Biblical Reference: Revelation 10:1-11

Context and Setting:
The account of the Angel and the Small Scroll is found in the Book of Revelation, a prophetic text attributed to the Apostle John. This event occurs between the sixth and seventh trumpets, part of a series of divine judgments revealed to John in a vision while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. The vision serves as a prelude to the final trumpet, which heralds the completion of God's mystery.

Description of the Angel:
Revelation 10:1 describes a "mighty angel" descending from heaven, clothed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head. His face shines like the sun, and his legs are like pillars of fire. This imagery evokes a sense of divine authority and glory, reminiscent of descriptions of God and Christ elsewhere in Scripture. The rainbow symbolizes God's covenantal faithfulness, while the fiery legs suggest judgment and purification.

The Small Scroll:
In the angel's hand is a "small scroll, which lay open" (Revelation 10:2). The open scroll indicates that its contents are ready to be revealed. Unlike the sealed scroll in Revelation 5, which only the Lamb could open, this scroll is accessible, signifying a message that is to be understood and proclaimed.

The Angel's Stance and Proclamation:
The angel stands with one foot on the sea and the other on the land, symbolizing his dominion over the entire earth (Revelation 10:2). This posture underscores the universal scope of the message contained in the scroll. The angel cries out with a loud voice, like the roar of a lion, and seven thunders respond. John is about to write what the thunders have spoken, but a voice from heaven instructs him to seal up their message (Revelation 10:3-4). This indicates that some aspects of God's plan remain hidden.

The Oath and the Mystery of God:
The angel raises his right hand to heaven and swears by "Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and everything in it, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it" (Revelation 10:6). The oath emphasizes the certainty and divine authority behind the message. The angel declares that there will be no more delay, and that the mystery of God will be accomplished with the sounding of the seventh trumpet (Revelation 10:7). This mystery refers to God's redemptive plan, which will reach its fulfillment.

John's Commission to Eat the Scroll:
John is instructed to take the scroll from the angel and eat it. The angel tells him, "It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey" (Revelation 10:9). This act symbolizes the internalization of God's message. The sweetness represents the joy of receiving divine revelation, while the bitterness signifies the difficult and often painful nature of the prophetic message, which includes judgment and suffering.

Prophetic Mandate:
After consuming the scroll, John experiences the sweetness and bitterness as foretold. He is then told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings" (Revelation 10:11). This charge underscores the ongoing nature of John's prophetic mission, emphasizing the global scope of the message and the necessity of proclaiming God's truth to all humanity.

Theological Significance:
The episode of the Angel and the Small Scroll highlights the dual nature of prophetic revelation—both sweet and bitter. It underscores the sovereignty of God over creation and history, the certainty of His promises, and the responsibility of His servants to faithfully proclaim His word. The passage serves as a reminder of the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the hope of His coming kingdom.