Vital Realities for Turbulent Times
Note: The sermon summary below was generated and formatted with the help of AI. If you spot anything that seems out of left field, let us know so we can fix it!
Vital Realities for Turbulent Times
1. The Authority of God Is Absolute
Revelation 10 opens with a striking vision of a mighty angel descending from heaven. This angel is wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, a face like the sun, and legs like pillars of fire. In his hand is a little scroll, and he stands with one foot on the sea and one foot on the land, calling out like a roaring lion.
Some might wonder if this is Jesus himself, given the divine imagery, but the text points to this being a mighty angel, not Christ. Nowhere else in Revelation is Jesus referred to as an angel, and this angel swears by the Creator—something Jesus would not do of himself. Rather, this angel, possibly Michael, symbolizes the delegated authority of God.
This visual powerfully affirms God's sovereignty over land and sea, reinforcing the truth that God is fully in control. This matters especially as later chapters will introduce the Antichrist and the false prophet rising from the sea and the land. Even before their arrival, Revelation affirms that God stands over all, that his authority is not challenged, and that he reigns without rival.
Even in our personal trials—conflict, anxiety, illness—we can rest knowing God's power and control are not diminished. Romans 8 promises that God works all things for good for those who love him. The mighty angel in Revelation 10 reminds us that our confidence is grounded in God's absolute authority.
2. The Understanding of Mankind Is Limited
As the angel calls out, seven thunders respond. John begins to write down what they say, but a voice from heaven stops him, saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."
This moment echoes Daniel 12, where Daniel is also told to seal up revelation about the end. It’s a deliberate move to remind us that not everything is meant to be revealed. There are mysteries that God chooses to keep to himself.
Deuteronomy 29:29 says, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us." This balance between revelation and mystery keeps us humble. We do not know everything. We cannot control everything. Our proper posture is one of prayer and dependence.
Too often we elevate our own wisdom and make ourselves the authority, rejecting God's direction. But like a self-proclaimed golf coach embarrassed by the real pro, we eventually discover our limitations. Arrogantly choosing our own way puts us on the throne and displaces God. We need to acknowledge that only God has the full picture. Our task is to trust and obey.
3. The Plan of God Will Not Fail
In verse 5, the angel raises his right hand to heaven and swears by the eternal Creator that "there would be no more delay." The sounding of the seventh trumpet will usher in the fulfillment of God's mystery—his redemptive plan, his judgment of evil, and his salvation for the saints.
For centuries, scoffers have questioned the return of Christ, echoing the skepticism described in 2 Peter 3: "Where is this 'coming' he promised?" But God's timeline is not ours. His delay is not slowness, but patience, giving more people opportunity to repent.
Incremental judgments—first a quarter, then a third—show that God is giving humanity time to turn back. The martyred saints under the altar were told to wait a little longer. But here, the angel declares that time is up. The plan is moving forward, and it will not be stopped.
We must not live as if Jesus' return is theoretical or far-off. Rather, we should live with urgency, with holiness, and with a burden for the lost. We should be in the Word, in prayer, and echoing the prayer of Revelation: "Come, Lord Jesus."
4. The Call of God Is Bittersweet
John is told to take the little scroll from the angel and eat it. It is sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. This act parallels Ezekiel 3, where Ezekiel eats a scroll and finds it sweet.
God's word is sweet because it is truth, comfort, and life. Psalm 119 declares, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" But the same word that brings joy also brings sorrow, because it includes judgment, sacrifice, and eternal consequences.
We cannot just consume the sweet parts of God's word. There are hard truths that confront sin, call for repentance, and speak of judgment. We cannot ignore or twist those parts. To do so is to gut God’s revelation and violate the command at the end of Revelation: do not add to or subtract from this book.
God's call to speak his word is bittersweet. It brings life to some and offends others. But like John, we are called to proclaim the full message to all peoples, nations, languages, and kings.
If you've identified someone in your life who doesn’t yet know Jesus, now is the time to speak. The scroll has been opened. The time is short. The judgments are real. But so is the hope we have in Christ.
The Cross: The Ultimate Vital Reality
None of these truths offer real comfort without the cross. Without Jesus, we are all headed for judgment. But Jesus took that judgment on himself, dying in our place, so that we might be spared and sealed for life. He bore our punishment and gave us his righteousness.
Jesus established the Lord’s Supper as a way to remember this sacrifice. The bread represents his broken body. The cup represents his shed blood. We partake with gratitude, joy, and reverence because our judgment has passed us by. If you are a follower of Jesus, take this moment to rejoice in what he has done.
Let us live in these vital realities:
The authority of God is absolute
The understanding of mankind is limited
The plan of God will not fail
The call of God is bittersweet
These truths will sustain us through whatever comes. Let us rest in them with full assurance.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: Revelation
Sermon Title: Vital Realities for Turbulent Times
Date: May 5, 2024
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Revelation 10:1–11
Deuteronomy 29:29
2 Peter 3
Romans 8
Psalm 119
Ezekiel 3
SHARE
