SWEET AND SOUR SCROLL (17 OF 29)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: Revelation 10:1-11
This content is part of a series.
Sweet and Sour Scroll (17 of 29)
Series: Live Like You're Leaving
Keith Krell
Revelation 10:1-11
Why does God allow human suffering and death? Why does He allow evil to go unpunished? When will He break the silence and punish the wicked? Have you ever been asked such questions? I have. Have you asked any of these questions yourself? I have. The problem of evil is the most difficult issue to resolve this side of eternity. It is the one question that no Christian wants to be asked. After all, many people say they can't accept a God who stands by and lets evil continue in the world. Even Christians have fallen away because they couldn't harmonize the reality of evil and suffering with a God of love. Yet, for those who are receptive, the Bible provides a response to this age-old dilemma in Revelation 10.
Before we delve into our passage, let's quickly review. In Revelation 6-18 God sends three judgments: seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. After the opening of the six seals John paused the action and included two visions in chapter 7 before disclosing the opening the seventh seal (7:1-8, 9-17). In chapter 8 he sounds the six trumpets and then once again presses pause to share two more visions in chapters 10-11 before sounding the seventh trumpet (10:1-11; 11:1-13). In both units the suspension of the narrative is provided to show God's sovereign hand of grace in the midst of judgment. Only after God's program has been more fully revealed do the visions proceed to speak of the end of the world. Hence, 10:1-11 offers two motivating principles that will enable us to endure the problem of evil.
1. Trust and time God's promises (10:1-7). The expression, ''Timing is everything'' is especially true as we reflect on God's response to evil. John begins with these words: ''I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven'' (10:1a). A ''strong [or mighty] angel'' is referred to two other times in Revelation (cf. 5:2; 18:21). This implies there are a ...
Series: Live Like You're Leaving
Keith Krell
Revelation 10:1-11
Why does God allow human suffering and death? Why does He allow evil to go unpunished? When will He break the silence and punish the wicked? Have you ever been asked such questions? I have. Have you asked any of these questions yourself? I have. The problem of evil is the most difficult issue to resolve this side of eternity. It is the one question that no Christian wants to be asked. After all, many people say they can't accept a God who stands by and lets evil continue in the world. Even Christians have fallen away because they couldn't harmonize the reality of evil and suffering with a God of love. Yet, for those who are receptive, the Bible provides a response to this age-old dilemma in Revelation 10.
Before we delve into our passage, let's quickly review. In Revelation 6-18 God sends three judgments: seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls. After the opening of the six seals John paused the action and included two visions in chapter 7 before disclosing the opening the seventh seal (7:1-8, 9-17). In chapter 8 he sounds the six trumpets and then once again presses pause to share two more visions in chapters 10-11 before sounding the seventh trumpet (10:1-11; 11:1-13). In both units the suspension of the narrative is provided to show God's sovereign hand of grace in the midst of judgment. Only after God's program has been more fully revealed do the visions proceed to speak of the end of the world. Hence, 10:1-11 offers two motivating principles that will enable us to endure the problem of evil.
1. Trust and time God's promises (10:1-7). The expression, ''Timing is everything'' is especially true as we reflect on God's response to evil. John begins with these words: ''I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven'' (10:1a). A ''strong [or mighty] angel'' is referred to two other times in Revelation (cf. 5:2; 18:21). This implies there are a ...
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