啓示錄 10 章 Revelations 10
- 馬克牧師
- Jul 10
- 9 min read
Updated: Aug 8
各位平安，這一講我們要繼續來默想《啟示錄》第十章的經文。
還記得在第六章中，我們看見前六位吹號的天使，吹響了前六個號角。而第七個號，會在第十一章第十五節才被吹響。在這兩者之間，《啟示錄》第十章插入了一段特別的異象。這段經文像是一個插曲，也像是一個關鍵的停頓。
這時，有一位大能的天使從天而降，手中拿著一卷小書卷。他大聲呼喊，甚至七雷也發出聲音。但奇妙的是，當約翰要把七雷所說的記下時，天上的聲音卻告訴他：「不可寫出來。」
這裡提醒我們，有些啟示是來自神，但並不是現在要讓人明白的。甚至連記錄都不被允許。即使是先知、是使徒，也有他們「被限制」的時刻。這讓我們明白：神的啟示有祂自己的節奏與主權。
接著，天使宣告了一句非常關鍵的話：「不再有時日了。」有的翻譯寫作「不再遲延」——也就是說，時間已經到了，再也不會延後。
這句話非常值得我們默想。
我們常以為「明天還很多」，覺得「之後還可以再說」、「等有空我再處理這件事」、「等我準備好了再來信靠神」……但聖經在這裡提醒我們：明天，不一定會一直都存在。
這世界不會無限延續，我們的人生也不會無限延長。
所以我們需要對福音有一種「緊迫感」，對自己的人生也需要有一種「緊迫感」。
我們不是活在無限之中裡。我們的人生是有期限的。上帝的恩典誠然豐富，但祂也提醒我們，不要一直遲延。不要一直推說「以後再來尋求祂」。
第七節說：「神的奧秘就成全了，正如神傳給祂僕人眾先知的佳音。」
這句話是對整個歷史、對我們心中許多「為什麼」的回答。
在人類的歷史中，我們常常看見許多不解的現象：為什麼邪惡的事好像不斷在發生？為什麼正義沒有彰顯？為什麼好人要受苦？為什麼惡人卻似乎平安無事？
我們心中有很多「為什麼」。但這節經文提醒我們——有一天，神的奧秘要完全成就，那時，一切都會有答案。
當神的計畫被完全揭示、被成全的時候，我們就能從祂的視角，看見整體，看懂全局。我們會明白：原來那些我們一度無法理解的事，在祂的旨意裡，早有安排。
就像我們回頭看舊約的歷史，有很多令人疑惑的地方：為什麼以色列人這麼悖逆？他們明明是神的子民，為什麼會跌倒這麼多次？為什麼會受到懲罰？為什麼會被滅國？到了新約，我們看到這一切的預言與警告，在耶穌基督身上都成就了。所有的預言都指向祂，所有的奧秘也在祂裡面被打開。
今天也是一樣。
我們仍在走一條似懂非懂的信心之路，但神的計畫仍在展開中。祂的奧秘不是被藏起來不讓人知道，而是在一步步地顯明，直到有一天我們完全看見、完全明白。而在這個過程之中，信心就是讓我們能夠堅持的關鍵。
在十世紀的時候，義大利有一位著名的主教，安瑟倫（Anselm of Canterbury，1033–1109），他講過一句非常有名的話，用拉丁文說是：「Credo ut intelligam」，意思是：「我信，所以我才能明白。」或翻作：「相信方能明白。」
他所強調的是：必須要先相信，才能夠真正明白。
這和許多不信的人所堅持的觀點正好相反。他們常說：「我要先搞懂了，才可能相信。」這樣的觀點其實源自唯物主義，是一種「理解先於信任」的邏輯。
但我們基督徒知道，真正的智慧之門，是從「信」開始的。
正如《箴言》1章7節所說：「敬畏耶和華是知識的開端；愚妄人藐視智慧和訓誨。」
我們若不先承認上帝的主權，不先相信祂是創造天地、掌管歷史與時間的那一位，我們根本無法真正理解祂的作為。
是的，我們的眼睛看得有限，我們的時間有限，但祂不是。祂是創始成終的，是掌管永恆與萬有的神。
當我們願意用信心來接受祂的主權、接受祂的啟示，那些屬天的奧秘，就會一點一滴在我們生命中被打開、被明白。
這正是「Credo ut intelligam」的力量——我信，所以我能夠真正認識、真正理解。在第八節，我們看到天上的聲音吩咐約翰：「你去，把那踏海踏地之天使手中的小書卷拿過來。」約翰就照做，走向那位天使，向他索取書卷。
這一幕，其實讓我們聯想到《以西結書》第二章到第三章的場景。那裡也記載了一位先知——以西結——同樣領受了一卷書卷，上面寫滿了神要他宣講的話語。
《以西結書》2章10節這樣說：「他將書卷在我面前展開，內外都寫著字，其上所寫的有哀號、嘆息、悲痛的話。」先知以西結看到的是滿紙的哀號與悲痛，神卻要他將這卷書吃下。接著在3章，他描述這書卷在口中竟是「甜如蜜」。
而《啟示錄》第10章中，這個圖像被再次使用。但順序稍有不同——約翰先說：「書卷在我口中甜如蜜」，然後肚子卻「發苦」。
這個細節很有意思，它展現出神話語的兩面性：一方面，這是神親自向人啟示的話語，具有屬天的甜美與生命力；但另一方面，這些話語所帶出的審判、警告、甚至歷史的災難，卻是沉重、苦澀的。
這讓人想到先知耶利米。他的職事充滿了眼淚，因為他所傳講的，常常是以色列即將滅亡的消息。他不受歡迎，常常孤單，卻忠心傳達神的心意。
約翰也是如此。他在領受這些啟示時，必然內心也有掙扎。神的話語是甜的，因為它是真理，是來自神的聲音；但它也是苦的，因為它常常揭露人類的罪，帶來審判的信息。
這提醒我們，神的話不只是安慰與鼓勵，有時候也帶著糾正與震撼。但即使如此，它仍然是美好的，因為那是神在愛中所說的真話。
感謝主，我們擁有耶穌基督的福音。這也就是為什麼，路德宗的神學當中，常常強調一個核心觀念：律法與福音。
當我們在宣講律法的時候——就像這裡所提到的審判、懲罰、責備——我們不能停在那裡。我們需要讓人聽見完整的信息，帶他們走向福音的甜美。
因為在神的審判之後，仍然有救恩。在祂的責備之後，仍有赦免與盼望。這就是耶穌基督的福音，祂來就是為了拯救我們。我們絕不能只讓信息停留在律法的重壓下，而是要讓人看見十字架的恩典。這才是能改變生命的關鍵。而在第11節，天使對約翰說：「你必指著多民、多國、多方、多王再說預言。」也就是說，這還不是結束——約翰還有許多信息要繼續宣講，啟示錄的旅程還會繼續向前。
所以我們也將繼續走下去，一步步來學習神的話語。
今天我們的分享就到這裡。下一集我們會一起進入《啟示錄》第11章，繼續探討神所要向我們啟示的奇妙計畫。感謝你的聆聽，願上帝的恩典與你同在。
Peace to you all! In this session, we continue our meditation on Revelation chapter 10.
Remember back in chapter 6, we saw the first six trumpets sounded by six angels. The seventh trumpet won’t sound until Revelation 11:15. Between the sixth and seventh trumpet, chapter 10 inserts a unique vision — a kind of interlude, a pause that feels both dramatic and deeply significant.
At this moment, a mighty angel descends from heaven holding a little scroll. He cries out with a loud voice, and even the seven thunders respond with their voices. Strangely, when John is about to write down what the seven thunders said, a voice from heaven tells him, “Do not write it down.”
This reminds us that some revelations from God are not meant to be understood immediately. Sometimes, even recording them is not permitted. Even prophets and apostles face limitations. This shows us that God’s revelation unfolds according to His timing and sovereignty.
Next, the angel makes a profound declaration: “There will be no more delay.” Some translations render this as “There will be no more time” — meaning the moment has come, and nothing will be postponed any longer.
This statement deserves our deep reflection.
We often think “there’s always tomorrow,” or “I’ll deal with it later,” or “I’ll trust God when I’m ready”… But here Scripture reminds us: tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
This world will not go on forever. Our lives will not be endlessly prolonged.
That’s why we need a sense of urgency about the gospel — and about our own lives.
We don’t live in infinity. Our time is limited. God’s grace is abundant, yes — but He also warns us not to delay endlessly. Don’t keep saying, “I’ll seek Him later.”
Verse 7 says:“The mystery of God will be accomplished, just as He announced to His servants the prophets.”
This is a promise to all of history, and an answer to many of our inner “whys.”
Throughout human history, we’ve seen so many confusing realities:Why does evil seem to prevail?Why isn’t justice done?Why do good people suffer while the wicked prosper?
We carry many “why” questions in our hearts. But this verse reminds us — one day, the mystery of God will be completed. And in that day, everything will be made clear.
When God’s plan is fully revealed and fulfilled, we will see the big picture from His perspective. We’ll understand how even the things we once couldn’t comprehend were actually part of His design all along.
Just like when we look back on Old Testament history — there are so many confusing moments:Why were the Israelites so rebellious?Why would God’s chosen people fall so often?Why were they punished?Why did their nation fall?
But in the New Testament, we see how all these warnings and prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Everything pointed to Him. All mysteries were opened in Him.
The same is true today.
We’re still walking a journey of faith that we only partly understand. But God’s plan is still unfolding. His mystery isn’t hidden forever — it’s being revealed step by step, until one day we’ll fully see and fully understand. And in this process, faith is what keeps us moving forward.
Back in the 11th century, a famous bishop in Italy, Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109), said something profound:“Credo ut intelligam” — “I believe so that I may understand.”In other words, “Faith precedes understanding.”
He was emphasizing that we must believe first in order to truly understand.
This is the opposite of what many non-believers insist: “I’ll believe it once I understand it.” But that mindset comes from materialism — a worldview that demands understanding before trust.
But as Christians, we know that the door to true wisdom begins with faith.
As Proverbs 1:7 says:“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Unless we first acknowledge God’s sovereignty and believe that He is the Creator and Ruler of history and time, we’ll never truly understand His works.
Yes, our sight is limited. Our time is limited. But God is not. He is the Alpha and the Omega — Lord of eternity and all creation.
When we accept His sovereignty and revelation by faith, the heavenly mysteries will begin to unfold and be understood in our lives — little by little.
This is the power of “Credo ut intelligam” — I believe, therefore I understand.
In verse 8, the voice from heaven tells John, “Go, take the scroll from the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” John obeys and approaches the angel to receive the scroll.
This scene reminds us of Ezekiel chapters 2–3. There, the prophet Ezekiel is also given a scroll full of God’s words.
Ezekiel 2:10 says:“He unrolled it before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.”Even though the scroll was filled with sorrow, God told Ezekiel to eat it. And in chapter 3, Ezekiel describes it as “sweet as honey” in his mouth.
In Revelation 10, this same image is reused — but with a twist. John says the scroll was “sweet as honey” in his mouth, but “bitter” in his stomach.
This detail is rich with meaning. It shows the twofold nature of God’s word:On the one hand, it’s sweet — divine, life-giving truth.On the other hand, it brings judgment, warning, and sometimes heavy historical consequences — and that can be bitter.
It reminds us of the prophet Jeremiah. His ministry was full of tears, because he had to proclaim Israel’s destruction. He was unpopular and often lonely, yet he faithfully declared God’s message.
John was the same. As he received these revelations, surely he too wrestled with them. God’s word is sweet because it is truth — but also bitter because it exposes sin and brings judgment.
This teaches us that God’s word is not just comfort and encouragement — sometimes it confronts, rebukes, and shakes us. Yet it is still good, because it is truth spoken in love.
Thank God, we have the gospel of Jesus Christ!This is why Lutheran theology always emphasizes the core concept of Law and Gospel.
When we proclaim the Law — as in the judgment, punishment, and rebuke described here — we must not stop there. We must also lead people into the sweetness of the Gospel.
Because after God’s judgment, there is still salvation. After His rebuke, there is forgiveness and hope. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ — He came to save us. We must not leave people crushed under the weight of the Law, but show them the grace of the cross. That is the key to true transformation.
In verse 11, the angel tells John:“You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”In other words, this is not the end — there is more for John to proclaim. The journey of Revelation continues forward.
So we too will continue — step by step, studying God’s word together.
That’s all for today’s sharing. In the next episode, we’ll dive into Revelation chapter 11 and continue to explore God’s amazing plan for us. Thank you for listening. May God’s grace be with you.
Comments