Revelation 10:8; Take the Little Book

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Revelation 10:8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 

The angel is identified as the one who controls sea and land, that is, God’s creation and all those who live in it. This mighty angel, therefore, comes with a message from God Almighty. Three times in succession the writer describes the stance of this angel on sea and land (v. 2, 5, 8).

Revelation 10:2 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 10:5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 

Revelation 10:8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 

The voice apparently is the voice of Jesus Christ. The voice utters a clear command by saying “Go!” This word is followed by a second imperative, “take!” The object John must take is the scroll, which is now qualified by the phrase “that is opened or unrolled in the hand of the angel.” Here is the little scroll or booklet that can be read at a glance (v. 2).

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 315). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Whist the Apostle John was a prisoner in the island of Patmos, he was looking into the future more than 2000 years after, unfolding before his very eyes. We see this vision today, 2000 years later through his record, enabling us to behold the future through the faithful record of this man of God. But we are 2000 years nearer to the fulfilment of this prophecy.

Indeed, we have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:19-21)

May Christ be formed in us. Amen.