In Revelation 10, John receives a striking vision of a mighty angel descending from heaven. This angel is wrapped in a cloud, a rainbow over his head, his face like the sun, and legs like pillars of fire. He plants one foot on the sea and the other on the land, holding a little scroll. It’s a vivid, overwhelming picture—and it’s rich with meaning for us today.
This passage presents us with more than prophetic imagery. It’s a call to deeper discipleship, a summons to recover sound doctrine, and a challenge to embrace the bittersweet reality of being a witness for Christ in a broken world.
A Doctrinal Deficiency—and the Need to Address It
As we discussed in our recent gathering of Sunday school and small group leaders, one of the consistent challenges in the modern church is a widespread deficiency in doctrine. Many believers—through no fault of their own—have not been systematically taught the foundational truths of the Christian faith. This includes both the essentials (like the Trinity and the identity of Christ) and the non-essentials (like the providence of God or angelology). In this teaching series on Revelation, we are intentionally turning up the volume on doctrine—not by drifting from Scripture, but by letting the text guide us into theological reflection.
In Revelation 10:1, doctrine is already present. The angel’s appearance recalls divine imagery—clouds, light, fire—bringing to mind both God the Father and Christ in previous visions. But the text clearly states this is not Christ; it is an angel, and Jesus is not an angel. That matters. Why? Because Jesus is not a created being. He is the eternally begotten Son of God, qualitatively different from angels. That’s Christology. That’s doctrine.
Angelology: More Than Just Wings and Halos
We often overlook what Scripture teaches about angels. Revelation 10 invites us to pause and reflect. Angels are messengers, warriors, protectors, even reapers of souls. They bring comfort, execute judgment, and operate invisibly in the spiritual realm. They are part of God’s created order, serving his redemptive purposes. This isn’t speculation—it’s a biblical teaching we call “angelology,” and it’s woven throughout both testaments.
These beings are not just part of Bible stories—they are reminders that God’s realm is always active, and that spiritual forces shape our visible reality more than we often recognize.
The Bittersweet Nature of Truth
One of the most compelling moments in this chapter is when John is told to take the little scroll and eat it. “It will be sweet in your mouth,” he’s told, “but bitter in your stomach.” This is a profound metaphor for the prophetic task. To receive God’s Word is sweet—life-giving, illuminating, hopeful. But to proclaim that Word in a world that resists truth is bitter. There is pain in obedience, especially when it comes to proclaiming hard truths.
This is not just about John—it’s about us. The Church has a prophetic calling. We are called to be salt and light, to speak truth in love, and to preserve what is holy in a world eager to decay. That’s not always popular. In fact, it often comes with backlash, misunderstanding, and rejection. But the Church must still speak. We must still eat the scroll.
Why Does God Allow Tragedy?
One of the harder truths we wrestled with together is this: Why does God allow tragedy? Revelation provides some perspective. As we near the end, the text tells us, natural disasters and suffering will increase—not because God is absent, but because He is working out His purposes in history. In some mysterious way, God’s plan includes allowing brokenness so that redemption might be full and final.
We don’t always get answers. In fact, in Revelation 10, John hears the seven thunders speak—but is told not to write it down. There are some things God simply doesn’t explain. Just as Job never learned why he suffered, we must sometimes sit in the tension of not knowing. But faith says, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”
The Certainty of God’s Plan
Revelation 10 is apocalyptic literature, which means the future it reveals is not conditional—it’s certain. God will finish what He started. The angel raises his hand and swears by Him who lives forever: “There will be no more delay.” That’s the sovereignty of God on display. He will bring history to its appointed end. Judgment will come. Redemption will come. Jesus will come again.
And all of it—every chapter, every verse—is moving us toward that great and final hope.
The Mission Continues: Again
Near the end of the chapter, John is told he must “prophesy again.” After everything he’s endured—visions of judgment, suffering, and spiritual warfare—God says, “Again.” That word is important. There’s perseverance in ministry. There’s fatigue. But there’s also purpose. If God calls you to do something hard again—teach, forgive, serve, speak up—do it again. It may be bittersweet. But it’s worth it.
Final Reflections
Revelation 10 teaches us that the Church’s mission is not to stay safe or comfortable. It’s to be faithful. Faithful in doctrine. Faithful in witness. Faithful in truth-telling. Even when it’s hard.
So eat the scroll. Let it be sweet. Let it be bitter. And let it move you into deeper obedience, greater faithfulness, and a bolder proclamation of the hope we have in Christ.
“There will be no more delay.” The end is sure. The time is short. Let us live with readiness—and let us speak the truth, no matter the cost.
