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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
REVELATION CHAPTER 10
Rev_10:1-4 A mighty angel appeareth with a book open in his hand,
Rev_10:5-7 and sweareth by him that liveth for ever, that there
shall be no more time.
Rev_10:8-11 John is commanded to take and eat the book, and to prophesy.
Chapter Introduction
We have had in the former chapters Christ’s revelation to St. John of what should happen in the Roman empire under the first six seals, that is, during their pagan state, which determined in Constantine’s time, Anno 310, or 325. Under the seventh seal (that is, from Rev_8:1) he hath revealed to him what should happen after that time to the Roman empire by the Goths and Vandals under the first four trumpets, and by the Saracens under the fifth trumpet, and the Turks under the sixth trumpet, who are yet rampant and going on in their outrages. The seventh trumpet in course should sound next, but we come not to that till Rev_11:15. In this chapter, and to the 15th verse of the next chapter, seems an interruption of the history, that Christ might reveal to his prophet the main things that should concern his church. About the sense of this interpreters are divided, some thinking this a distinct prophecy relating to the affairs of the church, yet not in a continued story, but made up of several visions, some contemporary with the times before mentioned, some continuing to the time after the sixth trumpet; which prophecy, as they judge, beginneth at Rev_11:1, to which what we have in this chapter is introductive. Of this mind are our Dr. More, Mr. Mede, and other very valuable interpreters, whose reasons may be read in Mr. Pool’s Latin Synopsis upon this chapter, and some of them may be noted by us as we go through this chapter. Others think it is no distinct prophecy.
And I saw another mighty angel; the most and best interpreters understand by this angel, Christ, formerly represented to us as a Lamb, here as an Angel; none but he could call the two witnesses, Rev_11:3, his witnesses; besides, the glorious appearance of this angel speaketh him no ordinary angel.
Come down from heaven; God being about to do or speak some great thing, is oft thus set out as coming down from heaven.
Clothed with a cloud; Christ is described as coming with clouds, Rev_1:7.
The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness, 2Ch_6:1.
And a rainbow was upon his head; which was the sign of the covenant made with Noah, Gen_9:16, and fitted Christ’s head, as he that brought peace to the world, and to his church in special.
And his face was as it were the sun: see Mat_17:2.
And his feet as pillars of fire; signifying the steadiness and efficacy of his actions.