Revelation 10:2 kjv
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,
Revelation 10:2 nkjv
He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,
Revelation 10:2 niv
He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,
Revelation 10:2 esv
He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land,
Revelation 10:2 nlt
And in his hand was a small scroll that had been opened. He stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.
Revelation 10 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 5:1 | And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. | Contrast with the sealed book |
| Rev 5:2 | And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? | The "strong angel" connection |
| Dan 10:5-6 | I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. | Description of a powerful heavenly being |
| Ezek 2:9-10; 3:1-3 | And when I looked, behold, a hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein... then did I eat it. | Prophetic eating of a scroll/book |
| Zech 5:1-2 | Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. The length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. | Symbolic roll of a book, containing judgment |
| Ps 24:1 | The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. | God's universal dominion over land and sea |
| Ps 89:9 | Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. | God's power over the sea/chaos |
| Ps 8:6 | Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet. | Dominion; putting things "under feet" |
| Phil 2:10 | That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; | Universal authority and submission |
| Isa 66:1 | Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? | God's absolute sovereignty |
| Rev 21:1 | And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. | Symbolic "sea" disappearing at final renewal |
| Gen 1:2 | And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. | Waters as primordial chaos, under God's control |
| Exod 14:21-22 | And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. | God's power over the sea/chaos |
| Josh 1:3 | Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. | Symbolic claim of possession/dominion |
| Jer 5:22 | Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? | God's control over the sea's limits |
| Matt 14:25 | And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. | Christ's divine power over the sea |
| Luke 10:19 | Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. | Power to tread signifies dominion over enemies |
| Isa 42:15 | I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. | God's power over the earth and its features |
| Zeph 1:3 | I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord. | God's comprehensive judgment on sea and land |
| Isa 57:20 | But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. | Sea as symbolic of chaotic nations or wickedness |
| Psa 46:2-3 | Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled... | God's stability amidst natural upheaval |
Revelation 10 verses
Revelation 10 2 Meaning
Revelation 10:2 depicts a mighty angel of divine authority, standing astride the cosmos with a small, open scroll in hand. This scene signifies a powerful assertion of God's universal sovereignty and dominion over both creation and humanity, foreshadowing a direct and imminent divine intervention in world affairs, particularly related to the unfolding of God's ultimate plan and judgments. The open scroll implies that God's revealed will, perhaps related to the further judgments or a specific message, is now accessible and ready to be proclaimed or enacted.
Revelation 10 2 Context
Revelation 10:2 immediately follows the description of a mighty angel descending from heaven, clothed with a cloud, with a rainbow on his head, his face like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. This majestic appearance signifies his divine authority and status as a direct messenger from God. The angel's vision serves as a significant interlude within the trumpets sequence, specifically between the sixth and seventh trumpets. This pause amplifies the anticipation of the final judgments and emphasizes God's sovereign control before the consummation of His plans. Historically, for John's original audience facing Roman imperial claims of universal power and emperor worship, this depiction of a single, powerful heavenly being asserting dominion over all creation would serve as a polemic, decisively re-affirming that true universal authority belongs only to God and His messengers.
Revelation 10 2 Word analysis
- And he had: Identifies the action of the "mighty angel" introduced in Rev 10:1. The angel's actions are purposeful and divinely authorized.
- in his hand: Signifies possession, control, and authority over what is held. It's not a casual grip, but a posture of presentation and command.
- a little book: Greek: biblidarion (βιβλιδάριον) or bibliarion (βιβλαρίδιον). This is a diminutive of biblion (βιβλίον, "book" or "scroll"). It is crucial to note it's not the seven-sealed scroll of Rev 5. Its smaller size might suggest a specific, perhaps immediate, revelation or a portion of the larger divine plan now ready for execution, particularly one meant for John to ingest.
- open: Greek: aneōgmenon (ἀνεῳγμένον), perfect passive participle, indicating a state of being opened and remaining open. In stark contrast to the sealed scroll of Rev 5, this "little book" is already revealed and accessible. Its contents are no longer hidden, signifying that its message or its events are ready for disclosure and implementation.
- and he set his right foot: The act of "setting" or "placing" indicates deliberate and authoritative action. The "right foot" in ancient cultures often symbolizes strength, dominance, and the executive hand of power.
- upon the sea: Symbolically, the "sea" in prophetic literature often represents chaotic forces, rebellious nations, or Gentile powers in opposition to God (Isa 57:20, Rev 17:15). Placing a foot upon it asserts authority, suppression, and conquest over such elements, embodying God's dominion even over hostile or chaotic realms.
- and his left foot: Completes the posture, emphasizing a total, all-encompassing claim. The left foot simply extends the universal authority asserted by the right.
- on the earth: Refers to the land, human habitation, and the physical world.
- Words-group analysis:
- "a little book open": This phrase highlights the ready accessibility and immediate significance of its contents. Unlike the scroll that had to be unsealed, this one is already available for reception and action, pointing to a direct, imminent divine purpose or message. It emphasizes that this particular revelation is ready for disclosure or execution without delay.
- "set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth": This powerful, cosmic stance dramatically symbolizes the angel's, and by extension God's, absolute and universal sovereignty over all creation, both natural elements and the nations of humanity. It is an act of divine appropriation and ultimate claim, signifying dominion over the entire created order, whether it be orderly (earth) or tumultuous (sea). It embodies comprehensive control over all terrestrial and potentially chaotic, opposing powers.
Revelation 10 2 Bonus section
The act of placing feet upon the sea and earth can also be understood as a direct counter-image to ancient claims of worldly empires and deities that sought to establish universal dominion. For instance, the Roman Empire prided itself on controlling "all lands and seas," yet here a heavenly figure, divinely appointed, literally stands on them, declaring the true ultimate authority. This posture is not one of mere visitation, but of asserting ownership and imminent action within God's decreed judgment. The "little book" is sometimes interpreted as a specific set of further prophecies related to John's own commission, implying the content might be bitter in its fulfillment (judgments) but sweet in its revelation of God's ultimate victory.
Revelation 10 2 Commentary
Revelation 10:2 portrays a decisive moment where divine authority is asserted over the cosmos. The mighty angel, a messenger embodying God's presence, holds an open, small scroll. This book's openness signals that its contents, distinct from the seven-sealed scroll, are not just revealed but are immediately actionable and directly relate to the judgments to come. The angel's monumental stance, one foot on the sea and one on the land, profoundly visualizes God's unchallenged dominion over every facet of creation—over natural forces, nations (the symbolic sea of humanity), and the inhabited earth. This posture serves as a powerful declaration of God's supreme power over all earthly powers and spiritual realms that would oppose Him, underscoring that all things are subject to His divine will as the prophetic timeline unfolds towards its consummation. It reassures believers of God's control amidst unfolding chaos.