Before the seventh trumpet sounds there will be an interlude, which stretches from ch10:1 to ch 11:14, allowing John to pause and assimilate the startling truths that just been revealed to him. These interludes encourage GODs people in the midst of fur and horror of divine judgment and remind them that GOD is still in sovereign control of ALL events. GOD comforts His people with the knowledge that He has not forgotten them, and that they will ultimately be victorious.
An Unusual Angel — Ch10:1-2 This strong angel is distinct from the seven agels who sound the seven trumpets. He was clothed with a cloud, that symbolizes his power and the fact that he comes bringing judgment. The rainbow upon his head represents GODs covenant mercy in the midst of judgment. Pillars of fire symbolize his unbending holiness in stamping out his judgment on the earth that is pictured here as fire that consumes the ungodly.
An Unusual Act — Ch.10:2-3 This strong angel put one foot on the sea and the other on the land. This shows his massive size from the perspective of John’s vision. This action of the angel demonstrates GODs sovereign authority to judge the entire earth, which He will soon take back from the usurper satan.
An Unusual Answer — Ch 10:4 The seven peals of thunder did not merely make a loud noise, but communicated information that John was about to write. But before John could record the message of the seven peals of thunder, he heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them.” The reason John was forbidden to record the message is not revealed to us.
An Unusual Announcement — Ch 10:5-7 “…’but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound’ indicates that the judgment of the seventh trumpet is about to come and that it is not a single event, but covers days. This period includes the seven bowl judgments, which would appear to require some weeks or months to unfold. When the seventh angles sounds, “The kingdom of the world will become the Kingdom of our LORD and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever”. At that time the mystery of GID wil have been finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.
An Unusual Assignment — Ch 10:8-11 The act of eating the scroll symbolized the absorbing and assimilating of GODs Word. When John took in the divine word concerning the remaining judgments as the Lord took possession of the universe, he found the words written on the little book both sweet and bitter. Sweet because John, like all believer, wanted the Lord to act in judgment to take back the earth that is rightfully His and be exalted, honored, and glorified as He deserved. But the realization of the terrible doom awaiting unbelievers turned that initial sweet taste into bitterness.
