📖 DAILY BIBLE READING
Revelation Chapter 10 – The Open Booklet and the Commission to Proclaim
📅 April 4, 2025
📜 Daily Chapter: Revelation 10 – King James Version
📜 Bible Text: Revelation 10 (King James Version)
And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 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.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever 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:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
10 And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
📚 Explanation & Context
🟦 Introduction
Revelation 10 stands between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments – it is a symbolic chapter that conveys an important message regarding the prophetic commission of the church in the end times. John sees a mighty angel with an open booklet – a symbol of divine revelation. Yet what he experiences is bittersweet: the message is sweet in the mouth but hard to digest in the heart.
This chapter is especially significant for the Advent message – many interpreters view the experience with the booklet as a prophecy regarding the great disappointment of 1844 and the commission for a renewed proclamation of the gospel.
🟨 Commentary
🔹 Verses 1–3: The Mighty Angel with the Booklet
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The angel comes down from heaven, clothed with a cloud (the presence of God), a rainbow on his head (the covenant), a face like the sun (the glory of Christ), and feet like pillars of fire (judgment and purity).
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The open booklet in his hand likely represents the book of Daniel, which had previously been “sealed” (cf. Daniel 12:4).
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His stance – one foot on the sea and one on the earth – indicates that the message is of universal relevance.
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His voice is like that of a lion – powerful and royal.
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The seven thunders speak, but their message is to remain sealed (a divine mystery not to be revealed).
🔹 Verses 5–7: The Angel’s Oath
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The angel swears by the eternal Creator: “There shall be no more delay” – likely referring to the time prophecies now being fulfilled.
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With the sounding of the seventh angel’s trumpet, “the mystery of God will be completed” – the story of redemption reaches its climax (cf. Romans 16:25–26).
🔹 Verses 8–10: The Experience with the Booklet
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John receives the command: “Take the booklet – and eat it!”
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This symbolic act represents the internalization and subsequent proclamation of the prophetic message.
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Sweet in the mouth = joy over the truth.
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Bitter in the stomach = disappointment, suffering due to misunderstanding or rejection.
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These verses clearly reflect the experience of the Advent movement around 1844.
🔹 Verse 11: The Renewed Commission to Prophesy
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After the bitter experience, a new command is given: “You must prophesy again…”
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The message is to be proclaimed to all peoples, languages, and kings – a worldwide missionary commission.
🟩 Summary
Revelation 10 is a prophetic chapter that symbolically presents the church’s commission in the last days:
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A mighty angel brings a heavenly message of universal relevance.
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The “booklet” symbolizes the unveiling of prophecy (e.g., from Daniel) and serves as spiritual nourishment.
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The experience is bittersweet – representing both the joy of truth and the pain of disappointment and opposition.
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Following this experience, a clear command is given for global proclamation.
🟥 Message for Us Today
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📖 God’s Word is sweet – yet sometimes hard to bear. It challenges us, corrects us, and calls us to repentance.
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🌍 We have a worldwide message! Just as John was commissioned, so are we called to proclaim the gospel “again.”
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😔 Disappointments are part of the faith journey. They often signal the beginning of clarity and deeper trust.
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🔥 God needs bold proclaimers. People who “eat the booklet” – who receive, experience, and then share God’s Word.
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✨ “You must prophesy again…” – this command is as relevant today as ever!
Let God’s Word fill you, and be a bearer of light for others.
📅 WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
📖 Ellen G. White – Steps to Christ
Chapter 11 – The Privilege of Prayer
🔗 Read online here
📚 Explanation & Classification
🟦 Introduction
Prayer is more than a religious obligation or a cry for help in difficult times – it is the living connection between the human soul and the heart of God.
Chapter 11 of Steps to Christ shows us that prayer is not only possible, but a divine privilege – a channel of grace and communion with a loving, listening Father.
And yet – this gift is often neglected, to the great loss of our spiritual life.
🟨 Commentary
🔹 Paragraphs 1–4: The Necessity of Prayer
God speaks to us through nature, Scripture, providence, and His Spirit.
But without our response in prayer, the relationship remains incomplete.
Prayer is more than words – it is opening our heart to God and drawing near to Him.
🔹 Paragraphs 5–6: Jesus’ Example in Prayer
Jesus – though divine and without sin – felt the need for prayer.
He sought solitude, carried our burdens, and became our intercessor.
If the Son of God prayed, how much more do we need to pray!
🔹 Paragraphs 7–10: God’s Willingness to Hear
God longs to bless us – and yet we pray so little!
The angels can hardly understand this – for they know the joy of constant communion.
Without prayer, we disconnect from heaven and stand defenseless against temptation.
🔹 Paragraphs 11–18: Conditions for Answered Prayer
Prayer must be sincere – coming from a heart that longs for God.
Repentance, confession, and forgiveness toward others are essential.
Faith is key – even when we see no immediate answer.
God hears – and answers at the right time, according to our real needs.
🔹 Paragraphs 19–25: The Power of Personal and Constant Prayer
Private prayer – in stillness and solitude – has great value.
But prayer can also be a continual connection, a life lived with God.
Biblical examples like Enoch and Nehemiah show us: true prayer is a lifestyle.
🔹 Paragraphs 26–30: The Danger of Neglected Prayer
Neglecting prayer leads to spiritual weakness and distance from God.
True devotion includes prayer, fellowship, and service.
Those who isolate themselves or pray without action lose the joy and power of prayer.
🔹 Paragraphs 31–End: The Joy of Prayer and Praise
Thanksgiving and praise should be central to our prayer life.
God wants our worship to be joyful, trusting, and full of love – not fear.
Praise opens our hearts to God’s presence and prepares us to receive more blessings.
🟩 Summary
Prayer is a sacred gift of grace, through which we live in communion with God.
It is the “key in the hand of faith” that opens heaven’s treasure house.
Prayer is indispensable to the spiritual life – but its power depends on conditions: humility, faith, forgiveness, and perseverance.
Christ gave us the perfect example – and invites us to find strength, peace, and nearness to God through prayer.
🟥 Message for Us Today
In a world of noise, stress, and distraction – prayer remains our direct line to heaven.
📜 “Ask, and it shall be given you…” (Matthew 7:7)
God waits for us – not as a distant judge, but as a loving Father.
Prayer does not change God – it changes us:
Our trust deepens, our thoughts become clear, and our hearts are opened to His Spirit.
👉 What does this mean for you today?
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Take time for silent, personal prayer – not out of duty, but for peace and strength.
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Stay connected with God throughout the day – in thought, in whisper, in silence.
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Trust His answers – even when they come differently than expected.
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Forgive others – we cannot ask for grace while holding onto bitterness.
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Praise God! Gratitude transforms the heart and prepares us for more blessings.
🌿 Prayer is not just speaking with God – it is living with God.
Let us live in the light of this grace-filled gift.
