![[20240501-RevelationHeader.jpg]] ![[The Mighty Angel with the Little Book 10.1-7#^f06bf4]] John is now back on the earth. He sees a *mighty* angel coming down from heaven. **Who is the mighty angel?** The language is similar to the language we have for Jesus in [[Vision of the Son of Man 1.9-20|Revelation 1]]. Additionally, we recall the rainbow from God’s throne in [[Ezekiel 1.28|Ezekiel 1:28]]. We see that his voice is loud, like that of a roar of a lion (see [[Amos 3.8|Amos 3:8]]). Not only that, but there are seven thunders speaking out in response (some see a reference to [[Psalm 29.3-9|Psalm 29:3-9]] here). James and John were called the “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus ([[Mark 3.17|Mark 3:17]] - and it’s possible that John is the one who had the Revelation). So, is the mighty angel referring to Jesus or to *another*? It is very likely that it could be an angel like Michael or Gabriel, but based on verses 5 and 6 it is not Jesus. This is because the angel *swore by Him who lives forever and ever…* Jesus would be swearing by Himself. ***Why would God not permit the voices of the seven thunders to be shared?*** One simple answer is because God didn’t want us to know what was said. Sometimes God speaks only for the individual (in this case, John was allowed to hear but we are not. The Apostle Paul refers to this in [[2 Corinthians 12.1-4|2 Corinthians 12:1-4]]) ***What was the message of the mighty angel?*** That there would be no more delay to the mystery of God (see verses 6 and 7). ***What is the mystery?*** The context of the mystery is the scrolls and the judgments that are coming. We are told that God is being patient and giving time for people to be saved, but once the mighty angel voices, there will be no more delay and judgment is upon the world (cf. [[2 Peter 3.9|2 Peter 3:9]]). ![[John Eats the Little Book 10.8-11#^4bbd67]] ***What is the little book?*** To understand the book we should identify that this terminology has been used before. > [!bible] **Ezekiel 2:8-10 NKJV** > > **8** But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” **9** Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. **10** Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe. and, > [!bible] **Jeremiah 15:16-17 NKJV** > > **16** Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. **17** I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, Nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, For You have filled me with indignation. The scrolls/books that were eaten before were God’s word of judgment upon the rebellious and wicked. ***How can God’s word be good to one and bitter to another?*** To the righteous it points to salvation and life. To the unrighteous, it points to judgment and death (cf. [[2 Corinthians 2.14-17|2 Corinthians 2:14-17]]). ***What could be the lesson for us in the little book?*** We must be careful to cultivate the word in our lives unless we receive it with joy but not allow it to take root in our lives and thus fall away in times of temptation (cf. [[Luke 8.13|Luke 8:13]]). **God wants us to live by His word** ([[Matthew 4.4|Matthew 4:4]]). They ingested the word like food. ***What was John expected to do once he ate the book?*** He was expected to share it. And we are expected to share God’s word with the people in our lives as well. --- [[Studies]] | [[Revelation]] | [[Revelation Chapter 9]] | [[Revelation Chapter 11]]