Revelation 10 9

Revelation 10:9 kjv

And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

Revelation 10:9 nkjv

So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth."

Revelation 10:9 niv

So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but 'in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.'"

Revelation 10:9 esv

So 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 nlt

So I went to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll. "Yes, take it and eat it," he said. "It will be sweet as honey in your mouth, but it will turn sour in your stomach!"

Revelation 10 verses

Revelation 10 9 Meaning

Revelation 10:9 describes the experience of the Apostle John as he takes and consumes a "little scroll" given by a mighty angel. The verse conveys a profound spiritual and prophetic experience: initially, the divine message contained within the scroll is delightful and pleasing to John, symbolizing the sweetness of receiving God's word and revelation. However, upon being fully internalized and processed, this same message produces a bitter effect within him, representing the often challenging, painful, or weighty implications of prophecy, especially concerning impending judgments, tribulation, or the cost of ministry. This dual sensation reflects the complex nature of God's truth, which is glorious and life-giving but can also bring a burden of responsibility, sorrow over sin, or the pain of impending divine judgment.

Revelation 10 9 Context

Revelation chapter 10 is an interlude within the unfolding sequence of God's judgments, specifically situated between the sixth and seventh trumpets. Following the devastation wrought by the six trumpet judgments, this chapter introduces a mighty angel descending from heaven with a "little scroll" open in his hand. John is commanded by a heavenly voice to "take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth" (Rev 10:8). This verse, Revelation 10:9, directly narrates John's obedience to that command and the profound physical and spiritual consequences of consuming the scroll. This act of consumption symbolizes the reception and internalization of God's divine message and a specific prophetic commission. The historical and cultural context draws heavily from Old Testament prophetic traditions where prophets were often called to physically or symbolically "eat" God's words to internalize and then proclaim them, such as Ezekiel's commissioning. It underscores John's role as a prophetic messenger who must first deeply experience the revelation before sharing it with others, preparing him for the weighty revelations to follow concerning the measuring of the temple, the two witnesses, and the final trumpet.

Revelation 10 9 Word analysis

• And I went: Signifies John's direct obedience and personal involvement in the vision, moving from observation to participation. This is not passive reception but an active engagement with the divine command.
• unto the angel: Refers to the "mighty angel" introduced in Rev 10:1, distinct in appearance and authority, signifying the high importance of this interaction.
• and said unto him, Give me: John's initiative. He explicitly requests the scroll, showing willingness and eagerness to receive the divine revelation, directly following the voice from heaven's command (Rev 10:8).
• the little book: Greek: biblaridion (βιβλαρίδιον). This is a diminutive of biblion (βιβλίον, 'book' or 'scroll'). The diminutive form could suggest several things: it's distinct from the large sealed scroll of Rev 5, perhaps a portion or subset of revelation, or emphasizing its content as particular rather than universal. It's "open," implying its contents are now revealed and ready for consumption, unlike the sealed scroll of Rev 5. It contains a specific message relevant to the coming prophetic period.
• And he said unto me, Take it: A direct instruction from the angel, emphasizing the authority and divine nature of the command to receive the scroll.
• and eat it up: Greek: kataphago (καταφάγο), literally "eat it down completely" or "devour." This action is symbolic, representing the complete internalization, absorption, and assimilation of the prophetic message. It implies not just intellectual understanding but a full experiential grasp, making it a part of oneself. This echoes prophetic calls in the Old Testament.
• and it shall make thy belly bitter: Greek: pikros (πικρός), meaning bitter, pungent, acrid. This refers to John's internal experience (belly, koilia, often symbolizing deep emotions, inner being, seat of understanding). The bitterness signifies the difficult, harsh, or painful aspect of the prophetic message. This often relates to the severity of God's judgments, the tribulation the saints will endure, or the sorrow inherent in proclaiming unpopular truth.
• but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey: Greek: glykys (γλυκύς), meaning sweet. This is the initial sensation upon tasting the scroll. The sweetness in the mouth represents the initial delight, pleasantness, or inherent joy in receiving direct revelation from God. It also speaks to the beauty, truth, and wonder of God's word itself. The duality reflects the nature of prophetic truth: glorious and delightful to receive, yet weighty and challenging in its implications and proclamation.
• words-group: And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up: This phrase represents a divine imperative for active, comprehensive engagement with God's revealed truth. It is not just about listening but fully consuming the message.
• words-group: it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey: This juxtaposition encapsulates the paradoxical nature of divine prophecy and revelation. The mouth signifies the immediate sensory reception or the initial intellectual apprehension, which is delightful due to its divine origin and truth. The belly signifies the deeper, internalized impact or the consequences of fully understanding and bearing the message. This outcome is often painful or sorrowful, particularly when the message pertains to judgment, suffering, or the trials awaiting humanity.

Revelation 10 9 Bonus section

The "little book" (biblaridion) contrasts with the biblion (sealed scroll) of Revelation 5:1, which represented God's eternal decree for redemption and judgment, whose seals only the Lamb could open. The little book, now open and eaten, might signify specific, localized, or immediate revelations pertaining to the next phase of events, rather than the entirety of God's cosmic plan. Some scholars believe it to contain the details elaborated in Chapters 11-14 or specific decrees relating to the last judgments. The contrast highlights the progressive unfolding of God's plan.

This act of consumption emphasizes the incarnational nature of prophetic witness: the message isn't external to the messenger; it becomes a part of their very being. It validates the prophet's personal identification with the divine revelation, ensuring authenticity in proclamation because it has been personally endured and absorbed.

This vision provides a profound insight into the emotional and spiritual demands placed upon those called to convey God's often sobering truths. It indicates that genuine understanding and effective communication of God's word involves deep spiritual processing, which includes both the joyful reception of truth and the somber awareness of its implications for a world in rebellion.

Revelation 10 9 Commentary

Revelation 10:9 is a pivotal verse in John's prophetic commissioning, serving as a powerful allegory for the nature of divine revelation and the prophetic ministry. The act of "eating the scroll" is not literal, but a profound spiritual exercise symbolizing the complete absorption of God's message into one's innermost being. Just as food becomes part of the body, God's word is meant to become part of the prophet, internalized to such a degree that it shapes their understanding, emotions, and subsequent actions.

The dual experience of sweetness and bitterness reflects the two-fold reality of God's truth. The initial sweetness in the mouth speaks to the intrinsic beauty, preciousness, and wonder of receiving a direct communication from the Divine. To taste God's word is to taste His character, His wisdom, and His eternal purposes, which is inherently delightful for those who hunger for righteousness. This sweetness can also represent the personal joy and privilege of being chosen as a messenger of God, the clarity it brings, and the hope embedded within even messages of judgment for those who repent.

However, the bitterness in the belly represents the challenging, burdensome, and often painful aspect of the message. This pain can arise from several sources:

1. The Nature of the Message: Much of Revelation concerns God's righteous judgment against sin and unbelief, bringing destruction upon the earth. To fully internalize such a message means sharing, in a sense, the sorrow of God over human wickedness and the inevitability of the impending consequences.
2. The Cost of Ministry: Prophetic ministry often involves suffering, rejection, and facing opposition (as seen in the two witnesses of chapter 11). The truth of God's word, particularly about sin and judgment, is often unwelcome and brings hostility from the world.
3. Sympathy with Suffering: For a prophet to understand future tribulation for God's people requires a form of empathetic anguish. The prophet may bear the burden of foreseen suffering.

Therefore, this verse teaches that truly receiving God's word means embracing both its comforting and its challenging aspects. It’s a message that delights the soul with truth but can simultaneously burden the spirit with the weight of responsibility, the sorrow of reality, and the future hardships it foretells. This experience prepares John for the next phase of his prophecy: "Thou must prophesy again concerning many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings" (Rev 10:11), equipping him to deliver a message that will undoubtedly be met with diverse and often difficult responses.