Note from Sharon: This chapter to me is a picture of Jesus – the Mighty Man/Captain of Salvation who has freed his people from (sin and bondage; Egypt or Babylon) on the cross. He gave time for Satan to work his deceptions but the Spirit of the Medes (Gave the 2 Powers of religious and civil liberty) to the (Mystery of God or the gospel work) overcame Babylon (Satan working through the papacy and all her lies). Started a free nation (army of the Living God ) to carry the gospel to the world. Chapter expounds on Revelation 9:13-21. It is a double prophecy. It should be studied with Daniel 8-12.
And I saw another mighty angel (Mighty Man of Daniel 8:15, Isaiah 42:13; Daniel 12:1; Psalms 24:8; Isaiah 59:14-19; Joshua 5:13-15 Captain of the Hosts =Michael) come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud (Exodus 14:19,20): and a rainbow was upon his head (Genesis 9:11-17 covenant promise of mercy), and his face was as it were the sun (Sun of Righteousness/Mathew 17:25/Malachi 4) , and his feet as pillars of fire (brass have walked through the furnace of affliction/suffering) – Luke 9:28-35)
2And he had in his hand a little book open (Daniel 12:9): and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. (Amos 3:6-8)
4And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. (Revelation 6-8:1 the 7 seals or Mystery of God in the Book of Life)
5And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: (2300 day prophecy Daniel 8:14/but also end of time Daniel 12:1)
7But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound (Revelation 15-19), the mystery of God should be finished (Rev. 16:17), as he hath declared to his servants the prophets (Romans 16:25,26; EGW commentary this verse – Gospel dispensation).
8And 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.
9And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.(Ezekiel 2-3:14)
10And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. (Bitter disappointment – John 6/And a cross experience)
11And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again (Double prophesy fulfilment) before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.