The Angel, the Scroll, and the Thunders

The Scroll and the Seven Thunders

While there have been many suggestions about the identity of the mighty angel, the fact of the matter is that it is simply not identified. John adds the trait mighty to his description of this angel, the first of a few ‘impressive descriptions’ showing this angel’s unique gifts for the role he plays.

The mighty angel is described in more detail than any other holy creature in Revelation. The following observations can be made:

He is wrapped in a cloud, symbolic of the presence of God (Ex.16:10).

There is a rainbow over his head, similar to the rainbow around the throne (Rev.4:3).

He has a face…like the sun, recalling the face of Christ in Rev.1:16. His legs are like pillars of fire.

Remember that a pillar of fire led the Israelites out of Egypt (Ex.13:21).

His massive size is evidenced by the fact that he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land.

The cloud shows that God is present and points to His eschatological glory. A rainbow should remind readers of God’s mercy as He promised He would not judge the world again in the way did during Noah’s day. His face has the appearance of the sun, which parallels the fact that Jesus is said to have a face like the sun (see Rev.1:16; Matt.17:2). This angel reflects the glory of Christ. And, the angel has legs that are like pillars of fire. Jesus has feet…like…brass refined in a furnace in Rev.1:15, and in the wilderness Israel is led and protected by a pillar of fire in the day (Ex.14:24). This angel can be thought of as a unique herald of Christ’s glory and mission.

There is quite a bit of debate surrounding the little scroll that was in the hand of the angel, some believing it to be a thus-far unidentified scroll, while several others believe it to be at least a portion of the Revelation 5 scroll, the one that was sealed and then opened by the Lamb. Now there is a lot of Ezekiel imagery at play in this chapter, and it was the same with Rev.5.

Rev.5 and Rev.10:2 both open with a mighty angel.

Rev.5 stems from Ezk.2:9-10.

Rev.10 stems from Ezk.3:1-3.

Both Ezekiel passages are part of Ezekiel’s call.

John’s prophetic call is similar to Ezekiel’s. The little nature of the scroll could be a small portion of the overall contents of God’s scroll concerning the end of time, and the sweet and bitter aspects of the scroll describe aspects of what unfolds in terms of God’s people. While chapters 6 and 8-9 discuss the relevance of God’s judgment on the nations of the world, the interludes in 7:1-17 and 10:1-11:13 describe what it means for God’s people.

Having one foot on the sea and another foot on the land, John stresses the dominion of the angel. His message is significant for the entire world. That the legs were like pillars of fire may serve as a reminder that fire purges and purifies the believer while condemning and judging the unbeliever. Placing your foot on something was ancient symbology denoting sovereignty over that thing. The entire world is under God’s control. Keep this in mind when the beast rises out of the sea.

The angel cries out with a loud voice…like a roaring lion. YHWH is depicted as roaring like a lion in Hos.11:10 (“They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west;”) and Amos 3:8 (“The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?”). In the least, this angel speaks with God’s authority.

The answer of seven thunders may point back to Psalm 29 where God’s voice is mighty and powerful because it thunders and is full of majesty. The Psalm celebrates YHWH’s rule over creation. There are many suggestions to explain sealing what the seven thunders have said. Ultimately, the text itself does not give an answer. And, John is told to seal up the words spoken by the seven thunders. One commentator notes, “The Seer himself received more than he was at liberty to communicate.” Has God revealed everything? No, but He has revealed exactly what He intends to reveal…nothing less, and nothing more.

The Angel’s Oath

The angel raised his right hand to heaven, a common symbol that takes personal responsibility for the oath. The OT allusion is Dan.12:7 where a man in linen stands above the waters with his right hand…raised, swearing by him who lives forever. It’s after a time, times, and half a time…when the power has finally been broken and all these things are completed. Daniel 12 looks to the end time when God’s true people are resurrected to eternal life while the wicked are resurrected to eternal punishment.

Revelation’s oath goes beyond the one in Daniel as the angel also swears by the One who created heaven and what is in it…etc. It stresses God’s authority and rule over all of creation. Given God’s sovereignty in these matters, the oath taken by the angel should be read as ‘an ironclad declaration of God’s truth.’ The eternality of God and the creative work of God can be thought of as short-hand for His sovereign rule over everything. His creative prerogative also gives Him the right to do with His creation as He wishes.

In contrast to the Daniel oath, when essentially the response to the question of the timing of the eschaton was God only knows, the angel now responds there would be no more delay. Nothing can hold back the plan of the God who holds sovereign sway over the earth…and the sea and even time itself. If this is to be understood in light of the martyr’s question in Rev.6:10-11, then the time to wait a little longer has passed.

The trumpet is to be sounded. The Greek literally states about to sound, and it is akin to the southern vernacular ‘fixin’ to.’ It emphasizes that once the six trumpets sound, the seventh is certainly coming and all things will be brought to their intended end. The mystery of God will be fulfilled as God’s plan, initiated before the world was formed, comes to a conclusion and its fullness is finally realized. What is the mystery? Note the following verses pertaining to God’s mystery:

God’s mystery is Christ in Col.2:2 (“that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,”).

This mystery…has been disclosed and through the prophetic writings made known to all nations. It is meant to bring about the obedience of faith in Rom.16:25-26 (“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—”).

And finally, Ephesians 3:3-6 notes that the mystery was unknown for generations, but has finally been revealed…by the Spirit. Verse 6 in particular states the mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. With this in mind, one must read verse 7 in light of Rev.7:9 and related passages. This is the full salvation of the righteous and the final judgment of the wicked, the complete consummation of salvation.

The fact that John includes God having announced it to His servants the prophets alludes to Amos 3:7, the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan (secret counsel) to His servants the prophets. John replaces revealing with announced, the Greek word euenglisen, and it likely carries the full NT force of announcing the good news. God’s saving plan is about to come to completion. God’s message has been announced to His servants the prophets. It brings to mind Heb.1:1-2. God has spoken by the prophets, but finally in His Son who is the good news. The word for ‘announced’ is the word for telling the gospel/good news.

The Scroll’s Consumption

The Ezekiel imagery has been prominent already in chapter 10, and the command to take and eat the scroll continues with these parallels. Ryrie notes that John must eat the scroll because a prophet must first be affected by his message before he can disseminate it to others.

Walvoord sees the book as a whole as symbolic of the whole Word or God, a summary of the Lord’s prophetic vision already given. He notes that God’s Word is sweet to the believer because it is true nourishment for the soul, containing the promises and love and grace of God. However, the word of judgment that will finally unfold is nothing but bitter for unbeliever.

Consider the dual truth: there is no sweeter truth to the believer than this — all of what is broken is finally coming undone, meaning we will live and enjoy the presence of God forever. However, is there a more bitter truth than the fact that those who have vehemently rejected God are finally receiving their just reward — eternal suffering removed even from the common grace of God that causes the rain to fall on the just and unjust alike?

The fact that John is again commissioned to prophesy could also give insight into how the scroll was ingested and digested. To the believer, the gospel is sweet. But, as John proclaims the message of the prophecy he has received…as he obediently carries out his call…he must remember that it will not be received by thunderous applause. Instead, the gospel, while sweet to the believer, is a stumbling block of offense to those who reject it.

Apply It!

While there may still be things we can’t know concerning the end of all things, let the hope that God brings it to an end exactly as it should be comfort your heart.

Are you affected by the gospel message? It must change us so that we will proclaim it. And, the Gospel is the fulfillment of all things, so we must be diligent to proclaim it.

Remember the dual nature of preaching the gospel — sweet and bitter, eternal blessing or forever suffering, life and death.