Revelation10
New King James Version
1I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.
2He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,
3and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
5The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven
6and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,
7but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.
8Then 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.”
9So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.” And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
10Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.
11And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Revelation 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The Angel of the covenant presents a little open book, which is followed with seven thunders. (1–4). At the end of the following prophecies, time should be no more. (5–7). A voice directs the apostle to eat the book; (8–10). and tells him he must prophesy further. (11).
vv1-7
The apostle saw another representation. The person communicating this discovery probably was our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, or it was to show his glory. He veils his glory, which is too great for mortal eyes to behold; and throws a veil upon his dispensations. A rainbow was upon his head; our Lord is always mindful of his covenant. His awful voice was echoed by seven thunders; solemn and terrible ways of discovering the mind of God. We know not the subjects of the seven thunders, nor the reasons for suppressing them. There are great events in history, perhaps relating to the Christian church, which are not noticed in open prophecy. The final salvation of the righteous, and the final success of true religion on earth, are engaged for by the unfailing word of the Lord. Though the time may not be yet, it cannot be far distant. Very soon, as to us, time will be no more; but if we are believers, a happy eternity will follow: we shall from heaven behold and rejoice in the triumphs of Christ, and his cause on earth.
vv8-11
Most men feel pleasure in looking into future events, and all good men like to receive a word from God. But when this book of prophecy was thoroughly digested by the apostle, the contents would be bitter; there were things so awful and terrible, such grievous persecutions of the people of God, such desolations in the earth, that the foresight and foreknowledge of them would be painful to his mind. Let us seek to be taught by Christ, and to obey his orders; daily meditating on his word, that it may nourish our souls; and then declaring it according to our several stations. The sweetness of such contemplations will often be mingled with bitterness, while we compare the Scriptures with the state of the world and the church, or even with that of our own hearts.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἴδω (eídō): used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι) and G3708 (ὁράω); properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
ἄλλος (állos): "else," i.e. different (in many applications)
ἰσχυρός (ischyrós): forcible (literally or figuratively)
ἄγγελος (ángelos): compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
καταβαίνω (katabaínō): to descend (literally or figuratively)
ἐκ (ek): literal or figurative; direct or remote)
οὐρανός (ouranós): the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)
περιβάλλω (peribállō): to throw all around, i.e. invest (with a palisade or with clothing)
νεφέλη (nephélē): properly, cloudiness, i.e. (concretely) a cloud
Cross References
Revelation 10The angel lifts his hand to heaven and swears an oath, closely matching Daniel's vision.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Ezekiel is commanded to eat the roll, which is sweet as honey in his mouth.
Supported by JFB
The rainbow upon his head recalls the covenant sign encircling God's throne in Revelation 4:3.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The description of feet like pillars of fire corresponds to Christ's feet in chapter 1.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The face shining like the sun directly matches the description of Christ in Revelation 1:16.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ's transfigured face shone as the sun, mirroring this mighty angel's face.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The visual of a hand holding a roll parallels the 'little book open' in the angel's hand.
Supported by JFB
Daniel is told to seal up his words, mirroring the command to seal the seven thunders.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Daniel is commanded to shut up/seal his vision, analogous to John sealing the thunders.
Supported by JFB
The promise of 'time no longer' directly answers the martyrs' plea to wait a little season.
Supported by JFB
Jeremiah 'eats' the words of God, finding them to be the joy and rejoicing of his heart.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The rainbow of covenant mercy given to Noah is re-established over the angel's head.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts the sealed book of chapter 5 with the open little book here.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Lord God roaring like a lion parallels the angel crying out as a roaring lion.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
God lifting His hand to heaven and swearing by His eternal existence.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The sounding of the seventh angel, when the mystery of God is declared finished.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Ezekiel experiences bitter heat in his spirit after receiving his prophetic commission.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The oath invokes God as Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, echoing the Decalogue.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God's words are described as sweet as honey to the taste.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jeremiah's commission to prophesy over nations and kingdoms parallels John's commission.
Supported by Matthew Henry