Revelation 10:1 kjv
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:
Revelation 10:1 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.
Revelation 10:1 niv
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.
Revelation 10:1 esv
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire.
Revelation 10:1 nlt
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, surrounded by a cloud, with a rainbow over his head. His face shone like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire.
Revelation 10 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 1:7 | Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him... | Clouds associated with divine coming/judgment. |
| Rev 1:16 | ...his face was like the sun shining in full strength. | Jesus' face is like the sun, suggesting divine glory. |
| Rev 1:15 | His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace... | Similar fiery/glorious description of Jesus' feet. |
| Rev 4:3 | And around the throne was a rainbow resembling an emerald. | Rainbow around God's throne, signifying covenant faithfulness. |
| Rev 5:2 | And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice... | Another 'mighty angel' with a specific commission. |
| Dan 7:13 | I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man... | Divine/human figure arriving with clouds. |
| Dan 10:5-6 | ...behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of gold... His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze... | Daniel's vision of a glorious heavenly being/angel. |
| Ezek 1:4, 28 | As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud...Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance... | God's glory manifested in cloud, rainbow. |
| Ezek 1:7 | ...their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf's foot, and they sparkled like the gleam of burnished bronze. | Divine beings with feet like polished metal/fire. |
| Exod 13:21 | And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light... | Pillars of cloud and fire represent God's guidance and presence. |
| Exod 19:9, 16 | The Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud..." ...on the third day, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain... | God's descent on Sinai in cloud and storm, symbolizing His presence and power. |
| Matt 17:2 | And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun... | Jesus' transfigured face radiating like the sun. |
| Acts 1:9 | And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. | Jesus ascending to heaven in a cloud. |
| Isa 60:19 | The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. | Light of God replacing physical sun. |
| Gen 9:12-16 | ...“This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you... I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth..." | Rainbow as a sign of God's covenant and faithfulness. |
| Ps 104:3 | He lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind. | God uses clouds as a means of transport/display of power. |
| Jer 4:13 | Behold, he comes up like clouds; his chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles... | Clouds associated with powerful, swift judgment. |
| Nahum 1:3 | The Lord is slow to anger and great in power... The Lord's way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. | God's power and presence associated with clouds and storm. |
| Zech 14:7 | And there will be a unique day, known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light. | Divine light/glory even at the end of days. |
| Deut 4:24 | For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. | God described as a consuming fire. |
| Heb 12:29 | for our God is a consuming fire. | God's fiery nature symbolizing holiness and judgment. |
Revelation 10 verses
Revelation 10 1 Meaning
Revelation 10:1 introduces a majestic and powerful angelic figure descending from heaven, robed in divine splendor. This mighty angel embodies God's presence, authority, and imminent action. His appearance, marked by a cloud, a rainbow, a face like the sun, and feet like fiery pillars, signifies his divine commission and profound importance in the unfolding eschatological events, bridging the sixth and seventh trumpets.
Revelation 10 1 Context
Revelation 10:1 introduces an interlude between the blowing of the sixth and seventh trumpets. The six trumpets have thus far unleashed escalating judgments upon the earth, revealing God's wrath but also the unrepentance of humanity (Rev 9:20-21). This verse marks a shift, drawing attention away from the ongoing destruction to the revelation of further divine plans, particularly concerning the "little scroll" mentioned later in the chapter. Historically and culturally, such detailed visionary descriptions were not uncommon in Jewish apocalyptic literature, where angels often served as divine messengers or interpreters. The highly symbolic language points to an encounter with overwhelming divine power, emphasizing the authority and glory inherent in this heavenly messenger, likely preparing the audience for significant disclosures regarding God's continuing program in history.
Revelation 10 1 Word analysis
- And I saw: The phrase "καὶ εἶδον" (kai eidon) signifies a continuation of John's prophetic vision, emphasizing a direct revelation. It draws the reader into John's experiential encounter.
- another mighty angel: "Ἄλλον ἄγγελον ἰσχυρὸν" (Allon aggelon ischuron).
- ἄλλον (allon - "another") indicates this is distinct from previous angels (e.g., those with trumpets), highlighting a unique role or identity.
- ἄγγελον (aggelon - "angel") means messenger. While often referring to created celestial beings, in apocalyptic literature, "angel" can occasionally denote a divine messenger whose attributes blur the lines with God Himself, or even Christ.
- ἰσχυρὸν (ischuron - "mighty" or "strong") emphasizes the immense power, authority, and prominence of this figure. This strength is divine in origin. The combination 'mighty angel' appears again in Revelation, signifying significant roles.
- descending out of heaven: "καταβαίνοντα ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ" (katabainonta ek tou ouranou). This denotes divine origin and authority. He comes directly from God's presence, signifying his message or action carries heavenly weight and is sanctioned by the highest authority.
- wrapped in a cloud: "περιβεβλημένον νεφέλην" (peribeblēmenon nephelēn). Clouds in biblical imagery often symbolize the visible presence of God, divine mystery, or accompanying divine appearances (theophany/Christophany), often associated with judgment or majesty. It conveys awe and transcendent glory.
- and a rainbow was upon his head: "καὶ ἡ ἶρις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ" (kai hē iris epi tēn kephalēn autou).
- The rainbow (ἶρις - iris) is a sign of God's covenant faithfulness and mercy (Gen 9:13-16).
- Its placement "upon his head" suggests authority and association with divine promises and attributes, specifically relating to God's character seen around His throne (Rev 4:3). It tempers the judgment motif with a reminder of divine mercy and faithfulness amidst the unfolding events.
- and his face was like the sun: "καὶ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος" (kai to prosōpon autou hōs ho hēlios).
- This vivid imagery portrays immense, unapproachable glory and brilliance, reminiscent of the transfigured Christ (Matt 17:2) and the vision of Jesus in Rev 1:16. It indicates a source of divine illumination and powerful presence, perhaps suggesting His very essence is light and glory.
- and his feet like pillars of fire: "καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὡς στύλοι πυρός" (kai hoi podes autou hōs styloi pyros).
- Feet symbolize the angel's walk, authority, and path.
- Pillars of fire convey stability, strength, purification, and divine judgment. This imagery echoes the pillar of fire guiding Israel (Exod 13:21) and the fiery imagery of divine presence (Ezek 1:7; Dan 10:6). It denotes purity and destructive power against unholiness.
Revelation 10 1 Bonus section
The identification of the "mighty angel" in Rev 10:1 is a subject of scholarly discussion. Some propose it is a high-ranking angel (e.g., Gabriel or Michael) due to the term "angel." However, the descriptive language – "wrapped in a cloud," "rainbow upon his head," "face like the sun," and "feet like pillars of fire" – mirrors the characteristics ascribed to Christ Himself in Revelation 1, and Yahweh in Old Testament theophanies (e.g., Exod 13:21-22, Ezek 1:28, Dan 10:5-6). For example, Jesus is described with a face like the sun and feet like burnished bronze in Rev 1:15-16. This strong parallel leads many interpreters to understand this "mighty angel" as a pre-incarnate appearance or specific manifestation of Christ, underscoring the divine authority behind the unfolding events, particularly the handling of the "little scroll" and its contents which impact humanity's destiny. The "angel of the LORD" in the Old Testament also frequently refers to the second person of the Trinity.
Revelation 10 1 Commentary
Revelation 10:1 unveils a magnificent and awe-inspiring celestial figure who immediately arrests John’s attention and the reader’s imagination. The accumulation of divine attributes—cloud, rainbow, solar face, and fiery feet—serves to elevate this angel beyond an ordinary messenger, strongly suggesting either a very powerful archangel uniquely commissioned or, more profoundly, a Christophany (an appearance of Christ Himself). Each visual element resonates with Old Testament descriptions of Yahweh’s glory, power, and covenant. The cloud symbolizes divine presence and mystery, the rainbow, God’s covenant faithfulness amidst judgment. His radiant face signifies His unapproachable glory and insight, while his feet of fire represent divine judgment, purity, and stable authority in action. This figure signals a pivotal moment, shifting from past judgments to preparation for the final consummation, mediating a new stage of revelation, likely involving God's further plans and His righteous decrees concerning the earth. This imagery should impress upon believers the weighty authority and profound significance of the message and actions this angel is about to undertake, preparing them for an intensification of God's plan and prophetic timeline.