Revelation 10:1

A few commentators have identified this strong angel as Jesus Christ. [Note: E.g., Wiersbe, 2:597; and Beale, p. 522.] But the evidence for his being simply another (Gr. allon, another of the same kind) strong angel seems more convincing (cf. Revelation 10:5-6). Other commentators have identified him as Gabriel or Michael (cf. Daniel 8:16; Daniel 12:7). [Note: Charles, 1:258-59; Smith, A Revelation . . ., pp. 153-54; Swete, p. 177; Mounce, p. 207; Johnson, p. 496; Beasley-Murray, p. 170.] But this is only guessing. He is probably not the same strong angel John saw before (Revelation 5:2) since there are many strong angels (cf. Revelation 18:21). John saw him descending from heaven as a messenger of God (cf. Revelation 20:1) and robed in a cloud signifying his celestial origin and connection with judgment (cf. Revelation 1:7; Revelation 14:14-16; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:24; Mark 13:26; Mark 14:62; Luke 21:27). His crown was a rainbow, the symbol of God’s faithfulness and mercy (cf. Revelation 4:3). His countenance was radiant, reflecting the glory and majesty of God. His feet (and legs) were fiery, reminiscent of the pillar of fire in the wilderness, a manifestation of God’s holiness, mercy, and judgment.

"This scene marks a significant change in John’s literary method. Here his personality re-emerges as it did briefly between the sixth and seventh seals (Revelation 7:13-14), but now for the first and last time in this drama, he leaves the observer’s corner and occupies the very center of the stage (e.g., Revelation 10:9-11). This new role also involves a change in location from heaven to earth, as the angel descends from heaven (Revelation 10:1) and stands upon the earth where John hears a voice from heaven (Revelation 10:4; Revelation 10:8) and goes to him (Revelation 10:8) . . . The new style is one element among others that heightens the anticipation and accentuates the solemnity of the apocalyptic events to follow." [Note: Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 59.]