The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Revelation 10–11: The Mighty Angel, the Little Scroll, and the Two Witnesses

The mighty angel and the two witnesses

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

The judgments of the seven trumpets have shaken heaven and earth. Yet before the seventh trumpet sounds, the Lord pauses the action once again. Just as there was an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, there is now an interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets.

The message is clear: even in the midst of judgment, God continues to speak. His servants must continue to proclaim His Word until His purposes are complete.

Revelation 10–11: The Mighty Angel, the Little Scroll, and the Two Witnesses

The Mighty Angel and the Little Scroll

John writes:

"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

The angel's appearance reflects the majesty of God. Clouds, fire, and brilliant light often accompany divine revelation throughout Scripture.

In his hand is a little scroll, already open.

One foot rests upon the sea and the other upon the earth, declaring God's authority over the entire creation. The angel cries with a loud voice, and seven thunders answer.

John prepares to write what the thunders have spoken, but a voice from heaven stops him.

"Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not."

Revelation 10:4

Not every mystery has been revealed. God has disclosed everything necessary for faith and obedience, but some things remain hidden within His own wisdom.

The angel then raises his hand toward heaven and declares that there will be no more delay.

"...the mystery of God should be finished..."

Revelation 10:7

History is moving toward its appointed conclusion. God's promises will not fail.

John Eats the Scroll

John receives an unusual command.

"Take it, and eat it up."

Revelation 10:9

The scroll tastes sweet like honey in his mouth but becomes bitter in his stomach.

This recalls Ezekiel's similar experience (Ezekiel 2–3).

God's Word is sweet because it reveals His truth, His salvation, and His glory.

Yet it is also bitter because it contains warnings of judgment, rejection, suffering, and persecution.

Every faithful servant discovers this tension. Proclaiming God's Word brings great joy, but carrying its burden often brings sorrow.

John's commission is renewed.

"Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."

Revelation 10:11

The prophet's work is not finished.

Neither is the Church's.

Measuring the Temple

Chapter 11 begins with another symbolic action.

John receives a measuring rod and is instructed to measure the temple, the altar, and those who worship there.

Throughout Scripture, measuring often signifies God's ownership and protection.

Although judgment is coming upon the nations, God knows every one of His faithful people.

Nothing escapes His notice.

The outer court, however, is left unmeasured because it will be trampled by the nations for forty-two months.

Once again Revelation reminds believers that earthly persecution has fixed limits. God determines both its beginning and its end.

The Two Witnesses

Perhaps no figures in Revelation have generated more discussion than the two witnesses.

For 1,260 days they proclaim God's truth with remarkable authority.

Their ministry resembles both Moses and Elijah.

Like Elijah, they shut the heavens so that rain does not fall.

Like Moses, they turn water into blood and strike the earth with plagues.

Whether these are literally Moses and Elijah, two future prophets, or symbolic representatives of the witnessing Church has been debated throughout Christian history.

Whatever view one holds, their purpose is unmistakable.

God always provides faithful witnesses before judgment falls.

Their testimony cannot be silenced until their mission is complete.

The Beast Appears

When the witnesses finish their testimony, the beast rises from the abyss and kills them.

Their bodies lie in the streets while the unbelieving world celebrates their death.

It appears that evil has finally triumphed.

But appearances deceive.

After three and a half days, God breathes life into them.

"Come up hither."

Revelation 11:12

Before the eyes of their enemies they ascend into heaven.

The God who called them is also the God who vindicates them.

The resurrection of the witnesses foreshadows the final resurrection of all God's faithful people.

Death never has the last word.

The Seventh Trumpet

At last the seventh trumpet sounds.

Instead of another disaster, heaven erupts in worship.

"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

This is one of the great declarations of the entire book.

• Human empires rise and fall.

• Kings come and go.

• Nations flourish and disappear.

• But the kingdom of Christ is everlasting.

The twenty-four elders fall before God in worship, giving thanks because His reign has come in fullness.

The heavenly temple opens, revealing the ark of His covenant—a reminder that God has never forgotten His promises to His people.

Lightning, thunder, earthquake, and hail announce that history is moving steadily toward its glorious conclusion.

Living Between the Trumpets

Revelation 10–11 reminds believers that judgment is never God's final word.

Before wrath comes witness.

Before the end comes another opportunity to hear the gospel.

John must continue preaching.

The two witnesses must continue testifying.

The Church must continue proclaiming Christ.

The message is as urgent today as it was when John first received this vision.

God still calls His people to speak His truth with courage, trusting that He alone determines the outcome.

The kingdoms of this world may seem powerful for a season, but they are temporary.

Jesus Christ is the true King.

One day every kingdom will belong to Him, and His reign will never end.

"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

Next Saturday, the series naturally moves into one of Revelation's most dramatic sections: Revelation 12–13: The Woman, the Dragon, and the Two Beasts, where the spiritual conflict behind all of history is unveiled.

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Lord Jesus, thank You for giving this revelation of Yourself to John and now to Your people. Help me and all of those to whom You have sent me

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Let the se­venth an­gel sound on high,

Let shouts be heard through all the sky;

Kings of the earth, with glad ac­cord,

Give up your king­doms to the Lord.

Almighty God, Thy pow­er as­sume,

Who wast, and art, and art to come:

Jesus, the Lamb who once was slain,

For ev­er live, for ev­er reign!

The ang­ry na­tions fret and roar,

That they can slay the saints no more

On wings of ven­geance flies our God,

To pay the long ar­rears of blood.

Now must the ris­ing dead ap­pear;

Now the de­ci­sive sen­tence hear;

Now the dear mar­tyrs of the Lord

Receive an in­fi­nite re­ward.

Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Words: Is­aac Watts, Hymns and Spir­it­ual Songs 1707.