October 3, 2022

Take the open scroll from the angel (Rev 10:8)

“Then the voice

That I had heard

From heaven

Spoke to me again,

Saying,

‘Go!

Take that scroll

That is open

In the hand

Of the angel

Who is standing

In the sea

And on the land.’”

Καὶ ἡ φωνὴ ἣν ἤκουσα ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, πάλιν λαλοῦσαν μετ’ ἐμοῦ καὶ λέγουσαν Ὕπαγε λάβε τὸ βιβλίον τὸ ἠνεῳγμένον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ τοῦ ἀγγέλου τοῦ ἑστῶτος ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

John said, “Then the voice (Καὶ ἡ φωνὴ) that I had heard (ἣν ἤκουσα) from heaven (ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ) spoke (λαλοῦσαν) to me (μετ’ ἐμοῦ) again (πάλιν), saying (καὶ λέγουσαν), ‘Go (Ὕπαγε)!  Take that scroll (λάβε τὸ βιβλίον) that is open (τὸ ἠνεῳγμένον) in the hand (ἐν τῇ χειρὶ) of the angel (τοῦ ἀγγέλου) who is standing (τοῦ ἑστῶτος) in the sea (ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης) and on the land (καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς).’”  John got another command from heaven.  He was told to go and take the open scroll from the hand of the angel who was standing on the land and in the sea.  John listened carefully to these heavenly commands.  Do you listen to God in your life?

October 3, 2022

The mystery of God will be fulfilled (Rev 10:7)

“But in the days

When the sound

Of the seventh angel

Is to blow

His trumpet,

The mystery

Of God

Will be fulfilled,

As he would announce

To his servants,

The prophets.”

ἀλλ’ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ ἑβδόμου ἀγγέλου, ὅταν μέλλῃ σαλπίζειν, καὶ ἐτελέσθη τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὡς εὐηγγέλισεν τοὺς ἑαυτοῦ δούλους τοὺς προφήτας.

John said, “But in the days (ἀλλ’ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις) when the sound (τῆς φωνῆς) of the seventh angel (τοῦ ἑβδόμου ἀγγέλου) is to blow his trumpet (ὅταν μέλλῃ σαλπίζειν), the mystery (τὸ μυστήριον) of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ) will be fulfilled (καὶ ἐτελέσθη), as he would announce (ὡς εὐηγγέλισεν) to his servants (τοὺς ἑαυτοῦ δούλους), the prophets (τοὺς προφήτας).”  John indicated that the angel with one foot on land, the other in the sea, and his hand reaching up to heaven said when the sound of the seventh angel blew his trumpet horn, the mystery of God would be complete or fulfilled, especially for God’s servants and his prophets.  Thus, there was a link between the unfolding wonder of God and the seventh angel, particularly for those who were followers of God.  The mysterious messianic times would be unfolded and understood by the servants of God, his prophets.  Do you think that you will ever understand the mystery of God?

October 3, 2022

There will be no more delay (Rev 10:6)

“The angel

Swore

By him

Who lives

Forever and ever,

Who created heaven

And what is in it,

The earth

And what is in it,

And the sea

And what is in it.

‘There will be

No more delay.’”

καὶ ὤμοσεν ἐν τῷ ζῶντι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, ὃς ἔκτισεν τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ καὶ τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ, ὅτι χρόνος οὐκέτι ἔσται,

John said “The angel swore (καὶ ὤμοσεν) by him who lives (ἐν τῷ ζῶντι) forever and ever (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων), who created heaven (ὃς ἔκτισεν τὸν οὐρανὸν) and what is in it (καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῷ), the earth (καὶ τὴν γῆν) and what is in it (καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ), and the sea (καὶ τὴν θάλασσαν) and what is in it (καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ).  ‘There will be no more delay (ὅτι χρόνος οὐκέτι ἔσται).’”  John indicated that this angel with one foot on the land and the other in the sea swore by the name of God, who lives forever.  God had created heaven, the earth, and the sea as well as everything and everyone who was in heaven, on earth, or in the sea.  He said that the time will not be delayed any longer.  This angel seemed to indicate that the final time had arrived for heaven, earth, and the sea.  Have you ever taken an oath in the name of God?

October 3, 2022

The angel raised his right hand to heaven (Rev 10:5)

“Then the angel

Whom I saw standing

In the sea

And on the land,

Raised

His right hand

To heaven.”

Καὶ ὁ ἄγγελος, ὃν εἶδον ἑστῶτα ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἦρεν τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ τὴν δεξιὰν εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν,

John said, “Then the angel (Καὶ ὁ ἄγγελος), whom I saw (ὃν εἶδον) standing (ἑστῶτα) in the sea (ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης) and on the land (καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς), raised (ἦρεν) his right hand (τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ τὴν δεξιὰν) to heaven (εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν).”  Next John said that he saw the angel who had one foot on the land and the other in the sea raise up his right hand to heaven.  Something was going to happen with him.  This looks like a connection between land, sea, and the heavens.  Have you ever seen a person with one foot in water and the other on dry land?

October 3, 2022

Do not write it down! (Rev 10:4)

“When the seven thunders

Had sounded,

I was about

To write,

But I heard

A voice

From heaven

Saying,

‘Seal up

What the seven thunders

Have said.

Do not write it down!’”

Καὶ ὅτε ἐλάλησαν αἱ ἑπτὰ βρονταί, ἤμελλον γράφειν· καὶ ἤκουσα φωνὴν ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ λέγουσαν Σφράγισον ἃ ἐλάλησαν αἱ ἑπτὰ βρονταί, καὶ μὴ αὐτὰ γράψῃς.

John said, “When the seven thunders (αἱ ἑπτὰ βρονταί) had sounded (Καὶ ὅτε ἐλάλησαν), I was about to write it (ἤμελλον γράφειν), but I heard (καὶ ἤκουσα) a voice (φωνὴν) from heaven (ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ) saying (λέγουσαν), ‘Seal up (Σφράγισον) what the seven thunders (αἱ ἑπτὰ βρονταί) have said (ἃ ἐλάλησαν).  Do not write it down (καὶ μὴ αὐτὰ γράψῃς).’”  John indicated that when the seven thunders or spirits had sounded or spoke, he was going to write down what they said.  However, he heard an unspecified voice from heaven tell him not to write what they were saying.  Instead, he was to seal up what they had said and not write about it.  Something about the seven thunders was not right.  It was not to be written down.  Has someone ever told you not to keep a record of what they just said?

October 2, 2022

The angel shouted like a lion (Rev 10:3)

“This angel gave

A great shout,

Like a lion roaring.

When he shouted,

The seven thunders

Sounded

Their voice.”

καὶ ἔκραξεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ὥσπερ λέων μυκᾶται. καὶ ὅτε ἔκραξεν, ἐλάλησαν αἱ ἑπτὰ βρονταὶ τὰς ἑαυτῶν φωνάς.

John said, “This angel gave a great shout (καὶ ἔκραξεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ), like a lion (ὥσπερ λέων) roaring (μυκᾶται).  When he shouted (καὶ ὅτε ἔκραξεν), the seven thunders (αἱ ἑπτὰ βρονταὶ) sounded (ἐλάλησαν) their voice (τὰς ἑαυτῶν φωνάς).”  This is the only use of this Greek word that appears only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word μυκᾶται, that means to roar or bellow.  John further described the situation.  This angel with the little scroll, straddling both the land and the sea, gave a great shout out.  He sounded like a roaring lion.  The seven thunders may be linked to the seven spirits mentioned in chapter 1:4 with the seven churches or with chapter 4:5, and the seven torches.  Certainly, seven, the full number, played a big part in this extravaganza.  How many thunders have you ever heard at once?

October 2, 2022

The open little scroll (Rev 10:2)

“This angel

Held a little scroll

Open

In his hand.

He set his right foot

On the sea

And his left foot

On the land.”

καὶ ἔχων ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ βιβλαρίδιον ἠνεῳγμένον. καὶ ἔθηκεν τὸν πόδα αὐτοῦ τὸν δεξιὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης, τὸν δὲ εὐώνυμον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς,

John said, “This angel held (καὶ ἔχων) a little scroll (βιβλαρίδιον) open (ἠνεῳγμένον) in his hand (ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ).  He set (καὶ ἔθηκεν) his right foot (τὸν πόδα αὐτοῦ τὸν δεξιὸν) on the sea (ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης) and his left foot (τὸν δὲ εὐώνυμον) on the land (ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς).”  This is the only use of this Greek word that appears only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word βιβλαρίδιον, that means a little book or a little papyrus roll.  John indicated this angel had a little scroll as opposed to the angel who had the big scroll that no one was able to open in chapter 5.  However, this little scroll was open so that no one had to wonder who would open it.  Meanwhile, this spiritual angel set his right foot in the sea and his left foot on the land.  Clearly, God and his angel were in charge of both the land the and sea.  Does God control the land the and sea?

October 2, 2022

Another mighty angel (Rev 10:1)

“I saw

Another mighty angel

Coming down

From heaven.

He was wrapped

In a cloud,

With a rainbow

Over his head.

His face was

Like the sun.

His legs were

Like pillars

Of fire.”

Καὶ εἶδον ἄλλον ἄγγελον ἰσχυρὸν καταβαίνοντα ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, περιβεβλημένον νεφέλην, καὶ ἡ ἶρις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος, καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὡς στῦλοι πυρός,

John said, “I saw (Καὶ εἶδον) another mighty angel (ἄλλον ἄγγελον ἰσχυρὸν) coming down (καταβαίνοντα) from heaven (ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ).  He was wrapped (περιβεβλημένον) in a cloud (νεφέλην), with a rainbow (καὶ ἡ ἶρις) over his head (ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ).  His face (καὶ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ) was like the sun (ὡς ὁ ἥλιος).  His legs (καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ) were like pillars of fire (ὡς στῦλοι πυρός).”  This is the only use of this Greek word that appears only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word ἶρις that means a rainbow or halo.  John then said that he saw yet another mighty strong angel coming down from heaven, distinct from the angel in chapter 5:2.  This angel was wrapped in a cloud with a rainbow or halo around his head.  John continued with his description of this angel by saying that his face was like the sun and his feet or legs were like pillars of fire.  Nothing was simple and easy.  Everything was elaborate.  What do you think an angel would look like?

October 2, 2022

They did not repent of their evil ways (Rev 9:21)

“They did not repent

Of their murders,

Their sorceries,

Their fornications,

Or their thefts.”

καὶ οὐ μετενόησαν ἐκ τῶν φόνων αὐτῶν οὔτε ἐκ τῶν φαρμακιῶν αὐτῶν οὔτε ἐκ τῆς πορνείας αὐτῶν οὔτε ἐκ τῶν κλεμμάτων αὐτῶν.

John said, “They did not repent (καὶ οὐ μετενόησαν) of their murders (ἐκ τῶν φόνων αὐτῶν), their sorceries (οὔτε ἐκ τῶν φαρμακιῶν), their fornications (οὔτε ἐκ τῆς πορνείας αὐτῶν) or their thefts (οὔτε ἐκ τῶν κλεμμάτων αὐτῶν).”  This is the only use of these Greek words that appear only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word φαρμακιῶν, that means a poisoner, sorcerer, or magician, and the word κλεμμάτων, that means theft.  John said that they did not repent or have a change of heart, a metanoia.  They continued in their evil ways killing each other, as well as being sorcerers or magicians, fornicators, and thieves.  They did show any sign that they would change their lifestyle.  This other two-thirds of the humans did not seem fazed by all this death.  Does death bother you?

October 2, 2022

The survivors did not stop worshipping image idols (Rev 9:20)

“The rest of the humans,

Who were not killed

By these plagues,

Did not repent

Of the works

Of their hands.

They did not give up

Worshipping

Demons

And image idols

Of gold,

Silver,

Bronze,

Stone,

And wood,

Which cannot see,

Hear,

Or walk.”

καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, οἳ οὐκ ἀπεκτάνθησαν ἐν ταῖς πληγαῖς ταύταις, οὐ μετενόησαν ἐκ τῶν ἔργων τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῶν, ἵνα μὴ προσκυνήσουσιν τὰ δαιμόνια καὶ τὰ εἴδωλα τὰ χρυσᾶ καὶ τὰ ἀργυρᾶ καὶ τὰ χαλκᾶ καὶ τὰ λίθινα καὶ τὰ ξύλινα, ἃ οὔτε βλέπειν δύνανται οὔτε ἀκούειν οὔτε περιπατεῖν,

John said, “The rest of the humans (καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων), who were not killed (οἳ οὐκ ἀπεκτάνθησαν) by these plagues (ἐν ταῖς πληγαῖς ταύταις), did not repent (οὐ μετενόησαν) of the works (ἐκ τῶν ἔργων) of their hands (τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῶν).  They did not give up worshipping (ἵνα μὴ προσκυνήσουσιν) demons (τὰ δαιμόνια) and image idols (καὶ τὰ εἴδωλα) of gold (τὰ χρυσᾶ), silver (καὶ τὰ ἀργυρᾶ), bronze (καὶ τὰ χαλκᾶ), stone (καὶ τὰ λίθινα), and wood (καὶ τὰ ξύλινα), which cannot see (ἃ οὔτε βλέπειν δύνανται), hear (οὔτε ἀκούειν), or walk (οὔτε περιπατεῖν).”  This is the only use of this Greek word that appears only in Revelation and not in any other canonical biblical NT writing, the word χαλκᾶ, that means brazen, copper, bronze, or brass.  John seemed disappointed as he said that the rest of the humans who were not killed, the other two-thirds of the humans, did not repent or have a change of heart in their ways, a metanoia.  Instead, they continued to worship demons and golden, silver, bronze, stone, and wooden image idol gods.  Clearly, these manmade idol gods could not see, hear, or walk.  Idolatry continued despite all these plagues, destruction and human deaths.  Do you think that there is idolatry today?