Revelation 10

Last time we finished the first woe (the fifth trumpet's demonic locusts) and the beginning of the second woe (the sixth trumpet, the four angels released from the Euphrates to kill a third of mankind). But we have not yet finished the second woe — it will not be complete until chapter 11 and the seventh trumpet, which begins the final woe. Revelation 10 is a sort of interlude, a reprieve from the terror, reminding John that all of this is for a purpose.¶

Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. He had a little scroll open in his hand... and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring.

Revelation 10:1-3 (ESV)¶

Clothed in promise and protection¶

This angel's attributes point the Jews who will read these words to things God wants them to remember. The cloud represents protection, provision, and God's Spirit (the cloud that led Israel, the cloud that filled the temple). The rainbow is the sign of God's Noahic covenant, his promise never again to flood the whole earth. His face like the sun speaks of God's faithfulness — always rising, bringing the light needed for growth and sight — and his steadfast love that shines on all (Matthew 5:44-45). His legs like pillars of fire recall the pillar of fire that led Israel by night, giving light, guidance, purification, and protection — standing between God's people and Pharaoh's army. So this angel is clothed in all the old-testament imagery that pointed to the Messiah.¶

It is possible this is the archangel Michael (Daniel 12:1), but more of the imagery points to this being a vision of Christ — the little scroll (like the scroll Jesus took earlier), and the voice like a lion's roar (compare 1 Thessalonians 4:16, "the Lord himself will descend... with the voice of an archangel"). This angel declares there will be no more delay.¶

but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.

Revelation 10:7 (ESV)¶

By the seventh trumpet — essentially the rest of Revelation — all the kingdoms of this world will be God's. We do not yet see all things under him (Hebrews 2:8), but we are given this image of everything under his feet to encourage and remind us that the victory belongs to our God.¶

Eat the scroll¶

John is told to take the scroll and eat it — just as Ezekiel was told (Ezekiel 3). God put his words in Ezekiel's mouth to go to Israel; now John eats a scroll and is told he will again have to prophesy, being given God's message to Israel once more. It is sweet in his mouth because God's word is good and true, and the fulfillment of the mystery is soon to take place. But it is bitter in his stomach because of the destruction and wrath about to come on the world and those who do not listen. Let us see this angel — probably an image of Christ — standing on the earth, clothed with provision, promise, and protection. If we are in Christ, then we are clothed with the same, and we are victors over this world in him.¶