Second Parenthetic Division (10:1-11:14)

We have come now to the second parenthetic division in the book and it ranges for a chapter and a half.
As I understand a parenthesis, it is an explanation or a pause in the narrative but this does not seem to be a pause. It seems to be more of a description of another event which does not occur as a part of the trumpet judgments.
Although this section is classified as a parenthetical division, this one seems to fit fairly chronologically between the fifth and sixth trumpet. The fact that this is a part of the chronology is made clear by the statement in Rev 10:7 where the angel refers to the actions of the seventh angel.
Another strong indication of this is the way this second parenthesis ends with:
Revelation 11:14  The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
So the idea is that the information contained in this parenthesis begins chronologically about the same time as the sixth trumpet but possibly continues beyond, and possibly even to the end of the Tribulation period.
We make this observation because part of the parenthesis deals with two witnesses who will preach for 3 and a half years as stated in:
Revelation 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Let’s consider the first portion of the parenthesis, The mighty angel and the little book.
We are immediately amazed at the description of the one referenced as “another mighty angel”. Were it not for the statement that he was an angel, it might be easy to assume that this is Christ as this angel is further described as one with a face like the sun and feet like pillars of fire, which takes us back to some of the symbolic language used in Revelation chapter 1.
The second portion of this incredible parenthesis is the statement of the seven thunders, which John the apostle hears and understands, is about it write it all down, and then told not to write what he heard.
And just when we thought it couldn't get much stranger, then John is told to go and take a little book from the angel and then eat it. Sounds a little bit like what Ezekiel had to endure, doesn’t it?
Ezekiel 3:1-3 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.
In Ezekiel’s case, the book was sweet. In John’s case, the book was sweet to the taste but bitter in the stomach. More on all of this later!