As you can see from there, we're going to continue looking at that trumpet interlude that we find in Revelation chapters 10 and 11. Of course, this is something that appears between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments in John's vision. We've already looked at the first six trumpets that we found in chapters 8 and 9. Chapter 11 will come to that seventh trumpet, and so this is kind of right there in the middle of it. The theme of this interlude, like we've already looked at, we can describe as the service and suffering of God's prophets. And obviously God's prophets are primarily in view, but I think certainly the ones that they represent can also be in view, whether that is those who follow after the prophecy of John, which would be the church age, which would be our own church, and then of course those who would also follow after the prophecy of those two witnesses that we'll come to in chapter 11. Certainly, all of God's people experience suffering while they serve, and it's not exclusive to God's prophets, but certainly that's the main focus. And that is, I think, the main theme, the service and suffering of God's prophets during this time period. Now, of course, we looked at the time of John's ministry, which is there in chapter 10, and it goes all the way to the ministry of two other prophets that will be in the future, which is the focus of chapter 11. And so we've really been focusing on chapter 10. We've got a little bit more to go through. But we've been looking at the renewal of John's commission as God's prophet. Because obviously some of the things that we've seen already in Revelation and things that we will see in Revelation are pretty difficult. uh... they're pretty hard for us to not just understand that part uh... to really fathom the the wrath of god in all of its finality in all of its fullness being poured out in the at the picture is a a cup full of the wrath of god being poured out on centers and and that's a hard thing for people to comprehend that's hard thing for us to comprehend and i'm sure it was even harder for john and other profits to prophesy And so the Lord is enabling and strengthening John as his prophet to be able to continue his ministry with these hard things, with these hard sayings. And of course, the main thrust of that commission is there in verse 11. And all of the things that we're looking at in chapter 10 lead up to verse 11, where this angel, this mighty angel says to John, you must prophesy again before many peoples and nations and tongues and especially kings. So God is giving him the authority to go to other authorities, kings themselves, to present to them the true word of God. And he needed God's strengthening. He needed God's authority. He needed God's power and might. And so that's the main commission. But in order To empower John for that ministry God sent to John a mighty angel a mighty angel who? Represents Jesus and his authority and that's really what we've been covering so far in the first part of this chapter And we're just going to review just kind of where we've been in the first seven verses so in verse 1 Of course, all of these are impressive details, all right? And this is all stuff, hopefully, that you kind of can think back and remember as we've looked at these. But there in verse 1, John describes the angel's great presence, great and impressive presence. And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow was on his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. Then in verse 2, John describes the angel's great possession, what he has in his hand, as well as his position over the sea and the world. And he, that mighty angel, had in his hand a little book open, and he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the earth. And then in verses three and four, John tells us about the angel's great power, the power that comes through his voice. And then it's also confirmed by the powerful voice of God through those seven thunders that we looked at. Again, verse three, this mighty angel cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth. And when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write, and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. Of course, that leads us to verses five and six. That's what we spent time looking at last Sunday. John goes back to the angels position again. He describes a second time how he is standing with one foot in the sea and one foot on the land. But then, he also adds in verse six a description of his posture, where he's making a solemn oath to the God of heaven. So there in verse five, this angel, this mighty angel, which I saw stand on the sea and on the earth, lifted up his hand to heaven, and swear by him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that therein are, and the earth and the things that therein are, and the sea and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer, or no more delay. So obviously an impressive picture and an impressive scene for John with this mighty angel coming down. And of course, he swears by God. that when the time of this vision will occur, there will be no further delay, and this is what leads us to verse seven, no further delay for the great promise that we find next, the great promise. And there is a strong connection between verse six and verse seven. Time no longer, but, or no more delay, but. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, or fulfilled, or completed, even as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. And so this is the promise of that mighty angel. And this promise is what will be our main focus. If we have time, of course, we'll take more questions about that and even where we've been in Revelation 10. But when it comes to this great promise, in this verse, there are three key elements that we will look at. We'll look at when it will be accomplished, what it entails, and why it will be fulfilled. So those are the three points, when, what, and why. And it all deals with a promise that we just read about there in verse seven. So as to when the promise will be accomplished The very first part of verse 7 the angel tells John but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel When he shall begin to sound it and then of course he leads into that promise, but this is when it's going to happen now there's some interesting things so we can find even in this phrase the special phrase the word translated to sound is There, in verse 7, is the same word that we have seen over and over again that was used for the six other angels in chapters 8 and 9 who sound their trumpets. In fact, every time you see one of those angels with their trumpet, that's what they do. They sound their trumpet. The word, the Greek word underlying that word for sound, is salpizzo. it's directly related to the Greek word for trumpet, which is salpix. And it simply means to trumpet. In fact, that would be a natural way to translate this. So in the days of the voice or the sound of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to trumpet, when he shall begin to trumpet his trumpet. And of course, we looked at how that happens six other times already. But this seventh angel, then is the same seventh angel that we will meet later on in chapter 11. So he's describing something yet to come. He's describing something yet to be described in chapter 11 verses 14 through 19. who will usher in the third woe upon the unbelieving world at that time when this trumpet interlude concludes. And so we can kind of keep that in mind, is that this seventh angel is the seventh angel with the seventh trumpet, who when he actually trumpets that trumpet, what is going to be promised by this angel will actually occur. So there are a couple of things to note about when this promise will be accomplished. First of all, It will be for a season of time. It will be for a season of time. The angel tells John in the days of the voice or the sound of the seventh angel. So it's clear from this phrase, and even just the word days, that the things that will take place when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet will not take place all at once. It's something that will take time to fulfill. It will take place over time. Obviously, we aren't told how many days it will take to be completed or how many days it will take to be fulfilled. But again, it shows us that the days of the seventh angel is a season of time. Now, this is an interesting phrase that actually helps us understand more of the structure of Revelation itself. This verse, and really this statement, may help us understand how the rest of the seals and trumpets and bowls are actually related in the overall structure of Revelation. Of course, we know that there are three major series of judgments. You know, the seals that we looked at in Chapter 6, we have the trumpets in Chapters 8, 9, and 11, and then later on in Chapter 15, we'll have the seven bowls. Some will add to that the seven thunders. We've looked at that. But there are different things, there are different events that take place during those seals and trumpets and bowls. And more than likely, since there are days that are involved in the seventh trumpet, there's probably days that are involved in the other seals and trumpets and bowls as well. So they also might occur over a period and season of time. Again, we don't know what that period of time is. Obviously, there is one thing that we do know takes five months, and that's the fifth trumpet. Of course, that is when the locusts that have the body of locusts and they got the tail like a scorpion, will afflict men and torment men for a period of five months. So we know that at least for that one, the days last for five months. But it seems to show us that every one of these trumpets, every one of these seals, every one of these bowls will take some time to happen. It won't necessarily happen one right after the other. One trumpet one day, the next trumpet the next day, one bowl one day, the other bowl the next day. It will take time, and the aftermath of those things will take time. And certainly, there is at least that one where we know five months. We're just not told of the other ones. So how many days are going to be in the seventh trumpet? We don't know for sure. But obviously, it will be a season of time. However, we also can learn that from these others, there may be some time that will elapse between them. And so what this shows us is that this verse can also help us see that time progresses through each series. If you remember, we were looking at the different approaches of Revelation. And obviously, there are some who hold that the seals and the trumpets and the bowls are really covering the same time period, only from different perspectives. And so what goes on during the seals is really what's going on during the trumpets, as well as during the bowls. And so they would see it as a simultaneous way of describing either what is going on today or what will happen in the future. However, when you see the idea of the days of the seventh trumpet, obviously it shows to us that there is more time involved than just what is going on in the seventh trumpet. So we would say that the seals and the trumpets and the bowls do not just cover the same time from different perspectives. However, they would progress in time until the very end. This particular image, we've looked at this before. This is what is known as the telescopic approach, where we would see, again, that there is progress through the seals, through the trumpets, through the bowls. However, as we've also seen, at the seventh of each seal, or at the seal, at the trumpet, and the bowl, it actually leads us right to the same place, right to the very cusp of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We've described that as the storm theophany, We read about the earthquake. We read about the thunder and the lightning and the hail. And all of those kind of lead us right up to the point where Jesus returns, and then more information is added. And so, just like a lot of the writings of John, I think the men, we went through the writings of John not too long ago in one of our Bible studies. Some of the things that we even see in the Old Testament, The way the Jews would write was often not necessarily totally sequential, but a lot of times they would go back. They would give more information, and then they would go back, and they would give more information, and then they would go back. And there is progress, but there's a lot of recapitulation, a lot of recap, if you will. We'll see this in certain chapters. especially when we get to chapter 12, you're going to see some of that recapitulation going on. But I think in the whole book of Revelation, we see that as well. So even though the seals and the trumpets and the bowls aren't necessarily covering all the same time period, yet they all focus, just like a telescope, at the very end. They all focus when that storm theophany, which is the manifestation of God's presence using storm language, will occur just about the time when Jesus is to return. So this verse helps us see that there is time involved in these judgments. Seals, trumpets, and bowls. We're just not told exactly how much time is involved in all of them. But that gives us a little clue, I think, in seeing the structure of Revelation. But I also think this verse helps us see that Revelation as a whole is a true prophecy. There are some who come to Revelation and say it's just a book of spiritual truths. They look at it from just a spiritual standpoint. And though there are great spiritual truths in the book of Revelation, I think the very fact that days are referenced shows us that it's not just a spiritual book, it is a prophetic book. In fact, there are places in Revelation where it actually calls itself a prophecy. And so there are things that are coming up in John's day, in John's life, and after John exists, even into our future. So there is real prophecy in the book of Revelation, and I think that this verse helps us see that. There are days in which this seventh trumpet will sound and things will actually occur. So it is, I think, a significant linchpin for us to understand more of how to interpret and understand Revelation. I think there's some more that we can develop on that, but those are two of the main things, is that there is time involved, in the progress of these things, and it is true prophecy, because they will happen in the days of this seventh angel. So, it is a season of time that he's describing here. A second thing to note, though, is that this promise will start to be accomplished, though, at a set time. At a set time. Now, in the King James, it's describing how all of this will happen when he shall begin to sound. The way that phrase is put, it kind of makes it sound like the promise will be accomplished right at the beginning, or even before the trumpet blast of the seventh angel. However, it can also simply be translated this way, just simply, when he will sound. The idea is more of a future, that yes, when he will sound, this will happen. It doesn't mean that he's going to keep blaring the trumpet the whole time everything is happening, but when he blares his trumpet, those days begin. When he sounds his trumpet, those days will begin." There's some underlying Greek structure that kind of gives us this idea of how it's basically simply put as a future. It will sound. So obviously there's something very significant about the seventh trumpet that we will come to again in chapter 11, and that's when this promise will actually be fulfilled. When he shall or will sound. But that leads us to the substance of that promise. The substance of verse 7. What does this promise by this mighty angel actually entail? What is the promise that he makes? So obviously, again, verse 7, he says, Now the word finished here marks a transition in the book of Revelation. There are many who have looked at the structure of Revelation and see a distinction between the first 11 chapters and then chapter 12 on. Sometimes in the language, but truly there is a transition going on even in this verse with this word fulfilled. It's actually the first time in the book where that word is used, which is teleo, and it again has the idea of to be fulfilled. If you remember that Jesus, when He was on the cross, one of His last words was, "'Tetelestai,' it is finished." It's the same word. It is finished. There's actually seven more times after this time where this word, "'Teleo,' is used. It's not used in the first nine chapters. Because what's going on in the first nine chapters are things that are, you know, really God is trying to get the world's attention, right? Through the seals and through the trumpets, He's trying to send them warnings to repent and believe the gospel. But there is a time when those warnings will not be heeded, and there is a time when those warnings will stop, and then God himself is going to finish things up. And so starting here, we have the transition of God wrapping things up. This is also one of those divine passives, if you might remember that phrase. Sometimes you'll find a word, a verb, that is a passive. A lot of times, it's something was given to someone, all right? Here, it is something was finished by someone. And we're not told who did it. Who gave it? Who's finishing it? More than likely, it's describing God himself. So this is another one of those divine passives, and it's implied that God is the one finishing things up, all right? So even though it seems like The whole world is in chaos because of the seals and because of the trumpets and what's going to go on in the bowls, and it just seems like this whole world is in chaos, yet it's still in God's control. He is the one finishing things up. He is the one who started the book, and He's the one that's going to finish the book. Just like any author, when they begin a book, their intention is to finish that book and to finish it the way they want to, the way that they're gonna tie up all the loose ends. And that's what God is doing. The mystery of God should be finished. But what will he finish in the days of the voice of the seventh angel? Again, a period of time in which he's wrapping things up. It's the mystery of God. the mystery of God should be finished during the days of the voice of the seventh angel. What is this mystery of God that the angel is talking about here? What is the mystery of God? This is another one of those questions that we have in Revelation 10 where, again, some of the details are a little hazy, yet the full thrust and meaning of the chapter is pretty clear. But when it comes to this mystery of God, what is a mystery? Well, we know a mystery in the Bible often refers to something that in the past has been hidden, but is now in the process of being revealed and disclosed. So whenever you find the word mystery, in the New Testament especially, it's not to keep something hidden. It's actually to disclose what was hidden and to reveal what was hidden. And there's a lot of mysteries that are explained through the epistles and through the gospel. So in the New Testament, the work of God through Jesus Christ is actually called a mystery. The work of God through Jesus Christ, also known as the gospel, is called a mystery. That is, the things that were hidden in the past, and now revealed and disclosed in the present. Paul tells us about this mystery in the book of Romans. Keep your finger here and go back with me to Romans chapter 16, if you will. Romans chapter 16. And if someone could read for us verses 25 through 27. So here is the work of God through Jesus Christ. And it's described as a mystery. And yet it's not a mystery that remains hidden. It was kept secret, according to verse 25, from the foundation or since the world began. So there are elements of the gospel that certainly were there, but not all of the gospel had been fully revealed yet. But I love verse 26, but now. That mystery of the gospel, that mystery of Christ, that mystery of even how all can come to faith in Jesus Christ, not just Jews, but Gentiles as well, now is manifest, that mystery. and by the scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God. It's made known. So the work of Christ is a mystery that has been revealed through the message of the gospel. And that might be the mystery that the angel is talking about here. That the mystery of the gospel even, the mystery of God's gospel might be fulfilled. Because obviously the gospel is the greatest mystery that receives its fullest fulfillment in Revelation. Because what happens at the end? There's a new heaven, there's a new earth, right? All those old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new. And truly that was the plan and the purpose of God from all eternity to fulfill in the gospel, to fulfill in Jesus Christ. So this mystery of God may just refer to the gospel. However, I do wonder if there's more to this mystery of God here in this verse that the angel is speaking of. So that the main focus is not so much the gospel and the work of God through Christ, but is actually on what we could say is the world of God. The world of God and the working out of his plan and purpose for this world and for this age. The world of God. I mentioned previously that there are seven more times that the word finish is used in Revelation. And it's interesting because every time you come to that word, there's something new introduced, something that you don't find anywhere else in Revelation and really don't see too much of in the rest of Scripture. It's altogether new revelation. And so the mystery of God to be fulfilled could be explained in everything else that is fulfilled yet in Revelation. So we're gonna look at wherever that word is found in Revelation. Starting here, obviously, right? Where the mystery of God will be, shall be fulfilled. Yet, there are other things that will be fulfilled that express to us what this mystery of God actually is. So, you don't have to go very far for the next time we find that word used. And that is in chapter 11, verse 7. because here we have the faithful witnesses coming on the scene, right? If you look at verse seven there with me, it says, and when they, and of course, we'll learn more about who they are and what they're doing, but when they shall have finished their testimony, so the Greek word is teleo, all right? The mystery of God shall be finished. Here we have these two witnesses. When they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them and shall overcome them and kill them. So obviously, this is something that is new to John. This is not something that we found elsewhere in the Bible. Though there might be some reference here to other prophets that we find in the Bible, this is part of the mystery of God's world that is going to be unfolded during this time. And John is getting a glimpse of that. This is new prophecy. This is new information. And there will be a ministry of witnesses that will be fulfilled. And obviously, I think this As I mentioned before, it doesn't just describe the prophets, but those that are supporting the prophets, those that are part with the prophets, maybe the same people that are represented by the prophets. But there will be a point when the ministry of God's people in this world will come to an end. This is part of God wrapping things up. Right now, people have said, well, why wasn't it after Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, went back to heaven, The world stopped. Why didn't he begin his new heavens and new earth right then, right there? Well, obviously because he had more fish in the sea of this world to gather. There were more sheep in that flock and in that fold of Jesus that he wanted to bring into his fold. And that would include us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. But there's going to come a time where our ministry is going to end and our service for the Lord will end. because the Lord knows that that time will come. It will be finished. But then, we find something else that will be finished. And this is in chapter 15, if we head there. Chapter 15, this is what we can describe as the final wrath of God. The final wrath of God. There's actually two verses where we find the word teleo, fulfill, finish. Now this is when the seven angels will have the seven last plagues and they will pour out their vials of wrath of God on the earth. So remember, there's three main series. You've got the seals, you've got the trumpets and the bowls, and the bowls are the full and final wrath of God being poured out into this world. And if you look at verse one, I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them is filled up. the wrath of God. And that's the same word. Finished. It's finished. God is going to finish the wrath that He has started already in this world to bring people to judgment, but also to repentance. But there will come a time when His wrath is over. If you look at verse 8, we also see it again, where the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God from His power, and no man was able to enter into the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled, finished, taleo. And again, we know something of God's wrath from the Old Testament, but we don't have the idea of it being complete and fulfilled until we have it here in the book of Revelation. So this too is something that would make up another part of this mystery of God for his world. There's going to come a time when the witness of his people will come to an end. There is a time when his wrath will come on this world, because His patience and His mercy is done. But then we also see something else that's entirely new here to the book of Revelation, and that is in chapter 17, verse 17, we find the future will of God for this world. In verse 17, it describes how all of the kingdoms of this world will unite themselves to a beast. And not just a beast, but the beast. And he says, for God hath put it in their hearts, that is, all the kingdoms and the kings of the world, especially the main 10 that we'll learn about, for God hath put in their hearts to fulfill. Now, that's not the word to love. That simply means to do, all right? God hath put in their hearts to do His will and to agree and to give their kingdom unto the beast until the words of God, really the will of God, shall be fulfilled. This too is part of the mystery of God. Again, we got a glimpse of it in Daniel. Remember when we have that statue that Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about, and you know it had the head of gold and the body of silver, it had the loins of brass, and then it had the legs of iron, and then the feet that were mixed with iron and clay, and then we had the 10 toes, right? And those 10 toes are often correlated with the 10 kings that we find here in the book of Revelation. And what's going to happen is God has a plan for this world. Even the fallen, wicked world, There will come a time when his will is actually done It will be fulfilled Because all of those kings and all of those kingdoms will unite themselves to the beast in order to unite themselves against God But to no avail so again something that will be accomplished But yet has not been fully disclosed. This too is part of God's mystery for this world and you know my wife and I were you know talking about you know, various things about the elections coming up and all of those things. And sometimes we do get maybe a little too involved, maybe too fretful about the things that are going on in our country and this world, because ultimately God is directing all things according to his plan and purpose and will. And there is a future will in which that will be accomplished, fulfilled, and finalized. And so, in truth, we don't have to fret about it. We certainly need to be involved, we certainly need to pray, we need to recognize that righteousness does exalt any nation, and sin is a reproach to any people, and we need to pray for the peace of our own nation, our own people, and we need to be involved in that way, but we don't have to fret, because ultimately God is in complete control. He is working out His will, even in the future, and even when these kingdoms will unite themselves to the beast, It will be until the words of God shall be fulfilled. But then we find another chapter. in chapter 20, where we find this word teleo three times, all right? And it's all dealing with the thousand years that is known as millennium. Of course, obviously, that has created a lot of debate and disagreement when it comes to the book of Revelation. You know, there are those that are amillennial, amillennialists, where they believe that the millennium is going on right now, so it's just a symbolic thing. We looked at this before. Some believe that this is a true kingdom that will be set up by Christ. There are some, again, who are post-millennial. And again, we've looked at all of these things. But it's interesting, because three times when we're dealing with this thousand years, we find them coming to fulfillment, teleo. And we could describe this as God's finished world. in terms that he has never used before. Obviously, there's a new heaven and new earth, but God is going to actually finish with this kingdom everything that he had in store for this age and for this world. In fact, if you look at verse 3, this is dealing with the serpent, devil, and Satan. This angel cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up and set a seal on him that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled finished alright and obviously that will be right before the establishment of the new heavens and new earth uh... delivers five again dealing with the same period of time, but the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years were finished or fulfilled, teleo. This is the first resurrection. And then jumping down to verse seven, and when the thousand years are expired. Now, obviously that's a different word than fulfill or finish, but it's the exact same Greek word, teleo. You can put finished, fulfilled there as well. There was just a little variety in the King James. Maybe some of your translations have the same word as the other two. Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. So again, this is something that has never been described before in these terms, anywhere in Scripture. This is new revelation, new prophecy that is given to John specifically, and it is showing that God Himself is wrapping things up in this world, in this age, in order to bring about a new heavens and a new earth for His people that will last into eternity. And of course, this special reign of Christ is something that will occur before those new heavens and that new earth is introduced in chapters 21 and 22. And that's the way it's seen whether you're amillennial, postmillennial, or premillennial. It all does happen before that new heaven and that new earth is established. So all of these seem to be details. that were not previously revealed in scripture. There might have been some hints, but very little specifics. But now to John, this part of God's mystery for the world is revealed. And in a lot of ways, it's a surprise, isn't it? Because we would not have finished the story the way God chooses to finish the story. I mean, just the fact that he has left this world to continue on the way it's been for 2,000 years, I'm not sure I would have chosen to fulfill that in this way, but his plan is certainly better than our plan. His ways are higher than our ways, his thoughts better than our thoughts, but in the days of the seventh angel, all of the mystery of God for this world will finally and fully be accomplished. And so when we come to that phrase, if we go back to chapter 10, Revelation chapter 10, verse seven, I think that the mystery of God that the angel is describing there is describing the mystery of God for this world, for this world as he's wrapping things up. I think that's primarily what he's describing. Really, to summarize this, I like how Robert Thomas puts it. There's the quote there. He says, the mystery of God consists of the heretofore. So since Genesis all the way till now, the mystery of God consists of the heretofore unrevealed details. that are now unfolded in the chapters from here to the end. Chapters that tell of the institution of God's kingdom on the earth, we saw that in chapter 20, and eventually in the new heavens and the new earth. This may also give us a little hint of what that little scroll might be that's in the hand of the mighty angel, which we'll look at starting next week. And yet, even though the mystery of this verse, I think, primarily refers to the rest of God's plan and purpose for this world, I think there's still a connection with the mystery of the gospel. Remember, that's the first mystery that we looked at. The mystery of God's work through Christ and the mystery of God's world really are connected, aren't they? Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 15, 25, about Jesus. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. And isn't that really what the promise of the gospel is? All of his enemies, which are all of our enemies, will be put under his feet. I mean, just think about the enemies of death, the enemies of Satan, the enemies of sin, the enemies of hell itself. All of those will be put under the feet of Jesus, but that's the gospel to us as well. So in a very real sense, the plan and purpose that God has for this world is part and parcel with God's work of the gospel. The fact that we've been here for 2,000 years since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus is still part of the gospel, and it's still connected. And we see this also in the rest of verse 7, because not only does he tell us when this promise will be fulfilled and really what this promise entails, the mystery of God, the angel then third tells John why the promise will be fulfilled. Why will it be fulfilled? He says at the end of verse 7, even as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." This is why the promise must be fulfilled, because it's what God has declared to His servants, the prophets. Now, the word that is translated declare here is an interesting word itself. It is the verb form of the Greek word for gospel. In fact, I have it there on your lesson guide. The Greek verb is euangelizo. Euangelizo. And it simply means to declare or proclaim good news. That's the idea here. In fact, you could translate it that way. I think some have tried to translate it that way. As he hath proclaimed the gospel, proclaim the good news to his servants, the prophets. This word is found again in Revelation, in chapter 14, verse 6, where John will see in his vision another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach. So, euangelizo. This angel is proclaiming the good news to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. In fact, this word euangelizo is used over 50 times in the New Testament, and most of the time it's translated simply, preach the gospel. So what does this show us about the mystery of God? The mystery of God is good news. And when we think about what's going on in the seals, and what's going on in the trumpets, and what's going to go on in the bowls, we often think, well, that's kind of bad news. I mean, I wouldn't define that as good news. But what it is here, in God's overall plan, this is the best news for this world. This is the best news for God's people, that God is finishing what He started. He's wrapping things up. All of the mystery, that is, the whole divine purpose of God, is good news. So why will God keep his promise? Because his promise is good. Why is God going to fulfill his mystery for this world? because his promise is a good promise. And even though it might have been distressing for John to see all of those things in those trumpet judgments, especially, you know, we looked at all six of those, the first six, and how devastating they were on this world, yet ultimately, because God is good, everything that he does is good. It might seem bad to us, But God ultimately only does that which is good, even if we can't understand how it could be. Again, we saw how the voice of the angel shows us that it's a majestic but mournful message, as he loathes that message even as a coward. Or later on, we'll see how that scroll, that roll that he's going to eat is sweet, but also bitter. But even in its bittersweet condition, it is still all good, because God is good. So God will keep His promise because His promise is good. But also, God will keep His promise because His promise is certain, absolutely certain. He declares His promise through this angel to His servants, the prophets. So obviously, God has set clues all throughout the Bible. Not just clues about Christ, but clues about the end. And we've looked at some of those when we looked through our series on eschatology, but the phrase, to his servants the prophets, seems to be a way in Revelation to refer to the Old Testament prophets, since it will be found again in chapter 11. In fact, since you're already there, look at verse 18 of chapter 11, where it talks about how that the nations were angry, your wrath has come, the time of the dead that they should be judged, and thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets." Alright, so obviously this seems to be referring to people that have served God, prophesied for God, who lived in the past, and God actually made this promise to them. In chapter 15, verse 3, Moses is called the servant of God. It's interesting because all of these references here in chapter 10, verse 7, chapter 11, verse 18, chapter 15, verse 3, and a few others, it all points back to an Old Testament verse where they get that phrase, servants, the prophets, Amos 3, 7. Amos 3, 7, where the Lord says, Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants, the prophets. God is so sure and certain of what His plan and purpose will be is that He foretells it. He gave some of it to his servants, the prophets in the past. He gives it to his servants, the prophet John, in this present, and even through his word to his servants today. He will fulfill and finish what he has told us through his word. And of course we know that John is included as one of those prophets. John is included as one of those prophets. Later on in chapter 22, verse 9, An angel will actually tell John, I am your fellow servant and of thy brethren the prophets. So that is a stamp of God's approval on John. John, you're one of my apostles, you're also one of my prophets, and I am telling the church what's going to happen through you. And what I'm, the reason why it's going to come to pass is because it's good and it is sure, it is certain. And with that, the scene turns to the actual renewal of John's commission. And this is right near the middle of the book. And so, John's attention and our attention, when we come to verse 8, will be focused now on the little book. The little book that is in the hand of the mighty angel. So this is the mystery of God, and hopefully as we see more of the mystery of God unfold to us in the pages of Revelation, He'll give us assurance that everything is good, ultimately, and everything is well under His control. The mystery of God. Let's close in prayer. Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that the mystery of God is going to be fulfilled, finished, taleo. And we know that because of what you've given to your prophets, your servants, the prophets, including John, and Lord, what you've given to us through your word. We can be absolutely certain that what is written here will come to pass the way you intended it to. And that for us who believe in you is good news. And in fact, that's good news for an entire world. And even the creation that is yet groaning because of the fallen nature and condition that it finds itself in, because of the sin of mankind. Lord, we're thankful that in the mystery of God, things will not continue the way they have been. They will come to an end. You will finish what you started. You will finish up that plan and purpose for this age and for this world, and then, Lord, you will create a new heavens and a new earth that will last into eternity. And truly, Lord, that is why we can say with John, even so come Lord Jesus, because we are tired and weak and worn of this old world. And yet, we're still here. We're still here even as those witnesses will be here in order to continue to fulfill our testimony about the Lord Jesus Christ. to be a light and a salt in the places that you put us. And so Lord, I pray that you'll encourage us, that you'll enable us, that you'll equip us to do the very role that you've given us as your church, as your people in this age and in this day. So Father, I pray that as we see the mystery of God revealed to us in the rest of this book, that we will once again see that not only is it good, But Lord, truly, it reflects on your goodness. You're good, and all you do is good. And so what we have in these pages is truly good news. May we rejoice in that, even as we continue our time of fellowship and worship this morning. In Jesus' name we pray.