THE SUN-FACED ANGEL & THE BOOK OF JUDGMENT

The Sun-Faced Angel and the Book of Judgment  Ch. 10

This is an Inset

The key is in verse 6: "Time no longer" AV; "Delay no longer" RV.

"And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer."

 

 The Mighty Angel and His Actions 1-4
"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:" "And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth," "And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices." "And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not."

The Identification of the Angel 1

This is not Christ as Seiss thinks, but simply another mighty angel serving the Lord Jesus (allon aggelon iscuron). This rules out Christ.

He is sent with delegated authority to discharge a certain task for Christ. He therefore comes from heaven where Christ is. Christ does not come to earth until Rev. 19:11-21.

This angel must swear by God and Christ in order to guarantee the veracity of his message (6)

The Description of the Angel  1

He is clothed with a cloud which may be a cloud of glory. This is because he is acting for Christ. The rainbow upon his head indicates that his work shall be tempered with mercy. The face shining as the sun indicates that his authority is supreme, even as the Son of God. The feet like pillars of fire make it clear that judgment is in the exercise of this angel.

The Appropriation of the Angel and The Instrument for Taking Possession vs. 2-3

The little book is the same book of chapters 5-6. It is the book that now is completely open, for the seals have been removed. It is the title deed to the universe, and without which he could not take possession.
5:1 (biblion). 10:2 (biblaridion).

The Actual Taking of Possession

This is the symbolic action of the angel setting his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the earth. Joshua 1:3.

"Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses."

The Declaration of Possession vs. 3

His cry was like that of a Lion when it roars. This means that he not only has taken possession but will use force to hold and defend what is his. This precipitates the seven thunders.

The Expulsion Announced by the Voice vs. 4

John would have written the message of the seven thunders, but a voice commanded him to seal up those things uttered by the thunders. Therefore, it is useless to speculate concerning their nature.

However, it may be said that since they are thunder, the general message is judgment. Again, the impor­tance of the passage is judgment.