April 2, 2022

Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.” 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 10:8-9

In chapter 10 the apostle John sees a stunningly dazzling angel whose description conveys that he has come to earth directly from the presence of the LORD. Clearly, he has tremendous authority and the message that he conveys are the words of God. In addition, John also hears a heavenly voice from someone other than the angel before him (v.4). Instead of turning as he had done earlier (1:12), his gaze remains upon the mighty angel with the open book. The instructions from the heavenly voice are immediately obeyed: John enters into the vision, approaches the mighty angel, and says, “Give me the little book.” As the angel hands the open book to John, he speaks directly to John . . .

The words of the Lord are indeed as sweet as honey. His love for us is love-in-action! He planned to save us before we were created, for He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world! This is Good News! Jesus knows that obedience to His Word in a fallen world brings bitter opposition. He faithfully encourages each of us to develop a vision for our eternal future. The horrendous opposition that He patiently endured during His ministry was overshadowed by the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). Beloved, that joy is you! The thought of eternity with you brings joy to the heart of Jesus.

In John’s day, the infant church was not yet corrupted. The New Testament contains many stern warnings about the corruption to come, but the little book of Daniel, formerly sealed (see Daniel 12:4,9) explains in detail how counterfeit religion would come to be a persecuting power that would prosper as he cast truth to the ground (Daniel 8:12). All of the prophecies of Scripture are spot-on. This is for our benefit. Advance warning is a distinct advantage, but only if heeded…

Then I took the little book out of 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 became bitter. And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” (vv. 10-11)

For the sake of people—individuals loved by God—it is necessary to proclaim the Gospel while identifying counterfeit religion. As a result, many will be saved from the clutches of religious deceptions. Satan’s focused energies are directed at Christians, to deceive, as he already holds sway over unbelievers. The last-day message directed at believers is to save those who are in error and better equip each of us to communicate an inerrant message of God’s love to the world. The unreceptiveness of church people to corrections causes bitterness for those who feed on the Word of God!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16