• Between the breaking of the 6th and 7th seals we have another interlude.
• Now between the 10th chapter and 11th chapter we have another interlude.
• The sixth trumpet has already sounded, but the seventh trumpet does not sound until later (11:15).
In this short passage of Revelation chapter 10 we want to look at several things.
First, we want to look at a…
I. MIGHTY ANGEL
Look at Revelation 10:1-3 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
Notice, this is not just an angel, but a MIGHTY ANGEL that came down from heaven. He is referred to as…A Mighty Angel
Notice, this mighty angel came down from heaven.
This angel is not to be identified with any other angel previously mentioned; he is not one of the seven, this is a MIGHTY ANGEL!!!
There has been definite disagreement among Bible expositors as to the identity of this Mighty Angel.
Is he Jesus or is he just an angel with great power and authority?
Let me state that some say this MIGHTY ANGEL can not be the Lord Jesus, they believe it is Michael or Gabriel.
There argument is that it can not be the Lord because angels are created beings and of course the Lord Jesus is not a created being.
That is true, it is difficult for us to understand that God has always existed.
Sometime you might hear someone say, I admit I have a hard time believing that God has always existed. After all, everything around us had a beginning, so might that not be true of God also? How could God have always existed? Can you understand this?
One reason we have difficulty understanding this is because even time itself was created by God. Before time began, God already existed!
This is why the Bible calls Him “the Alpha and the Omega (which are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet), the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13).
Part of God’s greatness is that He is eternal. Unlike us, He had no beginning and He has no end.
But those who believe that this MIGHTY ANGEL was not Christ they forget for example, they over look like “Son of Man,” is a title, and doesn’t imply that the One who bears the title is a created being.
For example, through out the scripture the Lord is referred to as THE SON OF MAN, and man is a created being.
The SON OF MAN like the MIGHTY ANGEL is a title, not a created being.
But there are many Bible scholars believe this mighty angel could be Michael or Gabriel.
As we work out way through Revelation chapter 10 I can show you from Scripture this mighty angel is the Lord Jesus Christ with certainty. ABSOLUTLELY!!! POSITIVELY!!!
The “Mighty Angel” is not named. However, there are a number of things about Him which identify Him as Jesus Christ.
This Mighty Angel is God’s only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let me outline somethings that gives us a hint that this Mighty Angel is the Lord Jesus.
After I outline these hinst I will go into more detail, such as…
1) This Angel came down from Heaven.
2) This Angel is clothed with a cloud.
3) The face of this Angel is like the sun.
4) The feet of this Angel are as pillars of fire.
5) He stands with one foot on the land and one on the sea—denoting universal ownership and authority. “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1).
6) The “little book” (scroll) (v. 2; 5:5) contains the rest of the prophetic message that John will deliver. Since our Lord was the only One worthy to take the “little book” and break the seals, it might well be concluded that He is the only One worthy to give his servant the rest of the message.
These six facts give us some hints that this Angel could be none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us look at these hints more closely. Let us look more closely at this description of this MIGHTY ANGEL.
We read in Revelation 10:1-2 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth.
(1)HE CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN
Notice, in this apocalyptic vision John saw Him “Come down from heaven.”
After the rapture of the church the Lord with His church returns to heaven.
But we see something else that makes us believe that this MIGHTY ANGEL is the Lord Jesus. Notice, He is…
(2) CLOTHED WITH A CLOUD
Clothed with clouds is part of the attire of the Lord though out the scriptures.
• At Sinai He descended in “a thick cloud” (Exodus 19:9, 16).
• God said, “I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat” (Leviticus 16:2).
• On the Mountain of Transfiguration, when the splendor of Christ’s deity shown forth, “A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him” (Matthew 17:5).
• When Christ ascended to Heaven, “a cloud received Him” (Acts 1:9).
• Before He left the earth He said, “They shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27).
• “Behold, He cometh with clouds” (Revelation 1:7).
Clouds belong to the attire of Deity. The cloud-clothing suggests that the Mighty Angel is Christ.
But we see something else makes us believe this MIGHTY ANGEL is the Lord Jesus…
(3) RAINBOW WAS UPON HIS HEAD
In chapter 4 the rainbow was “round about the throne” (4:3); here it is upon the head of the Mighty Angel.
We know that the rainbow is the symbol of God’s everlasting covenant with the earth (Genesis 9:12-13). Therefore we would not expect any one other than the Divine Person to wear it upon His head.
(4) HIS FACE WAS AS IT WERE THE SUN
John says that “His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Rev.1:16).
On the Mount of Transfiguration, “His face did shine as the sun” (Matthew 17:2); an expression of unveiled glory.
(5) HIS FEET AS PILLARS OF FIRE
“Feet as pillars of fire”. This angel’s feet and legs indicate the firm resolve with which he will execute the Day of the Lord.
His feet as pillars of fire
The pillars speak of strength and the fire of judgment—which means He has the power of judgment within Him.
(6) HE HAD A LITTLE BOOK IN HIS HAND
This Mighty Angel has a little book in His hand.
Remember in Revelation 5:5-7 the LION FROM THE TRIBE OF JUDAH is the only one worthy to open the book and loose the seals.
The book is now open and in the hand of the Mighty Angel.
Remember, in this vision this MIGHTY ANGEL came down from heaven.
The "Little Book" was the Lord’s claim to His ownership.
Now as He comes with one foot on land and one foot on the sea He is now reclaiming everything belongs to Him.
Look at Revelation 10:2 "And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and [his] left [foot] on the earth.”
The little book in Rev. 5 speaks of His claim on earth and now when he place one foot on the earth and one in the sea He is fixing to take possession.
We have looked at THE MIGHTY ANGEL, but now let us look at…
II.THE LITTLE BOOK
In chapter 5, when John “wept much” because no one could be found worthy to open the book; but One Was found—the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here in our present Scripture the book is open and the Mighty Angel is holding it in His hand. He stands with one foot upon the land and the other foot upon the sea.
We have looked at:
I.THE MIGHTY ANGEL
II.THE LITTLE BOOK
Now let us look at…
III. THE SEVEN THUNDERS
Revelation 10:3 "And cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices."
The lion is the ruler of the woods, and his roar is an image of terror.
The point of the comparison here seems to be the loudness with which the angel cried, and the power of what he said to the world, as the roar of the lion keeps the dwellers of the forest in awe.
What he said is not stated; nor did John record it...
Look at Revelation 10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
Thunder is a recognized type of God’s voice in judgment.
Look at Psalms 18:13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
These mighty thunders utter messages that are understandable—they speak words.
John heard what they said—and when the time comes in reality, the seven thunders will speak words that earth’s dwellers will fully understand.
It will be a message in tones of thunder.
We use a public address system to amplify voices when we want to be heard—but God needs no amplification.
He can speak like mighty thunder—and He WILL when the time comes!
When the Father spoke from Heaven to the Lord Jesus on earth, we are told that John 12:28-29 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
Here in Revelation 10, the seven thunders are the judgment thunders of God.
But the Lord would not allow John to write down these seven thunder judgments!!!
John is prepared to write down what these thunder like voices say when he hears another voice telling him to "seal up and not write down what he heard".
This is the only proclamation in the entire book of Revelation that is sealed up.
Revelation 10:5-7 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
The reason for the sealing is not given, but it could be that the judgment was simply too terrifying to be recorded.
The content of the message is never revealed in Scripture, so we can’t speculate on it.
Now when it comes to who is the anti-christ the Bible reveals we can do some speculation.
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
But THE SEVEN THUNDERS are sealed up.
The seven thunders are the only words in Revelation that are sealed.
Now I have given you some hints to show you that this MIGHTY ANGEL is the Lord Jesus.
But now I want to give you some proof from God’s Holy Word that Christ is the MIGHTY ANGEL.
In these verses of scripture Rev. 10:5-7 it is difficult to believe how anyone could not interpret this MIGHTY ANGEL to be the Lord Jesus when the Bible specifically declare this MIGHTY ANGEL to be the one who “Who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein.”
Michael or Garbriel did not create these things, the Lord Jesus did.
This is concrete proof that this MIGHTY ANGEL IS THE LORD JESUS.
This certainly could not be Michael or Gabriel, the Lord Jesus is the CREATOR of every thing and that gives Him the right to CLAIM EVERYTHING IS HIS!!!
Revelation 10:5-6 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer
In verse 5: Lifting the “hand” signifies taking an oath.
Again, the horrific things that are fixing to take place here in the closing days of the tribulation period the Lord raised His hand signifying with an oath it will take place.
The hand is raised toward heaven because that is where God dwells. The angel is taking an oath.
NOTICE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MIGHTY ANGEL!!!
Look again at verse 6, we read, Revelation 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.
“Time no longer” indicates that the time of the end is rapidly approaching.
From the sounding of the seventh angel's trumpet, the world will move relentlessly and rapidly toward the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the Bible, culminating in the coming of Christ to the earth.
Revelation 10:7 "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."
“The mystery”: A Greek term meaning “to shut” or “to close”.
Here the mystery is the final consummation of all things as God destroys sinners and establishes His righteous kingdom on earth.
You see this is a mystery to us now. When it is revealed, it will be so simple that we will think, "Why didn't I think of that?"
It is not for us to know this right now.
Revelation 10:7-10 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
This Bible that we read and preach from is many things, but one thing it is, IT IS THE TITLE AND DEED TO EARTH THAT TELLS US IT ALL BELONGS TO HIM!!!
But notice, the Word of God is spiritual food.
As believers, we are told (SPIRITUALLY) to eat this book, just as John was told to eat it.
This "little book", I believe, is the Word of God, the Bible.
The Bible (Word of God), is alive. When we eat the Bible, it gives us the strength to live victorious lives before Him.
Jesus owns everything. He is our source of power. Studying the Bible is more important to our life than our daily bread.
In verses 8-10: John is told to “eat” the “little book’, and when he does, it becomes “sweet” in his “mouth”.
The act of eating the Word of God represents the understanding and appropriation of prophetic revelation.
• The message is “sweet” because at last the kingdom promises are about to be fulfilled.
• It is bitter because it can only be accomplished through more judgment and tribulation.
For those who would be tormented in hell for eternity which was about to happen, John then tasted the bitterness as He knew God was about to take back the earth which was rightfully His, and be exalted, honored and glorified as He deserved.
John realized the terrible punishment that was about to be given to unrepentant unbelievers and that caused the sweet taste to turn to bitterness.
Revelation 10:11 "And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."
John is told is to prophesy again.
How could he prophesy any more than to write the book of Revelation (the gospel of John, and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd books of John).
Millions of people have read this prophecy, so John really did follow these instructions from God. The Bible is the most read book in the world.
In Revelation 10 we have looked at:
I. THE MIGHTY ANGEL
II. THE LITTLE BOOK
III. THE SEVEN THUNDERS
