Mighty and heavenly though this angel certainly is (Revelation 13:1), he calls upon eternal God himself to confirm the truth of what he says. He describes God as “him who lives for ever and ever,” and so acknowledges his own dependence and existence upon this God (see Genesis 1:1). Furthermore, though his two feet stand on sea and land respectively, this angel did not create sea nor land (with their creatures), nor does he uphold land and sea. Only the everlasting Creator can ultimately determine what shall happen in his world. Swearing by him gives this mighty angel’s oath much credibility. That is very much needed for the churches who read what John is writing—and will write in the coming chapters.
6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay,