ACC ~ Revelation 10 v2

CHRIST IS THE MESSENGER OF THE FATHER. VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM: The “open book” is the Revelation that John received. As we explained earlier, “his feet” are the inspired apostles. That he stands upon both the sea and the land signifies that all things have been placed under his feet. He speaks of him here as an “angel,” for he is the messenger of the almighty Father and is called the “messenger of great counsel.”COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10.1.

THE REVELATION OF CHRIST ADVANCES. TYCONIUS: With reason did his face shine “as the sun in full strength,” for he opened the book that had been sealed in mystery. “He placed his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the land,” so that he might confirm the precept of his law by land and by sea. Nor was it without reason that he placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. In the right foot he signifies the stronger members who have been made firm through great dangers. In the left foot he indicates the crowd of candidates who have not yet received the sign of the faith. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10.2.

THE ANGEL OPENS THE RECORD OF THE WICKED. OECUMENIUS: “And he had in his hand,” it says, “a little scroll opened.” Daniel recalled such scrolls when he said, “The tribunal sat before him, and books were opened.”It was the little scroll in which were written both the names and the transgressions of the severely wicked who are going to be punished. And therefore he used the diminutive “little scroll,” since there is a book or a scroll—both are mentioned in holy Scripture—in which the names of all people are written. But here he speaks of a little scroll in which the names of the exceedingly wicked are written. For those who worship idols and are marked by murders and sorceries and are enfeebled in other ways that he reports would not be sufficient to fill an entire book. “And he set his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the land.” On the one hand, this is an indication of the multitude of the saints, but on the other hand this indicates that he was carrying the instruments of punishment for those who transgressed upon the land and upon the sea, in that they were drowned in it, and who had otherwise done evil. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10.1-4.

THE STRONG SUFFER PERSECUTION; THE WEAK ARE SPARED. PRIMASIUS: If earlier the deep secrets of the Old Testament were recognized to have been hidden in the sealed book, it is appropriate that the revealed grace of the New Testament is believed to be disclosed here in the opened book. Therefore, the apostle confidently says, “And we, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from glory to glory, as though by the Spirit of the Lord.” Indeed, this is why his face is said to shine like the sun. Moreover, the right foot upon the sea represents those members who are strong so that they might suffer the attacks of persecution. … The left foot upon the land represents those who are not exposed to the greater dangers. For God does not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able, but with temptation [he] provides also a way, so that we might endure. It is certain, nonetheless, that the proclamation is extended by way of land and sea. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10.2.

Rev