Revelation 10:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

REVELATION CHAPTER 10 Revelation 10:1-4 A mighty angel appeareth with a book open in his hand, Revelation 10:5-7 and sweareth by him that liveth for ever, that there shall be no more time. Revelation 10:8-11 John is commanded to take and eat the book, and to prophesy. Chapter Introduction We have had in the former Chapter s Christ's revelation to St. John of what should happen in the Roman empire under the first six seals, that is, during their pagan state, which determined in Constantine's time, Anno 310, or 325. Under the seventh seal (that is, from Revelation 8:1) he hath revealed to him what should happen after that time to the Roman empire by the Goths and Vandals under the first four trumpets, and by the Saracens under the fifth trumpet, and the Turks under the sixth trumpet, who are yet rampant and going on in their outrages. The seventh trumpet in course should sound next, but we come not to that till Revelation 11:15. In this chapter, and to the 15th verse of the next chapter, seems an interruption of the history, that Christ might reveal to his prophet the main things that should concern his church. About the sense of this interpreters are divided, some thinking this a distinct prophecy relating to the affairs of the church, yet not in a continued story, but made up of several visions, some contemporary with the times before mentioned, some continuing to the time after the sixth trumpet; which prophecy, as they judge, beginneth at Revelation 11:1, to which what we have in this chapter is introductive. Of this mind are our Dr. More, Mr. Mede, and other very valuable interpreters, whose reasons may be read in Mr. Pool's Latin Synopsis upon this chapter, and some of them may be noted by us as we go through this chapter. Others think it is no distinct prophecy. And I saw another mighty angel; the most and best interpreters understand by this angel, Christ, formerly represented to us as a Lamb, here as an Angel; none but he could call the two witnesses, Revelation 11:3, his witnesses; besides, the glorious appearance of this angel speaketh him no ordinary angel. Come down from heaven; God being about to do or speak some great thing, is oft thus set out as coming down from heaven. Clothed with a cloud; Christ is described as coming with clouds, Revelation 1:7. The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness, 2 Chronicles 6:1. And a rainbow was upon his head; which was the sign of the covenant made with Noah, Genesis 9:16, and fitted Christ's head, as he that brought peace to the world, and to his church in special. And his face was as it were the sun: see Matthew 17:2. And his feet as pillars of fire; signifying the steadiness and efficacy of his actions.