Back to the Future (Part 12)

How many times have you eaten something that you thought you would really like only to spit it out because it "left a bad taste in your mouth"? Or, have you ever hesitated to eat something offered to you, but because you did not want to hurt their feelings, you ate, and it "blessed your palate"? When we come to Revelation chapter 10, John calls another time out to give the reader some more background information surrounding all the dramatic events that are being poured out upon the earth. In verses 8-11, God will instruct John to "take the book/scroll which is opened in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land (8)." The scroll seems to be the one that is being held by Jesus, the Victorious Lamb (5:7). Then John is instructed by God to eat the book. I don't think the command was to be seen as eating the book physically, but if that is what God meant, then who is John to disobey God?

To eat the book is symbolic. In order for John to better understand the message and events he was witnessing and later preaching, he must choose to take into his soul the very words of God, and literally have the Word of God fill him so that from the overflow he would know personally the urgency of the message and events that were coming to man. As John eats the book, two things happen: First, the results of God's Word are sweetness to his mouth, but secondly, the contents of the message end up making his stomach sick. The prophet Ezekiel had a similar encounter with God when he was commanded, "Speak the words you have eaten." (Ez. 3"1-4). The child of God must discipline themselves to daily take in God's Word, so that they can be refreshed spiritually by it's power. And yet, another aspect of God's Word is that it convicts, it bothers the conscience, it's message at times is painful to carry in the pit of our souls, and yet it is needed in our lives. For when we live according to God's word, then we are better able to speak both the positive and negative message to this lost world. Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.