Revelation 10

Revelation 10:1

ANother mighty angel] Some take it of Christ, because of his glorious apparition. Others, of some angel employed by him, because he is commanded by another angel, chap. 14. 14, 15. He is called, Another mighty angel, to distinguish him from that mighty one mentioned before, chap. 5. 2. His might is spoken of, to terrifie those that would not repent, after so many plagues.

come down from heaven] See chap. 3. 12. As sent from God, to do him some service here beneath.

with a cloud] The cloud on him, and rainbowe over him, are for glory, chap. 4. 3. or, to signifie, that men will not take notice of him, to repent at his word, who is as it were hid from them, Lamentations 3. 4. And the rainbowe may signifie Gods willingnesse to spare them, & unwillingnesse to destroy them, if they will yet repent, Genesis 9:11, &c. that none might perish by the flood of Gods wrath hereafter.

face as the sun] Full of brightnesse. That all might clearly discern imminent destruction, if they repented not, v. 6 7.

feet as pillars] That is, legs, by a synechdoche, taking the feet in with them, which are as a basis to the legs, being as pillars, supporters to the body, Song of Solomon 5. 5. Hre the rather so termed, to imply their strength and firmnesse, 1 Kings 7:21.

of fire] Either for the brightnesse of them, or having power to consume Gods enemies, chap. 1. 15. Psalms 74:3.

Revelation 10:2

a little book] Containing in it the rest of this revelation of the state of the Church, Christs little flock, Luke 12. 32.

open] Not sealed up, as the other was, chap. 5. 1.

right foot on the sea, &c.] To shew a power given him over sea and land, to punish the most remote in the furthest islands of the world. The right foot is said to be over the sea, because it is more unruly then the earth; Psal. 93. 1, 3, 4.

Revelation 10:3

a loud voice] See chap. 5. 2.

as when a lion roareth] To shew, that greater judgements were yet to come on the enemies of the Church; Isaiah 21:8. Amos 3:8. Thus he seeketh to terrifie men, that they may repent.

when he had cried] The thunders were as an echo, answering to the angels cry.

seven thunders] Gr. the seven thunders. Perhaps an allusion to chap. 8. 5. where thunders are mentioned; but uttered no intelligible sound till now. These thundered heavie judgements, yet not here exprest.

Revelation 10:4

I was about to write] It seemeth, seeing he was about to write what the thunders prophesied, that he heard their words.

Seal up those things] Publish them not, Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:9. It may be, God would not have them known till neer the accomplishment, chap. 22. 10. as no man could read the sealed book, chap. 5. 2, 3. Or, lest men should think them feigned things, or despair, because of the extraordinary evils threatned by them. Things written are often sealed, for surety, as bonds and deeds; as Jeremiah 32:10. Daniel 12:4. but here sealing is intended for secrecie, to conceal, and not to publish, as in letters, or to write so as may be published, as is in this verse expounded. It may be, it was reserved for a fitter time; and so some Greek copies read it; and hereafter write them: or, that hereafter thou mayest write them. For, what God revealed to John, was to be shewed to his servants, chap. 1. 1. unlesse Christ should honour his beloved apostle, here, with some heavenly secrets which should never be published, as he did the apostle of the Gentiles, 2 Corinthians 12:4.

those things] It seemeth the thunders uttered divers matters.

Revelation 10:5

stand] Gr. standing, v. 2.

lifted up his hand to heaven] Daniel 12:7. This was their manner of swearing, Genesis 14:22. Exodus 6:8. Deuteronomy 32:40. Numbers 14:30. Ezekiel 20:15. whereby they signified, that they called God, who dwelleth in heaven, Matthew 6:9. to witnesse the truth of what they sware, and to punish them, if they sware falsly, 2 Corinthians 1:23.

Revelation 10:6

by him that liveth for ever and ever] By the living God, by whom alone men ought to swear, Jeremiah 4:2. & Jeremiah 5:2.

who created] These tokens of Gods omnipotency are brought, to shew Gods power in all these places, as being Creatour of them, and consequently, both Lord over them, and able to do whatsoever he will, with them, and in them; Psalms 146:6. & Psalms 135:6. Daniel 4:35.

time no longer] The time of the Romane empire should last no longer. Or, there should be no longer delay, but those things ensuing should be forthwith put in execution, Ezekiel 12:27-28.

Revelation 10:7

when he shall begin to sound] Gr. when he shall sound; as 2 Kings 3. 1. he began to reign: Heb. he reigned. So 2 Kin. 12. 1. & 15. 2. when he began to reign: Heb. when he reigned. But it may be as well understood, After he hath sounded; as the particle is used, Mark 4:32. John 8:28.

the mystery of God] Of calling the Jews. and making a glorious Church of Jews and Gentiles, Romans 11:25. This shall be done, when Rome is destroyed, chap. 11. 15. and 16. 17.

as he hath declared] He told the prophets the things, but not the time. The Greek word signifieth, He told these joyfull tydings. For the glory of the Church, when the Jews come in, will be as another Gospel, or glad tydings, Luke 2:10. to the world, Romans 11:15.

to his servants] In a more speciall manner: of which, see chap. 1. 1.

the prophets] Daniel 2:44. & 7. 26, 27. & 12. 7. Hosea 1:11. & 3. 4, 5. They were first acquainted with it, and published it to the world, though not so plainly as the apostle hath done, Romans 11.

Revelation 10:8

voice which I heard] Vers. 1, 3.

from heaven] Chap. 4. 1.

little book, &c.] See v. 2.

which standeth] Vers. 2.

Revelation 10:9

Take it] Ezekiel 2:8. & 3. 13, 14.

eat it up] Read it all over, and lay it up in thy minde.

belly bitter] Thou wilt be sad to finde such heavie judgments there recorded, when thou hast well considered of them.

but it shall be] Or, though it be. Or, yet it shall be. For it would come into the mouth, before it came into the belly; as v. 10.

in thy mouth sweet as honey] Psalms 19:10. & Psalms 119:103. The revelation of these mysteries will be very pleasing to thee at first.

Revelation 10:10

and ate it up] He did not eat part of it, but ate it all up, as he was bidden. He obeyeth, notwithstanding the discouragement, v. 9. His love to Gods oracles was so great, he feared no trouble ensuing, Jeremiah 15:16.

Revelation 10:11

thou must prophesie again] As thou hast had prophecies revealed to thee before in the seals and trumpets, to communicate to men; so thou shalt have others communicated in the vials, to the same end; which things are contained in this little book which thou hast eaten up. So Ezekiel was to prophesie, after he had eaten the book, Ezek. 3. 1, 4.

before many peoples] Or, against many peoples. So the word is taken, Luke 12 52, 53. See Jeremiah 1:10.

and nations, &c.] This setteth our multitudes, chap. 5. 9. and 7. 9.

and kings] Thou shalt foretell their destruction, or such good or bad things as shall befall them, chap. 19. 18. & 20. 8.