Revelation 10

Commentary

The Angel and the Small Scroll

1And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 5And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 7But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

8And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 9And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 10And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. 11And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Angel and the Small Scroll
(Ezekiel 3:1–15)

1 I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 He had in his hand a little open book. He set his right foot on the sea, and his left on the land. 3 He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don’t write them.” 5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky, 6 and 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 will no longer be delay, 7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants, the prophets.

8 The voice which I heard from heaven, again speaking with me, said, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.” 9 I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. He said to me, “Take it, and eat it up. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” 10 I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. When I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. 11 They told me, “You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”

The Angel and the Small Scroll
(Ezekiel 3:1–15)

1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire. 2 He held in his hand a small scroll, which lay open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. 3 Then he cried out in a loud voice like the roar of a lion. And when he cried out, the seven thunders sounded their voices.

4 When the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to put it in writing. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”

5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven. 6 And he swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and everything in it, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it: “There will be no more delay! 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be fulfilled, just as He proclaimed to His servants the prophets.”

8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the small scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land.”

9 And I went to the angel and said, “Give me the small scroll.”

“Take it and eat it,” he said. “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” a

10 So I took the small scroll from 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 turned bitter.

11 And they told me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”

 

Footnotes:

9 a See Numbers 5:24 and Ezekiel 3:3.

The Angel and the Small Scroll

1And I saw another strong messenger coming down out of the heaven, arrayed with a cloud, and a rainbow upon the head, and his face as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire, 2and he had in his hand a little scroll opened, and he did place his right foot upon the sea, and the left upon the land, 3and he cried with a great voice, as a lion doth roar, and when he cried, speak out did the seven thunders their voices; 4and when the seven thunders spake their voices, I was about to write, and I heard a voice out of the heaven saying to me, 'Seal the things that the seven thunders spake,' and, 'Thou mayest not write these things.' 5And the messenger whom I saw standing upon the sea, and upon the land, did lift up his hand to the heaven, 6and did swear in Him who doth live to the ages of the ages, who did create the heaven and the things in it, and the land and the things in it, and the sea and the things in it -- that time shall not be yet, 7but in the days of the voice of the seventh messenger, when he may be about to sound, and the secret of God may be finished, as He did declare to His own servants, to the prophets.

8And the voice that I heard out of the heaven is again speaking with me, and saying, 'Go, take the little scroll that is open in the hand of the messenger who hath been standing upon the sea, and upon the land:' 9and I went away unto the messenger, saying to him, 'Give me the little scroll;' and he saith to me, 'Take, and eat it up, and it shall make thy belly bitter, but in thy mouth it shall be sweet -- as honey.' 10And I took the little scroll out of the hand of the messenger, and did eat it up, and it was in my mouth as honey -- sweet, and when I did eat it -- my belly was made bitter; 11and he saith to me, 'It behoveth thee again to prophesy about peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings -- many.'

The Favor of God paraphrase

The Angel and the Little Scroll

¹ Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. ² He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, ³ and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. ⁴ And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”

⁵ Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. ⁶ And he swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! ⁷ But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as He announced to His servants the prophets.”

John Eats the Scroll

⁸ Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” ⁹ So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it! It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’” ¹⁰ I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. ¹¹ Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”

Footnotes:

1.The “mighty angel” (verse 1) is described with imagery reminiscent of God’s presence—clouds, a rainbow, and a face shining like the sun. This suggests he carries divine authority and brings an important revelation.

2.The “little scroll” (verse 2) lying open in the angel’s hand signifies God’s message, ready to be delivered. It contrasts with the sealed scroll from earlier chapters, indicating this revelation is meant to be taken in immediately.

3.The “seven thunders” (verse 3) refer to a mysterious, divine utterance. Though John hears it, he is commanded not to write it down, reminding us that some aspects of God’s plans remain hidden.

4.The angel’s oath (verse 6) invokes the Creator, emphasizing the authority of God’s eternal power. The declaration that “there will be no more delay” signals the imminence of the final stages of God’s plan.

5.The “mystery of God” (verse 7) refers to the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan, revealed progressively throughout history but culminating in the events that John witnesses. The prophets had spoken of this day, but its full realization is now at hand.

6.Eating the scroll (verse 9) is a symbolic act, reflecting the internalization of God’s word. The sweetness signifies the joy of receiving divine revelation, while the sourness represents the bitterness of its judgment or the difficult truths it contains.

7.John’s task to “prophesy again” (verse 11) suggests his mission isn’t over. He must continue to declare God’s message, not just to the church but to the whole world—nations, peoples, and rulers—signifying the global scope of God’s unfolding plan.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Revelation 10?
2Introduction to Revelation 10
3Context of Revelation 10
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Revelation 10 Unique Insights
7Revelation 10 Connections to Yeshua
8Revelation 10 Scriptural Echoes
9Revelation 10 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Revelation 10?

Introduction to Revelation 10

In the midst of the apocalyptic visions of judgment, Revelation 10 presents a dramatic interlude that shifts our attention from the terrifying trumpet judgments to a mighty angel with a little scroll. This chapter serves as a crucial turning point in the book of Revelation, introducing elements that will become significant in the unfolding of God’s final plans for humanity. The imagery is both magnificent and mysterious, featuring a rainbow-crowned angel whose voice thunders like a lion’s roar, and whose appearance bridges heaven and earth in a display of divine authority.

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This pastoral pause in the narrative not only provides relief from the intensity of the judgments but also reinforces the sovereignty of God over human history and the certainty of His promises. The chapter’s focus on the “mystery of God” and the prophetic calling of John speaks to the dual nature of divine revelation – both sweet and bitter – and its implications for those who serve as God’s messengers.

Context of Revelation 10

Revelation 10 is strategically positioned between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments, forming what scholars call an “interlude” or “parenthesis” in the sequence of events. This placement is significant as it mirrors a similar pattern found between the sixth and seventh seals in Revelation 7, suggesting a divine pattern of providing pastoral comfort and additional insight before the final elements of each judgment series.

Within the broader context of Revelation, this chapter continues the pattern of incorporating imagery from the Hebrew prophets, particularly drawing from Ezekiel 2 and Daniel 12. The mighty angel’s stance, with one foot on sea and one on land, symbolically claims God’s sovereignty over all creation, while the sealed thunders and the edible scroll echo similar motifs in these prophetic books.

In the larger narrative of Scripture, Revelation 10 serves as a bridge between the partial judgments of the trumpets and the final consummation of God’s plan. It reminds readers that despite the apparent chaos of historical events, God remains in control and His purposes are moving toward their appointed fulfillment. The theme of divine mystery being revealed yet partially concealed reflects the tension present throughout biblical prophecy, where God’s plans are progressively unveiled according to His perfect timing.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Mighty Angel (ἄγγελον ἰσχυρὸν): The Greek term emphasizes both supernatural power and authority. Unlike regular angels, this one is “mighty” (ἰσχυρὸν), suggesting a special status and possibly pointing to the Angel of the Lord theophanies in the Old Testament. The rainbow crown and sun-like face echo the description of the glorified Messiah in Revelation 1.
  • Little Scroll (βιβλαρίδιον): This diminutive form of “book” contrasts with the sealed scroll of Revelation 5. Its smallness may indicate its specific focus on John’s prophetic commission rather than the broader divine plan of redemption.
  • Seven Thunders (ἑπτὰ βρονταί): In Hebrew thought, thunder represents God’s voice (qol Yahweh). The number seven symbolizes divine completeness. These thunders likely represent a complete divine message that was purposefully sealed from human knowledge.
  • Rainbow (ἶρις): This draws from the covenant sign given to Noah, symbolizing God’s faithfulness and mercy even in judgment. Its placement on the angel’s head suggests divine authority clothed in covenant promises.
  • Sweet as Honey (γλυκὺ ὡς μέλι): This phrase directly parallels Ezekiel 3:3 and Psalm 19:10, where God’s Word is described as sweeter than honey. It represents the initial joy of receiving divine revelation.
  • Bitter (ἐπικράνθη): The root word implies bitterness and anguish, representing the difficult nature of prophetic ministry and the heavy burden of proclaiming judgment messages.
  • Mystery of God (τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ θεοῦ): In biblical usage, mystery (μυστήριον) refers not to something unknowable but to divine truth previously hidden and now revealed. This term is particularly significant in Paul’s writings regarding the revelation of the Messiah.
  • No More Delay (χρόνος οὐκέτι ἔσται): Literally “time shall be no longer,” this phrase marks a crucial transition point in prophetic fulfillment, indicating the immediacy of God’s final actions in history.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 1’s description of the angel “clothed with a cloud” deliberately echoes Daniel 7:13 and the Messiah’s ascension. The Greek word περιβεβλημένον (clothed) suggests complete envelopment, chosen over simpler terms to emphasize divine authority and glory.
  • The placement of feet on sea and land (verse 2) uses the specific term θάλασσαν (sea) rather than ὕδωρ (water), emphasizing dominion over the created order rather than just natural elements. This imagery intentionally contrasts with the beast from the sea in Revelation 13.
  • The seven thunders (verse 3) speaking with “their own voices” uses ἑαυτῶν φωναῖς, suggesting distinct yet harmonious messages, rather than a single unified voice. This construction emphasizes the complexity and completeness of the divine message.
  • The command to seal up the thunders (verse 4) employs σφράγισον rather than κλείω (to close), deliberately connecting to Daniel 12:4 and emphasizing divine authority over revelation.
  • The oath formula in verse 6 uses ὤμοσεν (swore) with ἐν (in/by), following Hebrew oath construction rather than Greek patterns, emphasizing its connection to Old Testament covenant language.
  • The phrase “sweet as honey” (verse 10) deliberately mirrors Ezekiel 3:3 in the Septuagint, creating an intentional prophetic parallel between John’s and Ezekiel’s commissions.

Revelation 10 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several elements that parallel ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature, particularly the concept of sealed revelations. The Second Temple period saw numerous works dealing with sealed books and heavenly secrets, such as 1 Enoch and 4 Ezra. However, Revelation 10 uniquely combines these motifs with the prophetic commissioning pattern seen in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

The mighty angel’s appearance merges elements from various theophanies throughout Scripture. The rainbow crown recalls the Noahic covenant, while the pillars of fire for legs echo the pillar that led Israel through the wilderness. This combination suggests that this figure represents divine authority executing both judgment and mercy, a theme central to Jewish understanding of the Day of the Lord.

Early church fathers like Victorinus and Primasius saw in the little scroll a symbol of the gospel message that must be internalized before it can be proclaimed. This interpretation gains support from the parallel with Ezekiel’s scroll-eating experience and the dual sweet-bitter nature of the message. The rabbinical tradition also speaks of Torah study as being both sweet and potentially bitter, depending on one’s spiritual condition and the nature of the truth being revealed.

The seven thunders present a fascinating case of revealed yet concealed truth. Jewish mystical tradition, particularly in the Merkabah literature, speaks of heavenly voices too profound for human comprehension. This may suggest that some divine mysteries remain beyond human grasp until God’s appointed time, a theme consistent with Daniel’s sealed prophecies.

Revelation 10 Connections to Yeshua

The mighty angel’s description bears striking similarities to the glorified Messiah described in Revelation 1. While this figure is likely not Yeshua Himself, the shared imagery emphasizes how His authority extends through heavenly messengers. The rainbow crown particularly points to Yeshua as the mediator of the New Covenant, fulfilling and encompassing all previous covenant promises.

The concept of the mystery of God being completed connects directly to Paul’s teachings about Yeshua as the revelation of God’s mystery (Colossians 1:26-27). Just as the Messiah’s first coming revealed God’s redemptive plan, His second coming will bring that plan to completion. The little scroll’s contents, while not explicitly stated, likely relate to this final phase of God’s redemptive work through Yeshua.

Revelation 10 Scriptural Echoes

The chapter resonates deeply with several prophetic passages:

Revelation 10 Devotional

This chapter reminds us that God’s Word and His calling on our lives often contain both sweet and bitter elements. Like John, we may find joy in receiving God’s truth but face challenges in living it out and sharing it with others. The mighty angel’s stance over sea and land encourages us to trust in God’s sovereign control over all circumstances in our lives.

When we encounter mysteries in Scripture or in our walk with God, we can take comfort in knowing that some things remain sealed until God’s appointed time. Rather than becoming frustrated with what we don’t understand, we can focus on faithfully proclaiming what has been revealed.

The chapter also challenges us to “eat” God’s Word – to internalize it completely before we attempt to share it with others. This involves not just intellectual understanding but deep spiritual absorption that transforms us from within.

Did You Know

  • The description of the mighty angel combines elements from at least five different Old Testament theophanies, making it one of the most complex angelological descriptions in Scripture.
  • The Greek word for “little scroll” (βιβλαρίδιον) appears nowhere else in the New Testament, suggesting its unique significance in this prophetic context.
  • Ancient Jewish tradition held that there were seven thunders at Mount Sinai, each representing a different aspect of God’s voice, which may explain the significance of the seven thunders in this chapter.
  • The act of eating a scroll appears in only two other biblical contexts: Ezekiel and Jeremiah, both times connected to prophetic commissioning.
  • The rainbow (ἶρις) mentioned here is different from the word used in the Septuagint for Noah’s rainbow (τόξον), possibly emphasizing its connection to divine throne room imagery.
  • The phrase “time shall be no longer” has been widely misunderstood in English translations – it actually means “no more delay” rather than the end of time itself.
  • Early church tradition connected the little scroll with the “flying scroll” of Zechariah 5, seeing both as representations of divine judgment messages.
  • The stance of the angel, with one foot on sea and one on land, may reference ancient near eastern covenant ceremonies where participants would stand between divided portions.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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