Revelation 10

Revelation 10:1

Christ’s being clothed with a cloud may denote his hidden glory, awful majesty, and the darkness of his providential dispensations. The rainbow on his head denotes his being ever mindful of his covenant of grace, and prizing it as his glorious crown

Revelation 10:2

The little book open signifies the revealed purposes of God concerning what was still to take place, especially under the seventh trumpet: His right foot on the sea and left foot on the earth represents Christ as sovereign Lord of the whole world, and that he would extend his kingdom of grace to Asia, Africa, Europe, and America, and the isles of the sea far and near

Revelation 10:3

His terrible voice denotes the majestic, awful, and silencing, nature of his word and providence. The voice of the seven thunders that followed seem to have uttered somewhat concerning the seven vials of his wrath upon the Antichristians,—which John is required to keep in his own mind, but not to write, as he was afterwards to have that matter more clearly represented to him. 9, 10. John’s eating this open book denotes his considering, understanding, and being suitably affected with, its contents. It was sweet in his mouth, but bitter in his belly, (i. e.) He took pleasure in discerning the mind of God, his tender care of his church, and the final issue of her troubles; but it pained him to think what fearful distress and persecution she had to suffer in this world before her remarkable or final deliverance

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. X.—It is the comfort of believers that, however dark and terrible the dispensations of Providence may be, Jesus is the great manager of them, and hath therein a constant and exact regard to his new covenant. He hath all power in heaven and on earth, and will, in his own time, render all the nations of the world his spiritual kingdom. When he appears in glorious majesty it is for the relief of his people, and destruction of their enemies; and the mysteries of providence, and predictions of scripture, shall soon be fulfilled to his glory, and their joy and triumph; yea, his kingdom on earth and in heaven shall be quickly established on the ruin of all opposition.—God’s favourites must be content with what he pleases to reveal to them, and must affectionately meditate on it, and publish it as regularly called. Nevertheless, it cannot but be distressful to faithful ministers or Christians, to think of terrible persecutions coming on the church or ruinous destruction upon nations. 132