Trusting God's Sovereignty: Revelations from Chapter 10

Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the profound and often mysterious book of Revelation, focusing on Chapter 10. This chapter is rich with vivid imagery and deep spiritual truths that reveal God's character, His plans, and His sovereignty over all creation. We began by examining the colossal angel described in the passage, noting its immense size and the symbolic elements like the rainbow over its head. This angel, standing with one foot on the sea and one on the land, signifies God's dominion over all realms—earth, sea, and sky.

We also explored the seven thunders, a mysterious element that John was instructed not to write down. This secrecy highlights the intimate relationship between John and God, showing that God sometimes shares secrets with those He trusts. This serves as a reminder that while we may not always understand God's plans, we are called to trust Him and have faith in His promises.

The angel's proclamation that there would be "no more delay" is a pivotal moment, signaling that God's ultimate plan is unfolding. This message was particularly comforting for the early Christians who faced severe persecution, as it reassured them that God's reign was imminent and their suffering was not in vain.

We also drew parallels between this passage and the Old Testament, particularly the book of Ezekiel, to show how the prophetic messages are interconnected. The scroll given to John, which was sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach, symbolizes the dual nature of God's word—it is both a source of joy and a call to serious responsibility.

Finally, we discussed the importance of the prophetic in our lives today. Prophecy is not just about foretelling the future but also about speaking God's truth into our current circumstances. Our testimonies are prophetic, as they declare God's work in our lives and offer hope to others.

### Key Takeaways

1. God's Sovereignty Over All Creation: The angel in Revelation 10, standing with one foot on the sea and one on the land, symbolizes God's dominion over all realms. This imagery reassures us that no part of our lives is outside of God's control. He is sovereign over every situation we face, whether it be on earth, in the sea, or in the sky. [46:51]

2. The Mystery of the Seven Thunders: The seven thunders represent a divine mystery that God chose to keep secret, even from John. This teaches us that there are aspects of God's plan that we are not meant to understand fully. Our relationship with God should be built on trust and faith, knowing that He reveals what we need to know in His perfect timing. [47:29]

3. The Bittersweet Nature of God's Word: The scroll given to John was sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach, symbolizing the dual nature of God's word. It brings joy and hope but also calls us to serious responsibility and sometimes difficult tasks. This duality reminds us that following God involves both blessings and challenges. [58:57]

4. The Role of Prophecy: Prophecy is not just about predicting the future; it is about declaring God's truth in our present circumstances. Our testimonies are prophetic because they reveal God's work in our lives and offer hope to others. Sharing our stories can inspire faith and transformation in those who hear them. [01:01:26]

5. God's Delays Are for Our Good: The angel's proclamation that there would be "no more delay" reassures us that God's timing is perfect. While we may experience delays and unanswered prayers, these are often for our benefit and the benefit of others. God's delays are setups for greater things, and we must trust His timing and purpose. [01:14:33]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[32:29] - Introduction to Revelation 10
[37:59] - The Colossal Angel
[40:13] - The Seven Thunders
[46:51] - God's Sovereignty Over All Creation
[47:29] - The Mystery of the Seven Thunders
[50:06] - Trusting God's Promises
[52:18] - The Proclamation of No More Delay
[58:57] - The Bittersweet Scroll
[01:01:26] - The Role of Prophecy
[01:14:33] - God's Delays Are for Our Good
[01:15:57] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 10:1-11
2. Ezekiel 2:8-3:3
3. Amos 3:7

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the colossal angel in Revelation 10 symbolize with one foot on the sea and one on the land? ([40:13])
2. Why was John instructed not to write down what the seven thunders said? ([47:29])
3. How does the scroll given to John in Revelation 10 compare to the scroll given to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 2:8-3:3? ([45:09])
4. What is the significance of the angel's proclamation that there would be "no more delay"? ([52:18])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of the colossal angel in Revelation 10 help us understand God's sovereignty over all creation? ([46:51])
2. What can we learn from the fact that God chose to keep the message of the seven thunders a secret, even from John? ([48:09])
3. In what ways does the bittersweet nature of the scroll reflect the dual nature of God's word in our lives? ([58:57])
4. How does the role of prophecy, as discussed in the sermon, apply to our personal testimonies and the way we share our faith with others? ([01:01:26])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by a situation. How does knowing that God is sovereign over all realms (earth, sea, and sky) change your perspective on that situation? ([46:51])
2. Have you ever experienced a moment when you felt God was keeping something from you for a reason? How did you respond, and how can you grow in trusting God's timing and secrets? ([48:09])
3. The scroll given to John was sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. Can you think of a time when following God's word brought both joy and challenges? How did you navigate that experience? ([58:57])
4. How can you incorporate the prophetic aspect of your testimony into your daily conversations? Identify one person you can share your story with this week to offer them hope. ([01:01:26])
5. The angel's proclamation of "no more delay" reassured early Christians facing persecution. How can this message encourage you in a current struggle or unanswered prayer? ([52:18])
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you feel God is delaying. How can you shift your perspective to see this delay as a setup for something greater? ([01:14:33])
7. How can you make room for both the sweet and bitter aspects of God's word in your life? What practical steps can you take to embrace the full message of the gospel, even when it challenges you? ([58:57])

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereignty Over All Realms

God's dominion extends over every part of creation, symbolized by the angel standing with one foot on the sea and one on the land. This imagery reassures us that no part of our lives is outside of God's control. Whether we face challenges on earth, in the sea, or in the sky, God is sovereign over every situation. This truth is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never alone and that God's power is always at work in our lives.

The angel's immense size and the rainbow over its head further emphasize God's majesty and authority. The rainbow, a symbol of God's promise, reassures us of His faithfulness. As we navigate the complexities of life, we can trust that God's sovereignty is unwavering and His promises are sure. This understanding calls us to live with confidence and peace, knowing that our lives are held in the hands of a mighty and loving God. [46:51]

Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV): "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to recognize God's sovereignty? How can you remind yourself of His control and trust Him more fully today?

Day 2: Trusting in Divine Mysteries

The seven thunders in Revelation 10 represent a divine mystery that God chose to keep secret, even from John. This teaches us that there are aspects of God's plan that we are not meant to understand fully. Our relationship with God should be built on trust and faith, knowing that He reveals what we need to know in His perfect timing. This secrecy highlights the intimate relationship between John and God, showing that God sometimes shares secrets with those He trusts.

As believers, we are called to trust in God's wisdom and timing, even when we do not have all the answers. This trust is a fundamental aspect of our faith, reminding us that God's ways are higher than our ways. Embracing the mysteries of God can deepen our relationship with Him, as we learn to rely on His guidance and provision. [47:29]

Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV): "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

Reflection: What is one mystery or unanswered question in your life that you need to trust God with? How can you practice surrendering this to Him today?

Day 3: The Bittersweet Nature of God's Word

The scroll given to John was sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach, symbolizing the dual nature of God's word. It brings joy and hope but also calls us to serious responsibility and sometimes difficult tasks. This duality reminds us that following God involves both blessings and challenges. The sweetness of God's word is found in its promises and the hope it offers, while the bitterness comes from the conviction and responsibility it brings.

As we engage with God's word, we must be prepared to embrace both its comforting and challenging aspects. This balance is essential for spiritual growth, as it helps us to mature in our faith and live out God's calling in our lives. By accepting the bittersweet nature of God's word, we can experience the fullness of His truth and be equipped to face the trials and responsibilities that come our way. [58:57]

Ezekiel 3:3 (ESV): "And he said to me, 'Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.' Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey."

Reflection: How have you experienced the bittersweet nature of God's word in your life? What steps can you take to embrace both the joy and responsibility it brings?

Day 4: The Prophetic Role of Testimonies

Prophecy is not just about predicting the future; it is about declaring God's truth in our present circumstances. Our testimonies are prophetic because they reveal God's work in our lives and offer hope to others. Sharing our stories can inspire faith and transformation in those who hear them. This understanding of prophecy emphasizes the importance of living out and sharing our faith in tangible ways.

By sharing our testimonies, we participate in God's prophetic work, speaking His truth into the lives of others. This act of sharing can be a powerful tool for evangelism and encouragement, as it demonstrates the reality of God's presence and power. As we reflect on our own experiences with God, we can find opportunities to share these stories with others, offering them hope and inspiration. [01:01:26]

1 Corinthians 14:3 (ESV): "On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation."

Reflection: Think of a recent experience where you saw God's hand at work in your life. How can you share this testimony with someone who needs encouragement today?

Day 5: Trusting God's Perfect Timing

The angel's proclamation that there would be "no more delay" reassures us that God's timing is perfect. While we may experience delays and unanswered prayers, these are often for our benefit and the benefit of others. God's delays are setups for greater things, and we must trust His timing and purpose. This understanding helps us to remain patient and hopeful, even when we face uncertainty and waiting.

Trusting in God's timing requires faith and perseverance. It involves believing that God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. As we wait on God's timing, we can find peace in knowing that His plans are always for our ultimate benefit. This trust allows us to navigate life's delays with confidence, knowing that God's perfect timing will bring about His best for us. [01:14:33]

Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are experiencing a delay? How can you trust God's timing and purpose in this situation today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Everything in the Bible points to this moment of Jesus coming and reigning and ruling forever and ever and so as we dive into this we're asking this question of all of us what is God revealing to me because we can take a very studious approach to this book and not get anything out of it except for more questions but we're taking a look at this book and saying Lord what does it reveal to me and what can I do with what's written in that and how can I apply it to my life." [38:56] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Look, I don't know about you, but I don't want to serve a God that I can figure out on my own. God is inconceivable. I know some of you love that line, right? Princess Bride fans. He is unfathomable. He is a mystery wrapped within a mystery. I don't know about you, but the more questions I ask about God, the more questions I have. And it doesn't matter. You know, I'm a pastor, so I'm supposed to have all this figured out. But every time I dive into scripture, I just have more questions." [51:19] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You don't have to live in bitterness. You don't have to live in pain. You don't have to be angry at God anymore. You don't have to be at rage with God and people. God can make a way. God is a redeeming God. He loves you. He has a plan for you. And I mean that. It's not just cliche. People told me that my whole life. Like whatever, God doesn't have a plan for me. He's got a plan for your life. May not be preaching, but I'm telling you, you can use your life for something good. If you let him. You just got to let him." [01:11:40] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "There are times where life gets bitter. There's times in your life where things just aren't good and you don't know where to turn. And you got the, you got the look on your face, the bitter face, mad at everything. Don't know if life's going to change. You know, you know, you know, life can be bitter, but with God, it can be sweet. And if you just allow God into that bitter place, he can start to sweeten it a little bit. And he can bring that bitterness, that thing that happened to you, add his sweetness to it and make something beautiful." [01:09:07] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What do you think of when you think of heaven? What do you think of when you think of God? What do you think of when you think of Jesus? What I've loved about diving into this book and into this letter of Revelation, it has given me a fresh perspective of Christ. Where I used to see him on the plains of Galilee healing people and on the boat teaching. Right? Where I saw him feeding the multitude. Where I saw him maybe even flipping over the tables of the temple. I like that part. Where I saw him loving people and healing people and dying on a cross and being resurrected. Now I see him high and lifted up, ascended. Now I see him reigning and ruling in heaven." [57:55] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "You cannot read Revelation without looking at the Old Testament and tying it in, because many things that have happened or have been said to happen, a lot of the prophecies of the Old Testament get fulfilled in Revelation, and a lot of the imagery that John uses in Revelation is actually kind of tied in, and it is tied into a lot of the stuff in the Old Testament prophets." [41:42] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "What he says is more important than who he is. It's more important than what the seven thunders said. What he said is he is proclaiming to all creation that there is no more delay. The time has come. The waiting is over. God is going to do something amazing. So last week we talked about the seven trumpets and the seventh trumpet sounded. This happens. This is referring to that moment. We're kind of jumping around to make sense of things in Revelation. But this kind of happens. This vision that John has kind of happens between sixth and seventh trumpets." [52:18] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What is the prophetic? A prophetic is something that's simply proclaiming what God is doing and what God will do. It's foretelling. It's foretelling. There's a lot in there. I think we make prophecy weird, right? Because people are weird. But the prophetic is not weird. It's just simply stating what God is doing and will do. Do you know your testimony is prophetic? What do you mean? Well, in Revelation 19, 10, it says, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. So when you're telling somebody your testimony, what God has done in your life, the spirit of prophecy, is speaking to them." [01:01:08] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "What else is revealed? That we are his messengers. Like we, he has called us as his people to go share this bittersweet news to the world. You don't have to live in bitterness. You don't have to live in pain. You don't have to be angry at God anymore. You don't have to be at rage with God and people. God can make a way. God is a redeeming God. He loves you. He has a plan for you. And I mean that. It's not just cliche. People told me that my whole life. Like whatever, God doesn't have a plan for me. He's got a plan for your life. May not be preaching, but I'm telling you, you can use your life for something good. If you let him. You just got to let him." [01:11:40] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "As we read this revelation story, I pray that you don't just see a God of judgment. You don't just see a God of judgment. That's what you can take out of this. But you see a God of justice and mercy and kindness because he doesn't have to. He doesn't have to save you. I'm human. I don't want to wait for people to get saved. I don't want to wait for people to tell me they're sorry. I don't want to wait for people to make it right with me. But God is waiting in his mercy. It's delayed for your good. I'm so thankful that God delayed coming back. I'm so thankful that God delayed coming back for me. Because he could have came back 20 years ago, I would have been lost. I would have been facing all this stuff. But he's delaying for your good." [01:12:12] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?