The Book of Revelation employs a great deal of recapitulation, that is viewing the same set of circumstances or events from various angles. You may recall that between the sixth and seventh seals there was a theological interlude which included two views of God’s people (chapter seven). The full number of God’s redeemed were depicted both as 144,000 assembled for battle as well a vast multitude from every nation. Likewise, there is a theological interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets (chapters 10 and 11).

Like the interlude between the sixth and seventh seal, the interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets give us two pictures of God’s people. Both pictures portray a threatened but ultimately safe and secured church in a sinful world; a people who are persecuted but sealed by God. Chapter ten raises the question of how God’s people can be overcomers in a world that is hostile toward God. Even more specifically, how do we hold on to God’s hard words in a hard age?

God’s Word is good. It is lifegiving. There is a sweetness to God’s Word that is inherently tied to his goodness. And yet, some of God’s words are hard. They expose sin and confront sinners. They warn of judgment for those who do not repent. In our own day God’s words concerning his design for man and woman, marriage, and sexuality are perceived by many as harsh or bigoted or outmoded. For many of us, God’s words about money or love for neighbor or how we treat an enemy are particularly hard, even unwelcome. In John’s vision we see how the character of God helps us to hold faithfully to his hard words even when such faithfulness puts us at odds with the world.