Already in Revelation 10:2 John had noticed (and recorded) that the little scroll in the mighty angel’s hand was “open.” Now the voice from heaven takes the opportunity to remind John that this scroll is indeed “open.” There must be a reason for this. To give someone an open envelope is an invitation to the receiver to check on its content. So we would expect John too to act or receive instruction in that direction.
8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.”