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Verse 10:1-2 – Similarities to God
Though there are some similarities to how God and the Lamb are described in Revelation, this mighty angel is neither God the Father nor God the Son. Rather, he is an angel.
Verse 10:3 – What are the Seven Thunders?
Theory #1 – They represent the complete “thunderous” voice of God.
Psalm 29:3-9. “The God of glory thunders,” then seven examples of the voice of the Lord are mentioned.
Theory #2 – They represent another set of judgments like the seven seals, seven trumpets, or seven bowls. These would be judgments that would be unknown because John is told not to write them down.
Theory #3 – Proclamations or testimony of angels or the Christians.
Verse 10:4 – Why do you think the voice told John not to write down what he heard?
The idea here is that it’s not for humankind to know all that God will do.
Perhaps this was included to remind us that there is mystery.
Verse 10:6 – No longer be a delay
This “delay” may refer back to the reply to the martyrs’ question about the timing of God’s vengeance on those who killed them.
Revelation 6:10–11: They cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, the one who is holy and true, how long until you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” So they were each given a white robe, and they were told to rest a little while longer until the number would be completed of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters, who were going to be killed just as they had been.
Minimally, this seems to indicate an acceleration in God’s plans of judgment.
Verses 10:9-10 – Bitter and sweet
Shadow of Ezekiel 3:
Ezekiel 3:1–3: He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and he fed me the scroll. “Son of man,” he said to me, “feed your stomach and fill your belly with this scroll I am giving you.” So I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
The scroll was sweet to Ezekiel, but the message was bitter to the house of Israel.
The words of God are sweet.
Psalm 119:103: How sweet your word is to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth.
The reality of God’s spoken judgment is difficult, or bitter.
Verses 11:1-2 – The temple and courtyard
Revelation 11:1–2: Then I was given a measuring reed like a rod, with these words: “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who worship there. But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Don’t measure it, because it is given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.”
The holy city is usually understood to be Jerusalem.
It’s unlikely that this is in heaven or the New Jerusalem because no one would be able to cause damage to God’s new paradise.
So, this must refer to Earth in some way.
There’s a precedent for measuring in Old Testament prophecy that signifies God’s protection or God’s judgment of something. It’s the idea of identifying or singling out something.
Some see the temple as a symbol for the church, and some see it as a literal new temple.
The outer courts would refer to the area where non-Jewish people were permitted. This likely symbolizes that those who are not God’s people will do damage in close proximity to God’s people (the temple).
Verse 11:3 – Who are the witnesses?
You may recall from Sunday that the main theories are . . .
Theory #1 – Moses and Elijah
Similar signs/miracles at the two witnesses.
Represent the law and the prophets.
Were with Jesus at the transfiguration (Luke 9).
Theory #2 – Elijah and Enoch
Did not see death on the earth.
Major Old Testament figures.
The witnesses were called up to heaven, as Elijah and Enoch were both called to heaven.
Theory #3 – Angels
Theory #4 – Representatives of the church
Verse 11:4 – Two olive trees
(Faithlife) This echoes the reference in Zechariah to two anointed ones (Zech 4:11–14).
Verse 11:7 – Who is the beast?
Definitely a demonic figure. How do we know?
Kills God’s servants.
Comes from the abyss.
Another beast will be mentioned later in Revelation. It’s highly likely that these are the same beast.
As a symbol, could present . . .
Persecution of Christians throughout church history.
The Roman empire.
Antichrist.
Verse 11:13 – Gave glory to the God of heaven.
Chapter 9 ends with the people not repenting.
However, here in Chapter 11, although we don’t see explicit repentance, we do see people giving glory to God.
Verse 11:14 – Second woe
The first woe passes in Revelation 9:12 with the fifth trumpet (locusts).
The second woe passes here in Revelation 11:14.
We’re told that the third woe is coming soon.
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