And I saw another strong messenger descending from the sky, dressed with a cloud, and with a rainbow on his head. And his face was like the sun, and his feet were like pillars of fire. And he had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot in the sea and his left on the earth. And he shouted in a loud voice, like a lion roaring.

And when he shouted the seven thunders spoke their own voice. And when the seven thunders spoke I was about to write, but I heard a voice from the sky saying, ‘Seal what the seven thunders spoke, and do not write.’

And the messenger, the one I saw standing on the sea and on the earth, raised his right hand to the sky and he swore by the one who lives for ever and ever—who created the sky and those in it and the earth and those on it and the sea and those in it—‘There is no more delay, but in the days of the seventh messenger’s sound, when he is about to blast, then God’s mystery will be accomplished, as he well-announced to his slaves, the prophets.’

And the voice that I heard from the sky spoke with me again, and said, ‘Go, take the open scroll in messenger’s hand—the one who stands on the sea and on the earth.’

And I went to the messenger, saying to him, ‘Give me the little scroll.’

And he said to me, ‘Take and eat it. And it will embitter your stomach, but in your mouth it will be sweet like honey.’ And I took the little scroll from the messenger’s hand and I ate it. And in my mouth it was sweet like honey, but my stomach was embittered when I ate it.

And they said to me, ‘You must again prophesy against peoples and nations and tongues and many kings.’