Revelation 10:1

I saw. See on chs. 1:1; 4:1. Chapters 10:1 to 11:14 constitute a parenthesis between the sixth and seventh trumpets. This parenthesis is similar to that of ch. 7, which comes between the sixth and seventh seals.

Another mighty angel. That is, in addition to the angels who had earlier appeared. He is apparently distinct from the angels who hold the four winds (ch. 7:1), from those with the seven trumpets (ch. 8:2), from the angel at the altar (ch. 8:3), and from those in the river Euphrates (ch. 9:14). This angel may be identified as Christ. Here, as Lord of history, he makes the proclamation of v. 6.

Come down from heaven. Although the focus of the vision is now upon a heavenly being, its locale is still the earth.

Clothed. Gr. periballō, “to throw about,” “to envelop,” “to clothe.” The angel is seen enveloped in a cloud. The Scriptures frequently associate clouds with appearances of Christ (see Dan. 7:13; Acts 1:9; Rev. 1:7; 14:14; cf. Ps. 104:3; 1 Thess. 4:17).

Rainbow. Compare Rev. 4:3; Eze. 1:26–28. The angel’s face, “as it were the sun,” shining through the cloud with which he is enveloped may be thought of as the occasion for the rainbow. Compare on Gen. 1:12, 13.

As it were the sun. Compare the description of Christ in ch. 1:16.

Feet. To compare feet to pillars appears incongruous, but the word “feet” (podes) is doubtless used here in the sense of the lower extremities, the legs and feet, which are likened to pillars of fire ( cf. of S. Sol. 5:15; cf. on Eze. 1:7).

Pillars of fire. Compare the description of the feet of Christ in ch. 1:15.