROMISE – by taking an OATH…
      • He SWORE by God who lives forever – by Jesus who created all things – Colossians 1:16
      • Jesus who made everything in HEAVEN – on EARTH – and in the SEA – John 1:3
      • If you in a COURT – they make you put your hand on a Bible…
      • You have to take an OATH – before God – that what you say is the TRUTH!
      • Matthew 5:34-35 – “Do not swear at all: neither by heaven… nor by the earth.”
      • Those who do not know Jesus – do not tend to be TRUE to their word…
      • They will attempt to convince others – reassure them they are not lying – with an OATH…
      • We should NOT have to take an OATH – we should just DO what we say…
      • Because we know Jesus – we need to be true to our Word – let our Yes be Yes – No be No!
      • Matthew 5:37 – “’Yes I will or No I will not. Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” [NLT]
    • Purpose of the Promise… vs. 6
      • There should be delay no longer!
      • More literally – their TIME is up…
      • God had been PATIENT with a REBELLIOUS world – but that was coming to an END…
      • The world had built up an overwhelming DEBT of sin – and it was time to PAY the BILL!
      • When I was younger – I got into a fair amount of foolish debt…
      • It got to a place where I needed help – I could not pay my bills…
      • There was an agency that helped me – consolidated – so that my DEBT was PAID in full! 
      • We are ALL sinners – we all have overwhelming DEBT that we CANNOT pay…
      • Jesus offers to PAY our DEBT – forgive us of ALL of our SIN – I John 1:9
      • And He is PATIENT – He continues to reach out – trying to HELP men with their DEBT…
      • But for those who continually REFUSE His help – one DAY – the BILL will come DUE!
      • Galatians 6:7 – “God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows – that he will also reap.”
      • Numbers 32:23 – “You have sinned against the LORD – be sure your sin will find you out.”
  • 2^nd – The End is coming… vs. 7
    • The end of the kingdom of men…
      • In the days of the sounding of the seventh angel – when he is about to sound!
      • The BILL comes due WHEN the SEVENTH trumpet sounds [THIRD woe] – Revelation 11:15
      • This will MARK the middle of the TRIBULATION – when things get MUCH worse…
      • The SECOND half of the SEVEN years of wrath – which we call the GREAT tribulation…
      • Because this is when God will make sinners PAY – His full WRATH revealed…
      • And the mighty ANGEL takes the OATH – that TRUMPET will be BLOWN!
      • It says a LOT that the death of HALF of the world – is NOT the GREAT tribulation…
      • What comes NEXT – the final judgement of the SEVEN bowls – will bring this age to an END…
      • After SIX thousand years of the rule of MEN [and satan] – Jesus will establish His KINGDOM!
      • I Corinthians 15:24 – “After that the end will come – when [Jesus] will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father – having destroyed every ruler and authority and power.”
    • The end of forgiveness…
      • The mystery of God would be finished – as He declared to His servants the prophets!
      • When the SEVENTH trumpet is blown – the MYSTERY of God will be DONE [τελέω] 
      • MYSTERY [μυστήριον] – something HIDDEN that has be revealed!
      • Colossian 1:26 – “The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations – but now has been revealed to His saints.”
      • The MYSTERY – from the beginning God planned to die for the sins of men…
      • The Lamb of God was slain before the foundations of the World – Revelation 13:8
      • The MYSTERY that He spoke though all the PROPHETS of the Old Testament…
      • There are over THREE hundred prophesies Jesus fulfilled form the OT!
      • Isaiah 53:9 – “He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities… by His stripes we are healed.”
      • But like a TIMER counting down to ZERO – the time to believe is coming to an END…
      • The WINDOW to choose to believe in Jesus – does NOT last forever…
      • Which is why TODAY is the day to have our DEBT paid in full – II Corinthians 6:2

• 3^rd – Bitter and Sweet… vs. 8-11
  • 1^st – Take the Book… vs. 8
    • Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said:
    • Take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea – on the earth!
    • The voice spoke AGAIN – telling John to GO and TAKE the little BOOK from the ANGEL…
    • The BOOK was OPEN – there was NOTHING keeping John from it…
    • And God commanded [imperative] him to TAKE it – but it was still a CHOICE!
    • Romans 10:8 – “The message is very close at hand. It is on your lips and in your heart.”
    • There is no MYSTERY on how to get to heaven…
    • God has given us His little BOOK – His plan to save us is OPEN for anyone to read…
    • And He WANTS [imperative] us to come and READ it – He WANTS to save us – II Peter 3:9
    • It is a common misconception that Jesus sends anyone to HELL…
    • He has done EVERYTHING to try and keep us out of HELL…
    • But God will not MAKE anyone go to HEAVEN – we have to CHOSE – Romans 10:13
    • We have to be willing to take the BOOK – listen to His WORD!
    • Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes by hearing – and hearing by the word of God.”
  • 2^nd – Bitter Truth… vs. 9-10
    • Eat the book…
      • I went to the angel and said to him – Give me the little book. He said to me – Take and eat it!
      • John commanded [imperative] the ANGEL to give him the little BOOK…
      • The ANGEL commanded [imperative] John to not just TAKE it – but also EAT it…
      • EAT [κατεσθίω] – to DEVOUR – like when someone is STARVING!

Romans 10:14 – “How can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them!” [NLT]

After the miracle of the feeding of the FIVE thousand – the people came to Jesus…

They wanted Jesus to feed them EVERY day – like Moses had with the MANNA…

But Jesus told them that He was the TRUE manna from heaven!

John 6:35 – “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger…”

I have heard people say – going to Bible studies – does not put food on the table…

The problem is people are looking for the wrong kind of FOOD…

We do not realize we are STARVING – and only Jesus [the Word] can satisfy us…

If we do not get to spend time with Jesus – our SPIRIT is DYING…

If we do not want to become spiritually weak – we need to DEVOUR His WORD!

The Truth… vs. 9-10

It will make your stomach bitter – but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.

Then I took the little book out of the angels hand and ate it.

It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it – my stomach became bitter!

The ANGEL warned John – when he ate the little BOOK…

It would be SWEET in his mouth – but BITTER in his stomach…

INDEED – when John at it – it was SWEET to taste but made his stomach hurt!

When an ANGEL came to the prophet DANIEL – giving him his FOURTH and final vision…

When DANIEL heard the WORD of the LORD – it was too much for him…

Daniel 10:16 – “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen… I am very weak.”

Knowing the truth – what will happen in the future – is a BLESSING and a CURSE…

One the one hand it is amazing to read the WORD and understand what is coming…

It brings the events of this crazy world around us into focus – sweet to the mouth…

But at the same time we also realize the horror that awaits those who reject Jesus…

Not just the tribulations that are coming – but the eternal separation in the end – it is bitter!

3^rd – Spread the Word… vs. 1

He said to me – You must prophesy again about many peoples – nations – tongues – and kings!

With the SWEETNESS still on his LIPS – and his STOMACH still upset…

The ANGEL tells John – he must share what he has LEARNED with MANY [πολύς] others…

The PROPHECY needs to be given to many PEOPLE [λαός] and NATIONS [ἔθνος]

John would have to share with people from many LANGUAGES [γλῶσσα] and KINGS [βασιλεύς]!

Not because everyone WANTS to hear the message – MANY do not want to HEAR…

But the WORD is TRUTH – and people NEED to know the GOSPEL…

People from EVERY walk of life – EVERY nation and ethnic group…

People from EVERY language – both poor and RICH [kings]

Because there is only ONE way to get to HEAVEN – faith in Jesus – John 14:6

And if we do not go and tell them – if we do NOT give them the GOSPEL – who will!