SWEET OR BITTER

 

Sweet or bitter

 

 

 

Hi good friends out there in internet land. I have reviewed the first eight chapters in the book of Revelation in a very detailed way giving the readers many cross references to each verse but due to time and the fact that I must move on to other writing projects in the Bible the remaining chapters (Revelation chapters 9-22) will be completely quoted with some comments at the end of the chapter. I really do desire to cross reference every verse in these chapters but this would take me way to long thus leaving out other vital biblical studies that are also needed and desired to people that are very hungry for the word of God. There will still be many interesting insights after the chapter is quoted so please enjoy the rest of the study in this fascinating last book of the Bible.

 

(1) "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: (2) 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. (3) And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. (4) And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. (5) And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven. (6) And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer. (7) But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to this servants the prophets. (8) And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. (9) And when I went unto the angel and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet  as honey. (10) And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. (11) And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." Revelation 10: 1 - 11.

 

This particular chapter actually has some good news because there is an interlude of peace between the sixth and seventh trumpets. At this point the earth is devastated and in complete ruin but there seems to be a period of peace for the purpose of giving every person a chance to turn to Jesus Christ for grace and forgiveness.

 

The angel in Revelation 5:2 could be Michael. He is called the archangel in Jude 1:9. Whoever this angel is ranks very high in heaven because he is clothed in cloud, rainbow, sun and fire. This is in the spiritual realm and Satan or demons do not prevent the angel from doing his task.

 

A cloud usually is the biblical reality of a visit from heaven to earth. In Genesis 9: 9 - 17 a rainbow is the promise of God that He will not destroy the world with water. In judgment on earth God will not forget mercy but an individual has to accept this pardon in his or her heart. This angel will be in the presence of God because his face is as the brilliance of the sun. Feet like pillars of fire symbolize judgment. In this context the angel is taking possession of the land and the sea. His voice has much authority which usurers in the seven thunders. The apostle John tried to record this but a voice from heaven prevented him from doing this task. Although we do not know what the seven thunders will be it is probably judgment oriented because it is in the context of the wrath of God. The word thunder denotes judgment.

 

The small book that the angel is holding in his right hand may be the title dead to the earth on behalf of Jesus Christ to rule this planet. The basic tone shows us that the true Messiah will not delay His coming to much longer. It should be overwhelmingly obvious that God has been very patient for sinners to repent. All this suffering is the result of sin. In this context God is patiently waiting for these individuals to turn their lives over to Jesus Christ. Freedom of choice means we can reject the love of God. Salvation through Jesus Christ can not be forced. In this context God is showing the world His grace but it is in the middle of the Holy Spirit lifting His hand of restraint from man with a couple of pauses for the purpose of repentance.

 

In verses 8 - 10 the apostle John is told to eat the opened book which is in the hand of the angel. It tasted good but once digested it became bitter. Some Old Testament prophets were told to eat a scroll. The sweetness represents the love of God and His provision for forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. The bitterness represents all who reject Jesus Christ and suffer judgment for their sins. At the time John ate the scroll the Bible is clear that judgment is not finished on planet earth. John understood more judgments were coming but he also knew Jesus Christ Himself was going to rule after the judgments. The apostle was conflicted when he ate the scroll because sweetness is the opposite of bitterness. He really understood that grace is the exact opposite of judgment. He experienced this reality in his month and stomach.

 

We need to decide if we want the sweetness of the grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ or the bitterness of the judgment of God. The choice is up to us but the sweetness of the grace of God is life, the bitterness of the judgment of God is death. The result of our decision is either life or death. The question we all need to ask ourselves is what is my choice.  God bless you    Bob D.