Question 1

Who is the mighty angel clothed with a cloud in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The mighty angel in this vision is described in a way that points to the Lord Jesus. He comes down from heaven, is clothed with a cloud, has a rainbow on his head, his face shines like the sun, and his feet are like pillars of fire. He stands with one foot on the sea and one on the earth, showing rule over the whole world. He swears by the eternal Creator and holds an open little book. These marks of glory, power, and covenant mercy fit Christ, who rules and speaks to his church even in dark times.

Question 2

What is the meaning of the little book that the angel holds open?

Accepted Answer

The little book in the angel’s hand is already open, which shows that what it contains is now being revealed, not kept sealed. It points to God’s revealed will in this part of history, with prophecies that are in the process of being fulfilled. John is told to take and eat it, not just glance at it. He has to take in God’s message deeply before he can speak it to others. The book is connected to his renewed calling to prophesy about what God is doing among many peoples and kings.

Question 3

Why are the seven thunders sealed up and not written down?

Accepted Answer

John hears the seven thunders answer the angel’s loud cry and starts to write what they said, but a voice from heaven stops him and tells him to seal it up and not write it. This shows that God does not reveal everything to us. Some parts of his plan, especially about judgments and timings, are kept hidden. It reminds us that God is in full control of history and that we do not need to know every detail. Our role is to receive and obey what God has chosen to reveal, and to trust him with what he has kept back.

Question 4

What does it mean that there should be time no longer?

Accepted Answer

When the angel swears that there should be time no longer, the wording has been taken in more than one way. One clear sense is that there will be no more delay before God carries out what he has promised once the seventh angel begins to sound. The mystery of God will then be finished, just as he told his servants the prophets. Some also understand it as pointing ahead to the end of time itself when all change and waiting cease. In both readings, the stress is on God bringing his plan to completion.

Question 5

Why was the little book sweet in John’s mouth but bitter in his belly?

Accepted Answer

When John eats the little book, it tastes sweet as honey in his mouth but turns bitter in his belly. At first, there is a kind of sweetness in hearing God speak and in seeing ahead to what he will do. God’s word is precious to those who love him. But as John fully takes in the message, he feels the bitterness, because it includes hard things: severe judgments, deep suffering, and persecution for God’s people. God’s messengers often find that his word brings both joy and pain as they grasp its full weight.

Question 6

Why is John told to eat the book instead of just reading it?

Accepted Answer

John is told to take the book and eat it, which is a picture of taking God’s message deep into his own heart before he speaks it to others. This means he must think about it, feel it, and be personally affected by it. God’s servants are not meant to give out cold words that do not touch them. They should first “digest” the truth, even when it is painful, and then speak all that God has given them, whether people like it or not. The act also shows that this message will shape John’s whole future ministry.

Question 7

What is the mystery of God that will be finished at the seventh trumpet?

Accepted Answer

The passage says that in the days when the seventh angel begins to sound, the mystery of God will be finished, just as he told his servants the prophets. The word “mystery” here means God’s wise plan that has long been partly hidden but spoken of ahead of time. When the seventh trumpet sounds, there will be no more delay: God will bring his purposes to their goal, judging evil and bringing full justice for his people. This shows that history is not random. God has a settled plan that will surely reach its end.

Question 8

Why does John have to prophesy again before many peoples and kings?

Accepted Answer

After John eats the little book, he is told that he must prophesy again before many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. This means his work is not over. The visions he is given are meant for the whole world, not just for a small group. God’s message in this passage is to be written down, spread widely, and heard by people of many languages and ranks, even the highest rulers. It also shows that God’s word is not only about comfort; it speaks to nations and leaders about judgment, repentance, and his rule over all.

Question 9

How does this vision show God’s sovereignty over the whole world?

Accepted Answer

The angel stands with one foot on the sea and the other on the earth, which is a clear picture of rule over all creation. He swears by the one who lives forever and created heaven, earth, the sea, and everything in them. He holds the open book of God’s plan and declares that the time of delay is almost over and that God’s mystery will be finished. All this shows that God rules history, land and sea, peoples and kings. Even when events seem dark and confusing, his covenant and purposes are firmly in his hands.

Question 10

How can this passage help believers facing suffering and confusion?

Accepted Answer

This vision reminds believers that Christ is present and active even when the world looks troubled. The cloud and rainbow around the angel show both hiddenness and covenant mercy: God may seem veiled, but he has not forgotten his promises. The open book shows that he has a wise plan, and the oath shows there is a set limit to delay and suffering. The sweetness and bitterness of the book reflect our own mixed feelings as we receive God’s truth. We can be honest about the pain, yet rest in knowing that God will finish what he has begun.

Revelation 10:1

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

The Angel and the Small Scroll

The Angel and the Small Scroll

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Revelation 10:1

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

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The Angel and the Small Scroll

The Angel and the Small Scroll

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