JMA Missions Mid-Month Sept 2026

The Great Commission in the New Testament 

The Mighty Book of Revelation, part 7

 
       Welcome back to our ongoing series. This is #7 on the Great Commission in the Book of Revelation, and part 2 of our look at Revelation chapter 10.
        Abbreviated monthly reminder, Revelation is three types of literature at the same time: it is a prophecy (ch.1:3); it is an epistle, written to real churches and real people; it is written in apocalyptic style, using symbolism/hyperbole.
       We are looking at five reasons why chapter 10 is the Great Commission of Revelation. Reason #1 was the identity of the Mighty Angel, whom we found to be Jesus, and we'll refer to as Jesus. 
 
       Reason #2 that ch10 is the Great Commission chapter of Revelation is where Jesus is standing.
Revelation 10:2, "He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,"  ch10:5, "The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven." ch10:8, "Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth."'
 
       There is a lot to unpack in this chapter, so we need to pay attention when things are repeated. John tells us one time what Jesus is wearing, and what He looks like. He tells us only one time that He roared like a lion. But he mentions that little book four times, and we'll be talking about that in probably November!
       But look here. John tells us three times where the Angel is standing. 

       In apocalyptic symbolism, the use of 'sea and land' can have a few layers of meaning.
 
       First, it can symbolize the physical and the spiritual. Matthew 28:18, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Also see Ephesians 1:20-23, v22 "He put all things under His feet"; Colossians 1:16-17) So, the sea would represent the spiritual arena, and the land the physical.
 
       It could also symbolize all the nations of the world, because He is not standing on a particular place or nation, but in a very generalized sense, 'sea and land', indicating the whole world, or more particularly, all the inhabitants of the world.
 
       Finally, 'sea and land' are sometimes interpreted to be referencing the Jewish and Gentile nations (which technically is the same as the point I just made, because my Gramps Sullivan used to tell me there are two kinds of people in this world, the Irish and those who wish they were Irish!) In this symbolic interpretation, the sea represents the Gentile nations, and the land represents the Jewish nation. This symbolism can also be found in Revelation 13/Daniel 7, and Revelation 17:15.
 
       Those are three examples of what 'sea and land' might indicate. But there is one thing about this that is certain. Jesus is standing on all of it. Jesus is revealing His ownership of all of it.
       Look at what Paul writes in Ephesians 1:19-21, 19"and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places (first the resurrection, and second the exaltation), 21far above (what did he say? Not a little above. Not 'just enough' above, no! Far above!!) all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." Just observe the list in v 21! 
       And furthermore! Observe v22, "And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church," That's all things, y’all! 
       All authority, in heaven and on earth, has been given to Him! The authority of the Great Commissioner establishes the scope of the Great Commission, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations"!
            
       Next month, Reason #3 that ch10 is the Great Commission of Revelation!

This Great Commission is still our commission! Every class we teach, every Pastor we train, and every church we help establish is one more part of taking the Gospel to the nations.
 
Your prayers and financial support help us keep going. Thank you for standing with us as we continue making disciples and training leaders in Kenya, Tanzania, and the DRC.
 
 You can be part of the Great Commission with us! 
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