AM Bible Study Group; July 1, 2009
Revelation 10:1-11
Theme: This chapter describes the heralding of the coming of the Lord to take possession of the kingdoms of this earth.
As we have seen in a previous study, there was an “intermission” between the opening of the sixth and the seventh seal (7:1-8:1). And now similarly, there’s an “intermission” between the blowing of the sixth and the seventh trumpet (10:1-11:14). And the timing of this second intermission is very significant. It is the intermission that precedes the return of our Lord to take possession of the nations of this earth.
Amazingly, this “intermission” also includes a significant reappointment for the apostle John; and announces that there will be a repeated forth-telling of the events that are unfolded for us in chapters 6-11.
I. THE MIGHTY ANGEL (vv. 1-7).
A. John says that he saw “another mighty angel coming down from heaven” (v. 1). Because it is “another”, this is not the same angel as was described in 8:3. But who is it? The identity of this angel has been the subject of a great deal of speculation.
1. Some have suggested that it is Gideon or Michael. But whenever we encounter those angels in the Bible, we know it because they are clearly named. And if this angel were either of those, there’s no reason that a name wouldn’t also be given in this case.
2. Some have suggested that, because of the similarity of the description of this angel to the Lord in chapter 1 and chapters 4-5, this must also be the Lord—coming in the form of an angel. But the fact that similar characteristics are used doesn’t necessarily require that the same person is being described. And what’s more, the fact that the word allos is used for “another” (that is, “another” of the same or similar kind) rather than heteros (that is, “another” of a different kind) suggests that it is truly an angel, and not the Lord. It’s not a wise handling of the prophetic portions of God’s word to attribute someone to being the Lord unless one is absolutely sure this is so!
3. This, then, appears to be what the text says—a mighty angel. Nevertheless, it’s significant that the characteristics of this angel are very similar to those described elsewhere of the Lord. He is clothed in a cloud, which would not doubt speak of the ‘shekina’ of the Old Testament. He had a rainbow on his head, which reminds us of the rainbow around the throne of God (4:3). His face was like the sun (1:16), his feet like pillars of fire (1:15), and he spoke with a voice like that of a lion (1:15; 4:5). Perhaps it’s best to see this angel as an ambassador sent to earth from the throne of heaven—clothed with the trappings that identify him with the full authority of heaven.
B. This mighty angel had a “little book” in his hand. This would not be the same little book as that found in 5:1ff; because the opening of that book is the content of the vision we’re now studying. The Book of Revelation is called a biblos in Revelation 22:18; and this would refer to a full book. The seven-sealed document that was in the hand of God in Revelation 5:1 is called a biblion; that is, a diminutive word for book, and would be a smaller book or scroll than a biblon. The book in the hand of the angel is called a bibliridion, that is, a diminutive of a diminutive—a little book indeed that is perhaps little more than our idea of a booklet or pamphlet. This is is a smaller book, given for a different purpose than the book in Revelation 5:1. It is held in the angel’s hand as opened; which suggests that the contents are fully revealed.
C. This mighty angel comes down from heaven to set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land. This suggests an act of claiming the territory of both land and sea. What a picture this claim is—particularly given the fact that he bears on himself the trappings of the authority of heaven!
D. He cried out with a loud voice, as if it were the roar of a lion (v. 3). And when he thus cried out, we’re told that the “seven thunders uttered their voices”. These seven voices may be similar to the seven voices described in Psalm 29—which, incidentally, is a psalm that describes the God’s majesty in judgment and the glory to follow. Clearly, John understood what was said by these seven thunders, because he was about to write down what they said. But it’s pointless to speculate what they said, because he was told not to write, and that their utterances were to be sealed. God here lets us know that it’s not our business to know everything; but only what is revealed for us to know.
E. Dramatically, the angel raised his hand to heaven—thus, as it were, touching the earth, the sea, and and the heavens. And he then swore by Him who lives forever (4:9), who created these three realms, that there would be no further delay. He announces that, at the blowing of the final trumpet, “the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets” (see also 11:17-19).
II. THE LITTLE BOOK (vv. 8-11).
A. Then comes the renewal of John’s prophetic ministry. The voice which John had heard from heaven (4:1) commanded him to go and take the little book from the hand of the mighty angel (v. 8). What an awesome walk that must have been! Again, the fact that he was able to boldly go and authoritatively take this book from the hand of the angel suggest that it is not an incarnation of the Lord but strictly an angel.
B. On taking the little book, the angel commanded John to eat it (see Ezek. 3:1-3). The eating of it suggests an act of fully taking it in. This appears to be what was also true in the case of Ezekiel—the taking in of a message that is to then be declared by the one who took it in. John is warned, however, that it would be bitter in the stomach, but sweet as honey to the taste. Similarly, Ezekiel found God’s word to be sweet; but he was sent forth to proclaim it “in bitterness” (Ezek. 3:14). How true this is of God’s revelation of judgment! There is promised glory, but there is also great sorrow in the proclaiming it. John ate, and found it to be as the angel said.
C. On eating, John is told that he must prophesy “again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings”. The content of this promised repeated act of prophecy is found for us in chapters 12-19.