In VERSE 1, we read,
“1 Then, I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face was like the sun, his legs were like fiery pillars …”
The word ‘angel’ in this verse is from the Greek word ‘aggelos’, which means ‘A messenger from God.’
Who is this ‘mighty angel’? Some believe it is Jesus Christ, because his description is very similar to the glorious description used to describe Jesus in chapter 1:12-16. Also, because this angel brings light into the darkness found in chapter 9.
He had a rainbow on his head, the sign of God’s covenant. His face was like the sun, which is an expression of unveiled glory, and his feet were like pillars of fire. The pillars refer to strength, and the fire refers to judgment.
VERSE 2 (a)
“ … 2 and he had a little scroll opened in his hand…”
I have done a lot of research on why it specifically says ‘little scroll’ and found that there are many different suggestions as to what that means. Some say it refers to the actual size of the scroll, while others think it might have to do with the message inside being shorter than longer. I think that it means there is only one subject perhaps rather than dealing with a host of other subjects in a larger scroll.
The fact that the scroll was already opened means John was able to see it and know what was written in it.
VERSE 2 (b)
“He put his right foot on the sea and his left on the land…”
In every Scripture where right and left are differentiated, the right is invariably associated with divine blessings and acceptance, while the left is associated with curses and rejection. So it might be that his left foot on the land represents the divine rejection of Israel for her continued rebelliousness against what God has provided for her, and the right foot on the sea might be showing the divine opportunity that was given to the Gentiles in Israel’s place.
Jesus is preparing to take control of the earth and sea. They have always been rightfully His, for “all things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3
VERSE 3
“3 … and he cried out with a loud voice like a roaring lion. When he cried out, the seven thunders spoke with their voices.”
This is the cry of the Lion of the tribe of Judah, as read about in HEBREWS 7:14. The lion is the supreme animal in the wilderness. When he roars, it is very loud and strikes awe and fear into everything that hears it. In this verse, since we are not told what he says, it might be that we are to focus on the authority that is in this warning of impending danger.
VERSE 4
“And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. And then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down!”
John saw the message from the open scroll. And when the angel spoke as the seven thunders, John heard a voice from heaven telling him to not write it down, and to close the information up because the time is not right for it to be revealed.
The number 7 is the number of perfection. This means that whatever the message was, it was the message of God about the perfection of His plan for mankind, and for now God commands that this part of scripture be kept secret.
VERSE 5 thru 7
“5 Then, the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 He swore an oath by the One who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, saying, “There will no longer be an interval of time, 7 but in the days of the sound of the seventh angel, when he will blow his trumpet, then God’s hidden plan will be completed, as He announced to His servants the prophets.”
Lifting your hand up is the typical position when taking an oath. Remember that taking an oath is the same thing as making a covenant with God – both are unbreakable and very serious things to invoke. He swore that oath to Almighty God, who the Creator of all things, and the oath he took acknowledged there would no longer be any intervals of time, or periods of time.
In other words, there has been enough time already for people to come to God and it is now time for God to complete His work. To all earthly things, there shall be an appointed end, even to offering a rebellious people salvation. Now is that time, so whenever the seventh angel blows his trumpet, it will be the end.
VERSE 8 thru 9
“8 Now the voice I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, ‘Go and 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 and eat it; it will be bitter in your stomach, but it will taste as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
The command to take and eat was similar to the command given to Ezekiel in –
EZEKIEL 2:9-10
“9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
This scroll was also a “little scroll” as far as its contents. It did not elaborate on anything but the sadness of the woes to come.
REVELATION VERSE 10 - 11
“10 Then I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I ate it, my stomach became bitter. 11 And I was told, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”
John made himself acquainted with the contents of the scroll and prepared to go proclaim the prophecy once again to the people of his time.
It was not the angel standing before John that was talking to him; it was a direct command from God. As far as “eating” the scroll, that means he is to read it, understand it, digest its complete meaning, and apply it in his life. Since it is from God, it will be a delight to take (like honey in the mouth) but since it contains a dire warning of things that will happen very soon, it is also upsetting to his stomach, as any terrible news would be.
This news was that the end is just about here, and many people will simply go to hell when it comes because they will have spent all their time in everything except surrendering to God and making sure they were ready.
How precious is the good news of the gospel. Jesus loves us; He loves sinners and shed His blood for the remission of those sins. We obtain eternal life by trusting in Christ, because “he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” (see JOHN 3:36). But, this message becomes a bitter pill for those who reject the truth and face the judgment it brings, “for he that believeth not shall be damned.” (see MARK 16:16).
Believe and be saved, for the gift is for all who call upon the Lord. “For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” As is stated in ROMANS 10:13.
