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Revelation 10: The Mighty Angel and the Little Scroll

  • Writer: renegades4christ
    renegades4christ
  • Jun 17
  • 4 min read

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After the terrifying first five Trumpet Judgments, Revelation 10 gives us a bit of a breather before God’s righteous wrath continues to unfold. Revelation 10:1 (NLT) tells us, “Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire.” This is no ordinary angel, with his right foot on the land and his left foot on the sea. He’s huge, and his appearance is filled with symbolism, showing God’s power and majesty. This angel holds a small scroll, and it signals that something big is about to happen. He’s described as being radiant like the sun and his feet are glowing like fire, reminding us of God’s glory and promises. The rainbow over his head brings us back to the covenant with Noah in the Old Testament, Genesis 9:13. This reminds us that even in the middle of judgment, God’s mercy still stands. In this moment of calm, we get a chance to catch our breath, but God’s plan is moving forward as His judgment against evil and darkness intensifies.


God’s Sovereignty

There’s no question that this angel symbolizes God’s unshakable authority over all creation. In Revelation 10:3-4 (NLT), we read, “He gave a great shout, like the roar of a lion. And when he shouted, the seven thunders answered. When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Keep secret what the seven thunders said and do not write it down.'” Biblical scholars give a variety of reasons why John was told not to write down what he saw, but we would do well not to speculate. In Acts 1, the disciples repeatedly asked our Lord and Savior when the kingdom of Israel would be restored. He replied in Acts 1:7 (NLT), “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.” This verse reminds us that there are simply some details in God’s Word that are mysteries to us. They are beyond our understanding, and our approach should be one of humility. Only God knows, and we must trust His sovereignty, timing, and plans.


The Little Scroll

The “little scroll” that the angel holds in his hand is an important symbol in this chapter. It’s smaller than the scroll in Revelation 5:1-7, that only God’s precious Lamb, Jesus Christ, was worthy to take from His right hand and open. However, this scroll in Chapter 10 has already been opened, signaling that God’s message is ready to be revealed. In Revelation 10:8 (NLT), John is given what may seem to some to be a peculiar instruction: “Then the voice from heaven spoke to me again: “Go and take the open scroll from the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”


God’s Word is indeed a feast of the most delicious and satisfying meal we could ever imagine, so this command makes perfect sense, especially when we consider that God’s truth is always good. But it’s not always sweetness; it contains both the Good News of salvation and God’s righteous judgments to those who reject it. This is clear when we see what happens next in Revelation 10:9 (NLT): “So I went to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. “Yes, take it and eat it,” he said. “It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!” Consuming the scroll is a vivid picture of John’s task, which is to proclaim the message of God’s kingdom. This message contains both joy and sorrow. The sweetness speaks of the joy of salvation, while the bitterness reminds us of the severe consequences of rebellion and sin.


The Call to Proclaim God’s Word

Revelation 10:11 (NLT) wraps up with a clear and urgent command: John is commanded to “prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”  This command isn’t just for John but to all of God’s people throughout history. As followers of our blessed Lord and Savior, we have been called to bear witness of the Good News of salvation. Particularly in the times we’re now living in, there’s an urgency to testify about God’s goodness and speak it to all those that are willing to listen. No matter how difficult or unpopular the message may be, we are called to speak the life-changing truth of God’s Word to those the Spirit leads us to influence.


God’s Word, with its prophecies, mysteries, promises, and judgments will always and forever prevail. Throughout the Book of Revelation, we see that God’s judgment and His salvation go hand in hand, reminding us of His perfect righteousness, mercy, and power. The mighty angel in Revelation 10 shows us His absolute sovereignty and unquestionable authority. The little scroll, both sweet and bitter, affirms that while His Word brings life to those who accept it, it also carries with it the weight of judgment for those who reject it.


Revelation 10 also reminds us that the task of proclaiming God’s Word is not always easy, but it is necessary. Despite the uncertainties of the world, we are called to stand firm in our faith. We must fully embrace God’s Word and boldly proclaim it to all people with courage and conviction. We cannot keep His message to ourselves; we are called to share it with those who desperately need hope and redemption. For some, hearing it from your lips may be their only chance. Therefore, always keep His call close to your heart. Recognize the extraordinary gift of being saved from God’s righteous wrath, as well as the great privilege we’ve been given to be ambassadors for Christ in this critical time. ■


 Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.


Revelation 10: The Mighty Angel and the Little Scroll“,written for victoryinjesuschrist.life. Copyright© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

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