10.1.1. Divine Similarities
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1 This can be established from the lack of any detailed, proof-positive identification found in the text. Yet there is much discussion concerning whether this angel is Christ or simply a powerful angel.
2 Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1995), Rev. 10:1.
3 “non sequitur 1. An inference or conclusion that does not follow from the premises or evidence.”—American Heritage Online Dictionary, Ver. 3.0A, 3rd ed. (Houghton Mifflin, 1993).
4 Henry Morris, The Revelation Record (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1983), 181.
5 Those commentators who understand the vision of Daniel Dan. 10:5-9 as being a theophany—a vision of God—usually see the messenger of the subsequent verses (10-21) as a different individual, possibly Gabriel. This allows the first vision to be that of Christ while allowing the second individual to be an angel who seeks assistance from Michael (Dan. Dan. 10:13, Dan. 10:21). A problem with this view is the unity of the text which argues that the same individual is in view in both sections of the passage. The arguments for and against seeing one versus two heavenly individuals in Daniel Dan. 10:1 are beyond the scope of our treatment here other than to recognize that the similarities between Revelation Rev. 10:1+ and Daniel Dan. 10:1 are insufficient to unambiguously establish the divinity of the angel of Revelation Rev. 10:1+.
6 Another mighty angel, who requires Michael’s assistance and is therefore not divine (Dan. Dan. 10:20), swears by God (Dan. Dan. 12:7 cf. Dan. Dan. 10:5).
7 It should be noted that these were preincarnate appearances of Jesus. John’s vision is seen after the incarnation. Concerning the Angel of the Lord: Gen. Gen. 16:7-11; Gen. 22:11, Gen. 22:15; Ex. Ex. 3:2; Ex. 14:19; Ex. 23:20-23; Ex. 32:34; Num. Num. 22:22-35; Jdg. Jdg. 2:1, Jdg. 2:4; Jdg. 5:23; Jdg. 6:11-22; Jdg. 13:3-21; 2S. 2S. 24:16; 1K. 1K. 19:7; 2K. 2K. 1:3, 2K. 1:15; 2K. 19:35; 1Chr. 1Chr. 21:12-30; Ps. Ps. 34:7; Ps. 35:5-6; Isa. Isa. 37:36; Isa. 63:9; Hos. Hos. 12:4; Zec. Zec. 1:11-12; Zec. 3:1-6; Zec. 12:8; cf. Acts Acts 7:30-31, Acts 7:35, Acts 7:37-38.
8 Although, as we have observed, Christ is referred to as an angel or messenger in His OT appearances as the Angel of Jehovah, we are now speaking of the incarnate glorified Christ. “While the preincarnate Christ appeared in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord, the New Testament nowhere refers to Him as an angel.”—John MacArthur, Revelation 1-11 : The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999), Rev. 10:1.
9 MacArthur, Revelation 1-11 : The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Rev. 10:1.