Revelation 10

The Angel with the Little Scroll

1-4 John sees another mighty (strong) angel coming from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, face like the sun, legs like pillars of fire, holding a little scroll. He straddles between land and sea and shouts like a lion, making seven thunders sound. A voice tells John not to write down what the thunders say. As indicated by his shining face (see Exodus 34:24-34), this angel has come directly from God, bringing a message that encompasses the whole world. God chooses not to reveal the message of the seven thunders. (Seven seals, seven trumpets, now seven thunders.)

5-7 The angel raises his right hand and swears by the Creator that there will be no more delay. When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God’s mystery will be fulfilled, as he announced to his prophets. This will be the last warning before the fulfillment of the plan of redemption through Christ, which the prophets point to throughout the Old Testament. The word mystery almost always refers to the gospel. See Ephesians 1:9-11; Ephesians 3:8-11; Romans 16:25,26.

8-10 The voice tells John to take the scroll from the angel, who warns him that it will be sweet to taste, but bitter to his stomach. John takes a bite from the scroll, sweet as honey but bitter in his stomach. They say to John: Prophesy again about people, languages, nations, and kings. A reminder of the white horse followed by the red horse in 6:1-4. John tastes the sweetness of the gospel – grace, mercy, redemption – but it will be followed by the suffering and persecution that often comes to those who live and proclaim their faith. In fact, John is on the Isle of Patmos because of his faith.