Revelation 10:6

KJV

And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} sware {G3660} by {G1722} him that liveth {G2198} for {G1519} ever {G165} and ever {G165}, who {G3739} created {G2936} heaven {G3772}, and {G2532} the things that therein are {G1722}{G846}, and {G2532} the earth {G1093}, and {G2532} the things that therein are {G1722}{G846}, and {G2532} the sea {G2281}, and {G2532} the things which are therein {G1722}{G846}, that {G3754} there should be {G2071} time {G5550} no {G3756} longer {G2089}:

Complete Jewish Bible

and swore by the One who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it: “There will be no more delay;

Berean Standard Bible

And he swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and everything in it, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it: “There will be no more delay!

American Standard Version

and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created the heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that there shall be delay no longer:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 10:6 presents a profound declaration by a mighty angel, who, standing with one foot on the sea and one on the land, swears a solemn oath by the eternal and sovereign Creator of all things—heaven, earth, and sea—that there will be "time no longer." This pivotal pronouncement signals the imminent cessation of God's period of forbearance and delay, marking a definitive shift in the divine timetable towards the final consummation of His redemptive and judgmental purposes, setting the stage for the swift unfolding of the remaining eschatological events.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant interlude (Revelation 10:1-11:13) between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments. The preceding chapters detail the initial six trumpet judgments, which unleash widespread destruction upon the earth. The appearance of the mighty angel in [Revelation 10:1-3](/revelation/10-1-3 "Revelation 10:1-3 - The Mighty Angel") introduces a pause in the sequence of judgments, providing a moment of divine revelation and prophetic commissioning for John. The angel's oath in [Revelation 10:6](/revelation/10-6 "Revelation 10:6 - The Angel's Oath") serves as a divine affirmation of the certainty and immediacy of the events that are about to transpire, particularly the final trumpet and the establishment of God's kingdom. It precedes John's instruction to eat the small scroll, symbolizing his renewed prophetic commission to proclaim further prophecies concerning "many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings" ([Revelation 10:9-11](/revelation/10-9-11 "Revelation 10:9-11 - John's Commission")). This interlude emphasizes that the unfolding of God's plan is not haphazard but proceeds according to a fixed, divine decree, now entering its conclusive phase.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of swearing an oath by a higher power was a common and deeply significant practice in both ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures, as well as within Jewish tradition. Such an oath invoked the authority and integrity of the one by whom it was sworn, guaranteeing the truthfulness and certainty of the declaration. In this context, the angel's oath "by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven... earth... and the sea" ([Revelation 10:6](/revelation/10-6 "Revelation 10:6 - The Angel's Oath")) draws upon the foundational Israelite understanding of Yahweh as the sole, eternal, and sovereign Creator God. This resonates with Old Testament affirmations of God's unique power and authority over all creation, as seen in passages like [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God as Creator") and [Psalm 146:6](/psalm/146-6 "Psalm 146:6 - God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth"). The angel's stance, with one foot on the sea and one on the land, symbolically asserts universal dominion, underscoring the cosmic scope and undeniable authority of the oath he pronounces. This imagery would have conveyed to John's original audience the absolute finality and divine backing of the angel's declaration.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Revelation and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Eternality**. The oath is sworn by the one who "liveth for ever and ever" and "created heaven... earth... and the sea," emphasizing God's timeless existence and supreme authority as the ultimate [Creator of all things](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). This reiterates that the unfolding of prophetic events is under His complete control and not subject to human will or unforeseen circumstances. Secondly, the phrase "that there should be time no longer" introduces the crucial theme of **The End of Delay**. While the Greek word for 'time' here is *chronos* (χρόνος), in this context, it signifies the cessation of a specific period of divine patience or postponement, not necessarily the end of all chronological existence. It means "no more delay" or "no more postponement" for the final judgments and the establishment of God's kingdom. This theme highlights God's patience reaching its appointed limit, signaling the imminent and irreversible progression toward the consummation of history. Finally, the solemnity of the oath reinforces the **Certainty of Prophetic Fulfillment**. The divine timetable for the consummation of all things is fixed and will be executed precisely as foretold, ensuring that the prophecies concerning the end times are not subject to change or indefinite suspension, but will culminate in God's ultimate victory and the [establishment of His eternal kingdom](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **aiṓn (Greek, _aiṓn'_):** This word, translated as "ever" (in "for ever and ever"), properly means "an age" or "a period of time," but by extension, it signifies "perpetuity" or "eternity." When used in the phrase "for ever and ever" (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, literally "unto the ages of the ages"), it emphasizes the absolute, unending, and eternal nature of God's existence. It highlights His timelessness, distinguishing Him from all created beings who exist within the confines of time. The angel swears by the one who transcends all temporal limitations, affirming the unchangeable and eternal nature of the divine decree.
* **ktízō (Greek, _ktízō'_):** Translated as "created," this verb means "to fabricate," "to found," or "to form originally." It denotes the act of bringing something into existence from nothing or establishing it as a foundational reality. In this verse, it underscores God's unique role as the **Creator** of the entire cosmos—heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is within them. This attribute of God as the sole originator and sustainer of the universe provides the ultimate basis for the authority and infallibility of the oath sworn by the angel. His creative power guarantees His sovereign right to bring history to its appointed end.
* **chrónos (Greek, _chrónos'_):** This term, translated as "time," refers to a general "space of time" or "interval." It is distinct from *kairos* (which denotes a fixed or opportune occasion) and *aiṓn* (which denotes an age or eternity). In the context of "that there should be time no longer," the use of *chrónos* combined with the negative particle *ou* (no) and *eti* (longer/still) strongly implies "no more delay" or "no more postponement." It signifies the cessation of the period during which God has patiently awaited the culmination of events, indicating that the final sequence of judgments and the establishment of His kingdom will now proceed without further deferral or interruption.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever,"**: This clause establishes the supreme authority behind the angel's declaration. The act of swearing by "him that liveth for ever and ever" invokes the eternal, self-existent, and unchangeable God. It is an appeal to the highest possible authority, guaranteeing the absolute truth and certainty of what is about to be declared. This solemn oath underscores that the pronouncement is not merely an angelic statement but a divine decree, rooted in God's very nature as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
* **"who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein,"**: This expansive description identifies the one by whom the oath is sworn as the sovereign Creator of the entire cosmos. By explicitly listing "heaven," "earth," and "sea," along with "the things that therein are," the text employs a figure of speech to encompass all of creation. This emphasizes God's comprehensive dominion and ownership over all existence. The Creator's authority is absolute, extending to every realm and every creature, thus validating His right to determine the course and end of history. This serves as a powerful reminder that the one making the declaration is the ultimate power in the universe.
* **"that there should be time no longer:"**: This is the core declaration of the oath. The phrase "time no longer" (Greek: *chronos ouketi estai*) signifies the cessation of a specific period of delay or postponement. It does not mean the end of all chronology or the dissolution of time itself, but rather that God's patience and the period of waiting for the final judgments and the establishment of His kingdom have reached their appointed end. The divine forbearance that has characterized the unfolding of history is now over, and the final, decisive events of God's plan will unfold rapidly and without further interruption. This marks a critical turning point in Revelation's prophetic narrative, signaling the imminent consummation of all things.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 10:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Oath-taking** is central, lending immense gravity and divine authority to the angel's pronouncement. In biblical and ancient contexts, an oath sworn by God was the highest form of guarantee, signifying absolute truth and certainty. The angel's posture, with one foot on the sea and one on the land, is a form of **Symbolism**, representing universal dominion and the cosmic scope of the declaration. This visual metaphor conveys that the authority behind the oath extends over all creation. Furthermore, the comprehensive listing of "heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein" is an example of **Merism**. This rhetorical device uses two or more contrasting or complementary parts to represent a whole (e.g., heaven and earth representing the entire cosmos). Here, it emphasizes the totality of God's creative power and sovereign ownership over all existence, reinforcing the unchallengeable foundation of the oath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 10:6 powerfully affirms God's absolute sovereignty and the certainty of His prophetic Word. The angel's oath, sworn by the eternal Creator of all things, underscores that the divine plan for history is meticulously ordered and will culminate precisely as decreed. This declaration that "there should be time no longer" is not an arbitrary end to chronology but a definitive cessation of God's period of patience or delay, signaling the imminent and irreversible unfolding of final judgments and the establishment of His kingdom. It highlights the divine prerogative to bring history to its appointed climax, demonstrating that all human events, though seemingly chaotic, are ultimately subservient to God's overarching purpose. This theological truth provides immense comfort and assurance to believers, knowing that God is actively working all things according to the counsel of His will, bringing about His promised new heavens and new earth.

* [Psalm 90:2](/psalm/90-2 "Psalm 90:2 - God's Eternality")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [2 Peter 3:8-9](/2_peter/3-8-9 "2 Peter 3:8-9 - God's Patience and the Day of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 10:6 calls believers to a profound posture of watchful expectation and faithful urgency. The declaration that "there should be time no longer" serves as a powerful reminder that God's patience, though vast, is not infinite, and His divine timetable is progressing towards its certain consummation. This truth should ignite within us a renewed sense of purpose, compelling us to live intentionally in light of eternity. It challenges any complacency, urging us to prioritize what truly matters—our relationship with God, the spread of His Gospel, and acts of love and justice in a world awaiting His return. Knowing that the period of delay is finite, we are called to be vigilant, to redeem the time, and to faithfully steward the opportunities God has given us, recognizing that every moment is precious in the grand narrative of His unfolding plan. This verse encourages us to anchor our hope not in the fleeting circumstances of this world, but in the unshakeable promises of the eternal God, whose Word will surely come to pass.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the angel's oath, sworn by the eternal Creator, deepen your understanding of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His promises?**
* **If "time no longer" means "no more delay," how should this understanding impact your sense of urgency in living out your faith and sharing the Gospel?**
* **What areas of your life might reflect a complacent attitude towards God's imminent return, and what practical steps can you take to align your priorities with His eternal perspective?**

### FAQ

**Does "time no longer" mean that time itself will cease to exist?**

Answer: No, the phrase "time no longer" (Greek: *chronos ouketi estai*) in [Revelation 10:6](/revelation/10-6 "Revelation 10:6 - The Angel's Oath") does not mean that chronological time will cease to exist entirely. Instead, the Greek word *chronos* here refers to a general period or interval. When combined with "no longer," it signifies the cessation of a specific period of divine delay or postponement. It means "no more delay" for the final judgments and the establishment of God's kingdom. God's patience has reached its limit, and the remaining prophecies will now unfold rapidly and without further deferral. This is distinct from the concept of eternity, which is often conveyed by other Greek terms like *aiōn* (age, eternity), which is actually used earlier in the same verse to describe God's eternal nature ("liveth for ever and ever"). So, it's the end of a specific *kind* of time—a time of waiting—not the end of all existence within a temporal framework.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 10:6, with its solemn oath sworn by the eternal Creator, powerfully points to Christ in multiple dimensions. The one "who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein" is none other than the Triune God, in whom the Son, Jesus Christ, is intimately involved. The New Testament unequivocally declares that [all things were created through Him and for Him](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator"), and that [without Him was not anything made that was made](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - Christ's Role in Creation"). Therefore, the authority of the oath rests upon Christ as the co-Creator and sustainer of the universe. Furthermore, the declaration "that there should be time no longer" finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's eschatological work. It is He who, at His first coming, inaugurated the "last days" ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")) and who, at His second coming, will bring about the final consummation of all things. The "no more delay" signifies the swift approach of the day when [Christ will return in glory](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Triumphant Return") to execute judgment and establish His eternal kingdom, fulfilling all the prophecies that have been delayed for a season. Thus, the angel's oath underscores that the end of time's delay is inextricably linked to the sovereign will and redemptive plan of the Creator God, fully embodied and brought to fruition in Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, who is both the beginning and the end of all things ([Revelation 22:13](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Christ, the Alpha and Omega")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 4:9

And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

Revelation 16:17

¶ And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.