“THE PAUSE” (REV. 10)

INTRODUCTION:

1. In the book of Revelation we have several “7s”.

2. There are 7 churches with 7 angels.

3. We read about the “7 Spirits of God”.

4. Throughout this book the number 7 is found.

5. Fairly early in Revelation we read about a book with 7 seals.

6. John saw these seals being removed one by one.

7. When the 7th seal was opened John saw 7 trumpets.

8. We have looked at all the 7 seals and the 7 trumpets.

9. Just before the 7th trumpet sounded there was a pause.

I. THIS PAUSE IS DESCRIBED IN REV. 10 AND IN THE FIRST PART OF REV. 11. THE BEST WAY I KNOW TO EXAMINE THIS INFORMATION IS TO BREAK IT DOWN INTO SECTIONS.

A. We will start with Rev. 10:1-7.

B. In these first seven verses John describes an angel who had a little scroll.

C. This little scroll is not the same as the book with seven seals. READ Rev. 10:1-7.

(1) An angel is described. This angel is impressive. The angel was “strong”.

(2) Scripture seems to suggest that not all angels are the same.

(3) Some angels seem to be higher than others. (Michael, for example.)

(4) This angel had significant power.

(5) His authority is represented by the words “strong, cloud, rainbow, face as the sun, and feet as pillars of fire”.

D. The references to the sea and earth also indicate power.

(1) When the Bible refers to the “land and sea” it refers to all.

(2) This angel had what some have called “universal” power.

E. When this angel spoke, the words were like a lion. (V. 3)

F. This may suggest that people’s hearts would be filled with fear.

G. Along with the angel’s cry came 7 thunders. (V. 3-4)

H. Thunder often serves as a warning. It tells people, “Find shelter, a storm is on the way.”

I. This is an acceptable explanation for this thunder.

J. There was a warning but John was told not to write it down.

K. This corresponds well with what we have previously learned.

L. Rome had viciously attacked God’s people.

M. She had been given time to repent.

N. Would she change her ways? READ 9:21.

O. God had patiently waited and now He is through with the waiting.

P. There would be no more warnings or patience.

Q. Notice how well this fits in with 6B of Rev. 10. READ.

(1) God had delayed and been patient.

(2) The time for grace and mercy had come to an end.

(3) It was now time for a whipping.

R. In verse 7 there is a reference to “prophets”.

S. Prophets were for the first century.

T. Since John mentions prophets, and since he said there would be no more delay, we are again reminded that this book was for those in John’s time.

U. John was not trying to predict what would happen in the year 2000.

V. This material was for “his day”.

(1) This helps explain the “mystery”. (V. 7)

(2) God had a plan for both Rome and the church.

(3) The church would be vindicated and sheltered.

(4) Rome would be destroyed.

W. The other point to add about these verses is in V. 2 – this angel had a “little book”.

II. JOHN PROVIDES MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS LITTLE BOOK IN VERSES 8-11. READ.

A. I have said that a lot of material in Revelation goes back to the OT.

B. Here is another example of this.

C. Ezekiel was told to do a similar thing. (Ez. 2:8-3:3)

(1) Ezekiel’s scroll was “sweet as honey”.

(2) Information from God is designed to be good … useful to man.

(3) The OT says that delight is to come from God’s law.

(4) God’s word is designed to bring (promote) happiness.

D. In John’s case, the happiness was short-lived.

E. In the mouth, the book tasted good.

F. When the book entered into the stomach, problems were experienced.

G. It would appear that this little scroll contained judgments.

H. This material contained “woes” for the nation of Rome.

I. When John “ate” (digested/understood) this material, he felt bitterness/pain.

J. No mature follower of Christ enjoys seeing people hurt.

K. Even when the very wicked are punished, joy does not come.

L. God would come in judgment against Rome and it would be painful.

M. When judgment arrived, what would John’s job be? Look at verse 11. READ.

N. Here is additional proof that this material was for John’s day.

O. The situation God described would result in John preaching.

P. John would “prophesy” to many peoples, nations and kings.

Q. This could have been by John personally or through this book.

III. WE KNOW WHAT WAS COMING (TERRIBLE JUDGMENTS ON ROME; THE BOOK THAT WAS BITTER IN JOHN’S STOMACH). WE KNOW WHAT JOHN WAS TO DO (SPREAD THE WORD). CHRISTIANS WOULD HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHAT THE CHURCH SHOULD BE DOING WHEN ROME WAS BEING PUNISHED. JOHN DEALS WITH GOD’S PEOPLE IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. READ 11:1-13.

A. John saw the “temple of God”.

B. The word “temple” has caused some to think that Revelation was written prior to 70 A.D.

C. This is a possibility though there are significant objections to the book being written that early.

D. The word “temple” in other places means the church. 1 Cor. 3:16, l Pet. 2:5 – READ.

E. If we are right in dating this book in the 90’s, there was only one temple and this was the church.

F. God told John to “measure” the temple.

G. If this refers to the church, and I maintain that it does, this is another statement about the church being protected.

H. Just as God had “marked” His people in an earlier chapter, so God now “measures” the church.

I. God knew who His people were; He would offer protection.

(1) God said His church would continue.

(2) Rome could not destroy the body of Christ.

(3) Rome could kill some of the individual members;

(4) There would be martyrs and victims;

(5) God would not let the church die.

J. If this is what God did in the first century, what about today?

K. Congregations may apostatize. The church may grow weak in places.

L. Some may feel like Elijah – we are the only ones left.

M. God will not let the church cease to exist.

(1) In addition to this, consider another useful point from 11:2.

(2) God would allow the holy city to be assaulted for 42 months.

(3) The holy city (church) is not armor plated.

(4) By that I mean that it can be attacked.

(5) God says damage can be done to the church.

(6) In this case, the damage was done from the outside.

(7) Today this still occurs.

(8) Congregations can be attacked by secular lawsuits.

(9) The IRS has tried to seize church assets.

(10) Certain groups have tried to close down churches.

(11) Churches and individual members have been threatened.

(12) Various forms of persecution have been used to harass Christians.

N. John knew problems would come upon the church in his day.

O. This point is especially prominent in verses 3-4.

P. John saw two “witnesses”. (V. 3)

Q. These witnesses are called olive trees and candlesticks. (V. 4)

(1) This goes back to the book of Zechariah.

(2) If this were a Bible Class, we would study Zech. 4.

(3) In this series we are aiming for the “big picture”.

(4) Hence, the details about these things will be omitted.

R. These 2 witnesses were to prophesy for 1,260 days (42 months) – 3 ½ years.

(1) This period of time appears elsewhere in Revelation.

(2) The “beast” had authority for this amount of time. (13:5)

(3) This is the amount of time the holy city was trodden under foot. (11:2)

(4) The witnesses prophesied for this length of time. (11:3)

(5) A woman was nourished in the wilderness for this long. (12:6, 14)

(6) This amount of time was given to the “little horn” to persecute. (Dan. 7:25)

(7) The number 3 ½ is half of 7, the number of perfection.

(8) The figure 3 ½ seems to indicate a state of persecution.

(9) Along with this persecution is protection.

(10) God’s people would suffer but they would also be sustained.

(11) Christians would be victims but they would be victorious in the end.

(12) This is seen fairly clearly in Rev. 11.

S. The 2 witnesses are dressed in sackcloth; they are mourning.

T. They are going through a sad time. They are also prophesying.

U. What are they predicting? The downfall of God’s enemies.

V. Early Christians had enemies.

W. These enemies wee violent and vicious. V. 7 – READ.

(1) The witnesses described by John would be “killed”.

(2) A “beast” would do the killing.

(3) We will be reading more and more about this beast as we progress in this series.

(4) I identify the beast with the emperors of Rome.

(5) Rome did much damage to the church. (V. 8a, 10) READ.

X. John makes it sound like the church would be destroyed.

Y. The witnesses who were preaching the gospel were killed.

Z. Rome was rejoicing at the destruction of God’s people.

A. Romans would be in the streets ready to party. “Christianity is done!”

B. “Christianity has been crushed.”

C. “No more headaches from those pesky Christians.”

D. “We showed those religious fanatics who is boss.”

(1) Look at verse 10. READ.

(2) The persecutors would even exchange gifts.

(3) These people were ready to sing, “O Happy Day”.

(4) This song would soon end.

E What John wrote reminds me of Paul Harvey.

F. With Mr. Harvey we may learn the “rest of the story”.

(1) Look at verse 11. READ.

(2) This verse continues to describe the “2 witnesses”.

(3) The two witnesses came back to life; they were revived.

(4) When Rome thought she had crushed the church, the kingdom of God would rise from the ashes.

(5) This would create “fear” in the minds of the Romans. (11B)

(6) This is consistent with other parts of the Bible.

(a) Pharaoh’s army thought it would kill the Hebrews – the army was wrong.

(b) Three youths were cast into a fire; officials believed they would be burned alive – they were wrong.

(c) Men thought death would take Jesus out of the way – they were wrong.

(d) Rome believed she had won the battle with Christians – Rome was wrong.

G. Rome was a horrible power for Christians to live under.

H. John describes this nation as Egypt and Sodom. (V. 8)

(1) The name “Egypt” reminds readers of oppression.

(2) The name “Sodom” reminds readers of wickedness.

(3) Rome was both oppressive and wicked.

(4) In 8B a reference is made to where Christ was killed – Jerusalem.

(5) Just as many in Jerusalem had rejected Christ and this led to Jesus’ death, so Rome had rejected the people of God.

CONCLUSION:

1. John will teach what has been seen tonight at least twice more.

2. He will make his case again in Rev. 12:6, 14 and in 13:5F.

3. In Rev. 12 a woman is forced into the wilderness; there is a place for Satan and those in “error”.

4. In Rev. 13 a beast persecutes the saints; only lasts 42 months.

5. If Revelation teaches any lesson at all, it says Christians are victorious in the end – we may get

slaughtered in life – but if we are Christians, we are winners.

6. If we side with God and remain faithful to Him, we cannot lose.

7. Whatever the price we must pay for Christianity, it is worth it.

8. John says the Romans were going to be able to sing for a while. They had their party. They

exchanged their gifts and enjoyed life.

9. These people are still paying for their party. Their payment will never end. Being opposed to God is

too costly.