Everyday Life in Revelation: Part 6 the TrumpetsVoorbeeld

In the last passage we read, we learn God will no longer delay His proper judgment for the world.

In today’s passage, John receives a scroll. There is much debate about what is on this scroll and the relation of this scroll with the original scroll that had seven seals on it. Some think they are the same scroll. We ultimately cannot know from our vantage point.

More importantly, we read John eats the scroll. This hearkens to Ezekiel, where the prophet eats a scroll given to him by God, and then he proclaims the impending judgment declared on that scroll. Since John has been telling us of the breaking of the seals and the judgment it unleashes, I wonder if this is indeed the original scroll with seven seals.

John describes the scroll as sweet to taste but bitter in the stomach. John is showing us it is sweet to hear and to take in the word of God, even when those words announce a bitter judgment for the world.

When we interact and dig into the Scriptures, we will often discover messages that are hard to live by. Yet, they lead us to real life and eternal purpose. Sometimes God’s message is sharp and hard to swallow. Let us, by faith, live by God’s total counsel through His Word. As we cling to His Word, we experience the eternal life promised to God’s people.