Preach!

Session 9: Revelation 10-11:14

Cheat Sheet

Another mighty angel, possibly the angel Gabriel, appears to John at the start of Revelation 10. Some interpreters think this might be Jesus, although this is not the majority view. Yet, whoever this angel is, he is clearly a majestic figure: the way John describes him in 10:1 indicates a figure clothed in light, with John using simile (“he was like”) to try and describe what he saw.

A little scroll could be the same scroll John saw in Revelation 5, or a new one. Either way, the significance of a scroll appearing again in the vision remains the same: more of God’s will is about to be revealed. (See the Cheat Sheet on Session 5.) Scholars are divided over why John identifies the scroll as “little,” but in terms of the overall meaning of the passage, this debate is not particularly relevant.

Eating the scroll is an experience John shares with the prophet Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 2:8 – 3:3). In both cases, this experience is a metaphor for what the role of a prophet requires. God’s words are sweet like honey (see Psalm 119:103), but often their meaning and the challenge they contain will turn the stomach! But it is the prophet’s calling to ingest God’s word, to internalise it and to carry it with them wherever they go.

A reed like a measuring rod is given to John so he can go and measure the temple. This is a symbolic, prophetic act, representing God’s desire to protect his people during times of trial. This action then reinforces a key theme in the book of Revelation: that God will not remove his people during trial and tribulation, but he will protect them from the worst consequences of the judgements.

42 months of Gentile trampling is another use of numbers as symbols in the book of Revelation. 42 months is exactly half of seven years, and seven is a number representing completion in Revelation. 42 months, therefore, conveys that things are unfinished and incomplete. (This also comes up in Daniel 7:25.) “Trampling” is an image of the church suffering at the hands of nonbelievers (who are called Gentiles here.)

The prophet Daniel had a similar vision in Daniel 8:9-14. The point here is that there will be periods of time where God allows the persecution of the church, but these periods will not last indefinitely. The two witnesses are most likely a metaphor for the church, despite many attempts over the years to specify who each of them might be. They are called “lampstands” and “olive trees” which are also Biblical images of God’s people. Understanding the witnesses as representing the church helps us see the role of the church in all ages to be a people of outreach, Spirit power, and suffering.

1260 days, clothed in sackcloth is another length of time representing incompleteness: 1260 days is also half of seven years. Sackcloth is an image of both judgement and repentance. Connected with Revelation 11:2, this reminds us that even in times of persecution and suffering, God calls his people to call the nations to repent.

The great city is an image of dominant, anti-Christian world systems that persecute the church. Trying to fix on one location for this city seems to be beside the point (although scholars still devote time to this debate!) John here is clearly using figurative language to describe the ways in which large empires and systems can persecute faithful Christian witnesses.

Three and a half days is yet another numerical symbol representing an incomplete, yet relatively short, period of time. God might allow the world to believe it has triumphed over the church, yet if he does so, it will not be for long. The church will not stay dead, for it is filled with God’s breath of life.

Up to heaven on a cloud is the real result of faithful witness. This is likely not a reference to a single “rapture” event (or at least, it’s dangerous to build such a detailed doctrine out of this single verse) but rather a reminder of what awaits those who are prepared to stand up for the gospel, even unto death.

A severe earthquake is an image of the power of God and his judgment. The prophet Ezekiel saw a similar picture in Ezekiel 38:19-23. Both John and Ezekiel saw these powerful seismic events as references to an even more powerful spiritual event: the coming of the Lord as judge.

Study

Read Revelation 10 – 11:14

Watch Craig Keener’s video on Revelation 10.

In his reflection on Revelation 10:3-4, Keener says this: “There are some things that we’re not meant to know. The secret things that belong to God…. That may be a warning to us not to push too far. There are some things we just don’t know.” What do you think of this idea?

What are some practical ways we can practice a faith that is content with not knowing everything?

At the end of this video, Craig Keener points out that “as the church, we have a mission to all peoples, and we need to emphasise that calling.” How can you partner with God in his mission to all peoples?

Some New Testament scholars say that the first half of Revelation 11 is the hardest part of the book to interpret. Certainly its meaning is not immediately clear, and because of this many conflicting interpretations and teachings have come out.

One helpful way of reading the first half of Revelation is by viewing the two witnesses as representing the church and its mission. While this does not resolve every issue with Revelation 11, it does take us to a place of understanding what these words might mean for our life.

Take a closer look at Revelation 11:3-12. If we take the two witnesses as a metaphor for the church, what do we learn here?

What does this section of Revelation show us about outreach and evangelism?

Close by praying together, that God would give each of us opportunities to preach the gospel.

Pray also that we would not be put off by the opposition or aggression of others.

Optional Extra Resources

• Read “The Witness” by Tanya Runyan:

He lay dead in the street for three and a half days,

skin undulating with flies. His payment for pouring fire

on the holdouts. From the soul-cloud he watched

the unbelievers bumping and grinding in celebration.

Exchanging their oxy and smack. In life

he could never confess he didn’t blame them

for resisting a god who sunk his fingers into leprous flesh.

Who whispered to whores. Who rolled out of a cave –

did he? could he? – demanding kisses and fists.

Until the witnesses themselves rose up to join him.

Until the earth knocked down seven thousand

with falling stones, and nobody knew what to think.

• Listen to Tim Keller’s reflections on sharing the gospel in the Western world:

https://share.transistor.fm/s/178a5dde