CHAPTER

Revelation 10

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.
Referenced by: Ezekiel 1:28
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."
Referenced by: Jeremiah 15:16, Ezekiel 3:3
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."

▶Commentary

Here we have an account of another vision the apostle was favoured with, between the sounding of the sixth trumpet and that of the seventh. And we observe, I. The person who was principally concerned in communicating this discovery to John - an angel from heaven, another mighty angel, who is so set forth as would induce one to think it could be no other than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! 1. He was clothed with a cloud: he veils his glory, which is too great for mortality to behold; and he throws a veil upon his dispensations. Clouds and darkness are round about him. 2. A rainbow was upon his head; he is always mindful of his covenant, and, when his conduct is most mysterious, yet it is perfectly just and faithful. 3. His face was as the sun, all bright, and full of lustre and majesty, Rev 1:16. 4. His feet were as pillars of fire; all his ways, both of grace and providence, are pure and steady. II. His station and posture: He set his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the earth, to show the absolute power and dominion he had over the world. And he held in his hand a little book opened, probably the same that was before sealed, but was now opened, and gradually fulfilled by him. III. His awful voice: He cried aloud, as when a lion roareth (Rev 10:3), and his awful voice was echoed by seven thunders, seven solemn and terrible ways of discovering the mind of God. IV. The prohibition given to the apostle, that he should not publish, but conceal what he had learned from the seven thunders, Rev 10:4. The apostle was for preserving and publishing every thing he saw and heard in these visions, but the time had not yet come. V. The solemn oath taken by this mighty angel. 1. The manner of his swearing: He lifted up his hand to heaven, and swore by him that liveth for ever, by himself, as God often has done, or by God as God, to whom he, as Lord, Redeemer, and ruler of the world, now appeals. 2. The matter of the oath: that there shall be time no longer; either, (1.) That there shall be now no longer delay in fulfilling the predictions of this book than till the last angel should sound; then every thing should be put into speedy execution: the mystery of God shall be finished, Rev 10:7. Or, (2.) That when this mystery of God is finished time itself shall be no more, as being the measure of things that are in a mutable changing state; but all things shall be at length for ever fixed, and so time itself swallowed up in eternity.

Here we have, I. A strict charge given to the apostle, which was, 1. That he should go and take the little book out of the hands of that mighty angel mentioned before. This charge was given, not by the angel himself who stood upon the earth, but by the same voice from heaven that in the fourth verse had lain an injunction upon him not to write what he had discerned by the seven thunders. 2. To eat the book; this part of the charge was given by the angel himself, hinting to the apostle that before he should publish what he had discovered he must more thoroughly digest the predictions, and be in himself suitably affected with them. II. An account of the taste and relish which this little book would have, when the apostle had taken it in; at first, while in his mouth, sweet. All persons feel a pleasure in looking into future events, and in having them foretold; and all good men love to receive a word from God, of what import soever it be. But, when this book of prophecy was more thoroughly digested by the apostle, the contents would be bitter; these were things so awful and terrible, such grievous persecutions of the people of God, and such desolation made in the earth, that the foresight and foreknowledge of them would not be pleasant, but painful to the mind of the apostle: thus was Ezekiel's prophecy to him, Eze 3:3. III. The apostle's discharge of the duty he was called to (Rev 10:10): He took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up, and he found the relish to be as was told him. 1. It becomes the servants of God to digest in their own souls the messages they bring to others in his name, and to be suitably affected therewith themselves. 2. It becomes them to deliver every message with which they are charged, whether pleasing or unpleasing to men. That which is least pleasing may be most profitable; however, God's messengers must not keep back any part of the counsel of God. IV. The apostle is made to know that this book of prophecy, which he had now taken in, was not given him merely to gratify his own curiosity, or to affect him with pleasure or pain, but to be communicated by him to the world. Here his prophetical commission seems to be renewed, and he is ordered to prepare for another embassy, to convey those declarations of the mind and will of God which are of great importance to all the world, and to the highest and greatest men in the world, and such should be read and recorded in many languages. This indeed is the case; we have them in our language, and are all obliged to attend to them, humbly to enquire into the meaning of them, and firmly to believe that every thing shall have its accomplishment in the proper time; and, when the prophecies shall be fulfilled, the sense and truth of them will appear, and the omniscience, power, and faithfulness of the great God will be adored.

▶Sermons

Audio

(Revelation - Part 1): John Saw Further in All Directions
A.W. Tozer · 43:14
A.W. Tozer's sermon explores the profound revelations of John in the Book of Revelation, emphasizing the spiritual insights gained from divine perspective.
The 2nd Coming of Jesus - New World Order
David Wilkerson · 51:13
The sermon describes the events leading up to and including the Second Coming of Jesus, including the announcement of the end of time, the judgment of the world, the resurrection of the dead, and the glorification of the saints.
(Revelation - Part 16): The Sweet and Bitter Book
A.W. Tozer · 51:45
The sermon emphasizes the importance of allowing the truth of God's Word to get down into our system and dictate our lives, rather than trying to control it or manipulate it for our own comfort.
(Revelation - Part 15): The Mighty Angel and the Little Book
A.W. Tozer · 47:32
The sermon emphasizes the importance of faith, patience, and trust in God's timing and promises, using the example of the mighty angel and the little book in Revelation 10.
Ezekiel
Jacob Prasch · 30:52
Ezekiel's sermon emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and speaking God's words to others, even in the face of rebellion and rejection.
Daniel, a Role Model
Leonard Ravenhill · 54:56
The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a strong role model in our lives, standing firm in our faith despite challenges, and living a high standard of living.
(Through the Bible) Revelation 10-12
Chuck Smith · 1:21:23
The sermon explores the coming of Jesus Christ to claim the earth, the restoration of the earth, and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
Week of Meetings-06 the Old Roman Empire Coming to Life
Dwight Pentecost · 56:18
The sermon explores the significance of the Antichrist and the Roman Empire in the context of the tribulation period, highlighting the role of Satan and the emergence of a false kingdom.
(Revelation) Revelation 10:7-11:15
Zac Poonen · 1:01:34
Zac Poonen's sermon explores the profound mysteries of God revealed in Revelation, emphasizing the need for believers to fully digest and apply God's word in their lives.
Week of Meetings-05 John Reviews the Great Tribulation
Dwight Pentecost · 54:27
The sermon explores the significance of the seventh trumpet, the second advent of Christ, and the resurrection and judgment of believers in the millennial kingdom.
Times Up!
Chuck Smith · 25:29
Chuck Smith's sermon emphasizes the urgency of responding to God's call before the opportunity for repentance is lost.
(Revelation) the Banishment of Satan
Willie Mullan · 1:02:26
Willie Mullan's sermon explores the banishment of Satan and the implications of Christ's second coming as described in Revelation 20.
(Revelation) No Trumpets Sounding
Willie Mullan · 1:00:43
Revelation 10 reveals Jesus Christ as the powerful and majestic Lord of the universe, executing God's plan for the world.
(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 31-35
Chuck Smith · 1:21:42
The sermon emphasizes God's unwavering love and future restoration for Israel as outlined in Jeremiah's prophecies.
Gifts of the Spirit - Part 2 (Rora 2003)
Les Wheeldon · 1:00:16
The gifts of the Spirit are essential to church life, and waiting on God is the heart of the church.
When I Consider the Heavens
Earl R. Clark · 40:23
Earl R. Clark's sermon explores the majesty of God in creation and the profound significance of humanity's relationship with Him amidst the vastness of the universe.
(February 1987) 01 - Arise and Measure the Temple
Ray Lowe · 1:09:18
Ray Lowe emphasizes the urgent need for spiritual revival and a radical change within the church by measuring its true worship and structure.
The Third Vision: The Strong Angel
Stephen Kaung · 52:46
The third vision of the Lord Jesus in the book of Revelation reveals the strong angel's descent from heaven to take possession of the earth and to execute the will of God upon this earth, and it highlights the mystery of God being revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Acts 12 - Building of the Body of Christ
Stephen Kaung · 1:11:06
The sermon explores the concept of the body of Christ as an organic body that grows and matures through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, with the Apostle Paul playing a key role as a master builder.
Rise Up and Build 1997 Conference-38 Things That Differ
William MacDonald · 53:21
This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding biblical distinctions, such as dispensations, two comings of Christ, phases of Christ's coming, and the distinction between law and grace, in order to deepen one's understanding of God's Word.
The Passover - Part 2
Les Wheeldon · 1:26:22
Les Wheeldon emphasizes the necessity of spiritual engagement and the dangers of secular influences on ministry in his sermon on the Passover.
Seeking a Life of Being Not Known
Francis Chan · 34:57
Francis Chan emphasizes the importance of living a quiet life focused on God, humility, and secret acts of service rather than seeking public recognition.
Chosen Vessel - Abiding in Christ
Chuck Smith · 1:01:37
The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing that our sufficiency comes from Christ, not from ourselves, and that we are to preach Christ and show people the glory of God.
The Time Is Up
Stephen Kaung · 1:17:28
The time is up, and God's purpose is fulfilled, but we can still redeem the time by cooperating with Him to hasten His return.
The Little Book
Paris Reidhead · 57:31
The little book in Revelation 10 represents God's revelation of grace and the gospel message, which will continue in its ministry until the completion of God's eternal purpose.
Christ in 07 in the Revelation
Jim Flanigan · 52:14
The sermon explores the book of Revelation, specifically chapter 10, and reveals the identity of the mighty angel as the Lord Jesus Christ, who will return in power and glory to fulfill the conditions of the great book.
The Lord's Prayer - Part 5
David Adams · 45:11
The sermon explores the concept of glory in the context of the Lord's prayer, highlighting the importance of submission, obedience, and service in glorifying God.
Eating the Book
Robert B. Thompson · 1:18:00
Robert B. Thompson's sermon emphasizes the necessity of internalizing God's Word for true spiritual transformation and resilience against modern moral challenges.
How Righteousness Works Out
Robert B. Thompson · 1:11:03
The sermon explores the intricate relationship between righteousness and grace, emphasizing the transformative work of Christ in believers' lives.
The Day of the Seventh Angel
Robert B. Thompson · 1:09:47
The sermon emphasizes the urgent call for Christians to reject worldly influences, embrace their identity in Christ, and prepare for spiritual conflict through prayer and obedience.

▶People

MENTIONS John the Apostle
MENTIONS God