Apocalyptic Insight: The Little Book and Last Call
Revelation 10-11
October 8, 2023
Jay Haugh
Revelation 10 is another timeout.
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. —Revelation 10:1 ESV
He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land. —Revelation 10:2 ESV
It’s “little” because it’s the final outpouring of God’s wrath.
and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. —Revelation 10:3 ESV
And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” —Revelation 10:4 ESV
The patience of God is over.
And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay. —Revelation 10:5-6 ESV
but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. —Revelation 10:7 ESV
Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” —Revelation 10:8-9 ESV
And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. —Revelation 10:10 ESV
It’s sweet to see God’s word and justice enacted.
It’s bitter because we grieve for the creation.
And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” —Revelation 10:11 ESV
Despite all the previous judgments, humanity still won’t repent.
God’s patience with an unrepentant world has been completely expended.
Revelation 11 is on “Unbelieving Israel” and Revelation 12 is on “Believing Israel.”
Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there.” —Revelation 11:1 ESV
“but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.” —Revelation 11:2 ESV
The Last Call to Israel through Two Witnesses.
“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” —Revelation 11:3 ESV
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. —Revelation 11:4 ESV
And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. —Revelation 11:5-6 ESV
The two witnesses are seen as the agents of the great tribulation.
And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them. —Revelation 11:7 ESV
and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. —Revelation 11:8 ESV
Jerusalem has become a place of immorality and idolatry.
For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.—Revelation 11:9-10 ESV
They will not bury them as an act of contempt.
But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. —Revelation 11:11-12 ESV
And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. —Revelation 11:13 ESV
Revelation 11 is the last call to the nation of Israel (and world) to repent.
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” —Revelation 11:15 ESV
And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” —Revelation 11:16-18 ESV
Earth’s Final Call.
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. —Revelation 11:19 ESV
Big Idea:
Turn and trust Jesus because God’s patience with rebellion will not last forever.
Read: Psalm 29; 2 Kings 1; 1 Kings 17; Exodus 7:14-24
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Memory Verse: Revelation 4:11 NIV
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
The goal of these questions is to foster meaningful discussion and to encourage participants to reflect on God’s Word with the goal of leading to heart transformation. Feel free to modify or expand upon these questions based on the dynamics and needs of your Small Group.
Read Revelation 10
Throughout Scripture, we see God’s patience and longsuffering toward His people. Share examples from the Bible where God has delayed judgment or shown patience with people. How have you seen God’s patience in your life? What are some reasons from Scripture that help us understand why God chooses to delay judgment? (Check 2 Peter 3:9 for an example.)
On the day when God’s judgment is no longer delayed, how do you think God will feel about killing those who never recognized Him as God? Do you find yourself more focused on Jesus’ return or on those who have not yet responded to God’s call? How can we soften our hearts and have a sense of urgency for those who do not have a saving relationship with Christ? Most often, we think about adults who do not know Jesus, but what does it look like to extend our view and consider children/youth as well?
What is the mystery of God that will be fulfilled, spoken of in Revelation 10:7? Since it is a mystery, can we know it? (See 1 Corinthians 13:9-10.) If so, where has it been revealed? In what way will the “mystery of God” be fulfilled?
John is told to eat the scroll. Where else in the Bible has God’s Word been eaten or referenced as food? When John eats the scroll, why do you think the contents are both sweet and sour? In your own life, how is internalizing God’s Word both a sweet and sour experience?
Read Revelation 11
Revelation 11 reminds us of the importance of faithful testimony. How can we bear witness to our faith in Christ in our daily lives, and what obstacles might we face in doing so?
What is known about Sodom and Egypt? Knowing this, what is being conveyed when symbolically referring to Jerusalem as Sodom and Egypt? How would you describe your city? How can we be a testament to God for our local area, just like the two witnesses were?
The two witnesses were killed by the beast that comes from the abyss. Similarly, Christians today are going to face opposition or persecution because of our faith. Where do we see active resistance to Christianity globally? Do you think the message of Christ thrives or dies when met with persecution? Do you have any fears or concerns about being more public with your faith?
Revelation depicts angels who are carrying out tasks with significant power and authority. What does it say that even they worship God in total submission? Do you believe submission to God requires sacrifice or selflessness? How do we show submission to God in our thoughts and behaviors?
In Revelation 11:15, a declaration is made that earth has become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ. While we look forward to that day, what does it mean to you to have Jesus reign in your life now? Share a specific spiritual practice that helps you connect with Jesus and feel His presence in your life.