Rapture & Wrath Part 5: "And I Saw Another Mighty Angel (Revelation 10)"

Part 1: Rapture & Wrath: Ready or Not
Part 2: A Scroll with 7 Seals: The Key to Unlocking the Chronology of the Last Days 
Part 3: The Sealing of His Servants and the Salvation of His Saints 
Part 4: Silence in Heaven Before God Goes to War 

Part 5

Priceless Information

Revelation Chapter 10 opens with a surprising and powerful statement. It catches the reader off-guard and unprepared. It is almost as if the chapter doesn’t belong – as if it is an intrusion into the text, which breaks its uniformity and continuity. But the information it provides concerning Christ’s coming and the end of the age is, for the citizen of Heaven, priceless.

In Chapter 8, the Apostle John saw 7 angels who were given 7 trumpets. With each angelic blast of a trumpet, a devastating Day of the Lord judgment fell upon the earth. The first 6 trumpet blasts with their attendant judgments are recorded in Chapters 8 and 9.

The exact start time in the sequence and the duration between these trumpet judgments cannot be determined. However, if the sequence and chronology of the Book of Revelation are understood, the trumpet judgments appear to extend over a period of 1 to 2 years, with the 7th trumpet ending at the close of Daniel’s 70th Week (the final 7 years of this era of human history). The impact of the trumpet judgments on the earth will be unprecedented, catastrophic, and beyond humanity’s comprehension.

But the 7th trumpet is not blown at the beginning of Chapter 10, where it would naturally be expected. Instead, there is an intrusion into the sequence of the trumpet blasts.

Earlier in the Book of Revelation there was an exact parallel situation. It occurred between the 6h and 7th seals. Following the opening of the 6th seal (6:12-17), God intruded into the sequence to inform humanity of two important events: first, that 144,000 Jews would be sealed (7:1-8); and second, that the Church would be raptured before the 7th seal was broken (7:9-14).

The 144,000 Jews would be sealed and protected to be the first fruits of a multitude of people who would be saved during the Day of the Lord and enter the Millennial (1,000-year) Kingdom (Revelation 7:1-4; 14:4). In the case of the raptured Church – the great multitude seen in Heaven (Revelation 7:9-17) – God promised that His sons and daughters would not experience His wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9). Therefore, they would be caught up to the sphere of Heaven before His wrath was poured out on Earth (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

The Mighty Angel

John now turns his attention to this second divine intrusion, which begins at Chapter 10, between the 6th and 7th trumpets with these words:

The identity of this angel has been long debated. Some scholars believe he is an angelic being; others believe the angel is an appearance of Christ. A majority of commentators take the former position, insisting that this angel is a high-ranking, powerful, angelic being. In defense of this view they note he is said to be “another mighty angel.”

The word for “another” (Greek, allon) ordinarily means “another of the same kind.”

Therefore, these commentators argue that this angel – like the others – is a created being and cannot be deity. However, allon does not necessarily mean “another of the same kind.” In this instance, John may simply be distinguishing this angel from the 7 angels who were given the 7 trumpets to blow (Revelation 8:2).

This mighty angel also took an oath:

Those who believe this mighty angel is a high-ranking angel argue that this oath would be inappropriate for Jesus to make to His heavenly Father. However, this argument is not convincing. Theologians have long taught that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the same in substance (essence) but distinct in subsistence (they are apart from each other).

And they each have different roles in the outworking of redemptive history. They are co-equal and co-eternal, but there is functional distinction. Salvation was planned by the Father, purchased by the Son, and processed by the Holy Spirit. Speaking of Christ at the end of the age, the Apostle Paul wrote:

The Lord frequently informed His followers that, as the Son of God, He was subordinate to His Father – that He did not come to do His own will, but the will of His Father who sent Him (John 6:38-39). Paul taught that when Christ takes over the reins of Earth, He will offer up the kingdom to His Father. This is precisely what is behind the mighty angel’s oath, as he indicates “there should be no more delay.” With the blowing of the 7th trumpet, Christ assumes the mantle of King of the earth.

Some commentators suggest this mighty angel cannot be Christ because this would be the only reference to Christ as an angel in the entire Book of Revelation. Still others attempt to equate the mighty angel of Revelation 10:1 with the strong angel referred to in Revelation 5:2.

In both instances, this is pure conjecture. Because Christ is not referred to as an angel anywhere else in Revelation does not preclude His being the “mighty angel” in Revelation 10:1. Nor is there any clear exegetical evidence to link this “mighty angel” to the “strong angel” of 5:2, thereby nullifying the claim that this “mighty angel” is deity.

In support of the view that this “mighty angel” is Christ, commentators cite the following evidence:

First, in the Old Testament, in a number of texts, Christ is clearly revealed as “the angel of the Lord” (Genesis 16:7; 22:11-18; 31:11-13; Exodus 3:2-5; Numbers 22:22-35). Therefore, it is neither new nor novel to have Christ manifested in the Scriptures in the appearance of an angelic being.

Second, the phrases by which this mighty angel is described are used elsewhere of deity. He is dressed in a cloud (Psalm 104:3; Daniel 7:13); there is a rainbow upon his head (Revelation 4:3); his face is as the sun (Revelation 1:16); and his feet are as pillars of fire (Exodus 13:21-22).

Third, the rainbow upon this mighty angel’s head is like a crown or diadem. It is indicative of divine faithfulness and is most appropriate in this setting. Following the universal flood, God made a covenant with Noah that He would never again destroy the world by flood. He confirmed that covenant by placing His rainbow in the sky. God spoke to Noah and said:

God promised by covenant that He would never again destroy the world by flood. But He does, in fact, state He will one day destroy the world by fire. The Apostle Peter, in discussing the Day of the Lord, said:

Just as in the Noahic flood, the destruction of the earth was not the annihilation of Earth, the destruction of the world by fire during the Day of the Lord will not be the annihilation of the world. In both instances, life continues in the aftermath of Earth’s destruction.

Noah and his family survived the flood and re-populated Earth. Those who refuse the mark of the Antichrist after the rapture of the Church and survive the Day of the Lord will enter the Millennial (1,000-year) Kingdom in mortal bodies and likewise re-populate Earth.

Fourth, it is said of this mighty angel that “he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth” (Revelation 10:2). Here is a deliberate act, and it is full of significance. To set one’s foot in a place can express the purpose of taking possession of that place. God told Abraham: “Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee” (Genesis 13:17). God told Joshua:

This straddling of the sea and earth graphically and powerfully expresses the purpose of taking possession of the entire world. There is no evidence that the mighty angel is doing this for another – he appears to be doing this for himself. This is precisely what occurs when the 7th trumpet is sounded. Christ takes absolute control of Earth (Revelation 11:15, 17).

Fifth, during this period of divine intrusion between the 6th and 7th trumpets, 2 witnesses are brought onto center stage. They are major participants in the drama of the Last Days. Concerning these 2 witnesses, John wrote:

Contextually, if the King James translation is correct, it is clear that it is the “mighty angel” who is speaking to John in Revelation 11:1-2. The angel declares: “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy [1,260] days, clothed in sackcloth” (Revelation 11:3, emphasis added).

It is a bridge far too long to believe that an angel, even a mighty angel, in speaking of the 2 witnesses who play such a major end-time role, would say they are “my witnesses” unless He is God and the 2 witnesses are His servants.

One cannot be dogmatic as to the identity of this mighty angel. However, on balance, I believe the evidence favors identifying “the mighty angel” with the Lord Jesus. What is certain is the message he brings is of great importance and precise in its timing.

The Little Book

As John continues to describe what he was seeing, he notes there was a little book in the hand of the mighty angel (Revelation 10:2). Technically, it was not a book John beheld, but a scroll, as the process of book-making had not yet been developed. It would probably have been an animal skin with writing on the smooth side of the skin. It would then be rolled up as a scroll.

John twice called attention to the fact that it was a “little book” (Revelation 10:2, 9). Larger scrolls, required for longer messages, would have a number of skins sewn together to provide a larger writing area. The fact that this was a “little” scroll did not mean the message it contained was unimportant, but simply that it was not lengthy.

John also noted twice that this little scroll was open (Revelation 10:2, 8). Scrolls were sometimes secured with seals around them which had to be broken before the scroll could be opened. This little scroll was opened at the outset, which probably meant it had no seal around it. Less likely would be the possibility that the scroll was unraveled in the mighty angel’s hand.

When one thinks about the scene John is beholding – a mighty angel clothed with a cloud, a rainbow upon his head, his face appearing as the sun, his feet as pillars of fire and so large a personage that he takes a deliberate stance with his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the earth – it is amazing that John even takes note of the little scroll and calls attention to its detail. The fact that he does so underscores the scroll’s importance in John’s thinking.

This scroll should not be identified, as some have attempted to do, with the scroll in the right hand of God the Father that had writing on the inside and back and which was sealed with 7 seals (Revelation 5:1-2). That scroll was not little, was not open, was uniquely sealed with 7 seals, and required someone worthy to break the seals to open it.

The scroll in Chapter 5 contained the title deed to Planet Earth. It includes within it the breaking of the 7 seals, the blowing of the 7 trumpets, and the pouring out of the 7 bowls in the process of conquering Earth from Satan.

The scroll in Revelation 10 contains the account of the 2 witnesses of Revelation 11 and their ministry during the last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th Week. As the mighty angel stood upon the sea and land (symbolizing ownership of Earth) with the little scroll in his hand, he took a 4-fold oath (Revelation 10:6).

1.   He swore by Him that lives forever.
2.   He swore by Him who created Heaven and the things contained there.
3.   He swore by Earth and the things contained there.
4.   He swore by the sea and the things contained there.

He took an oath in the name of God who lives forever and who created all things.
And what was it that he swore? It was: “that there should be time no longer.” He was not saying that “time” as we know it would come to an end. In saying “that there should be time no longer,” he was saying, “There should be no more delay.”

The Messianic Kingdom righteous men and women through the ages have prayed for, looked for, hoped for, and longed for was about to come to pass with the blowing of the 7th trumpet.

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

The end of Daniel’s 70th Week – or what is popularly (but without biblical justification) called the “Tribulation Period” – will occur at the 7th trumpet. Permit me to repeat this. The 70th Week is never called the “Tribulation” period in God’s Word. Nor can a case be made to justify that position. There is a “Great Tribulation” which begins in the middle of the 70th Week, but it is cut short before the end of the week.

The Church will be raptured to meet the Lord in the clouds before the Day of the Lord wrath begins. The Day of the Lord will begin with the breaking of the 7th seal – and the 7th seal contains the trumpet judgments.

From the clouds, the Lord will command His mighty angelic army to unleash His trumpet judgments against Earth, which is the usurped domain of Satan, the Antichrist, the false prophet, and those from among humanity who have taken the mark of Antichrist and given their allegiance to the evil one.

Further questions now arise. How should we understand the 7 bowl judgments yet to come? When are they poured out if the 7th trumpet is blown at the end of the 70th Week? The answer is tied to a 75-day period which takes place beyond the 70th Week – a period of time clearly indicated in the Scriptures. In the context of the Last Days, the prophet Daniel was told:

This length of time is 30 days beyond the 1,260 days, beyond the 3½ years, which brings Daniel’s 7-year period to an end. But Daniel is given more information. The angel said, “Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the [1,335] days” (Daniel 12:12). This is a further extension of 45 days. Combined, the 2 extensions of time provide a 75-day period beyond the end of the 70th Week.

The 70th Week will end with the blowing of the 7th trumpet and Christ returning to Earth as King. But His return will not be as an illegal invader or usurper. He will return as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and legitimate Heir to the throne of David.

From Jerusalem, His capital city, during the 75 days beyond the 70th Week, one of His tasks will be to punish the unrighteous population of the nations – those who have managed to survive the trumpet judgments, with the pouring out of the 7 bowl judgments in rapid succession.

The Two Witnesses

During the 3½ years leading up to the 7th trumpet, 2o important events occur. The first is the measuring of the Temple along with the desecration of the city of Jerusalem. The second is the ministry of the 2 witnesses. These are the 2 subjects contained in the little scroll and recorded in Revelation Chapter 11.

John had been a spectator, simply recording what he beheld, until he was told to eat the little scroll, and hence, become personally involved in the portrayal of an important end-time event. He wrote:

The focus of the events in Chapters 11, 12, and 13 are all set in the context of the last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th Week.

• The two witnesses will minister for 3½ years (Revelation 11:2-3).
• A believing remnant of Israel will flee into the wilderness for 3½ years (Revelation 12:6).
• The Antichrist will be empowered by Satan for 3½ years (Revelation 13:3-5).

John was given a measuring rod and told to measure the Temple, the altar, and those who worship there. This will be the “tribulation” Temple, built for the reinstitution of animal sacrifices. It will, most likely, be small – more like the Tabernacle than the Temple. And it will probably be built over a short period of time, not years.

There is at present an orthodox Jewish group in Israel which has developed detailed plans to build such a Temple. They should not be thought of as believers. They have already woven the priestly garments, constructed the required Temple artifacts needed for sacrifice, and are training certain young men to function as priests. In a phrase, they are now “ready to go.” The only problem is, they are not at present permitted on the Temple Mount.

John measured the Temple and altar, but he was told not to measure the court outside of the Temple because it has been given to the Gentiles (Revelation 11:2).

It may well be that in an attempt to bring about a peace between Israel and the Palestinians, the city of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount will be divided. The southern half of the Temple Mount already houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock.

It is possible, according to some archaeologists, that the northern half of the Temple Mount may, in fact, be the actual site of the ancient Herodian Temple and the place where religious Jews would want a new Temple to be built.

Clearly, any political indication that the Temple Mount is going to be divided to forge a peace between Israel and the Palestinians would fit perfectly into the prophetic picture of the Last Days. But just as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the Islamic caliphates persecuted and oppressed Jerusalem and the Jewish people throughout history, so too will the Antichrist in the Last Days.

Under the government of the Antichrist (which may be comprised of many Muslim nations which form a powerful, new Islamic caliphate), Jerusalem will be trodden down of the Gentiles (Luke 21:20-24). His persecution will be the most severe of all and, therefore, called by the Lord Jesus the “Great Tribulation” (Matthew 24:21).

However, God will raise up 2 witnesses during this dreadful period of time. While their identity has long been debated, there is strong evidence to identify these 2 men as Moses and Elijah. Moses was Israel’s great lawgiver and Elijah was Israel’s greatest prophet. Together, they represent the Law and the Prophets.

• Moses died on Mount Nebo and God buried him, and Satan fought with Michael over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9).
• Elijah was caught up without dying (2 Kings 2:11).
• Moses and Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration where Christ’s glory was manifested, just as it will be again at the end of the age (Matthew 17:1-3).
• The 2 witnesses performed miracles as part of their testimony, reminiscent of the miracles performed by Moses and Elijah (Revelation 11:6).

When their time of witness is concluded at the end of the 70th Week, the Antichrist will murder them and the wicked unregenerate world of that day will rejoice. But their rejoicing will be short-lived. The Lord of life will raise His servants from the dead.

Only then is the 7th trumpet blown. With the blowing of that trumpet at the end of Daniel’s 70th Week, the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His King, Jesus Christ (Revelation 11:15).

But the end is not yet. In the post, we’ll take an in-depth look at Revelation 12 and a great wonder in Heaven: a woman, a child, and a dragon.