Have you ever seen a complicated mural telling a story? You have to interpret each image in order. This is a mural of the history of Mexico, to understand it, you would need guide who has studied it. That’s today. This passage is a verbal mural of the story of the church proclaiming the Gospel throughout church history. Last week at the end of ch11, John was commanded to eat the scroll & prophesy the bittersweet Gospel to nations. (REVELATION 10:11) I WAS TOLD, “YOU MUST AGAIN PROPHESY ABOUT MANY PEOPLES, NATIONS, LANGUAGES & KINGS.” The Gospel would be both sweet as honey, mercy & grace to those with ears to hear what the Spirit says. But it would also be bitter, with words of judgement & condemnation for those who don’t believe & repent. Proclaiming the unfiltered, bittersweet Gospel puts us at odds w/ a world that just doesn’t want to hear it. Today’s passage describes the entire age of the Gospel, the church… the past, present, and the not yet. This passage, at the very center of Revelation, is like a halftime pep talk, preparing us for what is to come. Its full of powerful symbolism of the Gospel’s power, blessings, &a consequences as it is proclaimed in a hostile word. It’s a mural telling our story as God’s witnesses throughout the age, lets uncover the mystery one at a time shall we?