Revelation 10

Revelation 10:1-11 . VISION OF THE LITTLE BOOK.

As an episode was introduced between the sixth and seventh seals, so there is one here (Revelation 10:1-11:14') after the sixth and introductory to the seventh trumpet ( Revelation 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 ( Revelation 8:13 ) were the exclusive subject of the fifth and sixth woe-trumpets. Revelation 6:11 is plainly referred to in Revelation 10:6 below; in Revelation 6:11 the martyrs crying to be avenged were told they must "rest yet for a little season" or time: in Revelation 10:6 here they are assured, "There shall be no longer (any interval of) time"; their prayer shall have no longer to wait, but ( Revelation 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 ( Revelation 10:2 Revelation 10:9 Revelation 10:10 ) is given to John by the angel, with a charge ( Revelation 10:11 ) that he must prophesy again concerning (so the Greek) peoples, nations, tongues, and kings: which prophecy (as appears from Revelation 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 ( Revelation 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 ( Revelation 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 Revelation 4:3
face as . . . the sun--( Revelation 1:16 , 18:1 ).
feet as pillars of fire--( Revelation 1:15 , Ezekiel 1:7 ). The angel, as representative of Christ, reflects His glory and bears the insignia attributed in Revelation 1:15 Revelation 1:16 , 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 Revelation 10:5
a little book--a roll little in comparison with the "book" ( Revelation 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 ( Revelation 10:9 Revelation 10:11 ), 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 ( Revelation 13:1 ), and the beast with two horns like a lamb ( Revelation 13:11 ) out of the earth, yet it is but for a time, and that time shall no longer be ( Revelation 10:6 Revelation 10:7 ) 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.