The event of John eating the little scroll is a significant moment in the Book of Revelation, specifically found in Revelation 10:8-11. This passage is part of the Apostle John's apocalyptic vision while he is exiled on the island of Patmos. The act of consuming the scroll is rich in symbolism and echoes similar prophetic actions found in the Old Testament.

Biblical Context

In Revelation 10, John describes a mighty angel descending from heaven, clothed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head, his face like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. The angel holds a small scroll, open in his hand. After the angel cries out, seven thunders utter their voices, but John is instructed not to write down what they have said. Instead, he is told to take the scroll from the angel and eat it.

Scriptural Account

The Berean Standard Bible records the event as follows:

"Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, 'Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land.' 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 make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.' So I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter. And they told me, 'You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.'" (Revelation 10:8-11)

Symbolism and Interpretation

The act of eating the scroll is symbolic of internalizing God's message. The sweetness in John's mouth represents the initial joy and delight in receiving God's word, while the bitterness in his stomach signifies the difficult and often harsh realities of the prophetic message he must deliver. This duality reflects the nature of prophecy, which can bring both hope and judgment.

The imagery of eating a scroll is reminiscent of the prophet Ezekiel's experience. In Ezekiel 2:8-3:3, God commands Ezekiel to eat a scroll, which is also described as sweet as honey. This parallel underscores the continuity of God's revelation and the role of His prophets in communicating His will to the people.

Theological Significance

John's consumption of the scroll emphasizes the responsibility of the prophet to fully absorb and understand the divine message before proclaiming it to others. It highlights the intimate and personal nature of receiving God's word, as well as the weighty responsibility that comes with it. The command to "prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings" indicates the universal scope of the message and the ongoing mission of the Church to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel.

Application for Believers

For contemporary believers, this passage serves as a reminder of the importance of engaging deeply with Scripture. Just as John internalized the scroll, Christians are called to meditate on God's word, allowing it to transform their hearts and minds. The bittersweet nature of the scroll also reflects the Christian experience of joy in salvation and the sobering reality of the world's brokenness, urging believers to faithfully proclaim the Gospel in all its fullness.