The seven thunders--10:1-6. This angel from heaven here designated as another mighty angel is a reversion to chapter 5:2 where the first strong angel made the loud proclamation concerning the sealed book, asking “ who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?’ Here in the hand of this second mighty angel is the open book, no longer sealed, or closed, the seven seals of it had also been opened and proclaimed -- Revelation 5:5. [Scroll down for identification of this angel] 1. Clothed with a cloud: This angel was wearing a cloud as apparel, or a garment, and was arrayed and encompassed with the phenomenal majesty of a heavenly messenger. He was invested with the credentials of divine authority, which his vestures symbolized. (Exodus 16:10; Exodus 33:9; Numbers 11:25; Psalms 18:11; Matthew 17:5; Luke 21:27; Revelation 1:7) This display was not for the execution of judgment, but rather to be clothed and attired with the glory befitting his portfolio and comparable to his commission. Compare the similar symbols of official robes in Exodus 40:34-38 and Leviticus 16:2, and the “ woman arrayed with the sun” in Revelation 12:1 of the next scene. 2. A rainbow upon his head: The rainbow is the symbol of divine covenant. (Genesis 9:12-17) It represented assurance against judgment, promise of help, a pledge of divine presence. (Ezekiel 1:28; Revelation 4:3; Revelation 10:7) It was a sign that this angel was a messenger of mercy, not of judgment, bringing good tidings, not evil forebodings. 3. His face as the sun: The sun is the light of the universe and is the source of all physical radiance. Seeking a term of grandeur and splendor to portray the One to come, the prophet Malachi selected the flaming orb of the day, and likened the Redeemer to the “ sun of righteousness.” (Malachi 4:2) What the sun is to the solar system, Jesus Christ is to the soul. The rise of this sun of righteousness presaged a new day. With its appearance the darkness vanished and turned to day, the tomb itself yielded to his power and surrendering to his orders, released its seal. One mighty to save had come, who was the Redeemer of men, who brought to nought the power of death and of the devil to deliver all who through the fear of death were subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14-15) This angel clothed with a cloud, with a face as the sun, was the herald of the “ Sun of righteousness” who would turn the night of persecution into the day of victory. (2 Corinthians 4:6) 4. His feet as pillars of fire: The feet are symbolic of the messenger. “ How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.” (Romans 10:15) “ I turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” (Psalms 119:59) “ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15) The feet of this strong angel were as “ pillars of fire"-- like the pillar that led Israel (Exodus 13:21-22) out of Egypt, and was always the symbol of the presence and the guidance of the angels of God. (Exodus 14:19; Exodus 23:20; Exodus 32:34) Describing the feet of this angel as “ pillars of fire” denoted that his feet were illuminated with divine guidance to give light to them that sat in darkness and in the shadow of death. (Luke 1:79) The identity of the mighty angel--10:1; 11:3; 12:7; 14:1, 14; 19:11. 1. The open book of 10:8-11 is the sealed book of 5:1. The Lamb took that book from the One who sat on the throne--5:7. After the opening of the seals, the book was given to John, thus identifying the angel of chapter 10 with the Lamb of chapter 5. 2. The description of the angel of chapter 10 corresponds to that of the Son of man in chapter 1. 3. He appears as Lord in chapter 11:3, exercising a power and authority not ascribed to created beings. 4. The representation of Christ under various figures and forms interspersed in the apocalypse agrees with his presentation as an angel rather than arguing against it. He is the Son in chapter 1. He is the strong Angel, in chapter 5: l-2. He is the Lion in verse 5. He is the Lamb in verse 6. In chapter 6:2, He is the Rider; in 14: 1, He is the Lamb on Mount Zion; in verse 14, He is the Son on the cloud; and in 19:11, He is the Rider of white horse again. In these premises, arguments that the Christ could not be symbolized by an angel appear to be without foundation. 5. It is consistent with the purpose of the interlude that he should appear not as a judge, or king enthroned, but as the sun-countenanced, rainbow-crowned angel of the covenanted people.