The Book of Revelations Chapter 10
(1) In Revelation, John sees a mighty angel holding a scroll. Some believe this angel could be Jesus because his shining appearance is like earlier descriptions of Him, while others think he is more like Michael the archangel described in Daniel. The angel appears after six trumpets have sounded, signalling that something very important is about to happen before the seventh. He is clothed with a cloud, showing God’s glory, and has a rainbow on his head, a sign of peace. These images reveal that the angel comes with great power and authority, but also with mercy and hope as he is giving one final chance before the seventh trumpet is blown.
(2-4) The little scroll in the angel’s hand may not be the same as the scroll Jesus opened earlier, since John used a different Greek word to describe it. We are not told what is inside, and while some have guessed it could be things like divorce papers, this is only speculation. What is clear is that the angel stands with one foot on the sea and one on the land, showing his power and authority over the whole earth. John was also told not to write down what he heard, to keep it a secret, which has left many readers puzzled and sparked much speculation. This reminds us that while God has revealed much, there are still mysteries He has chosen not to make known to people at this time.
(5-7) In Biblical vocabulary, a mystery isn’t something no one knows. A mystery is something no one could know unless it was revealed to him. Therefore, something can be known and still be a mystery in the Biblical sense.
The ultimate conversion of the Jewish people is called a mystery (Romans 11:25)
God’s purpose for the church is called a mystery (Ephesians 3:3-11)
The bringing in of the fullness of the Gentiles is called a mystery (Romans 11:25)
The living presence of Jesus in the believer is called the mystery of God (Colossians 1:27-2:3)
The gospel itself is called the mystery of Christ (Colossians 4:3)
God freely acknowledges that life today is full of mysteries; but it won’t always be like that. A day will come when all questions of this age will be answered.
(8-10) Because John is told to take the little scroll, some believe this shows how God works with our free will—He does not force us, but allows us to choose whether to accept His message. In Ezekiel 3:1–3, the prophet is also told to eat a scroll, which many understand as a picture of fully taking in God’s Word, meditating on it, and making it part of one’s life. When John eats the scroll, it is both sweet and bitter. The sweetness reflects the joy of receiving God’s truth, while the bitterness reminds us of the suffering and judgment that also come with it. Some see this as pointing to the hardship Christians may face before being called home, while others believe it speaks of the sorrow for those left behind after the rapture, who must endure trials in the last days.
(11) Whatever the content of the scroll, it is a command to prophesy to all men. This is not a message just focused for the church, but to all on the earth.