Revelation - Chapter 10

Revelation 10.1 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: 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, Revelation 10.3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 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. Revelation 10.5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 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: 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. Revelation 10.8 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. Revelation 10.9 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. Revelation 10.10 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. Revelation 10.11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Revelation : Chapter 10

The Mystery of Revelation 10

Revelation 10 represents a significant interlude before the sounding of the seventh trumpet. This enigmatic passage invites us to contemplate the mystery announced by the mighty angel. This chapter describes a majestic angel holding a small scroll, and he commands John to eat it. This marks the beginning of a divine mystery about to be revealed, while also setting the stage for further prophecy.

Major Themes

The major themes that emerge from this text include divine revelation, the sovereignty of God over time, and the prophetic role of John. These elements constitute the very heart of this revelation and invite us to a deep reflection on our own relationship with the Word of God.

Exploring the Scriptures

We invite you to explore with us five biblical passages that resonate with the mysterious events of this fascinating chapter.

Daniel 12:7

"The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted up his right hand and his left hand toward heaven. I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, 'This will be for a time, times, and half an hour. When the power of the holy people is finally broken, all these things will be fulfilled.'" This oath of the angel in Daniel echoes the oath of the mighty angel in Revelation 10:5-6.

Ezekiel 2:8-3:3

"But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like those people; open your mouth and eat what I give you. [...] Then he said to me, 'Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll, and then go and speak to the nation of Israel.'" Ezekiel's experience of eating a roll is very similar to that of John in Revelation 10:9-10.

Amos 3:7

"Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets." This verse from Amos underscores the prophetic mission entrusted to John in Revelation 10:11.

Jeremiah 15:16

"When your words were found, I ate them; they are my joy and delight, for I am yours, Lord God of hosts." Jeremiah's experience of 'eating' God's words resonates deeply with John's in Revelation 10:9-10.

Psalms 29:3-4

"The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders upon many waters. The voice of the Lord is mighty; the voice of the Lord is majestic." The description of God's powerful voice in Psalm 29 strongly recalls the voice of the mighty angel in Revelation 10:3.

This journey through the Scriptures invites us to a deeper understanding of God's message and a renewed appreciation of our calling as witnesses to God's word in the world.