Revelation 10

Between the sixth and seventh trumpets, John sees a mighty angel with an open little scroll. The angel swears that God’s plan will no longer be delayed, and John is told to eat the scroll. It is sweet in his mouth and bitter in his stomach, and he is commissioned to prophesy again to the nations.

Revelation 10:1

John sees a powerful angel come down from heaven, glorious and wrapped in a cloud. The rainbow, the sun-bright face and the fiery legs echo the glory of God and of Christ. This is a messenger carrying God’s authority, and he is a sign that God has not forgotten his people.

BSA: rainbow (“symbol of God’s promise”): The rainbow recalls God’s covenant faithfulness, so even in judgment his mercy and promises are remembered. pillars (“supports, columns”): The fiery legs picture a steady, unshakable figure carrying God’s holy power.

See also: Genesis 9:13-16; Ezekiel 1:28.

Revelation 10:2

The angel holds a little scroll, already open, so its contents are meant to be known. His feet on sea and land show that his message reaches the whole earth. Nothing in creation is outside the reach of what God is about to say and do.

BSA: open (“unsealed, revealed”): Unlike the sealed scroll of chapter 5, this one lies open, ready to be read and spoken. foot (“as a symbol of dominion”): Planting a foot on sea and land claims authority over all the earth.

Greek: βιβλαρίδιον (biblaridion, G974) — “a little book, a small scroll.” The word is a diminutive, so it is a small scroll. It is small, yet its message is weighty.

See also: Revelation 5:1.

Revelation 10:3

The angel shouts like a roaring lion, a sound that means God is about to act. Then seven thunders answer. The number seven points to fullness, and the thunders are a heavenly voice speaking real words that John can understand.

BSA: roar (“a fierce, powerful sound”): A lion’s roar signals power and warning, as when the Lord speaks in judgment.

See also: Hosea 11:10; Amos 3:8.

Revelation 10:4

John starts to write down what the thunders said, but a voice from heaven tells him to seal it up. Not everything is meant for us to know. God reveals what we need, and he keeps some things to himself.

BSA: Seal up (“keep secret, preserve”): To seal something is to keep it hidden and safe until God chooses to reveal it.

Greek: σφράγισον (sphragison, G4972) — “seal, close with a seal.” A seal marked a document as closed and protected. Here it means God has kept this message private.

See also: Deuteronomy 29:29; Daniel 12:4.

Revelation 10:5-6

The angel raises his right hand and swears by the living Creator of heaven, earth and sea. An oath by the eternal God cannot fail. His announcement is that there will be no more delay. God’s patience has a limit, and his promised purposes will now move toward their end.

BSA: swore (“took a solemn oath”): A sacred oath rests on God’s own character, so what follows is certain. delay (“waiting, time”): The word can mean time. The time for waiting is over, and the final events are not postponed any further.

Greek: χρόνος (chronos, G5550) — “time, a span of time.” The angel says there will be no more chronos, which most take to mean no more delay, no more time for putting things off.

See also: Daniel 12:7; Genesis 14:22.

Revelation 10:7

When the seventh angel is about to blow his trumpet, God’s mystery will be finished. This is his long-hidden plan, spoken through the prophets, to defeat evil and set up his kingdom. What he promised, he completes.

BSA: mystery (“secret, hidden truth”): This is a truth hidden for ages, now being brought to its completion by God. fulfilled (“completed”): God’s plan is not left half done. It reaches its finish.

Greek: ἐτελέσθη (etelesthē, G5055) — “was finished, completed.” This verb is about bringing something to its goal. God’s purpose is carried through to its end.

See also: Revelation 11:15; Amos 3:7.

Revelation 10:8

The heavenly voice speaks to John again and tells him to take the open scroll from the angel’s hand. John does not take it on his own. He receives God’s message by command, from the hand of one who stands over sea and land.

BSA: take (“receive, accept”): John is told to receive what God gives him, not to make up his own message.

Revelation 10:9

John asks for the scroll and the angel tells him to eat it. It will be sweet as honey in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. God’s word is a delight to receive, yet it also carries sorrow, because it speaks of judgment and suffering.

BSA: bitter (“embittered, filled with sorrow”): The bitterness is deep sorrow over the judgment and suffering the message contains. sweet (“pleasant, delightful”): God’s word is truly a delight to those who receive it.

Greek: κατάφαγε (katephage, G2719) — “eat up, devour.” The verb means to eat the whole thing. John must take the message in completely, not just sample it.

See also: Ezekiel 3:1-3; Psalm 19:9-10.

Revelation 10:10

John does exactly as told. The scroll is sweet at first, then his stomach turns bitter. The message of God’s coming victory brings joy, and it also brings grief over what it costs and over those who will face judgment. A faithful messenger feels both.

BSA: ate (“devoured, consumed”): John takes the message fully into himself, so it becomes part of him before he speaks it.

See also: Jeremiah 15:16.

Revelation 10:11

John is told he must prophesy again, this time to many peoples, nations, languages and kings. His work is not finished. God’s word is for the whole world, and John must now pass it on, as he has taken it in.

BSA: must (“it is necessary”): This is a divine necessity. John is under God’s command, not choosing his own task. prophesy (“speak under inspiration from God”): John will speak what God gives him, not his own ideas.

Greek: δεῖ (dei, G1163) — “it is necessary, one must.” The word speaks of divine necessity. It is God’s plan that John speak, not merely his choice.

See also: Revelation 1:19.