Revelation 10:1-4 (NKJV) 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. 2 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, 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 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.”
V1 “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.” Another holy angel sent by God on a mission. God is a delegator, not a micromanager. The cloud is a symbol of God’s presence (Deuteronomy 4:11 and Psalm 97:2) or God’s approval, that is, God is with the messenger (Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 1:7 (of Jesus, God the Son) and here of holy angels). The rainbow is used for the glory of God (Ezekiel 1:28 and Revelation 4:3). A shining face is associated with holiness (light, brightness as in Luke 24:4 and Acts 12:7). How he knew it was mighty, that is, with great authority and strength, is unknown. Perhaps, his size and various badges of honor.
V2 “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…” Right foot on water and left on land are used to include the whole sphere of the earth. The understanding of the little book varies. Some believe the content are found in Revelation 11:1-13. Books are used to record official records—judgment (Daniel 7:10 and Revelation 20:12), God’s people (believers—Malachi 3:16), recorded words of God—Psalm 40:7, Daniel 12:4, and Revelation 22:19, the actions of believers—Psalm 56:8 and Psalm 139:16, a register of believers (Psalm 69:28, Daniel 12:1, Philippians 4:3, and Revelation 20:15, and warnings and judgments—Ezekiel 2:9-10. This book contains judgments most likely.
V3 “…and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.” What these sounds were and the spoken words is unknown.
V4 “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.” The words are true and eventually more will here these words, but for the present it was only for John and no other human.
We learn:
- God delegates authority and assignments
- God, as any king would do, records His laws, judgments, prophecies, etc.
- Some things are not for us to know at the present.