What does Revelation 10:9 mean?
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
Explanation
Revelation 10:9 is part of the apocalyptic vision described in the Book of Revelation, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. In this scene, John is instructed by an angel to take a small scroll that has been opened in the hand of the angel and to eat it. The verse conveys both literal and metaphorical meanings. Literally, John is to consume the scroll physically, which will taste sweet as honey in his mouth but will turn bitter in his stomach. Metaphorically, the act of eating the scroll represents absorbing and accepting the divine message it holds. The sweetness reflects the initial joy of receiving God’s word, while the bitterness symbolizes the distress and challenging nature of the prophecies and responsibilities that come with it.
Historical Context
The Book of Revelation was written in a time of persecution for the early Christian church, likely in the late 1st century AD. John, often considered to be the author, is believed to have been in exile on the island of Patmos at the time of writing. This period was marked by the Roman Empire’s dominance, and Christians faced severe punishment for not worshiping the Roman gods or the Emperor. The apocalyptic imagery and symbolism were often used to offer hope to the faithful in times of distress and to communicate messages in a way that would not be immediately clear to persecutors.
Theological Insights
Christian theologians often view the eating of the book as symbolic of internalizing God’s word. The dual reactions of sweetness and bitterness are seen as representing both the comfort and the challenges that come with following divine guidance. Several perspectives include:
- Preterist view: They interpret Revelation as referring primarily to events in the 1st century and suggest this passage reflected the experiences of early Christians.
- Futurist view: They believe that the events in Revelation are yet to occur and that this verse reveals how God’s messages will affect those who receive them in the end times.
- Idealist or Symbolic view: This view notes that the book’s revelations represent ongoing spiritual struggles rather than specific historical or future events.
Practical Applications
In a practical sense, Revelation 10:9 may encourage believers to embrace God’s word wholeheartedly, accepting both its comforts and its demands. It underscores the idea that spiritual growth and discipleship can involve difficult truths, requiring both courage and conviction. For individuals, it suggests engaging with faith not just on the surface but deeply, allowing it to challenge and change them.
Cross-References
- Ezekiel 3:1-3: “Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.”
- Jeremiah 15:16: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”
- Psalm 119:103: “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
- Revelation 10:10: “And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.”
Language Study
In the original Greek text, the word used for “book” is “βιβλαρίδιον” (biblaridion), which refers to a small scroll or booklet. “Eat it up” comes from “κατάφαγε” (kataphage), which means to consume or devour, suggesting full internalization. “Bitter” is translated from “πικραίνω” (pikrainō), to make bitter or to embitter, indicating a strong emotional or physical reaction.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
Comparable motifs exist in other ancient cultures and religious traditions. For example, in Hinduism, the concept of Amrita, divine nectar, is both sweet and has life-giving or transformative properties. In Greek mythology, the consumption of certain foods could have profound consequences, like the pomegranate seeds eaten by Persephone, tying her to Hades. These cultural parallels echo the theme of profound transformation through the act of consumption.
Scientific Perspectives
From a scientific viewpoint, while the verse isn’t commenting directly on empirical reality, the physiological description of taste turning from sweet to bitter could relate to taste perception changes upon digestion. It can also be used metaphorically to explore the psychological impact of receiving information that is initially appealing but has uncomfortable implications or consequences.
Commentaries
Various biblical scholars and theologians have interpreted this verse through different lenses:
- Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the complete acceptance of God’s will and its unavoidable difficulties.
- John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible suggests that the scroll contains prophecies both comforting (sweet) and distressing (bitter) to the apostle.
- Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible points out that prophetic missions are often fraught with sorrow and difficulty despite the joys of receiving divine truth.
- The Pulpit Commentary reflects on the dual experience of pleasure and pain in the Christian life, stemming from fulfilling God’s demanding work.