Revelation 10:1-11

The Angel and the Little Scroll

10:1 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. 2 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, 3 and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. 4 And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” 5 And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, 7 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.

8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10 And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. 11 And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”

Revelation 10

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Summary

Between the sixth and seventh trumpet, John sees another powerful vision: a mighty angel descending from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and legs like pillars of fire (v. 1). This angel—likely representing Christ or sent directly with His authority—holds a little scroll, open in his hand. His appearance echoes descriptions of divine majesty (cf. Revelation 1:13–16; Exodus 19:16–18; Ezekiel 1:28), signaling that what follows is of utmost significance.

The angel places one foot on the sea and one on the land, symbolizing global authority. He calls out with a loud voice like a roaring lion (v. 3). When he cries out, seven thunders respond—but John is told to seal up what they said and not write it down (v. 4). This reminds us that God’s purposes are not fully revealed to us. Not everything in an apocalyptic vision is meant to be explained.

Then the angel declares that “there would be no more delay” (v. 6). The mystery of God will be fulfilled, just as He promised through the prophets. John is commanded to take and eat the scroll (v. 9). It is sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. This is symbolic of God’s Word being both joyful and painful. John must continue to prophesy (v. 11), speaking God's truth to nations, even when it is costly.

Who is God

God is sovereign over all creation, including time. He reveals mysteries at His appointed time. He holds history in His hand and directs it to its appointed end. His promises—delivered through the prophets—are certain and nearing completion (v. 7). He governs the sea and the land, thunder and angels. His Word is both disclosed and sometimes hidden (v. 4), reminding us that we are not meant to know everything but to trust the One who does.

God reveals Himself, His will, and His plans through His Word. The open scroll in His hand is not sealed shut (like in Revelation 5) but accessible. It is given to John to eat, internalize, and embody, so that he might proclaim it to the world. Likewise, God feeds His servants with His Word today, then sends them out with it, even when that message is difficult or painful.

What is our Guilt

We often want revelation without submission. We hunger for divine insight, but resist the obedience it demands. Like those who chase prophecy for curiosity or control, we may long to hear the seven thunders to merely satisfy our desires and not for God's glory. Today's passage shows God saying, “Seal it up.”

We are also guilty of wanting the sweetness of the Word without its bitterness. We may love to receive the words of comfort, but we shrink back from the hard truths that require us to view ourselves. We avoid topics like judgment, suffering, and the cost of faithful witness. The Book of Revelation models the saints’ burden, which is to consume the Word fully and declare it, even when it makes our stomachs churn.

How does Grace Shine

Grace shines in the open scroll. In contrast to the sealed scroll of chapter 5, this one is opened and offered freely to John. The Word of God is not locked away but made available to His servants. God's truth feeds our souls—sweet to the taste—and sustains us even in bitter trials.

Grace also shines in the commissioning of the prophet. John is told to “prophesy again” (v. 11). God does not abandon His people to confusion or silence. He speaks, and He sends. The message may be difficult, but it is necessary. And God strengthens His messengers for the task.

Ultimately, grace is found in the fulfillment of God’s mystery (v. 7)—His plan of redemption revealed in Jesus Christ. What was once hidden is now being made known to all nations. The delay is nearly over; Christ’s kingdom is breaking in.

Prayer

Sovereign and our Heavenly Father,

We praise You for holding the mysteries of the world in Your hand and for making Your Word known to us. Thank you for the open scroll, the truth that feeds us and sends us. Forgive us for seeking revelation without reverence, and for craving knowledge without obedience.

Help us to receive Your Word with joy, even when it is hard to bear. Strengthen us to speak truth in love—to the nations, our neighbors, and even to ourselves.

May we trust not in what we fully understand, but in You who reigns over all things.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• What does the angel’s authority over sea and land teach you about God’s rule?

• When have you experienced God’s Word as both sweet and bitter?

• How is God calling you to speak truth in love today, even if it is difficult?