Chapter 10 is a pause in the events John is seeing. John is going to be given a mission and an angel appears with a small book which John is told to internalize by eating. The book tastes sweet but is bitter which must mean that the mission is important but will be difficult to experience. Ezekiel was also given a book to eat in the Old Testament. Seven angels recite (thunder) seven periods in the earths history and John is told his future mission is to gather the 12 tribes.
Chapter 11
A second "woe" is announced and this is the slaying of two prophets in the streets of Jerusalem. The Holy City is to be overrun by the gentiles for 42 months or 1260 days which are representative of the apostasy. This number may be symbolic or literal. The prophets are given great powers that are similar to the powers that were given to Moses and Elijah. The ministry of the prophets lasts for 42 months and then they are slain and their bodies are left in the streets for three and a half days. The three and a half months and three and a half days are half of the number seven which represents perfection. Maybe this means there mission was cut short. With the death of the prophets, the people celebrate that they are no longer tormented by the prophets. But when the propehets are resurrected on the spot and seen by the people ascending into heaven, they are filled with fear. Great fear comes upon them and then a third "woe" begins with an earthquake that destroys much of the city. Verse 15 has the words Handel used in the Hallelujah Chorus of the Messiah, "And he shall reign for ever and ever." John learns that Christ's government will replace all governments on earth.
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