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Romans Ch 10:1-11
“The taste of truth”
Vs. 1-4 A messenger with an open book
Vs. 5-7 And now a word from our sponsor
Vs. 8-11 Hard to stomach the truth
Intro
In between the 6th and 7th seal in chapter 6 and chapter 8 John was taken to see what was going on from heaven’s perspective. Now here again in between the 6th and 7th trumpet John is again taken to see the events from a different perspective, which will last from chapter 10 through 11:14.
Before us are several events which John sees:
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A mighty angel coming down from heaven
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An open little book in his hand
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A statement that there ought to be no more delays
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Instructions for John on what to do with this little open book
The key to interpreting these things seems to lie in the words at the end of this interlude as John hears voices in heaven proclaiming at the end of those things that he sees saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Back in Gen. 1:28 God gave man kind dominion over His creation, the Hebrew word (Raw-daw) is used which means, “to rule over”. As Adam disobeyed God the rulership fell into the hands of Satan and it is for this reason that Jesus in John 12:31 called him the ruler of this world. The purpose of Jesus’ incarnation was to purchase the world and us back to Himself. Though at the cross and resurrection it was positionally His, the full possession has not yet transpired. In fact we are told in Eph 1:13-14 that ,“the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession”. Further more in Romans 8:21-22 “creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God… the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” Finally the fulfillment of the promise of Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.”
Vs. 1-4 A messenger with an open book
Vs. 1 We are introduced to another mighty angel and given his description in this verse. There are two possibilities as to his identification, yet with that said it matters little to the integrity of this chapter as the Chapter deals not with the mighty angel’s identification but rather with what he has in his hand. There are those who see this mighty angel as being Jesus.
Several things play into this interpretation:
The angel’s description here is very glorious: He is clothed with a cloud, which is often identified with God. In chapter 4:3 there was a rainbow around the throne and here it is about his head. The description of Jesus’ face and feet in chapter 1:15-16 is similarly described here in this chapter.
His posture over the land and the sea is that of authority. This seems to be a picture for some of Jesus’ conquering the world and its fallen system. Furthermore when he cries out it is as when a lion roars and since Jesus is the lion from the tribe of Judah it seems fitting.
The fact that this angel is in possession of the little book, which some see as the title deed to the earth, (the scroll of chapter 5). The problem for some with all of this is Jesus is being referred to as a mighty angel in this passage. Well the word angel is after all just the word for messenger and in the Old Testament Jesus appeared in a preincarnate state as an “angel of the Lord” (Ex. 3:2). So this too is just a Christophanie or a temporary manifestation of the Lord for a special purpose. There is much in this interpretation that makes sense.
The 2nd possibility is equally compelling as far as the Greek is concerned as the word for mighty is “strong angel” and in chapter 5:2 it was clearly not Jesus in that chapter. The word “another” is a word that means “of the same kind” which would point back to chapter 5:2 and the other “strong angel”. Angels are very radiant creatures as we see in Revelation 18:1 where John says that he “saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory”, yet no one suppose this to be Jesus. Also the fact that John sees this angel coming back to earth prior to the 2nd coming and after the rapture indicates that could not be Jesus. Also the fact in verse 6 where the angel swears by Him who lives forever and ever and created everything is another compelling reason this can not be Jesus. Furthermore in 14:4 where we do see Jesus He will come riding a cloud not wearing one.
Based upon both of these two power arguments I can now safely say that I’m certain that I don’t know anything, as I ought! If you look at John’s description you would be convinced that this mighty angel is none other than Jesus but if you look at the original language you will be convinced it is not Jesus but just another strong angel. What we know is that John does not tell us one way or the other.
Vs. 2 Much of the interpretation of this verse depends upon which view you took of verse 1, so we shall just observe what the text says. The mighty angel has an open little book in his hand and it is this book that becomes the central focus of this chapter, but what is this book?
Here is what we know:
Verse 7 indicates that its contents had been declared before to God’s servants the prophets and the message in it coincides with the mystery of God being finished.
Verses 9-11 tells us that the contents of the book are sweet to the taste yet bitter to the stomach and that John must share its contents to many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.
It is my opinion that this open little book in the hand of the mighty angel is that which John has been writing down namely the revelation of Jesus. The contents have been given to the prophets such as Daniel and others it speaks of, when God would again set all things right. Since it unveils Jesus as the conqueror who establishes His kingdom and yet deals with the judgment of those who refuse His love it is sweet to the taste yet bitter for those who must digest His wrath.
Vs. 3-4 Jer. 25:30 informs us that “The LORD will roar from on high, And utter His voice from His holy habitation; He will roar mightily against His fold. He will give a shout, as those who tread the grapes, Against all the inhabitants of the earth.” Apparently we have the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy.
This is the only time in this book that John is told to seal up that which was spoken and not write it down for us. What was it John wrote down? Well it would be foolish speculation to guess as it is sealed up. Deut. 29:29 reminds us that “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
Vs. 5-7 And now a word from our sponsor
Vs. 5-7 The mighty angel swears by two aspects of the nature of God that mankind most often rejects:
Him who lives forever: Mankind has always rejected the eternal nature of God, that is to say that God has always existed. Why does mankind reject the eternal nature of man? Well if God has always been then means that he is over man in every way!
Who created heaven and earth and all the things that are in them: Mankind has always rejected God’s nature as creator, evolution is a clear example of this. Why do they reject this aspect of God? Well if God created everything then He alone has the right over everything and everyone!
In our lives everything that is not right in the way we live can be traced back to an improper view of the person, work or nature of God!
In verse 6 a declaration is made that there should be no more delays. Jesus has purchased the title deed to the world but has yet to claim what He has purchased through His shed blood. Finally what all redeemed hearts have longed for will be accomplished, “His will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven.” But why the delay in the first place?
Well I think two verses shed light upon this:
2 Thess 2:7 “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” God delayed this because of the wickedness of man, choosing to restrain lawlessness by work of the Holy Spirit within the Church. Once the rapture happens things will take a quick natural course, which leads to 4 billion deaths.
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” It also seems as though God desires that all should come into repentance and the delay was to “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” (John 1:12)
It is our Lord who has purchased the world at the price of His precious blood and it is up to Him to wait for the right time. How unfortunate it is that some choose to scoff because of His delay not realizing that their evil is increasing until it will be ripe for judgment which will take place after Vs. 11:15 after the 7th trumpet.
Vs. 8-11 Hard to stomach the truth
Vs. 8-11 Here we see that John is told to partake of the little book which is a picture of appropriating its contents into his life. Something John admonished all of us in chapter 1:3 as he said, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” The word of God is sweet to those who partake of it and appropriate it into their lives. As we learn of His grace and mercy but it also is bitter when we fail to trust Him and His word on our behalf.
There are several others in scripture who were told to partake of God’s word:
Jer. 15:16 “Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.”
Ezek. 3:1-3 “eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in its sweetness.”
Clearly how we receive His word on our behalf will determine whether the sweetness will turn to bitterness or joy in our hearts.
