REVELATION 10

JOHN CONSUMES THE SCROLL OF GOD

John sees a mighty angel descending from heaven, holding a small scroll. The angel has the unique appearance of a sun and fire, adorned with clouds and rainbows. With his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, the angel cries out and seven thunders roar. After the thunder sounds, the angel raises his right hand to heaven, declaring there will be no more delay—God's plan will soon be fully revealed and accomplished.

John hears the voice from heaven instructing him to take and eat the scroll, which will hurt his stomach, but taste sweet as honey. John’s consumption of the scroll symbolizes how the truth of God’s judgment can be hard to digest, but His redemption of the Earth is ultimately sweet.

This action resembles the vision given to the prophet Ezekiel, whom God also instructed to eat a scroll as a symbol of internalizing God’s Word (Ezekiel 3). After consuming the scroll, John is commanded to continue prophesying to many nations and peoples in many languages.