“strange work” of the seven trumpets

Chapter 10

 

The Open Book

An Interlude with Jesus

 

 “And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:” (Revelation 10:1).

Most of the Trumpet story has dealt with wicked behavior and divine judgments on a rebellious world. Now, in a refreshing interlude to those startling cyber grams, there is a pause to address the remnant. “You are not forgotten. In fact, you are part of the drama in these scenes. Here’s how and here’s the setting.”

This new scene begins with “another” angel coming into view. What angel could this be? It says that it is a “mighty” angel. The last time that adjective was used was in 5:2 where a “strong” angel cried with a loud voice, “Who is worthy” The Greek word for “strong” and “mighty” is the same – ischuros. In that loud cry it was likely Gabriel. Is it the same here?

By now John has seen many angels. One was seen “ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God” (Revelation 7:2). He was “The Angel of the covenant.”[1] Another significant vision occurred in 8:3-5 where an “angel” was “Christ our great High Priest”[2] “standing before the golden altar with a golden censer.”[3] Is this what John sees here in this great interlude?

The last “angel” he had contact with (outside of those sounding the Trumpets) was a “voice from the four horns of the golden altar” (9:13). That was Jesus giving orders (He was in charge) to the sixth Trumpet angel. This “mighty angel” is also He.

This episode depicts Jesus in an end-time role, unfolding incredible ever-progressing truth. Every time we see Jesus, He is actively working for His people! Isn’t that wonderful! The battle rages. The saints are in the middle of the conflict. Interspersed throughout the war scenes are pauses so we can catch a glimpse of Jesus. He’s there – all the time – for us. When we get to chapter 19, He comes with the armies of heaven in a charge of victory!

Did you notice Jesus, this “mighty angel,” came “down from heaven?” Up until now John has seen vision after vision from or about heaven. Now we see Him on earth because Jesus came down! His mission must be terribly important!

Since this comes textually between the sixth and seventh Trumpets, many conclude that it occurs after the sixth sounded. That is not how an interlude works. This is “catch-up” time to fill in details of what has already been said. It not only goes back to the first Trumpet, it depicts issues and events that go all the way back to the first Seal. There, Jesus is charging forward, leading the saints (white horse) to victory. Here, Jesus “comes down” to symbolically do that very thing. Revelation 10 is timed to coincide with the white horse prophecy of Revelation 6:1-2!

 

Jesus comes “down from heaven”

      Becomes the rider on the white horse (His people)

            Going forth to battle

                  Victory is assured

 

But there is expanding imagery here that adds beauty and hope for God’s people. Jesus is clothed with a cloud. A rainbow is on His head. His face is bright like the sun and His feet are as pillars of fire! What could all that mean? We have to go back to Daniel for our first clue.

Daniel 8–12 is a review of the final years of the great controversy between good and evil. It is divided – and this is so important! – into two visions. The chazown vision (given in segments) is the sealed portion. This represents how Satan and his host will battle Jesus and His people at the end. The mareh vision (also given in sections) represents God’s people in their final steps upward – steps to becoming a covenant people, a loyal group ready for deliverance and fit for the kingdom.

How does that all fit into John’s vision? The beginning of the mareh vision is the end of the 2300 years of Daniel 8:14. That is when judgment decisions are made on the heavenly throne (Daniel 7:9-10) regarding who will be God’s holy witnesses. That is when the subjects of the kingdom begin to be made up. The mareh vision continues with God’s covenant terms outlined in Daniel 9. Finally, that amazing vision comes to an end in Daniel 10 with Jesus personally appearing to him. And here are the incredible ties – with His face like lightning, His eyes as lamps of fire and His feet like polished brass (Daniel 10:6), that vision was given to Daniel depicting, the time of the Latter Rain (10:4).

This is the sequence:

 

The time of the Latter Rain is first described in Daniel and relates to the appointed time (9:17, 19), occurring during the periods noted in Daniel 12.

“The prophetic periods of Daniel, extending to the very eve of the great consummation, throw a flood of light upon events then to transpire. The book of Revelation is also replete with warning and instruction for the last generation. The beloved John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, portrays the fearful and thrilling scenes connected with the close of earth’s history, and presents the duties and dangers of God’s people. None need remain in ignorance, none need be unprepared for the coming of the day of God.”[4]

In Revelation 1 John sees Jesus with eyes as flames of fire, feet like fine brass as if burned in a furnace with His countenance as the sun which shines in its full strength (Revelation 1:14-16).

Through these astounding ties we know that Daniel 10, Revelation 1 and Revelation 10 are linked together. Jesus revealed through His eyes of fire (Daniel 10, Revelation 1) judgment based upon His perfect knowledge. This announces that a point in time has come when a new phase of judgment occurs. Jesus’ eyes of fire declare that something very final is occurring. Though not described here, the links reveal this to be that time.

His face shinning as the sun ties to when Jesus “was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light” (Matthew 17:2). The sun in the Old Testament is used as a symbol of divine glory (Isaiah 60:1-3, 20; Psalm 84:11) and of the Messiah (Matthew 4:1-2). Peter referred to this as when God the Father gave Him “honor and glory” (II Peter 1:16-18). What does this represent here? It is symbolic of the point in time when the earth will be lit with the glory of Jesus. As the sun shines on the whole world, so will His glory. This parallels the effect of the fourth angel noted in Revelation 18:1, “the earth was lightened with his glory!”

The feet as “pillars of fire” draw immediately from the “pillar of fire” that protected the children of Israel at night in the journey to the promised land (Exodus 13:21-24; 14:19, 24). It served as their guide and protection. This is a great metaphor for the time to which this vision applies. When God will direct and guide His people (feet). Yet, once again, fire alludes to the judgment against those who fail to follow Him.

“The One who has stood as our intercessor; who hears all penitential prayers and confessions; who is represented with a rainbow, the symbol of grace and love, encircling his head, is soon to cease his work in the heavenly sanctuary. Grace and mercy will then descend from the throne, and justice will take their place. He for whom his people have looked will assume his right,–the office of Supreme Judge.”[5]

There are two very special things that John saw, unrelated to any previous images of Jesus. He was clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow rested on His head. They must be cueing us of something very special!

This is the time of the fourth angel, when the whole earth will hear the “light” of God’s glory. This is when the gospel will be preached in the world, witnessing to all nations. It is the era that Jesus said would usher in the “end” (Matthew 24:14). The cloud was a “sign” of Jesus’ coming. Then He will be on or in clouds. Here, He is clothed with a cloud, suggesting that He is ready to come. In the Old Testament God appears in a cloud as a sign of His “glory” (Exodus 16:10, Leviticus 16:2, I Kings 8:10, Ezekiel 10:4). Not only is His glory depicted in the shining face and cloud symbols, it alludes to the cloud by day that led Israel through the wilderness on their way to the promised land (Exodus 13:21-24). We can recall that God appeared “in a cloud over the mercy seat” (Leviticus 16:2) and in a cloud on Mt. Sinai when special theocratic instructions were given.

Here is Jesus, “coming down” to direct the final phase of reaching out to the world. His people are assured of explicit guidance, direction and supervision. He comes to be with His people as the earth is lightened with His glory.

To cap it off, Jesus has a rainbow on His head. This suggests that it is almost like a crown. God plus a rainbow always alludes to a covenant promise – “for perpetual generations” that He keeps His word. The world will never be destroyed by flood waters again. The seed time will lead to a harvest, a great metaphor that a harvest in righteousness will come (Isaiah 54:8-10, 14).

“The rainbow spanning the heavens with its arch of light is a token of ‘the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature.’ Genesis 9:16. And the rainbow encircling the throne on high is also a token to God’s children of His covenant of peace.”[6]

“It is an everlasting testimony that ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ It declares to the whole world that God will never forget his people in their struggles with evil.”[7]

When the earth is filled with the glory of Jesus, that rainbow assures us that the harvest is about to occur and everlasting righteousness will reign forever. Then the “everlasting covenant” will be completed.

“And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and [his] left [foot] on the earth,” (Revelation 10:2).

Jesus, this mighty angel, had in his hand a little book, which is described as open. Is this the same book as the seven-sealed scroll of chapter 5? Some say “yes” because of many similarities – but the differences are simply too striking.

 

	Revelation 5	Revelation 10
Name	Book	Little book
Receptor	Lamb–Lion of Tribe of Judah	Already in hand of Being who roars like a lion when speaking
Open book	Never described	Book already opened
Allusion to	Ezekiel 2	Daniel 12
Seals	Seven	One
Message	Judgment	End-time events
Time represented	After Jesus comes	Before Jesus comes

                       

Daniel’s mareh vision describes when God’s people will fulfill that everlasting covenant (Daniel 8:14). The other, called the chazown vision, portrays how Satan will try to thwart God’s people from ever reaching that goal. It was the chazown vision that was sealed! The chazown vision also relates to the “time of the end” at the “appointed time” (Daniel 8:17, 19; 12:4, 9). Here, what was sealed is now wide open.

“The book that was sealed was not the book of Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel which related to the last days. The Scripture says, ‘But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased’ (Dan. 12:4). When the book was opened, the proclamation was made, ‘Time shall be no longer.’ (See Revelation 10:6.) The book of Daniel is now unsealed, and the revelation made by Christ to John is to come to all the inhabitants of the earth. By the increase of knowledge a people is to be prepared to stand in the latter days.”[8]

The issues related to the sealed prophecies of Daniel 8–12 of the he-goat, little horn and the king of the north are to “come to all the inhabitants of the earth.”

“Present the eternal principles of truth. Show what the Word of God declares is to take place on this earth. The God who gave Daniel instruction regarding the closing scenes of this earth’s history will certainly confirm the testimony of His servants as at the appointed time they give the loud cry. 

“And there should be no delay in repeating the message, for the signs of the times are fulfilling; the closing work must be done. A great work will be done in a short time. A message will soon be given by God’s appointment that will swell into a loud cry. Then Daniel will stand in his lot, to give his testimony.”[9]

The Loud Cry is seen as the final message to go to all the earth, which encompasses three most unique angelic declarations (Revelation 14:6-13).

“Daniel shall stand in his lot at the end of the days. John sees the little book unsealed. Then Daniel’s prophecies have their proper place in the first, second, and third angels’ messages to be given to the world. The unsealing of the little book was the message in relation to time.”[10]

What “time?” Daniel 12 is the only timing message within the chazown vision!

“The book of Daniel is unsealed in the revelation to John, and carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth’s history.”[11]

Why is Jesus standing on the sea and the earth? Soon we will see a terrible beast arise out of the sea (Revelation 13:1) to which Satan gives power. Then a persecuting and murderous beast will come out of the earth, promoting the blasphemous mark of the sea beast (Revelation 13:11). This is God’s magnificent message of hope – “I am in charge of the sea and the earth. Nothing comes from those places unless I give it permission.”

In Revelation 13 it is noted six times that “it was given.” These phrases refer to God permitting the action or event noted. He is in charge and has the last word.

“The mighty angel who instructed John was no less a personage than Jesus Christ. Setting His right foot on the sea, and His left upon the dry land, shows the part which He is acting in the closing scenes of the great controversy with Satan. This position denotes His supreme power and authority over the whole earth. The controversy has waxed stronger and more determined from age to age, and will continue to do so, to the concluding scenes when the masterly working of the powers of darkness shall reach their height. Satan, united with evil men, will deceive the whole world and the churches who receive not the love of the truth. But the mighty angel demands attention. He cries with a loud voice. He is to show the power and authority of His voice to those who have united with Satan to oppose the truth.”[12]

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