Revelation #17: Revelation Chapter 10 – The Angel and the Little Scroll

Revelation #17: Revelation Chapter 10 – The Angel and the Little Scroll

Introduction

We have now arrived at Revelation 10. This chapter marks the second interlude in the book. These biblical passages, called “interludes,” provide crucial insights without advancing the chronological timeline of Revelation.

The first interlude occurred in chapter 7, situated between the sixth and seventh seals. In chapter 7, 144,000 Jews are sealed by God, signifying that they will have a unique ministry during the period of worldwide tribulation. The Church has been taken up, and God raises up 12,000 Jews from each tribe to be His witnesses during this tumultuous time. The results of their ministry are shown in the same chapter: the apostle John sees an immense crowd of redeemed martyrs from every nation, tribe, and language.

Now, in chapter 10, we encounter another interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets. This interlude begins in chapter 10 and continues until the middle of chapter 11. Three key figures are presented during this period: a mighty angel (chapter 10) and two witnesses (Revelation 11:1-14).

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The Angel and the Little Scroll

Verses 1-4: “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. 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, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. 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.'”

Who Is This Angel?

Many believe this angel could be Jesus Christ due to the description. Let’s examine what the text says:

“I saw another mighty angel”: The Greek word “allon” (translated as “another”) implies that this angel is of the same type as the angels previously mentioned in Revelation.

If you recall chapter 5 (verse 2), a “mighty angel” is also mentioned. This could potentially be the same angel.

Moreover, the mighty angel in chapter 10 swears “by Him who lives forever and ever” (verses 5-6), indicating that God is greater than this angel. Additionally, at this point in the narrative, Jesus Christ has not yet descended to earth. When He does return, He will set His feet on the Mount of Olives (see Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:12). Therefore, this angel cannot be Jesus Christ.

Description of the Angel

• He descends from heaven: The angel lives in God’s presence.
• Clothed in a cloud: This often symbolizes divine presence or judgment.
• A rainbow above his head: This signifies God’s covenant with humanity.
• His face like the sun: The angel reflects the glory of God.
• Legs like pillars of fire: Pillars represent strength and stability; fire speaks of judgment.
• He holds a little scroll, which is open: Unlike the sealed scroll from Revelation 5, this one is open and smaller.

What Does the Scroll Contain?

The contents of the scroll are not explicitly revealed. However, based on verse 11, after John eats the scroll, he is instructed to prophesy “about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.” It is likely that the scroll contains these prophecies.

The Angel’s Stance

The angel’s posture, with one foot on the sea and the other on land, is significant. This symbolizes his authority over the entire earth. This represents the impending moment when the Lord will take full possession of the world.

Often, we forget that the earth belongs to God. This was something God consistently taught Israel:

“The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.” (Leviticus 25:23).

Many people take pride in owning property, but ultimately, all the earth belongs to God, and a day is coming when He will reclaim His creation. David proclaims this truth in Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

The Seven Thunders

As the angel shouts like a roaring lion, the seven thunders respond. John is about to record what they say, but a heavenly voice stops him. While much has been revealed to us in Scripture, there are still divine mysteries that remain hidden from humanity for now.

The seven thunders likely represent impending judgments, given that thunder often accompanies storms and signifies divine wrath.

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The End is Near

Verses 5-7: “Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, ‘There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.'”

The angel raises his right hand and swears by the eternal God, the Creator of all things, that there will no longer be any delay. This signifies that God is about to take full possession of the earth, fulfilling His promises and completing His plan.

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Eating the Little Scroll

Verses 8-11: “Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: ‘Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.’ So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, ‘Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’ I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.'”

John is instructed to take the open scroll and eat it, symbolizing the internalization of God’s message. The sweetness in his mouth represents the delight in receiving God’s Word and His promises. However, the bitterness in his stomach points to the harsh realities of judgment and the consequences of sin. This dual nature reflects the role of a prophet, who must proclaim both hope and warning.

The act of eating the scroll is reminiscent of the experiences of prophets like Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:1-3) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:16), who also internalized God’s words before delivering them to the people.

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Conclusion

Revelation 10 presents us with a momentous declaration: the time is drawing near for God to reclaim His creation. The mighty angel’s stance over land and sea symbolizes the imminent authority of God over the whole earth. The little scroll represents God’s prophetic message, sweet in its promises but bitter in the impending judgments. Like John, we are called to internalize God’s Word, to live it, and to share it with others.

As the end approaches, we are reminded to shine as lights in the world, holding forth the Word of Life (Philippians 2:16), proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom while also warning of the coming judgments. May we be faithful to the mission, knowing that Jesus Christ will soon return to establish His Kingdom of justice and peace.

-sermon series by Pastor Michel Bohrer