Rev 10:1-3 | JFB | STEP | As an episode was introduced between the sixth and seventh seals, so there is one here ( ) after the sixth and introductory to the seventh trumpet ( , which forms the grand consummation). The Church and her fortunes are the subject of this episode: as the judgments on the unbelieving inhabiters of the earth ( ) were the exclusive subject of the fifth and sixth woe-trumpets. is plainly referred to in below; in the martyrs crying to be avenged were told they must "rest yet for a little season" or time: in here they are assured, "There shall be no longer (any interval of) time"; their prayer shall have no longer to wait, but ( ) at the trumpet sounding of the seventh angel shall be consummated, and the mystery of God (His mighty plan heretofore hidden, but then to be revealed) shall be finished. The little open book ( , ) is given to John by the angel, with a charge ( ) that he must prophesy again concerning (so the Greek) peoples, nations, tongues, and kings: which prophecy (as appears from ) affects those peoples, nations, tongues, and kings only in relation to Israel and the Church, who form the main object of the prophecy. 1. another mighty angel-- as distinguished from the mighty angel who asked as to the former and more comprehensive book ( ), "Who is worthy to open the book?" clothed with a cloud-- the emblem of God coming in judgment. a-- A, B, C, and Aleph read "the"; referring to ( ) the rainbow already mentioned. rainbow upon his head-- the emblem of covenant mercy to God's people, amidst judgments on God's foes. Resumed from (see on ). face as ... the sun-- ( ; 18:1). feet as pillars of fire-- ( ; ). The angel, as representative of Christ, reflects His glory and bears the insignia attributed in , ; , to Christ Himself. The pillar of fire by night led Israel through the wilderness, and was the symbol of God's presence.

‏ Revelation of John 10:1-3

CHAPTER 10 Re 10:1-11. Vision of the Little Book.

As an episode was introduced between the sixth and seventh seals, so there is one here (Re 10:1-11:14) after the sixth and introductory to the seventh trumpet (Re 11:15, which forms the grand consummation). The Church and her fortunes are the subject of this episode: as the judgments on the unbelieving inhabiters of the earth (Re 8:13) were the exclusive subject of the fifth and sixth woe-trumpets. Re 6:11 is plainly referred to in Re 10:6 below; in Re 6:11 the martyrs crying to be avenged were told they must "rest yet for a little season" or time: in Re 10:6 here they are assured, "There shall be no longer (any interval of) time"; their prayer shall have no longer to wait, but (Re 10:7) at the trumpet sounding of the seventh angel shall be consummated, and the mystery of God (His mighty plan heretofore hidden, but then to be revealed) shall be finished. The little open book (Re 10:2, 9, 10) is given to John by the angel, with a charge (Re 10:11) that he must prophesy again concerning (so the Greek) peoples, nations, tongues, and kings: which prophecy (as appears from Re 11:15-19) affects those peoples, nations, tongues, and kings only in relation to Israel and the Church, who form the main object of the prophecy.

1. another mighty angel--as distinguished from the mighty angel who asked as to the former and more comprehensive book (Re 5:2), "Who is worthy to open the book?"

clothed with a cloud--the emblem of God coming in judgment.

a--A, B, C, and Aleph read "the"; referring to (Re 4:3) the rainbow already mentioned.

rainbow upon his head--the emblem of covenant mercy to God's people, amidst judgments on God's foes. Resumed from Re 4:3 (see on Re 4:3).

face as ... the sun--(Re 1:16; 18:1).

feet as pillars of fire--(Re 1:15; Eze 1:7). The angel, as representative of Christ, reflects His glory and bears the insignia attributed in Re 1:15, 16; 4:3, to Christ Himself. The pillar of fire by night led Israel through the wilderness, and was the symbol of God's presence.

2. he had--Greek, "Having."

in his hand--in his left hand: as in Re 10:5 (see on Re 10:5), he lifts up his right hand to heaven.

a little book--a roll little in comparison with the "book" (Re 5:1) which contained the whole vast scheme of God's purposes, not to be fully read till the final consummation. This other, a less book, contained only a portion which John was now to make his own (Re 10:9, 11), and then to use in prophesying to others. The New Testament begins with the word "book" (Greek, "biblus"), of which "the little book" (Greek, "biblaridion") is the diminutive, "the little bible," the Bible in miniature.

upon the sea ... earth--Though the beast with seven heads is about to arise out of the sea (Re 13:1), and the beast with two horns like a lamb (Re 13:11) out of the earth, yet it is but for a time, and that time shall no longer be (Re 10:6, 7) when once the seventh trumpet is about to sound; the angel with his right foot on the sea, and his left on the earth, claims both as God's, and as about soon to be cleared of the usurper and his followers.

3. as ... lion--Christ, whom the angel represents, is often so symbolized (Re 5:5, "the Lion of the tribe of Juda").

seven thunders--Greek, "the seven thunders." They form part of the Apocalyptic symbolism; and so are marked by the article as well known. Thus thunderings marked the opening of the seventh seal (Re 8:1, 5); so also at the seventh vial (Re 16:17, 18). Wordsworth calls this the prophetic use of the article; "the thunders, of which more hereafter." Their full meaning shall be only known at the grand consummation marked by the seventh seal, the seventh trumpet (Re 11:19), and the seventh vial.

uttered their--Greek, "spake their own voices"; that is, voices peculiarly their own, and not now revealed to men.