Season 5 Podcast 123 Book of Revelation Chapter 10 “Opening of the Seven Seals, F, “The Seventh Seal, The Little Book.”

Season 5 Podcast 123 Book of Revelation Chapter 10 “Opening of the Seven Seals, F, “The Seventh Seal, The Little Book.”

We learn much from John about the role of Angels. Inherent in Christianity is the strong presence of angels, messengers from on high. Some have great authority.

Revelation 10:1

“And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire

Considering that “his face was as it were the sun” it is clear that he just came from the presence of God. As we consider the writings of Daniel we learn that angels once lived on the earth.

Daniel 12:2-3

“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

Clearly the angel that appears to John “shines as the brightness of the firmament.” The fact that the angel has a “rainbow upon his head” is also significant. John writes.

Revelation 4:3

“And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”

The rainbow signifies covenant. In Genesis we are told: 

Genesis 9:13

“I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.”

Also notice the angels’ feet: “his feet as pillars of fire.” It reminds us of John’s description of the resurrected Lord. 

Revelation 1:15

“And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.”

The angel is carrying a book.

Revelation 10:2-3

“And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.”

The Angel is not Christ, but he carries yet another image of Christ, suggesting that he is from the. Presence of Christ. The image is, “as when a lion roareth.” Christ is the lion of the tribe of Judah. 

The book is apparently very small, and it is open. It is in contrast to the angel for his stride like a colossus, his right foot planted on the sea and his left foot planted on the earth. He makes a very imposing figure. That suggests the vast scope of his power and the object of his message. In verse one he is referred to as a “mighty angel. In verse 3 when he speaks, he speaks with “a loud voice.” Again that signifies authority and power. His voice is followed with a very dramatic background, “when he cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.” It is almost like a drum roll.  John the Revelator immediately wants to write down what the seven thunders uttered, but he is forbidden.

Revelation 10:4

“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.”

That must have been very disappointing to John for his mission was to write about end time, and what the seven thunders uttered is the ultimate warning.

Revelation 10:5-6

“And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:”