The 7th Angel

Rev. 10:1-2

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 he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land...

 

John 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. Similar to Jesus' return, this angel comes in a cloud with his face shining like the sun. His legs reflect the glory of God's presence in the wilderness.[pillars of fire--Ex, 13:20-21] He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land. The scroll is open because the Lamb has broken its seal.Why is it called little? Perhaps in comparison to the size of the angel who spanned the sea and the land. His voice was like a roaring lion [reflective of the Lion of Judah]. When the angel called out, 7 thunders sounded. John was poised to write, but a voice from heaven spoke saying, Seal up what the 7 thunders have said, and do not write it down. The angel raised his hand to heaven [uniting all 3 spheres, land, sea, and heaven] and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, the Creator of all, that there would be no delay, but in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the 7th angel at a later time, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as He announced to His servants the prophets. In this day all will be united and Christ's headship will be as visible as will the sovereign plan and purpose of God.

 

Instead of writing, John was commanded to eat the scroll [ as Ezekiel did]. He was told it would be sweet to the taste but bitter to the stomach, and it was. He had to receive God's words into his heart before he would speak them again.[Ezk. 3:1-3, 10] Why sweet and bitter? John will see people from every tribe, nation, and language receive Christ [sweet], but at the same time, he will see many reject Christ [bitter]. The angel told John, You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and languages, and kings.

 

Father,

How wonderful to see the connection between OT prophecy, John's prophecy. and then to think it is all yet to come. What a sovereign God you are spanning time and peoples. It makes me see what I small speck I am on Your timeline. But I am so grateful that You included me in Your chosen ones.

In the name of my Savior,

Amen