seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Revelation 10:1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. 2 He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. 4 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”
Well, I'm going to get the amazingdiscoveries.org commentary out first. We're up to modern history according to that commentary!
As the vision of the 144,000 and the great multitude in chapter 7 was an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, so Revelation 10:1-11:14 constitutes a pause between the sixth and seventh trumpets. The timing of this interlude is the 1840s. During the early 1800s the power of the Ottoman Empire was waning, a spiritual revival known as The Great Awakening took place and Atheism was becoming much more widespread. The stage was now set for the final judgment of the seventh trumpet.
The description of this mighty angel is different and more glorious than the other angel messengers in Revelation. He is “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:” The similarity to the description of Christ in Revelation 1:13-16 leads many to believe that this angel must be Christ. The same rainbow we see around the throne in Revelation 4:3 glows about His head, a token of His covenant of love. The “cloud” is also a token of Deity. Clouds and glory covered Him as Sinai (Exodus 40:34-38); they are “his chariot.” Psalms 104:3.
This mighty angel is standing on both the “sea” and the “earth,” signifying that the message he brings is of worldwide significance. This message is contained in “a little book open.” The face that this little book is “opened” shows that it was once closed. The book of Daniel was by divine direction closed up and sealed till the time of the end, when the wise were to understand. Daniel 12:4-10. Here this book is open, showing that the book of Daniel has been unsealed, bringing us to the experience of 1844. See notes on Daniel 8:14; 9:25 for the meaning of the 2,300 years and 1844; cf. Ezekiel 2:9-3:3.
The description of this mighty angel is different and more glorious than the other angel messengers in Revelation. He is “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:” The similarity to the description of Christ in Revelation 1:13-16 leads many to believe that this angel must be Christ. The same rainbow we see around the throne in Revelation 4:3 glows about His head, a token of His covenant of love. The “cloud” is also a token of Deity. Clouds and glory covered Him as Sinai (Exodus 40:34-38); they are “his chariot.” Psalms 104:3.
This mighty angel is standing on both the “sea” and the “earth,” signifying that the message he brings is of worldwide significance. This message is contained in “a little book open.” The face that this little book is “opened” shows that it was once closed. The book of Daniel was by divine direction closed up and sealed till the time of the end, when the wise were to understand. Daniel 12:4-10. Here this book is open, showing that the book of Daniel has been unsealed, bringing us to the experience of 1844. See notes on Daniel 8:14; 9:25 for the meaning of the 2,300 years and 1844; cf. Ezekiel 2:9-3:3.
Now to be honest... I've been chiding this commentary all along... but look at this coincidence..... I googled "major historical events 1800's". The search was really quick. Turns out there was a "Second Great Awakening". According to one source, "A series of religious revivals starting in 1801, based on Methodism and Baptism. ... The revivals attracted women, Blacks, and Native Americans. It also had an effect on moral movements such as prison reform, the temperance movement, and moral reasoning against slavery."
This is from revelationcommentary.org.
I saw (1) another strong angel coming down out of heaven, (2) clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire;
Revelation 10:2-3
(1) (2) And he had in his hand a little book (3) which was open. (4) He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land; (5) and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, (6) the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices.
Revelation 10:4
1. Another strong angel = sends us back to Revelation 5:2. There "a strong angel" is associated with the large scroll. That John indicates that this angel is another limits the possible referent. Some have attempted to argue that this angel is none other than Jesus, Himself. However, this point should not be pressed. It would appear safer to allow the text to limit our discussion.
Three angelic beings are identified as "strong" in the Revelation. The first occurrences appears in Revelation 5:2. The second is in Revelation 10:1 and the final occurrence is in Revelation 18:21. What is the significance of the "strong angels?" The characteristics associated with "another strong angel" in Revelation 10:1-7 are closely parallel to an angelic being described in Daniel 10:5-6 and 12:5-7. These similarities have given some interpreters the basis to see a connection between these two texts.
Based on Revelation 5:2, 10:1 and 18:21, strong angels are revelatory angels. That is, they specifically communicate to man information from God. In Revelation 5:2, the strong angel communicates the identity of the person worthy to open the sealed scroll. In Revelation 10:1, he communicates a significant transition in the program of God. In Revelation 18:21, he communicates the destiny of the capital city of the beast empire. Similarly, an angelic being in Daniel 10 communicates the destiny of the Jews and Jerusalem.
Daniel 10:21 states, "Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince." The verse literally says, "Yet there is no one who shows himself strong with me…." Hebrew language emphasizes the continuing nature of these angelic beings. In other words, they are continually strong. Therefore, Michael and this angelic being are strong angels. In Revelation 10:1, the adjective strong comes from the Greek word ischuros. In Daniel 10:21b, the verb to show oneself strong comes from the Hebrew word chazak. The verb form used in Daniel 10:21b means to prove to be strong/courageous.
Therefore, like this angelic being, Michael is a strong angel. Notice again Daniel 10:21b, "Yet there is no one who shows himself strong with me against these forces except Michael your prince." Michael is described as "one of the chief princes," in Daniel 10:13, which demands that there is more than one chief prince. The apostle Jude indicates that Michael is an archangel (Jude 1:9). Thus, the angel who speaks in Daniel 10 and Revelation 10 are probably both of the same type as Michael, the archangel.
2. Clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire = is similar to the description given in Daniel 10:5-6 and Revelation 1:13-15. In both passages, a case can be made that Christ is the referent. However, the fact that the description in Revelation 10:1 is specifically identified as an angel should settle the matter of the identity of the angel here.
Three angelic beings are identified as "strong" in the Revelation. The first occurrences appears in Revelation 5:2. The second is in Revelation 10:1 and the final occurrence is in Revelation 18:21. What is the significance of the "strong angels?" The characteristics associated with "another strong angel" in Revelation 10:1-7 are closely parallel to an angelic being described in Daniel 10:5-6 and 12:5-7. These similarities have given some interpreters the basis to see a connection between these two texts.
Based on Revelation 5:2, 10:1 and 18:21, strong angels are revelatory angels. That is, they specifically communicate to man information from God. In Revelation 5:2, the strong angel communicates the identity of the person worthy to open the sealed scroll. In Revelation 10:1, he communicates a significant transition in the program of God. In Revelation 18:21, he communicates the destiny of the capital city of the beast empire. Similarly, an angelic being in Daniel 10 communicates the destiny of the Jews and Jerusalem.
Daniel 10:21 states, "Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince." The verse literally says, "Yet there is no one who shows himself strong with me…." Hebrew language emphasizes the continuing nature of these angelic beings. In other words, they are continually strong. Therefore, Michael and this angelic being are strong angels. In Revelation 10:1, the adjective strong comes from the Greek word ischuros. In Daniel 10:21b, the verb to show oneself strong comes from the Hebrew word chazak. The verb form used in Daniel 10:21b means to prove to be strong/courageous.
Therefore, like this angelic being, Michael is a strong angel. Notice again Daniel 10:21b, "Yet there is no one who shows himself strong with me against these forces except Michael your prince." Michael is described as "one of the chief princes," in Daniel 10:13, which demands that there is more than one chief prince. The apostle Jude indicates that Michael is an archangel (Jude 1:9). Thus, the angel who speaks in Daniel 10 and Revelation 10 are probably both of the same type as Michael, the archangel.
2. Clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire = is similar to the description given in Daniel 10:5-6 and Revelation 1:13-15. In both passages, a case can be made that Christ is the referent. However, the fact that the description in Revelation 10:1 is specifically identified as an angel should settle the matter of the identity of the angel here.
Revelation 10:2-3
(1) (2) And he had in his hand a little book (3) which was open. (4) He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land; (5) and he cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars; and when he had cried out, (6) the seven peals of thunder uttered their voices.
1. It is critical that the reader understands that John’s personal involvement in the scene that constitutes the tenth chapter of Revelation will not be repeated in the future! In other words, when the events of the book of Revelation begin to unfold this strong angel will not descend from heaven and communicate with John again. The event recorded in chapter 10 occurred literally at the time that John received the book of Revelation. We have the benefit of what occurred because several important details are given to us. However, the event itself, the angel coming down to talk with John will not happen again. This is critical to understand the importance of John’s vision. That this is a correct conclusion is supported by several facts. First, in order for these events to happen again literally, the apostle John must be resurrected from the dead. Second, John will have to eat the little scroll again. Third, John would have to prophesy again concerning end time events.
The single most important point of chapter 10 seems to be the angelic announcement that "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished." Now that we know this fact, there will be no need for the strong angel to descend from heaven to report a fact already known by the reader of the Revelation.
2. And he had in his hand a little book = is an obvious contrast with the first strong angel of chapter five. In chapter five, the book is in God’s hand and it is sealed. In chapter 10, an angel has the book and it is opened. Similarly, Ezekiel 2:9-10 reports a heavenly being gave him a scroll to be eaten. The importance of the little book will be seen shortly.
3. Which was open = in contrast to the scroll of Revelation 5, this little book is opened. This indicates that John would see the contents of the page exposed. If it were written in a language that John could read, he would be able to read whatever was visible to him.
4. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land = describes the stance of the strong angle. The importance of the angel’s stance will become evident later. However, it is important at this point to recognize that both land and sea are under the foot (authority) of this angelic being.
5. And he cried out with a loud voice = is typical of angelic communications throughout the book of Revelation. It is critically important for the reader to understand that John is describing what he sees happening during his reception of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We are not told exactly what the strong angel said.
6. The seven peals of thunder uttered their voices = is not defined. Scripture does not identify the one specifically speaking at this point. This fact underscores the conclusion that who is speaking is not the important point.
The single most important point of chapter 10 seems to be the angelic announcement that "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished." Now that we know this fact, there will be no need for the strong angel to descend from heaven to report a fact already known by the reader of the Revelation.
2. And he had in his hand a little book = is an obvious contrast with the first strong angel of chapter five. In chapter five, the book is in God’s hand and it is sealed. In chapter 10, an angel has the book and it is opened. Similarly, Ezekiel 2:9-10 reports a heavenly being gave him a scroll to be eaten. The importance of the little book will be seen shortly.
3. Which was open = in contrast to the scroll of Revelation 5, this little book is opened. This indicates that John would see the contents of the page exposed. If it were written in a language that John could read, he would be able to read whatever was visible to him.
4. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left on the land = describes the stance of the strong angle. The importance of the angel’s stance will become evident later. However, it is important at this point to recognize that both land and sea are under the foot (authority) of this angelic being.
5. And he cried out with a loud voice = is typical of angelic communications throughout the book of Revelation. It is critically important for the reader to understand that John is describing what he sees happening during his reception of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We are not told exactly what the strong angel said.
6. The seven peals of thunder uttered their voices = is not defined. Scripture does not identify the one specifically speaking at this point. This fact underscores the conclusion that who is speaking is not the important point.
Revelation 10:4
When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, (1) "Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them."
1. Seal up the things = seems inappropriate at this point because John has not written anything down that the seven thunders said in order to seal it up. However, the sealing of something was intended to keep it safe. The point seems to be that John must keep the particular information shared by the seven thunders "secure." The way he would accomplish this would involve two things. First, he must not write it down and secondly, he must never tell anyone what was said. He was to secure it in his own mind.
1. Seal up the things = seems inappropriate at this point because John has not written anything down that the seven thunders said in order to seal it up. However, the sealing of something was intended to keep it safe. The point seems to be that John must keep the particular information shared by the seven thunders "secure." The way he would accomplish this would involve two things. First, he must not write it down and secondly, he must never tell anyone what was said. He was to secure it in his own mind.
I'd love to speculate on what is in that little book. I have some definite opinions. I'm sure everyone does. It's a secret.
Jesus had a way with taking something abstract and putting it in the form of a parable... He made it clear. I'm sure John was fully aware of the contents of the little book. I don't see any human reactions revealed here. Back when the Scroll with the Seven Seals showed up, John's human emotions were written into the text. He passed out as though dead in the first chapter.... but here... he notes no emotion.
Maybe the little book contains something that will cure death. Maybe by conquering death on the cross, Jesus was completing an experiment. Maybe the cure was used on Moses and Elijah.... and that's what they were reporting to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Wouldn't it make sense that maybe Elijah was "taken home" so they could experiment on someone still living to see if it could be used as a vaccine against death! Maybe the book has the formula for this wonderful cure and the list of all the names of all the Believers who are to be vaccinated.
Maybe it's a list of all the humans who were related to one of Noah's sons. Maybe the curse that was put on Noah's son Ham will be lifted by the contents of this little book. You know.... preachers did a lot of sermons using Ham's curse during that Revival period that some of the commentaries associate with the little book. Wouldn't that be a shocker!
