8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: âGo, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.â
9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, âTake it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but âin your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.â[a]â 10 I took the little scroll from the angelâs hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, âYou must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.â
This is a strange scripture. What do you think it means? I don't want this thread to be debating about the existence of God or anything, just what you think about this verse in Revelations.
Hmm since it is in Revelations Id think it would have to do with something involving the end of the world. Though for the life of me I cant see what it means except that in eating that scroll he gains wisdom.
Maybe it is referring to the Beast and the false prophet? The message they preach feels good in the beginning but later becomes bitter? Or maybe it is referring to the Christian walk, the path is easier in the beginning but later can become more difficult to follow because of the rials of the world in work, school etc. I will try to talk to my pastor and then get back to you
It could be something as simple as some things are good at first, but then turn out to be worse then they were good. Such as taking drugs, or sinning habitually.
I agree with Logan, given the overall context of the book and assuming a literal Christian Anti-Christ it's logical to assume it refers to his anti-message, if you would. Although on the surface it would appear wonderful it would actually be a bitter experience.
This particular passage seems to be referring to the requirement that John witness to the other churches. The missionary work is difficult, and would often be met with criticism, mistreatment, and torment during life, but Christian dogma teaches that one who suffers in life will receive great rewards in heaven. As such this passage seems to allude to the hardship (bitterness) of traveling and teaching the gospel, and the rewards (sweetness) received in heaven for doing God's bidding.
This particular passage seems to be referring to the requirement that John witness to the other churches. The missionary work is difficult, and would often be met with criticism, mistreatment, and torment during life, but Christian dogma teaches that one who suffers in life will receive great rewards in heaven. As such this passage seems to allude to the hardship (bitterness) of traveling and teaching the gospel, and the rewards (sweetness) received in heaven for doing God's bidding.
I disagree, the end result is of bad taste while the present is of good taste. If it was comparing life to the reward it would be insinuating that life was enjoyable while the reward was not, a teaching against the majority of other Christian teachings.
