EndTime Issues ...

 
The Setting Reviewed
 
Angel Jesus has just come to earth from heaven, exhibiting judicial power and divine glory.

• He stands on sea and land, showing dominion over planet earth.
• A little open book is in one hand, representing the unsealed portion of Daniel.
• He shouts words – unrecorded until verse 5.
• Then John hears the voices of seven thunders (part of the unsealed prophecies of Daniel). He is barred from recording those messages. Daniel had already done that in the “little book.”

This all heralds the readiness of Christ and His angels that they are prepared to initiate end-time events. Heaven’s supportive power is now at the saints’ disposal.

• These heavenly beings have arrived to assist God’s remnant people in their final work.
• Jesus now makes a stunning gesture, conveying divine solidarity that Daniel’s unsealed prophecies can now begin to be fulfilled. The “time” has arrived.

An Oath – A Prophecy – and – Soon, “When”
   
In Daniel 12:7 Jesus raised both hands and took an oath/declaration in his Father’s name.

• Right hand – divine promise that what he says in Daniel 12 is true (three timing prophecies related to the “time of the end”).
• Left hand – pledges His blood that they will come true and that there will be a righteous group at the end (12:10).

Here, Jesus holds that unsealed prophecy with its stunning narratives and raises only His right hand to make another divine oath – just as He did in Daniel!

• He had died and shed His blood.
• The left hand is not now needed!

This oath between two divine beings (cf. Deuteronomy 32:40, Genesis 22:16, Isaiah 45:43, Jeremiah 49:13, Ezekiel 20:5, Amos 6:8, Habakkuk 6:13, Exodus 32:13) reveals the stunning sacredness of these prophecies. They are holy and are addressed to God’s last-day people, symbolized by the river/water that Jesus was above in Daniel 12.

• There, Daniel had asked “How long” it would be till the described, astonishing divine wonders (alluding to God’s deliverance and the special resurrection) would be fulfilled (Daniel 12:6b).
• Jesus said that they would occur at the termination of three and a half years of persecution (Daniel 12:7).
• That relates to the 42 months we shall shortly see in Revelation 11:2, 12:14 and 13:5. Their understanding was sealed until the Revelation 10 narrative could begin and the “little book” be opened!

The oath (omoson – G) reveals God’s redemptive faithfulness that His covenant will be fulfilled. The attendant prophecies show how and when! That is affirmed by this oath.

• The next two verses summarize the fulfillment of Daniel 12:7-11.
• There, a man totally clothed in linen (Day of Atonement dress) answers two “How long” questions (one posed by Daniel, noted above, and one previously asked by Gabriel) (Daniel 8:13).

The fulfillment shortly begins and is completed in the next chapter (Revelation 11).
   
This is a moment of supreme solemnity! Two Gods are personally engaged in a covenant oath – a judicial gesture – regarding the time of prophetic fulfillment (cf. Hebrews 7:21) (answering the “How long” questions).
 
The picture John now paints, describing the Father, tells us of His characteristics that we are to associate with this oath:

1. Who created heaven and all it contains
2. Who created the earth and all it contains
3. Who created the sea and all it contains

The guarantee of the fulfillment is as real as all created matter known to man!

• This is an electrifying buildup.[1]
• It also identifies the great authority base that this oath has – by the Originator of all.
• This reflects a “liturgical expression” found at the heart of the Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:11).[2]
• That sacred day was a divine set-aside time to remember His authority!

Nothing in Scripture reflects a greater binding promise or more precise assurance than this act between two Gods.
 
A “tribulation period” is about to commence[3] (Daniel 12:7, Revelation 11:2 – as a clock, once again, begins to “tick”) – but it has an end!
 
Daniel is the prophecy – Revelation describes its fulfillment.

• Christ has authority over earth, symbolized by His feet on earth and sea (vss 3, 5).
• His words will now have unlimited authority through the name of the Creator of the universe.

Angel Jesus now conveys stunning information:

• Hoti chronos ouketi estai – “that there will no longer be delay”
• In the context of the next verse and chapter, when the three-and-a-half-year period begins (which shortly will be no longer delayed), a grand eschatological event will soon follow. (seventh trumpet – 10:7).
• A tarrying time is now about to end!

The time of waiting – the tarrying time – will then be over (Habakkuk 2:2-3, Hebrews 10:37).

• The context in Revelation 10:6 is prophetic.
• Daniel’s “appointed time” (8:19; cf. 12:7) is about to begin.
• The clock is about to restart. “There will be delay no longer.”[4] (cf. Matthew 25:5, 24:48).

That little book is relevant to all on planet earth.

• God’s purposes within history will then soon be completed.[5]
• Within this period of time about to commence, the “mysteries” of God related to man’s rescue will be opened.

A Mystery To Unfold
   
This is a continuation of the oath message begun in verse 6!

• In Daniel 12:7 the prophetic events would occur during “a time, times and half” (12:7) –

referring to the “appointed time” (8:19, 11:35).

• At its end, His redemptive plan would be completed and Michael would stand up (Daniel 12:1)[6]
• Here in Revelation 10:7, when the seventh trumpet begins to sound, the “mystery of God” will “be completed.”

Thus, with the fascinating allusions from the seven thunders, the open book and now a final trumpet blast, the end of history is anticipated.
 
Intriguingly, when the seventh angel sounds, the prophecy of Daniel 11:29–12:13 will be fulfilled. History ends shortly thereafter.

• The Second Coming of Jesus occurs during the period of time of the seventh angel. This “block of time” likely includes the seven vials.[7]
• The time period that must be completed (10:6, 11:2-3) encompasses this. Towards its end this trumpet would sound.
• That trumpet heralds the anticipated eschaton.[8]

God’s kingdom, inaugurated at the first advent, will then culminate at the second[9] (Revelation 1:9, 11:15, 12:10).
 
The word “mystery” in the New Testament always gives an eschatological orientation (Romans 11:25, I Corinthians 15:55, II Thessalonians 2:7) for when it fully unfolds.
 
“I feel an intense interest that all should comprehend, as far as possible, the love of God. We cannot afford to draw away our attention from this subject, for in it is contained the mystery of God,—the plan of salvation. We may put to the stretch every power of our mind, and yet we shall not be fully able to comprehend the heights and depths of the love of God; for the human mind is not capable of understanding its full significance. It is our privilege, however, to obtain clearer and more distinct views of the plan of salvation. We should not be content with a superficial knowledge of this wonderful plan, but we should seek to behold it in all its greatness, that as far as possible we may understand the love of God.”[10] When the seventh trumpet sounds, the plan of salvation draws to a close.
 
Deeper into This Mystery
 
Daniel revealed the timing framework in which everything would be finished. Part of that prophecy is repeated in Revelation 11:2-3.
 
When the three and a half years (Daniel 12:7) are finished, Jesus said that all the things [antichrist’s work (11:29-45), deliverance of God’s people and the special resurrection (12:1-2)] would be completed. Here, when the seventh trumpet would sound, all of God’s redemptive mysteries would be completed.

• This imagery is profound! End of the “appointed time” (3½ years) – the mysteries of Satan/antichrist will also be completed (Daniel 12:7).
• When the Trumpet sounds – mysteries of God/Christ/salvic plan are completed (Revelation 10:7).
• All occur simultaneously!

There is another allusion from Deuteronomy 32:36, 40-41, 43:

• “The Lord will vindicate his people and relent concerning his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left … I lift my hand to heaven and solemnly swear: As surely as I live forever, when I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me….  Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people” (Deuteronomy 32:36, 40-41, 43 – NIV).
• God is assuring us that He will vindicate His law and character at the end, when the oppressors of His people will be judged.
• When the antichrist persecutor (Daniel 11:29-45) finishes hurting (“shattering”) God’s people, that judicial act will occur (Daniel 12:7).

Graphically, we see:
 
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:25-26).

• The mystery of godliness is understood by God’s people – the redemptive plan.

Revelation 10:6-7 represents Angel Jesus beginning to explain the “when” and “how” that Daniel’s end-time timing prophecies will be fulfilled.[11]

• They concern events preceding the consummation.
• What was distant and not understood by Daniel is now clearly shown to be eschatological and open to the saints.

The message is unique between Daniel and Revelation.

• The kingdom of evil will not be defeated until it finishes neutralizing “the power of the holy people” (Daniel 7:6).
• Prophecy is fulfilled in this “mysterious” manner.
• The physical victory, silencing the saints, prepares the way for their ultimate eternal rescue.

The persecution of the church is the “secret weapon” by which God will consummate judgment against evil (see fifth seal – Revelation 6).

• “The mysterious nature of the saints’ victory is to be understood as having the same ironic nature as Christ’s victory through his defeat by the same evil kingdom.”[12]

The verse ends: “As he hath declared to his servants the prophets.”

• Some interpret the word “declared” to mean “graciously promised.”[13]
• The oath is complete.

• The conflict between good and evil – Christ and Satan – is done.
• The great controversy closes with the termination of these timing prophecies.

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15; cf. Daniel 7:14).
 
The “mystery” of God, hidden from ages, will unfold to those who study that open book – the outline context of that revelation is in this chapter and the next! (cf. Romans 16:26-27; Colossians 1:26-27; Ephesians 3:5, 9-10; II Timothy 1:9-10; Titus 1:2-3; I Peter 1:20).[14]
 
Focus on the Scroll
 
A new transition now occurs for John in his prophetic experience. The focus returns to the scroll.
   
The “voice” that John originally heard was that of God the Father, asking him to seal up the seven-thunder narrative and not write it down (vs 4). John is in the presence of Jesus, Who is holding the open book. He observed Christ’s oath and message. Now God the Father gives John another command:

• “Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth” (vs 80).
• A similar commission was given to Ezekiel regarding another scroll (Ezekiel 2:8-3:3).

We are reminded that the scroll has been opened in Christ’s hand. Its contents are now available to the church[15] – or even the whole world – for its study.[16]

• The sealed visions of Daniel (ha hazone) can now be understood.

For the third time it is noted that this angel is standing on the sea and earth. It is a point in time when Christ’s global authority is being expressed, associated with that open book.
 
John is now to take possession of that scroll.

• He is not reluctant to obey the command.
• He clearly senses a divine imperative
• To make it his own!

Sequence:

   
John left his place as spectator to assume a role in the drama of what he had been an observer.[17]
 
It is interesting that as John approaches Angel Jesus, he asks for the book.

• One would think that Jesus had heard the order of God the Father and would extend his hand to John with the open book.
• But man has a part to play.
• “Would you give to me understanding of that unsealed book of Daniel?”

Immediately, Jesus responds “take it” “eat it up” (not just a part – but all of it). This is a Hebrew idiom indicating “to receive knowledge.”[18]

• Again, it is an allusion to Ezekiel’s commission (Ezekiel 2:8-3:3).
• He was to warn the Israelites of impending doom if they didn’t repent.
• Most would resist Ezekiel’s preaching; a remnant would respond (3:20, 9:4-6, 14:21-23).

So it will be at the end of time. Daniel’s message will join with the three angels’ messages as part of earth’s final call.
 
“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.”[19]
 
What time? Clearly a period of time for those two witnesses to prepare  and to give those messages to the world (Revelation 11).
 
For God’s witnesses to teach/preach these messages, they must eat them/know them/make them a part of His agents. This echoes what occurred to Jeremiah:

• He was appointed as a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).
• When God’s words came to him, “I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16).[20]

The act of eating symbolizes the complete appropriation of this prophetic revelation,[21] fully internalizing it.[22]

• “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103; cf. Psalm 19:10, Proverbs 24:13-14).

Angel Jesus was the one who told John, “It shall make thy belly bitter but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey” (Revelation 10:9).

• The prophecy/message is wonderful and exciting, just like honey in the mouth.
• But then it is “bitter” because it brings resistance, suffering, persecution and martyrdom.

 
Just as Angel Jesus predicted:

• Eating it, enjoying its “taste” (meaning) was wonderful.
• When internalized, accepted, it brought bitter opposition and reproach. It is assumed that the sharing of this (next verse) is what brought resistance and bitter experiences.

 
The implication suggests that both Angel Jesus and God the Father ordered him to “prophesy” to those who have not yet responded to the gospel.[23]

• It is a divine “must.”[24]
• That “little book” has such important information – the peoples of the world must hear it!

The list of peoples is mentioned seven times in Revelation. From this point on, it refers to nations in rebellion against God and His people (11:9, 13:7, 17:15).[25]

• This will become earth’s final warning.
• It occurs during the last three and a half years of earth’s history.
• Trumpets 1–5 will occur during this final appeal.

“The expression ‘again’ in John’s commission to prophesy implies that the end-time church will receive increased knowledge from Daniel’s prophecies (see Daniel 12:4), so that the gospel can be proclaimed now in its appointed end-time framework.”[26]
 
“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”[27] [relates to Daniel 12 and associated chazown (ha hazon) visions].