Ed Urzi

“Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter” (Revelation 10:10).

A decision to internalize God’s Word may produce some bitter experiences, just as our author discovered in the passage quoted above. The same may be true of anyone who seeks to read the Biblical Scriptures and act upon them. For instance, consider the following message from Jesus to His followers and the crowds who gathered to hear his teachings…

“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it'” (Mark 8:34-35 NLT).

This portion of Scripture begins with an open invitation from Jesus to those who wish to follow Him. Jesus conveyed that invitation as follows: “Whoever wants to be my disciple…” (NIV). This tells us that the path to discipleship is open to anyone without qualification. Nevertheless, that decision carries a price. The New King James translation of this passage calculates that price for us: “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

“Denying yourself” and “taking up your cross” are two demanding, but essential characteristics of genuine discipleship. First, “denying yourself” is an act that demands humility. It requires us to abandon the single-minded pursuit of our personal interests and subordinate them to Christ. It also means that we can no longer allow “what’s best for me?” to guide our life philosophy. Instead, we must be willing to substitute Jesus’ priorities for our priorities as we navigate the circumstances of life.

The phrase “taking up your cross” points to the rejection, intolerance, opposition, and/or persecution that all true followers of Christ experience to greater or lesser degrees. As Jesus once remarked in speaking of end-times events, “… everyone will hate you because you are mine. But all who endure to the end without renouncing me shall be saved” (Mark 13:13 TLB).

That parallels our author’s bitter experience here in Revelation 10:9. However, Jesus also left us with a sweeter aspect to consider as well: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

“Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven” (Revelation 10:5 NIV).

While the identity of this angel is uncertain, we can make some educated guesses. For instance, this angel could be Michael, the archangel. Since “arche” means “first” in the original language of the New Testament, Michael is among the highest ranking (if not the highest-ranking), angelic beings. Michael will also enter battle against Satan himself later in Revelation chapter twelve.

A second possibility is the angel Gabriel. By his own admission, Gabriel is an angel who stands in the presence of God. However, we should recognize that the vast majority of the angelic beings who appear in the Scriptures remain unnamed and unidentifiable. Much like this anonymous multitude, the same is true of the angel we encounter here in Revelation 10:5.

In any event, this angel issued a decisive proclamation in verse six: “There will be no more delay!” (NIV). As mentioned previously, this represents the beginning of the end for the current world order. From this point forward, God’s purposes will accelerate toward their ultimate culmination.

“Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, ‘Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.’ So I went to the angel and said to him, ‘Give me the little book.’ And he said to me, ‘Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.’

Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. And he said to me, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.’ (Revelation 10:8-11).

Much like the symbolic imagery of an open book tells us that God is open to sharing His message with us, the fact that John consumes this book carries significance as well. Just as John ate the little book that was given to him, we should also internalize God’s Word as well.

For instance, a person who refuses to eat will eventually grow physically weak. In the same manner, a person who doesn’t prayerfully read the Scriptures is sure to grow spiritually weak. Therefore, this passage reminds us that we would do well to ensure that we internalize a portion of God’s Word each day.

“Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, ‘There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.'” (Revelation 10:5-7 NIV).

These verses allow us to return to a discussion we began earlier in our look at Revelation chapter ten. There are several points of similarity between the angelic being depicted here in verse five and some of the descriptions of Jesus given to us earlier in the Book of Revelation. So who is the being mentioned here within this passage?

We find an important clue to his identity in verse six: “And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever…’” With this in mind, consider how Jesus introduced Himself to our author in Revelation chapter one: “I am the One who lives; I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever…” (Revelation 1:18 NCV). If Jesus is the One who is alive forever and ever, then he would have no need to swear by Him who lives forever and ever.

This tells us that this being is who he is said to be: a mighty angel. But this leaves one question unanswered: if this being is an angel, then why does he bear a striking resemblance to Jesus? One potential answer lies in the fact that we often tend to adopt the characteristics and mannerisms of our associates. This mighty angel may thus bear a resemblance to Jesus because he has spent time in Jesus’ presence.

The Old Testament book of Exodus offers a comparable example. For instance, Exodus 34:29-35 tells us that Moses’ face grew bright with a radiant glow whenever he returned from spending time in God’s presence. In a similar manner, the more time we spend in Jesus’ presence, the greater our potential to adopt His characteristic qualities as well.

Finally, the New Testament epistle of 1 John offers an encouraging truth in this regard: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

“The angel was holding a small scroll open in his hand…” (Revelation 10:2 NCV).

A contemporary equivalent of this “small scroll” would be a booklet, or similar type of diminutive written work. Although we can speculate on the contents of this scroll, one thing is certain: it is a message that comes from God. We should also notice how this angel holds this scroll: it is “…open in his hand.” So even though we are not alerted to the contents of this book, the symbolic imagery of an open scroll tells us that God is open to sharing His Word with us.

The fact that this angel “…planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land” (NIV) is also more significant than it may appear. While many terrible things are yet to come in the book of Revelation, this marks the beginning of the end of the enemy’s reign upon the world. Much like soldier who recaptures a land area that was taken by a hostile force, this angel has “planted his foot” and reclaimed the sea and the land of this planet for God.

“Then he shouted in a loud voice like a lion roaring, and when he shouted, the seven thunders sounded their voices. When the seven thunders spoke, I was preparing to write, but just then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Seal up what the seven thunders spoke and do not write it down'” (Revelation 10:3-4).

This seems unusual; why would our author reference this sequence of events if he was forbidden to write about what he heard? We can address this question in two ways. First, this passage reminds us that God may not reveal every aspect of His plan for us. In other words, it is God’s prerogative to withhold certain information from us if He chooses to do so.

Next, God may elect to reveal certain things to some individuals, but withhold such information from others as He sees fit. John, the author of Revelation, serves as a case in point. John knew exactly what these seven thunders said, for he was prepared to record it. But in this instance, God chose to reveal that information to John exclusively and not to anyone else. This tells us that there are certain things that God may choose to keep to Himself, or share with others on a case-by-case basis.

Finally, in a general sense, John’s experience should remind us of the need to exercise discretion in sharing the information we receive. That does not obligate us to remain silent in matters that are illegal, immoral, or unethical, but it should prompt us to be discriminating when it comes to disclosing what we learn. For example, this should inspire us to think carefully before we publicize the faults, idiosyncrasies, and shortcomings of others, especially those within the family of God. As Jesus Himself reminded us, “Treat others as you want them to treat you” (Matthew 7:12 CEV).

“I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars.

When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them” (Revelation 10:1-4).

The preceding chapters of the Book of Revelation detailed the trumpet calls of five angelic beings. Each of the first four trumpets heralded a different natural disaster, while the fifth unleashed a terrifying swarm of demonic creatures. The sixth trumpet sounded in Revelation 9:13, followed by the release of four murderous angels with an armed force of 200 million members that decimated one-third of humanity.

While we might ordinarily expect to see the seventh and final trumpet sound here in Revelation chapter ten, that will not take place until we reach Revelation 11:15. In the interim, the Book of Revelation presents us with a brief interlude that extends from the opening verse of this chapter through the first half of the following chapter. This portion of Scripture opens with a reference to “…another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars” (NIV).

So what observations can we make regarding this angelic being? Well, our text from Revelation 10:1-4 offers several characteristics…

• He is a being of great strength.
• He is robed in a cloud.
• There is a rainbow above his head.
• His face was like the sun.
• His legs were like fiery pillars.

These characteristics seem to bear a resemblance to Jesus as we see Him in the book of Revelation. Consider the following parallels…

• Jesus is identified as “the first and last” in Revelation 1:17, a testament to His superior strength.
• Revelation 1:7 says that “He is coming with clouds.”
• We encountered a rainbow above the throne of God in Revelation 4:3.
• Revelation 1:16 says that “His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.“
• His feet were like “bronze glowing in a furnace…” according to Revelation 1:15.

We’ll revisit these items with an eye towards a personal application later in our study of this chapter.

“The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood– idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21 NIV).

The final verse of Revelation chapter nine references several unlawful or destructive behaviors. First among those behaviors is murder, or the unlawful killing of one human being by another. ₍₁₎ While homicides come in various forms, these killings are clearly premeditated and would likely meet the legal threshold for first-degree murder in many jurisdictions.

The next item on our list from Revelation 9:21 is “magic arts” or “sorceries” (NKJV). Although we commonly associate these practices with witchcraft, they also encompass the use, or administering, of drugs.  ₍₂₎  These words are derived from the word pharmakeia in the original language of this passage, a word that serves as the basis of modern-day terms like “pharmacy” and “pharmaceutical.” In contrast to a contemporary pharmacy where qualified professionals dispense medicinal compounds to heal the sick and injured, this term carries a very different meaning…

“In ‘sorcery,’ the use of drugs, whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers, with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc., professedly designed to keep the applicant or patient from the attention and power of demons, but actually to impress the applicant with the mysterious resources and powers of the sorcerer.” ₍₃₎

So this informative portion of Scripture tells us that any teaching or philosophy that involves the use of drugs to achieve an altered state of consciousness is not of God.

Next comes “sexual immorality.” This refers to any type of physical relationship that occurs outside of a Biblically valid marriage partnership. Jesus defined that standard for us in the following manner…

“…at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Mark 10:6-9 NIV).

This list of negative behaviors then closes with a reference to “thefts.” This word embodies the idea of a “thing stolen.” ₍₃₎ While we might associate this idea with the actions of a bank robber or shoplifter, this concept applies to anyone who takes something that does not belong to them, regardless of their intent or the value of that item.

So the horrific events described here in Revelation chapter nine should underscore our need for prayerful self-examination to help ensure our lives are free from similar practices today.

(1) murder. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition, Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

(2) G5331 – pharmakeia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5331/kjv/tr/0-1/

(3) G2809 – klemma – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2809/kjv/tr/0-1/

“For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails, which resemble snakes, have heads, and they inflict injury with them” (Revelation 9:19 HCSB).

If we associate these references from Revelation 9:17-19 with various forms of mechanized warfare, then these “breastplates” may translate to some form of protective gear. “Fire, smoke and sulfur” might describe the use of an ordinance launcher or similar type of armament. Revelation 9:19 also provides us with the following description: “The power of these horses is in their mouths and their tails” (GW). Whatever form that power takes, it clearly describes the use of front and rear mounted weaponry.

“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21).

This passage establishes a relationship between the “works of their hands” and the broader concept of worship. “Worship” signifies a profound act of reverence toward another person or thing. In also conveys the image of kissing one’s hand, just as one might do in the presence of royalty. ₍₁₎ So those who survived the onslaught described in Revelation chapter nine stubbornly continued to offer the respect and reverence that is reserved for God alone to His enemies and/or inanimate objects.

That brings us to this reference to “…idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk” (GNT). While idolatry may encompass a range of behaviors, we can associate an idol with anything we love, fear, or depend upon more than God. When something takes God’s place within our lives, that thing (whatever it is) effectively becomes an idol.

When we speak of idolatry, we are essentially referring to a question of misplaced priorities. For instance, let’s take the case of an individual who prioritizes the acquisition of financial wealth above all else. A person who prioritizes money in that manner is just as guilty of idolatry as those who worshipped “idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.” The same is true of anything that takes God’s place within our lives.

Objects of idolatry might include material possessions, positions of power or influence, or other human beings, to name a few examples. Therefore, we may rightfully classify anything that displaces the love and devotion that belongs to our Creator as an idol.

Image Attribution :unattributed, via Pixabay

(1) See G4352 – proskyneo – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4352/kjv/tr/0-1/

“Then the four angels who had been prepared for this hour, day, month, and year were set free to kill a third of humanity” (Revelation 9:15 NET).

We should not move past this portion of Scripture without giving serious thought to its content. First, notice that these four angels “…had been held ready for the hour, the day, the month and the year” (Phillips). This passage evokes the image of four predators, each pulling at the end of its restraint, ready to be unleashed at the right moment.

So how long had these entities been waiting for their opportunity to decimate one-third of the remaining human race? Was it years? Centuries? Millennia? Eons? Or perhaps longer? How long have these beings visualized, strategized, and planned for this opportunity? Once again, this passage reminds us that demonic entities are not like the roguish little troublemakers that appear in various forms of media. Instead, this portion of Scripture serves to illustrate their true nature.

“Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them” (Revelation 9:16).

So these angels seem to be the motivating force behind these armed forces. Nevertheless, an army comprising two hundred million troops would have been unimaginable when these words were first authored, for that figure likely encompassed the world’s entire population during that period. In fact, that number is significantly larger than the estimated 127 million people who comprised the collective armed forces of all the nations that took part in World War II.

Because of this, some commentators believe that Revelation 9:16 simply refers to a significant number of troops. However, the fact that the author of Revelation specifically tells us “I heard their number,” suggests that we should take this figure literally.

“And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone.

By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed–by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm” (Revelation 9:17-19).

These references have led some to speculate that this passage refers to some sort of futuristic mechanized warfare. We’ll consider that possibility next.

“And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon” (Revelation 9:11).

Abaddon and Apollyon are words that convey a similar meaning: destruction, or destroyer. This has led some to speculate that a single demonic entity governs the Abyss and directs these locust beings to inflict pain and suffering upon their human victims.

“One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things. Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’

So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them” (Revelation 9:12-16).

The Euphrates River is a lengthy waterway that traverses a significant portion of the Middle East. This body of water flows from the mountains of Turkey through the nations of Syria and Iraq and later joins the Tigris River before it reaches the Persian Gulf on the Iranian border. The Euphrates River once formed the eastern boundary of the ancient Roman Empire for several centuries, as well as the land God promised to Abraham’s descendants, the Jewish people (see Genesis 15:18).

Other ancient civilizations that controlled portions of the Euphrates river valley included the Hittites (the modern day inhabitants of Turkey), the Assyrians (modern day Syria), the Babylonians (modern day Iraq), and the Persians (modern day Iran). These people groups brought considerable adversity upon the nation of Israel during the Old Testament period. In addition, the Biblical book of Daniel chronicles the account of an angelic being who had been intercepted by a spiritual adversary who was identified as “the Prince of Persia” (see Daniel chapter ten, verses thirteen and twenty).

Therefore, it should not surprise us to learn that four demonic beings have been incarcerated within this area. And even though the locusts that were released from the Abyss were truly horrific, they only possessed the capability to inflict suffering and torment upon their victims. In contrast, the angelic beings seen here in Revelation 9:12-16 are executioners who hold the power to act upon their murderous intent.

Image Attribution : Alen Ištoković, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“In appearance the locusts were like horses prepared for battle: on their heads were what looked like crowns of gold; their faces were like human faces, their hair like women’s hair, and their teeth like lions’ teeth; they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle. They have tails and stings like scorpions, and their power to hurt people for five months is in their tails” (Revelation 9:7-10 ESV).

Revelation 9:7-10 offers a physical description of the locust creatures that emerge from the bottomless pit described earlier in this chapter. Some associate these physical characteristics with the advent of modern day weaponry. For example, these “crowns of gold” may refer to a type of helmet. If face shields were deployed with such helmets, a first century observer (like the author of Revelation) might note a resemblance to “human faces.”

This reference to “…breastplates of iron” might refer to some type of body armor. The audible comparison to a sound “…like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle” may represent a primitive reference to a helicopter gunship or other form of mobile weaponry. But whatever these descriptions pertain to, one thing is clear: these creatures are targeting those who have rejected God. In fact, these attacks will be so horrific that people “…shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them” (Revelation 9:6 KLV).

This portion of Scripture thus illustrates what can occur when God removes the restraints He places upon the members of the demonic realm. It also reminds us that demonic beings do not resemble the cartoonish pranksters some portray them to be. Instead, Revelation chapter nine offers a realistic portrait of these dangerous entities in their natural predatory state.

With these things in mind,  we would do well to refrain from any form of involvement with occultism, or contact with the spirit world. For instance, recall Jesus’ cautionary message from John 8:44: “…[The devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.” In addition, the Biblical book of 1 Peter tells us, “…Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV).

Taken together with our text from Revelation chapter nine, these passages illustrate the violent, aggressive nature of these dangerous spiritual entities. So while the book of Revelation speaks largely of the future, this passage offers a valuable and relevant lesson for today as well.