Chapter 10 is filled with Old Testament images and allusions that are re-appropriated to the context of the Roman Empire. To fully understand the command to 'eat the scroll' we need to turn back to the Book of Ezekiel- specifically Chapters 2 and 3. 600 years before Christ -Ezekiel is told to eat a scroll which would taste like honey to his lips. This command is designed to show that Ezekiel must internalize the message. In Revelation Chapter 10, God gives John the same command: 'eat the scroll!'
Revelation Chapter 10 tells us that John will deliver a message that will be both pleasing and disturbing. This is the great truth of God's Word: it is both a message of hope and foolishness. The message of the Cross is sweet. Freedom from past sins, redemption, forgiveness -all provided by Christ. And at the same time the message of the Cross is bitter. I must die to myself, surrender everything and allow Christ first-place in my life. This is a difficult pill to swallow.
4 comments:
Oh Jonathan, just opened the blog and who's there but Bones and Spock....two of my favorites. Now I'll actually read!
I referenced them (in today's sermon) and this image of the Multi-dimensional chess -as a way of understanding Revelations. Revelations is so much more than a linear story... there are pauses, interludes and multiple levels of action occurring all at the same time.
Glad you liked it!
You mentioned on Sunday how God stands outside of time. He created time. The question is why? It is evident from the study of the beginning of the universe that God is a spaceless, timeless, non-material, all knowing, personal creator. I think He created time as a tool. It has no purpose or meaning to Him personally, but it is a tool He uses for us. Our time is limited, His is not. It requires of us to make a decision about Him in time. Think about it. It you knew you were eternal, what does time really mean to you? Nothing. But since He created us in time and to live only for a limited time, it is everything to us. We have become obsessed with time in our culture, but for all the wrong reasons.
I would suggest reading Dr. Bill Craig's book, "Time and Eternity; Exploring God's Relationship to time".
Mark, solid insights into Time and why God created it. The idea of God standing outside of Time, truly is mind-blowing. We are so limited, our knowledge, awareness, our ability to think non-linearly; all of this points towards a God that is go much greater than his creation!
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