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                   THE BOOK OF REVELATION

CHAPTER.10.

THE MIGHTY ANGEL
Rev 10:1-6
Particular reference is made to the `mighty angel' that came
down from heaven with the `little book' open.  He has taken
it from the right hand of God in Chapter 5 and has opened the
seven  seals in Rev 6:1, through 8:1.  It is now time to
reveal its contents.  And speaking of this angel, the word
`another' is used, so it apparently is not one of the trumpet
angels.

The identity of this strong angel is debated by Bible
teachers.  Some contend that this is Christ.  Since Christ
appeared as the angel of God in the Old Testament, this would
be another occasion in which He appears to the nation of
Israel.  Others say it is not Christ but as unidentified
angel.

It is rather interesting to see that angels play an prominent
part in the book of Revelation.  They are mentioned more than
sixty-six times throughout the book, always in a position of
service.  They do not create things, but fulfill the
administration of God in the affairs of men.  This is not the
first time we have been introduced to a mighty angel, for in
chapter 5:2, we find the same word used, though there it is
translated `strong.'

Don't be deceived by the glorious description of this angel -
`clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and
his face was a though it were the sun, and his feet as
pillars of fire '(10:1).  Actually, in 18:1 we find another
angel, pronouncing doom on Babylon, having great power and so
much glory that `the earth was made bright with his glory.'
No one seems pressed to identify this angel as the Lord
Jesus Christ; consequently we should not think it strange
that God could have other mighty angels that could easily fit
the description of the one in our text.

This mighty angel has in his hand a little scroll which we
will describe in connection with verse 8.  He stands with his
right foot in the sea and his left foot on the earth,
indication that he has authority over all land and sea
surfaces.  He then cries with a `loud voice' the signal for
seven thunderlike voices.

The Mighty Angel Proves He Is Not The Lord Jesus Christ:

The unusual action of lifting his hand toward heaven and
swearing `by him that liveth forever and ever, who created
heaven and the things that are in it, and the earth and the
things that are in it and the sea and the things which are in
it' certainly indicated that this mighty angel is not the
Lord Jesus Christ.  The angel is making an oath on the only
sure guarantee, that is , God Himself.  Hebrews 6:13 tells us
of an Old Testament promise make by God to Abraham in which
"Because He could swear by no greater, he swore by Himself."
This angel swore by someone greater than himself, for he
lifted up his hand toward heaven and cried and swore by the
Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:3).

THE BITTERSWEET SCROLL.
Rev 10:7-11

This special angel of Revelation 10 `had in his hand a little
book open' (v2).  By bringing the book with him, this angel
is claiming for the Lord Jesus Christ His possessions of
earth.  In other words, he is coming to posses His
possessions.

It is very possible that this little book is the seven-sealed
book of  Revelation 5.  Now, however, the seals are broken
open.  In Rev 5 the book was held in the right hand of God
who was sitting on the throne,  There the book was seen as
containing the  requirements for the redemption of the earth
and for the claiming of His kingdom.  The Lord Jesus Christ
was the only one worthy and able to open the seals of the
book (5:5-7).  Only the Lord Jesus Christ has the right to
the book and He sees that its contents are executed on
the earth.

The first seal is opened and the judgments begin to fall in
Rev 6.  When the last seal is opened in Revelation 8, it
produces a heavenly silence as the seven trumpet judgments
are revealed.

In Revelation 10 the angel brings the book with the seals
broken.  This book is the title deed to the earth.  It
contains the judgments by which Christ uses His power and
authority to take over the earth.  He wrests the control away
from the earthy rulers and usurpers of authority and takes
possession for Himself as the rightful Heir.  The judgments
of the Tribulation form the process by which Christ gains
control.

SEA AND EARTH CLAIMED

With this little book in his hand, this mighty angel who is
an envoy from Christ comes with divine authority to claim
both the sea and the earth for the Lord Jesus Christ.  The
Apostle John says that `he set his right foot upon the sea,
and his left foot on the earth' (v2).  The Psalmist reminds
us that all this belongs to the Lord:  "For the Lord is a
great God, and a great King above all gods.  In His hand are
the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is
His also.  The sea is His, and He make it: His hands formed
the dry land." (Ps.95:3-5)

In putting his feet on the sea and the earth, the special
angel of Revelation 10 reminds us of God's promise to Joshua:
"every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon,
that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses" (Josh 1:3).
After the mighty angel placed one foot on the sea and the
other on the earth, he `cried with a loud voice,  as when a
lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered
their voices.  And when the seven thunders had uttered their
voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven
saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders
uttered, and write them not" (10:3-4).  The Apostle John was
about to write what the seven thunders uttered but he was
commanded not to do so.  This is the only time when he is
forbidden to write what he hears.  The reason he is forbidden
here is apparently that it is not yet time to reveal the
judgment.  What the voices of the seven thunders said is
evidently revealed later because at the end of the Book of
the Revelation an angel tells the Apostle John, "Seal not the
sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at
hand" (22:10).

What is the Little Scroll?

John was told to `eat the little book'.  This phrase is a
type of Hebrew expression for the reception of knowledge.
The book was sweet to eat but bitter to digest.  This effect
upon John is sufficient proof that the `little book' contains
catastrophic events that are to transpire upon earth in
connection with mankind.  The `little book' contains further
revelation of God's judgment upon the human race.

Obviously the contents of the `little book' included
materials pertaining to John's work as a prophet in the
matters that he was to declare.

Verse 11 starts, "Thou must prophesy again before many
peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."  Some people
read this to mean that John will be one of the two witnesses.
That is not what it means.  The Greek word used here and
translated `before' should be translated `of' or `concerning'
and literally means that he would prophesy again as to, or
concerning, peoples and nations and tongues and kings; which
is exactly what John did in the remainder of the revelation,
and even more so than in the first portion.

Revelation 11 is an integral part of the small parenthesis
which began in Revelation 10:1 and continues to 11:14.
Chapter 11 has to do with the spiritual life of Israel;
chapter 12 concerns the coming persecution of Israel.  In
this eleventh chapter we find that Israel will revert to the
Old Testament form of worship.  They will rebuild the temple
apart from the Messiah since they believe He has not come.
thus they will construct - `the temple of refection.'  In
addition, this chapter unfolds the revelation that two
supernatural witnesses will be recalled from Old Testament
days to convey God's message to the Jerusalem area.  In spite
of these witnesses and the 144 000 of chapter 7, Israel will
basically remain in unbelief until the time of her great
persecution.