The Mighty Angel Revelation 10:1-11

NKJV Notes by Pastor Mike Sasso

Introduction

Chapter ten is at the approximate center of the book of Revelation. We have seen that, as the seven seals of the great scroll in heaven were being broken in Revelation chapter 6, there was a parenthesis between the opening of the sixth and seventh seal. The parenthesis was contained within Revelation chapter 7. Then the opening of the seventh seal in Revelation chapter 8 triggered the beginning of the sounding of the seven trumpets. Now once more there is a parenthesis, or interlude, between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpet. This parenthesis is contained within Revelation chapters 10-14. This parenthesis will contain what is known as the seven “bowl judgments” starting at 15:7. Once again, between the pouring out of God’s wrath in bowls six and seven there will be another parenthesis before the last bowl of wrath is poured out.

Before beginning these notes read through Revelation chapter 10 together as a group.

STUDY NOTES: verses 1-4 v. 1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. – This mighty angel has a glorious description. These illusions link our thinking to the descriptions already seen in this book describing Jesus Christ (See 1:6 & 4:3). Because of the way he is described, some are convinced that this mighty angel is Jesus Christ. But Jesus is never described as an angel in the book of Revelation. He is seen as the Son of God (2:18). He is seen as deity (1:8,11). Angels are mentioned more than sixty times in the book of Revelation. And angels are always found in the place of service unto God. There are also other “mighty angels” mentioned in this book (5:2, 18:1). And the description of being “clothed with the sun” is not always referring to deity (12:1). What we are beholding in verse one is simply “another” mighty angel.

It is possible that this angel is Michael the Arch Angel or another mighty angel like Gabriel. Gabriel’s name means “Strength of God.” Michael’s name means “Who is like God” (compare Daniel 10:21, 12:1 and 12:6-7). v. 2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land - The fact that this angel was able to set his feet upon both the land and the sea indicates the vast area of his dominion and authority. Both land and sea are under his authority. Some assume the little book in his hand to be the seven-sealed scroll first seen in 5:1. We will examine this book and possible meanings later. v. 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. – Some relate this verse with the so-called “seven voices of the LORD” found in Psalm 29 – The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth, and strips the forests bare; and in His temple everyone says, “Glory!” (Psalm 29:3-9)

This is interesting but not conclusive.

What we do know for sure is that this angel’s voice was loud, thunderous and perhaps a bit intimidating like the roar of a lion. v. 4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them." - Here we find a unique feature in this book. Though this book is a book of “revealing,” we find something “concealed” here. This is the only proclamation in the entire book of Revelation that is to “seal up.”

As you might imagine, this verse has been the cause of much speculation. There are volumes written theorizing who these voices represent and what they were saying. Dr. J. Vernon McGee, in his book, Reveling Through Revelation, points out that many ridiculous guesses and wild speculations have been proposed. For example, “Vitringa interpreted them as the seven crusades; Danbuz made them the seven nations that received the Reformation; Elliott makes them the Pope’s bull against Luther; and Seventh-Day Adventism has presumed they reveal the things which were uttered.”

In my opinion, if John was told not to write the sayings down, then they are not for us to know. We are not to speculate. We must learn to be content not to know things that God has purposely sealed from our sight. We must learn to wait for His timing concerning if and when we are to receive answers concerning the mysteries of God and many of the questions we seek answers for in this life.

It is interesting that Chuck Missler argues that the Cannon of scripture is not complete until these sayings are finally written down.

TRUTH APPLIED:

1. Discuss the idea of hidden mysteries of life.

2. What are some questions people ask that God may not answer in this life?

3. How should we deal with mysteries such as these?

4. The book of Revelation gives us many opportunities to speculate. What are some things you have discovered in the book of Revelation that seem to be left up to conjecture that perhaps would be better for us to not attempt to solve in this life?

STUDY NOTES: verses 5-9 v. 5-6 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven 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 should be delay no longer - This verse reveals that this mighty angel cannot be the Lord Jesus Christ, since he is swearing a solemn oath by the name of Lord Jesus who is the creator of all things (see Col 1:14-19). Perhaps the reason this angel appears so similar to Jesus Christ is because you become like the one you worship. When you spend time in the presence of the glory of God, God’s glory rubs off on you! (Cp. 2 Cor. 3:18.)

The fact that the angel is declaring that there will be no more delay seems to indicate that those who are waiting for God’s final plan to unfold will wait no longer. This might also indicate that the opportunity for repentance has past. v. 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. – There are many “mysteries of God” in the scriptures. For instance, there are mysteries of Heaven in Matthew 13:11, of the kingdom in Mark 4:11, of Israel’s blindness in Romans 11:25, of the Rapture in 1 Corinthians 15:5, Mysteries of His will in Ephesians 1:9, of Christ and the church in Ephesians 5:32, of the Gospel in Ephesians 3:4; Colossians 1:26-27, of iniquity in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, of God and Christ in Colossians 2:2, of faith in 1 Timothy 3:9, of godliness in 1 Timothy 3:16 and so on. The book of Revelation itself holds forth several “mysteries,” such as the mystery of the Seven Stars and Golden Lampstands in Revelation 1:20, Babylon the Great in 17:5, the Harlot in 17:7.

There have been many theories regarding what the “mystery of God” means here. Kelly identifies the mystery of God as the secret of God allowing Satan to have his own way in order to ultimately accomplish His plan. Tim LaHaye believes this mystery can only be referring to God’s plan of salvation for which the angels long to look (1 Peter 1:12). Ironside takes this to mean that all mysteries will finally be made clear from the mystery of retribution – the mystery of predestination – the mystery of the great struggle between light and darkness and good and evil – all will be explained and understood. v. 8-9 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, "Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth." So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth." - “The contents of the little book are nowhere revealed in Revelation, but they seem to represent in this vision the written authority given to the angel to fulfill his mission” (Walvoord).

Though we cannot firmly know the contents of this little book, what a great analogy the eating of this little book is to our eating of God’s Word. We are not to just read the Word of God, but to assimilate it. The Word of God has been often compared to food in scripture – bread in Matthew 4:4, milk in 1 Peter 2:2, honey Psalm 119:103. One reason for spiritual anemia in the church today is the lack of truly digesting God’s Word. Only after we have thoroughly assimilated God’s word into our lives can we effectively teach and disciple others. Assimilation is essential.

Some view the bittersweet affects of the eating of this book as another effect of eating God’s word. We first partake of the Gospel because of its sweet implications and promises. But as soon as we fully digest the whole counsel of God we feel the bitterness of the judgments and wrath of God toward sinners, and the harsh facts of the eternal states. God’s Word is more than just precious promises, but great warnings of wrath to those who set their face against God and His grace.

Ezekiel had a very similar experience. You can read about it in Ezekiel 2:7 -3:14.

TRUTH APPLIED:

1. Who do you believe this “mighty angel” to be and why?

2. What do you think the finishing of God’s great mystery is referring to in verse seven?

STUDY NOTES: verses 10-11 v. 10-11 Then I took the little book out of 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 became bitter. And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings." – Now that John has assimilated the contents of the book, he is qualified to prophesy again. Some even believe, because of this verse, that John himself will be one of the two witnesses mentioned in chapter eleven.

TRUTH APPLIED:

1. What impresses you about our study of the little book in the angel’s hand? 2. What questions or confusions do you have about today’s text? Discuss this as a group.

3. What blesses you from today’s text?

CONCLUSION:

As you are already aware, there are drastically conflicting views of how to interpret this book. The historicists view the first six trumpet judgments as symbolic of the various foreign invasions against the Roman Empire through the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The Preterists position sees the trumpets as associated with the Jewish War of A.D. 66-70, culminating in the fall of Jerusalem. The futurists see these chapters as a description of the greatest natural disasters and world catastrophes of all time during the second half of the seven year, the great Tribulation. How divided the Christian church is over this one Bible book! May God give us grace to understand what He is trying to personally teach each one of us through this book, and power to live accordingly. Perhaps our focus should not be upon a timeline or upon a detailed interpretation of every detail, but rather the grasping of spiritual truth.

Assimilating the Mysteries of God With You, Mike Sasso