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Revelation 10

World English Bible

WEB

1I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2He had in his hand a little open book. He set his right foot on the sea, and his left on the land. 3He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices. 4When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don’t write them.” 5The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky 6and 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 will no longer be delay, 7but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants the prophets. 8The voice which I heard from heaven, again speaking with me, said, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.” 9I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” 10I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. When I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. 11They told me, “You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Revelation Chapter 10 presents a powerful and symbolic vision that emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the unfolding of His divine plan. The chapter begins with a mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud and a rainbow upon his head, signifying God's glory and covenant promises (#angel, #covenant). This angel's presence is marked by a loud voice like a lion's roar, which captures the attention of the earth and signifies the authority of God's message. The angel stands with one foot on the sea and the other on the land, symbolizing God's dominion over all creation, both earthly and heavenly realms (#dominion, #creation). The seven thunders utter their voices, but John is instructed to seal up what they say, indicating that some aspects of God's plan remain hidden until the appointed time (#mystery, #prophecy).

The chapter continues with the angel raising his hand to heaven and swearing an oath that there will be no more delay, affirming that the mystery of God will be fulfilled as He has declared to His servants the prophets. This declaration emphasizes the certainty of God's promises and the impending fulfillment of His will (#oath, #prophets). Following this, John is instructed to take the little scroll from the angel's hand and eat it. The scroll is sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach, symbolizing the dual nature of God's message—joyful in its promise yet sobering in its implications for judgment and repentance (#scroll, #judgment). The chapter concludes with John being told that he must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings, highlighting the ongoing mission of the church to proclaim the gospel to all the world (#gospel, #mission).

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Referenced by

  1. Ezekiel 2:8v9Ezekiel 2:8 involves the prophet being commanded to eat a scroll, symbolizing the internalization of God's message, similar to John's experience in Revelation 10:9.
  2. Ezekiel 3:3v9In Ezekiel 3:3, Ezekiel is commanded to eat a scroll, which is sweet in his mouth. Similarly, in Revelation 10:9-10, John is instructed to eat a scroll that is sweet in his mouth but turns bitter in his stomach. Both instances symbolize the reception of God's word and the mixed experience of proclaiming it.
  3. Daniel 12:7v5Daniel 12:7 speaks of a time, times, and half a time, which is echoed in Revelation 10:5-7 where the angel swears by Him who lives forever that there will be no more delay.

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