Chapter 10

So far, six angels have sounded their trumpets, and then John gets a look at what he calls a mighty one coming down from heaven. This doesn't interfere with the seven trumpets, but rather this chapter covers another major event that will take place just before Jesus returns, which is John prophesying once again.

I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Rev 10:1-3

This chapter may seem to be symbolic in ways, but the truth is we don't have the ability to see angels all the time. Apparently they have the ability to become invisible. Therefore, as this angel stood on the land and the sea he may have done so and remain completely invisible to the people on earth.

After he sets his feet on the sea and the land he then opens a book that he has brought with him. John is told not to write down the things this angel says to him.

Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them." Rev 10:4

Therefore, we have no way of knowing what message he brought down with him or what the seven thunders said. None the less, the angel appears to be saying otherwise that the time is now and there should be no more delay.

10:5  The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven



10:6  and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,



10:7  but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

John was then instructed to eat the book and so he did. Then he was given a command of what was to be expected of him in the future.

And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings." Rev 10-11

Thus, this chapter ends with a notice to John that he is going to prophecy to the world once again. Many people believe he has already done that by writing the Book of Revelation, but I'm not convinced that's correct thinking. I myself think John is still very much alive and still here on earth.

Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. John 21:21-23

Jesus said that apostle would not die until he returns. If that is the case, then John should still be alive roaming the earth somewhere. This is why John was told that he would prophecy again.

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