Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land
This phrase refers to a mighty angel, possibly representing divine authority and power, as he stands with one foot on the sea and one on the land. This posture symbolizes dominion over the entire earth, both land and sea, indicating a message of universal significance. The imagery of standing on both sea and land may also reflect the comprehensive scope of God's sovereignty and judgment. In biblical context, angels often serve as messengers or agents of God's will, as seen in Daniel 10 and throughout Revelation. The sea and land together can symbolize the entirety of creation, echoing Genesis 1:9-10, where God separates the waters from the land.

lifted up his right hand to heaven
Lifting the right hand to heaven is a gesture of oath-taking, signifying the solemnity and truthfulness of the message being delivered. This act is reminiscent of the practice in ancient cultures, including Hebrew tradition, where raising the hand was part of making a vow or swearing an oath (Genesis 14:22, Deuteronomy 32:40). The right hand is often associated with power and authority in biblical literature (Psalm 110:1, Matthew 26:64). By lifting his right hand, the angel underscores the divine authority and certainty of the proclamation he is about to make, aligning with the prophetic tradition of delivering God's unalterable decrees.

1. The Angel
This is a mighty angel, distinct from the seven angels with trumpets, who stands with authority over both the sea and the land, symbolizing dominion over the earth.

2. The Sea and the Land
These represent the entirety of the earth, indicating the universal scope of the angel's message and authority.

3. Heaven
The angel lifts his hand to heaven, signifying an oath or a solemn declaration, drawing attention to the divine source of his message.Divine Authority
The angel's stance over the sea and land emphasizes God's ultimate authority over all creation. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God's sovereignty extends over every aspect of life.

Solemn Oaths
The act of lifting a hand to heaven signifies the seriousness of the message. Christians are reminded of the weight of their words and the importance of truthfulness in their commitments.

Universal Message
The angel's position indicates that the message is for all people, everywhere. This encourages believers to share the gospel universally, without discrimination.

Faith in God's Promises
Just as the angel's oath is a guarantee of God's plans, believers are called to trust in the certainty of God's promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain.(5-7) And the angel . . .--Translate, And the angel whom I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted his right hand to the heaven, and sware in (or, by) Him who liveth unto the ages of the ages, who created the heaven, and the things in it, and the earth, and the things in it, and the sea, and the things in it, that time (i.e., delay, or postponement) should no longer be: but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, whenever he is about to sound (his trumpet) was finished the mystery of God, as he evangelised his servants the prophets. There is a change of tense which sounds strange: he says, then (not "will be," but) was finished. In thought he hurries on to the end, and sees the close no longer in the dim future, but as, with the eye of God, an accomplished fact. The certainty is guaranteed with an oath. The gesture of the uplifted hand to give emphasis to the oath is of ancient date. Thus Abraham expressed his resolution to take none of the spoils of the conquered kings: "I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord . . . that I will not take from a thread to a shoelatchet" (Genesis 14:22; comp. Exodus 6:8, margin). So, too, does the man clothed in linen (Daniel 12:6-9, a passage which, in much, is the foundation of the one before us) lift up both hands and sware that there shall be a fixed period for the accomplishment of the scattering of the power of the holy people. The oath in the passage under consideration is to the effect (not that time should cease and eternity begin, but) that there shall be no longer any delay. The suffering saints had cried, "How long?" (Revelation 6:9-11), and they had been bidden to wait a little time. Now the close of all such waiting time is announced: when the seventh trumpet shall have blown the mystery of God will be finished. "' The mystery of God' does not mean something which cannot be understood or explained. It is never applied to such matters, for example, as the origin of evil, or the doctrine of the Trinity in Unity. It does mean a secret; but then a secret may be told, and when told is no mystery. The mystery, or secret, of God means, therefore, the whole of His plan and of His counsel concerning this earth in its present state of discipline and of imperfection; all that God means to do upon it and towards it, even till that which we read of as the time of the end (Daniel 12:4-9), the close of this last dispensation, and the introduction of that new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness" (Dr. Vaughan). No wonder, as he announced this fast approaching close of the ages of suffering and trial, he should add, "According as He (not "declared"--an utterly inadequate word--but) evangelised--i.e., according to the glad tidings which He had ever proclaimed to and by His servants the prophets." A somewhat remarkable parallelism between this passage and 1Corinthians 15:51-52, has been pointed out. In both passages there is reference to the mystery, the glad tidings, and the last (the seventh trumpet is also the last) trumpet. This harmony of reference--taken in connection with St. Paul's statement, "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed"--is full of interest, if it were for nothing more than to notice the union of thought between the two Apostles; but it may also throw light upon the teaching respecting the first resurrection (Revelation 20:5-6; but see Note there). . . . Verse 5. - And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven; the right hand (Revised Version) is supported by א, B, C, P, Syriac, Coptic, AEthiopic, Armenian, Andreas, Arethas, Primasius. It is omitted in the Textus Receptus, which follows A, 1, 17, 36, Vulgate; cf. Daniel 12:7, a chapter also referred to in the preceding note (vide supra). In Daniel both hands are uplifted, here only one; in the other is the book. The action was customary among the Jews in swearing (see Genesis 14:22; Deuteronomy 32:40). (Upon the signification of "standing upon the sea and upon the earth," see on ver. 2.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

angel
ἄγγελος (angelos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

I had seen
εἶδον (eidon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

standing
ἑστῶτα (hestōta)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sea
θαλάσσης (thalassēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2281: Probably prolonged from hals; the sea.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

land
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

lifted up
ἦρεν (ēren)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 142: To raise, lift up, take away, remove.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

right
δεξιὰν (dexian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1188: On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.

hand
χεῖρα (cheira)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5495: A hand.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

heaven.
οὐρανόν (ouranon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 10:5 The angel who I saw standing (Rev. Re Apocalypse)