Revelation 10
“And I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, 'Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.'”
Revelation 10:9
Summary
In Revelation chapter 10, John witnesses a mighty angel descending from heaven, clothed with a cloud and a rainbow upon his head. This angel has one foot on the sea and the other on the land, symbolizing authority over both. In his hand, the angel holds a small, open scroll, indicating a message from God. As he calls out, seven thunders respond, but John is instructed not to write down what they said, highlighting the mystery of God's future actions. The angel then raises his hand to heaven, swearing by the eternal Creator, and declares that there will be no more delay in the fulfillment of God's mysteries. After this, John is told to take and eat the scroll from the angel's hand, which is sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach, symbolizing the joy and the trials of prophetic ministry. Ultimately, John is commissioned to continue prophesying about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.