📅 April 4, 2025

📖 DAILY BIBLE READING

✨ Revelation 10 – The Open Little Scroll and the Seven Thunders
📯 Prophetic Calling Between Sweet Hope and Bitter Disappointment

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📜 Bible Text: Revelation 10 (King James Version)

1 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.

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🔵 Introduction

Chapter 10 of Revelation serves as a pivotal transition between the trumpet judgments and the consummation of God’s plan. In a striking vision, John sees a mighty angel holding an open little scroll—sweet to the taste yet bitter in the stomach. This dual experience points to the real prophetic disappointment experienced by the Advent movement in 1844 when Christ did not return as expected. Yet the message does not end in bitterness—it leads to a renewed calling to proclamation.

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🟡 Commentary

1. The Mighty Angel and the Open Scroll (vv. 1–4)

   • Appearance: The angel mirrors Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man (Daniel 10)—clothed in cloud, rainbow on his head, face like the sun, feet like fiery pillars.

   • Symbolism: The open scroll represents the unveiling of previously sealed prophecies (cf. Daniel 12).

   • Seven Thunders: Divine revelations that are nevertheless sealed—reminding us there are limits to what is disclosed.

2. The Oath and the “Mystery of God” (vv. 5–7)

   • No More Delay: The prophetic period of waiting is over; we have entered the final phase of salvation history.

   • Mystery of God: God’s redemptive plan, as foretold to His prophets, is about to reach its fulfillment (cf. 1 Timothy 3:16).

3. Eating the Scroll—A Double Experience (vv. 8–10)

   • Sweet in the Mouth: The joy and hope stirred by the promise of Christ’s soon return.

   • Bitter in the Stomach: The deep disappointment when expectations were unmet—a painful yet purifying experience.

4. The Renewed Commission (v. 11)

   • “You must again prophesy…”: Despite disappointment, John’s prophetic mission continues—God’s Word must be proclaimed to all nations.

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🟢 Summary

Revelation 10 highlights a crucial moment in prophetic history: the interplay of sweet expectation, bitter disenchantment, and the onward march of God’s plan. The little scroll points back to Daniel’s visions, newly understood in the nineteenth century. The sweetness of eager anticipation was followed by bitterness, yet God’s purposes advanced undeterred.

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🔴 Message for Today

We too face spiritual highs and lows—moments of sweet hope and bitter disillusionment. Revelation 10 reminds us that God remains sovereign. Even our disappointments serve His redemptive purposes. Those who hold fast in adversity are called anew to share the message: Jesus is coming soon! Our time of decision is now—let us faithfully proclaim what we have received.

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📆 March 30 – April 5, 2025

📆 WEEKLY READING OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

📖 Ellen White | Steps to Christ – Chapter 11

✨ Prayer as a Gift of Grace

📖 Read here online

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🔵 Introduction

Prayer is more than a religious duty or a fleeting cry for help in distress—it is the bridge between the human heart and the throne of God. In Chapter 11 we learn that prayer is not only possible but a gift of grace, an incomparable privilege and means of communion with the almighty, loving Father. Yet this gift often remains unused, weakening our spiritual life.

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🟡 Commentary

1. The Necessity of Prayer (Paragraphs 1–4)

• God speaks to us in many ways—through nature, His Word, providence, and the Spirit.

• Without our personal response in prayer, this relationship remains incomplete.

• Prayer is more than speaking—it is opening the heart and turning toward God.

2. Christ’s Example in Prayer (Paragraphs 5–6)

• Jesus Himself—sinless and divine—felt the need for prayer.

• He sought the Father in solitude, bore our weaknesses, and interceded as our model.

• If the Son of God prayed, how much more do we need prayer!

3. God’s Readiness to Hear (Paragraphs 7–10)

• God longs to bless us—yet we pray so little!

• The angels scarcely understand our reluctance; for them, prayer is supreme joy.

• Without prayer we lose our connection to heaven and stand defenseless against temptation.

4. Conditions for Answered Prayer (Paragraphs 11–18)

• A sincere desire for God, repentance, confession, and forgiving others.

• Faith is essential—even if visible answers are delayed.

• God hears and answers in His timing according to the true needs of our hearts.

5. The Power of Personal and Persistent Prayer (Paragraphs 19–25)

• Prayer in the secret place has special value.

• Continual communion with God is possible amid daily life.

• Examples like Enoch and Nehemiah show that true prayer is a constant life posture.

6. The Danger of Neglecting Prayer (Paragraphs 26–30)

• Prayerlessness leads to estrangement from God and weakens faith.

• We should combine the fellowship of believers, devotional worship, and service.

• Those who isolate themselves or pray without action lose the joy of prayer.

7. The Joy of Prayer and Praise (Paragraphs 31–End)

• Thanksgiving should be central to our prayer life.

• God desires our worship to be marked by joy, trust, and love—not fear.

• Praise and thanks open our hearts to new blessings.

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🟢 Summary

Prayer is a holy gift of grace through which we can stand in intimate fellowship with God. It is the “key in the hand of faith” that unlocks heaven’s treasure chamber. Prayer is indispensable for spiritual life, yet its power emerges only under certain conditions: humility, faith, forgiveness, and perseverance. Christ Himself was our perfect model—and invites us to find strength, comfort, and divine nearness in prayer.

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🔴 Message for Today

In a world full of noise, distractions, and uncertainty, prayer remains our direct lifeline to heaven.

📜 “Ask, and it will be given to you…” (Matthew 7:7)

God waits to commune with us—not as a distant judge but as a loving Father. Prayer does not change God; it changes us: our trust grows, our vision clears, our hearts become still and receptive to the Spirit’s work.

👉 What does this mean for you today?

• Set aside time for silent prayer—not as a duty, but as a source of comfort and strength.

• Stay connected to God throughout your day. Let your heart speak to Him often—in thought, in whisper, in stillness.

• Trust His answer—even if it comes differently than expected.

• Forgive others. How can we ask for God’s mercy if we harbor unforgiveness?

• Praise God! Thanksgiving transforms our hearts and makes us ready for further blessings.

🌿 Prayer is not just talking to God—it is living with God.
Let us learn to live in the light of this gift of grace.

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