---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Revelation 10"
description: "CHAPTER 10   :-. VISION OF THE
LITTLE BOOK. As an episode was introduced
between the sixth and seventh seals, so there is one here ( :-) after the sixth a"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation/10"
---

CHAPTER 10

. VISION OF THE
LITTLE BOOK.
As an episode was introduced
between the sixth and seventh seals, so there is one here () after the sixth and introductory to the seventh
trumpet ([Revelation 11:15](../../../kjv/revelation/11/15), which forms
the grand consummation). The Church and her fortunes are the subject
of this episode: as the judgments on the unbelieving *inhabiters of
the earth* ([Revelation 8:13](../../../kjv/revelation/8/13)) were
the exclusive subject of the fifth and sixth woe-trumpets. [Revelation 8:13](../../../kjv/revelation/8/13) is plainly referred to in [Revelation 8:13](../../../kjv/revelation/8/13) below; in [Revelation 6:11](../../../kjv/revelation/6/11) the
martyrs crying to be avenged were told they must "rest yet for a
little season" or *time:* in [Revelation 6:11](../../../kjv/revelation/6/11) here they are assured, "There shall be no longer (any
interval of) time"; their prayer shall have no longer to wait,
but ([Revelation 10:7](../../../kjv/revelation/10/7)) *at the trumpet
sounding of the seventh angel* shall be consummated, and *the
mystery of God* (His mighty plan heretofore hidden, but then to be
revealed) *shall be finished.* The *little open book*
([Revelation 10:2](../../../kjv/revelation/10/2); [Revelation 10:9](../../../kjv/revelation/10/9);
[Revelation 10:10](../../../kjv/revelation/10/10)) is given to John by
the angel, with a charge ([Revelation 10:10](../../../kjv/revelation/10/10)) that he *must prophesy again concerning* (so the
*Greek*) *peoples, nations, tongues, and kings:* which
prophecy (as appears from [Revelation 10:10](../../../kjv/revelation/10/10)) affects those *peoples, nations, tongues, and kings*
only in relation to ISRAEL AND
THE CHURCH, who
form the main object of the prophecy.

**1. another mighty angel**—as
distinguished from the *mighty angel* who asked as to the former
and more comprehensive book (), "Who is worthy to open the book?"
**clothed with a cloud**—the
emblem of God coming in judgment.
**a**—A, B, C, and *Aleph*
read "the"; referring to () *the rainbow* already mentioned.
**rainbow upon his head**—the
emblem of covenant mercy to God's people, amidst judgments on God's
foes. Resumed from [Revelation 4:3](../../../kjv/revelation/4/3) (see
on [Revelation 4:3](../../../kjv/revelation/4/3)).
**face as . . . the sun**—
([Revelation 1:16](../../../kjv/revelation/1/16); [Revelation 18:1](../../../kjv/revelation/18/1)).
**feet as pillars of fire**—
([Revelation 1:15](../../../kjv/revelation/1/15); [Ezekiel 1:7](../../../kjv/ezekiel/1/7)).
The angel, as representative of Christ, reflects His glory and bears
the insignia attributed in [Revelation 1:15](../../../kjv/revelation/1/15);
[Revelation 1:16](../../../kjv/revelation/1/16); [Revelation 4:3](../../../kjv/revelation/4/3),
to Christ Himself. The *pillar of fire* by night led Israel
through the wilderness, and was the symbol of God's presence.

**2. he had**—*Greek,*
"Having."
**in his hand**—in his left
hand: as in [Revelation 10:5](../../../kjv/revelation/10/5) (see on [Revelation 10:5](../../../kjv/revelation/10/5)), *he lifts up his right hand to heaven.*
**a little book**—a roll
*little* in comparison with the "book" ([Revelation 10:5](../../../kjv/revelation/10/5)) which contained the *whole* vast scheme of God's
purposes, not to be fully read till the final consummation. This
other, a *less book,* contained only a portion which John was
now to make his own ([Revelation 10:9](../../../kjv/revelation/10/9);
[Revelation 10:11](../../../kjv/revelation/10/11)), and then to use in
prophesying to others. The New Testament begins with the word "book"
(*Greek,* "*biblus*"), of which "the little
book" (*Greek,* "*biblaridion*") is the
diminutive, "the little bible," the Bible in miniature.
**upon the sea . . .
earth**—Though the beast with seven heads is about to arise out
of the *sea* ([Revelation 13:1](../../../kjv/revelation/13/1)),
and the beast with two horns like a lamb ([Revelation 13:1](../../../kjv/revelation/13/1)) out of the *earth,* yet it is but for a time, and
that *time shall no longer be* ([Revelation 10:6](../../../kjv/revelation/10/6);
[Revelation 10:7](../../../kjv/revelation/10/7)) when once *the
seventh trumpet is about to sound;* the angel with his right foot
on the sea, and his left on the earth, claims both as God's, and as
about soon to be cleared of the usurper and his followers.

**3. as . . . lion**—Christ, whom
the angel represents, is often so symbolized (, "the Lion of the tribe of Juda").
**seven thunders**—*Greek,*
"*the* seven thunders." They form part of the
Apocalyptic symbolism; and so are marked by the article as *well
known.* Thus *thunderings* marked the opening of the seventh
seal ([Revelation 8:1](../../../kjv/revelation/8/1); [Revelation 8:5](../../../kjv/revelation/8/5));
so also at the seventh vial ([Revelation 16:17](../../../kjv/revelation/16/17);
[Revelation 16:18](../../../kjv/revelation/16/18)). WORDSWORTH
calls this *the prophetic use of the article;* "*the*
thunders, of which more hereafter." Their full meaning shall be
only known at the grand consummation marked by the seventh seal, the
seventh trumpet ([Revelation 11:19](../../../kjv/revelation/11/19)),
and the seventh vial.
**uttered their**—*Greek,*
"*spake their own voices*"; that is, voices peculiarly
*their own,* and not now revealed to men.

**4. when**—*Aleph* reads,
"Whatsoever things." But most manuscripts support *English
Version.*
**uttered their voices**—A,
B, C, and *Aleph* omit "their voices." Then translate,
"had spoken."
**unto me**—omitted by A,
B, C, *Aleph,* and *Syriac.*
**Seal up**—the opposite
command to [Revelation 22:20](../../../kjv/revelation/22/20). Even
though at *the time of the end* the things *sealed* in
Daniel's time were to be revealed, yet not so the voices of these
thunders. Though heard by John, they were not to be imparted by him
to others in this book of Revelation; so terrible are they that God
in mercy withholds them, since "sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof." The godly are thus kept from morbid ponderings
over the evil to come; and the ungodly are not driven by despair into
utter recklessness of life. ALFORD
adds another aim in concealing them, namely, "godly fear, seeing
that the arrows of God's quiver are not exhausted." Besides the
terrors foretold, there are others unutterable and more horrifying
lying in the background.

**5. lifted up his hand**—So A and
*Vulgate* read. But B, C, *Aleph,* *Syriac,* and
*Coptic,* ". . . his *right* hand." It was
customary to lift up the hand towards heaven, appealing to the God of
truth, in taking a solemn oath. There is in this part of the vision
an allusion to [Daniel 12:1-13](../../../kjv/daniel/12/1-13).
Compare [Revelation 10:4](../../../kjv/revelation/10/4); [Daniel 12:4](../../../kjv/daniel/12/4);
[Daniel 12:9](../../../kjv/daniel/12/9); and [Revelation 10:5](../../../kjv/revelation/10/5);
[Revelation 10:6](../../../kjv/revelation/10/6); [Daniel 12:7](../../../kjv/daniel/12/7).
But there the angel clothed in linen, and standing upon the waters,
sware "a time, times, and a half" were to interpose before
the consummation; here, on the contrary, the angel standing with his
left foot on the earth, and his right upon the sea, swears *there
shall be time no longer.* There he lifted up both hands to heaven;
here he has *the little book* now *open* (whereas in Daniel
*the book* is *sealed*) *in his* left *hand* ([Daniel 12:7](../../../kjv/daniel/12/7)), and he *lifts up* only *his right hand to heaven.*

**6. liveth for ever and ever**—*Greek,*
"liveth unto the ages of the ages" (compare ).
**created heaven . . . earth .
. . sea,** &c.—This detailed designation of God as the
Creator, is appropriate to the subject of the angel's oath, namely,
the consummating of the mystery of God (), which can surely be brought to pass by the same Almighty
power that created all things, and by none else.
**that there should be time no
longer**—*Greek,* "that time (that is, an interval of
time) no longer shall be." The martyrs shall have no longer a
time to wait for the accomplishment of their prayers for the
purgation of the earth by the judgments which shall remove their and
God's foes from it ([Revelation 6:11](../../../kjv/revelation/6/11)).
The appointed *season* or *time* of delay is at an end (the
same *Greek* is here as in [Revelation 6:11](../../../kjv/revelation/6/11), *chronus*). Not as *English Version* implies,
Time shall end and eternity begin.

**7. But**—connected with . "There shall be no longer time (that is, delay), *but*
in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to
(so the *Greek*) sound his trumpet (so the *Greek*), then
(literally, 'also'; which conjunction often introduces the consequent
member of a sentence) the mystery of God is finished,"
literally, "has been finished"; the prophet regarding the
future as certain as if it were past. A, C, *Aleph,* and *Coptic*
read the past tense (*Greek,* "*etelesthee*"). B
reads, as *English Version,* the future tense (*Greek,*
"*telesthee*"). "should be finished"
(compare [Revelation 11:15-18](../../../kjv/revelation/11/15-18)).
Sweet consolation to the waiting saints! The seventh trumpet shall be
sounded without further delay.
**the mystery of God**—the
theme of the "little book," and so of the remainder of the
Apocalypse. What a grand contrast to the "mystery of iniquity
Babylon!" The mystery of God's scheme of redemption, once hidden
in God's secret counsel and dimly shadowed forth in types and
prophecies, but now more and more clearly revealed according as the
Gospel kingdom develops itself, up to its fullest consummation at the
end. Then finally His servants shall praise Him most fully, for the
glorious consummation of the mystery in having taken to Himself and
His saints the kingdom so long usurped by Satan and the ungodly. Thus
this verse is an anticipation of [Revelation 11:15-66](../../../kjv/revelation/11/15-66).
**declared to**—*Greek,*
"declared the glad tidings to." "The mystery of God"
is the *Gospel glad tidings.* The office of *the prophets*
is to receive *the glad tidings* from God, in order to *declare*
them to others. The final consummation is the great theme of the
Gospel announced to, and by, the prophets (compare [Revelation 11:15-66](../../../kjv/revelation/11/15-66)).

**8. spake . . . and said**—So
*Syriac* and *Coptic* read. But A, B, C, "(I heard)
again speaking with me, and saying" (*Greek,* "*lalousan
. . . legousan*").
**little book**—So *Aleph*
and B read. But A and C, "the book."

**9. I went**—*Greek,* "I
went *away.*" John here leaves heaven, his standing-point
of observation heretofore, to be near the angel standing on the earth
and sea.
**Give**—A, B, C, and
*Vulgate* read the infinitive, "Telling him *to give.*"
**eat it up**—appropriate
its contents so entirely as to be assimilated with (as food), and
become part of thyself, so as to impart them the more vividly to
others. His finding the roll sweet to the taste at first, is because
it was the Lord's will he was doing, and because, divesting himself
of carnal feeling, he regarded God's will as always agreeable,
however bitter might be the message of judgment to be announced.
Compare [Psalms 40:8](../../../kjv/psalms/40/8), *Margin,*
as to Christ's inner complete appropriation of God's word.
**thy belly bitter**—parallel
to [Ezekiel 2:10](../../../kjv/ezekiel/2/10), "There was
written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe."
**as honey**— ([Psalms 19:10](../../../kjv/psalms/19/10);
[Psalms 119:103](../../../kjv/psalms/119/103)). Honey, sweet to the
mouth, sometimes turns into bile in the stomach. The thought that God
would be glorified ([Revelation 11:3-6](../../../kjv/revelation/11/3-6);
[Revelation 11:11-18](../../../kjv/revelation/11/11-18)) gave him the
sweetest pleasure. Yet, afterwards the *belly,* or carnal
natural feeling, was embittered with grief at the prophecy of the
coming bitter persecutions of the Church ([Revelation 11:11-66](../../../kjv/revelation/11/11-66)); compare [John 16:1](../../../kjv/john/16/1);
[John 16:2](../../../kjv/john/16/2). The revelation of the
secrets of futurity is *sweet* to one at first, but *bitter*
and distasteful to our natural man, when we learn the cross which is
to be borne before the crown shall be won. John was grieved at the
coming apostasy and the sufferings of the Church at the hands of
Antichrist.

**10. the little book**—So A and
C, but B, *Aleph,* and *Vulgate,* "the book."
**was bitter**—*Greek,*
"was embittered."

**11. he said**—A, B, and *Vulgate*
read, "*they say* unto me"; an indefinite expression
for "it was said unto me."
**Thou must**—The
obligation lies upon thee, as the servant of God, to prophesy at His
command.
**again**—as thou didst
already in the previous part of this book of Revelation.
**before,** &c.—rather
as *Greek* (*epilaois*), "*concerning* many
peoples," &c., namely, in their relation to the Church. The
eating of the book, as in Ezekiel's case, marks John's inauguration
to his prophetical office—here to a fresh stage in it, namely, the
revealing of the things which befall the holy city and the Church of
God—the subject of the rest of the book.

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com","name":"Real Bible Believers","description":"RBB","publisher":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/search?q={search_term_string}","query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation/10#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/images/missing.jpg","width":640,"height":370,"caption":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Revelation 10"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation/10#webpage","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation/10","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Revelation 10","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation/10#primaryimage"},"datePublished":null,"dateModified":null,"author":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509"},"description":"CHAPTER 10   :-. VISION OF THE\nLITTLE BOOK. As an episode was introduced\nbetween the sixth and seventh seals, so there is one here ( :-) after the sixth a","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation/10#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation/10"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation/10#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries","name":"Commentaries"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible","name":"Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation","name":"Revelation"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"item":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation/10","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/revelation/10","name":"10"}}]},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#/schema/person/e966585dde703268e7f6ae890ea98509","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","contentUrl":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/android-chrome-512x512.png","width":512,"height":512},"logo":{"@id":"https://realbiblebelievers.com/#personlogo"},"sameAs":["https://twitter.com/RBiblebeliever","https://www.facebook.com/RBibleBelievers"]}]}
```