Read & explore together
The Angel and the Small Scroll
Revelation 10:1–11 is a vision of a mighty angel, a little open book, words that must be sealed up, and a command for the one who sees the vision to prophesy again.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this part of the vision, the speaker reports what was seen and heard: a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, the voices of seven thunders, a command not to write their words, an oath by the everlasting Creator, and instructions to take and eat the little open book.
Revelation 10:1–11Main takeaway
This vision shows that some revealed words are withheld, the everlasting Creator rules over what will happen, and the one who sees the vision is commanded to prophesy again.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A mighty angel and a little open bookThe vision begins with a mighty angel coming down out of the sky. The angel is described with a cloud, a rainbow, a face like the sun, and feet like pillars of fire.
Explanation
The vision begins with a mighty angel coming down out of the sky. The angel is described with a cloud, a rainbow, a face like the sun, and feet like pillars of fire. In his hand is a little open book. He stands with one foot on the sea and one on the land, showing the scene’s great scale.
02The seven thunders speak, but their words are sealedThe angel cries out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring, and the seven thunders answer.
Explanation
The angel cries out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring, and the seven thunders answer. The speaker is about to write what they said, but a voice from the sky stops this. The command is clear: seal up the things the seven thunders said and do not write them. This passage includes both revelation and restraint.
03The angel swears by the everlasting CreatorStill standing on the sea and the land, the angel lifts his right hand to the sky and swears by the one who lives forever and ever.
Explanation
Still standing on the sea and the land, the angel lifts his right hand to the sky and swears by the one who lives forever and ever. This one is identified as Creator of heaven, earth, and sea and everything in them. The oath announces that there will no longer be delay and that the mystery of God will be finished.
04The little book is sweet and bitterThe voice speaks again and tells the speaker to take the open book from the angel’s hand. The angel then commands, “Take it and eat it.”
Explanation
The voice speaks again and tells the speaker to take the open book from the angel’s hand. The angel then commands, “Take it and eat it.” The little book is sweet as honey in the mouth, but bitter in the stomach. After this, the speaker is told, “You must prophesy again” over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which details in the vision make the angel appear mighty and significant?
List the descriptions of his appearance, what he holds, and where he stands.
02What is the speaker told to do about the words of the seven thunders?
Notice both parts of the command: sealing up the words and not writing them.
03How does the command to eat the little book connect with the final instruction to prophesy again?
Read the sweetness, bitterness, and the final command together in order.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 10:1–11
1I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.
2He had in his hand a little open book. He set his right foot on the sea, and his left on the land.
3He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.
4When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don’t write them.”
5The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky
6and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there will no longer be delay,
7but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants the prophets.
8The voice which I heard from heaven, again speaking with me, said, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.”
9I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.”
10I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. When I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.
11They told me, “You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”