Revelation 10 5

Revelation 10:5 kjv

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

Revelation 10:5 nkjv

The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven

Revelation 10:5 niv

Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven.

Revelation 10:5 esv

And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven

Revelation 10:5 nlt

Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand toward heaven.

Revelation 10 verses

Revelation 10 5 Meaning

Revelation 10:5 describes a solemn act performed by a mighty angel before delivering a profound declaration. The angel, standing with one foot on the sea and the other on the earth, symbolizes comprehensive divine authority and dominion over all creation. His act of lifting his hand to heaven signifies a formal, binding oath or a declaration made in the presence of God, emphasizing the truthfulness and irreversible nature of the message to follow. It sets the stage for a critical revelation regarding the unfolding of God's redemptive and judgmental purposes.

Revelation 10 5 Context

Revelation chapter 10 serves as a powerful interlude between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets. Following the devastation unleashed by the first six trumpets, this chapter shifts focus, presenting a break in the unfolding sequence of judgments. Verse 5 specifically sets the scene for a significant divine oath that promises there will be no more delay (Rev 10:6) before the final consummation of God's mystery, coinciding with the seventh trumpet's sound. Historically, the act of taking an oath by lifting one's hand to heaven was a universally understood gesture in the ancient world, signifying a solemn, binding promise made in the sight of the supreme deity, underscoring the gravity and unalterable nature of the forthcoming declaration. This passage, thus, emphasizes God's supreme authority, control over prophetic timelines, and the certainty of His Word, even amidst turbulent end-time events.

Revelation 10 5 Word analysis

• And the angel (καὶ ὁ ἄγγελος - kai ho angelos):

  • Word Analysis: "The" (ὁ) is the definite article, referring specifically to "the mighty angel" introduced in Rev 10:1. "Angelos" (ἄγγελος) means "messenger." This specific angel is depicted as distinct, possessing extraordinary power and a crucial role in delivering God's message.
  • Significance: Highlights that this is not a general angelic appearance but the continuation of the specific powerful figure seen moments earlier, setting the stage for an authoritative pronouncement.

• which I saw (ὃν εἶδον - hon eidon):

  • Word Analysis: "I saw" (eidon) is a direct statement from John, emphasizing his eyewitness testimony and the real, visionary nature of the events unfolding before him.
  • Significance: Grounds the visionary experience in a tangible, verifiable account, confirming John's perspective as the recipient of the revelation.

• stand (ἑστῶτα - hestōta):

  • Word Analysis: Perfect active participle of "histēmi," meaning "to stand, to be placed." Denotes a firm, established, and authoritative stance or position, not merely a fleeting visit.
  • Significance: Indicates the angel's secure and dominant posture, underscoring the weight and finality of his presence and the message he is about to convey.

• upon the sea (ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης - epi tēs thalassēs):

  • Word Analysis: "Upon" (epi) indicates dominion or authority over. "Thalassa" (θάλασσα), the sea, often represents the vast, restless nations of the world or humanity in flux in biblical prophecy (e.g., Dan 7:2-3, Rev 17:15).
  • Significance: Symbolizes the angel's or, by extension, God's universal dominion over the gentile nations and chaotic elements of the world.

• and upon the earth (καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς - kai epi tēs gēs):

  • Word Analysis: "Gē" (γῆ), the earth, often represents the settled land, especially Israel or humanity in general.
  • Significance: Together with "sea," it completes the picture of comprehensive authority and control over all creation, land, and its inhabitants, whether Jew or Gentile, established and turbulent. This imagery signifies universal sovereignty.

• lifted up (ἦρεν - ēren):

  • Word Analysis: Aorist active indicative of "airō," meaning "to raise, to lift up." It signifies a completed, decisive action, a specific gesture.
  • Significance: Describes a deliberate and public act, drawing attention to the imminent and important declaration.

• his hand (τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ - tēn cheira autou):

  • Word Analysis: "Cheir" (χείρ) means hand, often the right hand in contexts of power or oath-taking.
  • Significance: The lifting of the hand is a deeply entrenched gesture across ancient cultures, symbolizing a solemn oath, invocation of a deity, or a profound pronouncement. It signifies an appeal to a higher authority as witness and enforcer.

• to heaven (εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν - eis ton ouranon):

  • Word Analysis: "Eis" (εἰς) implies motion towards or into. "Ouranos" (οὐρανός) refers to the sky or God's dwelling place.
  • Significance: Directs the solemn gesture towards God, the ultimate sovereign and source of all truth and authority. This emphasizes that the oath is made before the Creator Himself, ensuring its absolute truthfulness and immutability.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "stand upon the sea and upon the earth": This imagery powerfully conveys universal authority and jurisdiction. It signifies that the message about to be delivered pertains to all aspects of existence and affects all inhabitants of the world, whether in organized societies (earth) or amidst chaotic elements (sea), underscoring God's ultimate dominion.
  • "lifted up his hand to heaven": This solemn and universal gesture for oath-taking communicates absolute truthfulness and the unalterable nature of the forthcoming declaration. It is an appeal to the highest divine authority, God in heaven, indicating that the pronouncement carries the weight of divine certainty and judgment for those who disregard it.

Revelation 10 5 Bonus section

The profound silence (not mentioned here, but in context) after the seven thunders (Rev 10:4) followed by this solemn oath-taking posture emphasizes the weightiness of the upcoming declaration. It’s a deliberate pause in the divine drama, highlighting that what comes next is of paramount importance. The mighty angel himself embodies aspects of God's presence and authority, potentially reflecting the very appearance of the Lord, though usually identified as a high-ranking angelic being. The specific nature of the oath ("there shall be delay no longer" - Rev 10:6) signifies the conclusion of an age, a fulfillment of God's long-prophesied plan. This particular angel is not only powerful but also acts as an interpreter of divine mysteries, holding a scroll (Rev 10:2) and revealing truths about the eschatological timetable. The universal authority over "sea and earth" also symbolically represents authority over the spirit world as well, aligning with broader biblical teachings of God's sovereignty over all realms visible and invisible.

Revelation 10 5 Commentary

Revelation 10:5 is a pivotal verse, preceding one of the most solemn declarations in the book. The imagery is rich with symbolism, reinforcing God's supreme authority amidst escalating judgments. The mighty angel's posture, with one foot firmly planted on the sea and the other on the earth, visually encapsulates divine dominion over all creation and all humanity, regardless of their nature or geographical location. This cosmic stance sets the stage, assuring the reader that the upcoming oath originates from a place of unchallengeable authority, God Himself, through His appointed messenger.

The gesture of lifting the hand to heaven is an ancient and profound act of swearing an oath. It is a direct invocation of God as witness and enforcer of the promise. In biblical tradition, God often swore by Himself because there was no one greater (Heb 6:13), making His oaths immutable and reliable. When an angel performs this action, it signals that the subsequent declaration carries the weight and certainty of God’s own Word, signifying that what is about to be revealed is absolute truth and a definite, irreversible divine decree. It builds intense anticipation, directing the reader's attention fully to the solemnity and certainty of God's plans for the ages, specifically concerning the appointed time of the final trumpet and the unfolding of His "mystery."

This verse assures believers of God's complete control and unwavering purpose, even in the midst of chaotic end-time events. It implies a pause in the judgment narrative, creating a moment of heightened divine pronouncement that impacts all of creation and testifies to the certainty of God's final actions and His victory.