The Explanation

John is watching heaven again, and suddenly he sees a giant angel come down. This is no ordinary angel. He is wrapped in a cloud, and a rainbow sits on his head like a crown. His face shines like the sun, so bright you could hardly look at him. His feet look like pillars of fire, strong enough to burn anything they touch.

This angel is so big that he puts one foot on the sea and one foot on the land, like he owns it all. Then he shouts, and his voice sounds like a lion roaring. When he shouts, seven thunders answer him, rumbling loud words.

John grabs his pen. He wants to write down what the thunders said. But a voice from heaven stops him. "Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don't write them." Some things are not for us to know yet.

Then the angel lifts his hand to the sky and makes a promise. He swears by God, the one who lives forever, who made the sky and the sea and the earth. He says: no more waiting. When the seventh angel finally blows his trumpet, God's whole secret plan will be finished, just as he told his prophets long ago.

Now the voice speaks to John again. "Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel." John walks up to this huge, fiery angel and asks for the little book. The angel says something strange. "Take it, and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey."

John takes the book and eats it. In his mouth, sweet as honey. In his stomach, bitter. Then he is told: "You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings."

What Does This Mean?

Would you have dared to eat a book handed to you by a fire footed angel? John did. That little book was full of God's words, words about what would happen to the world. Eating it means John took those words deep inside himself, so deep they became part of him.

Why sweet and bitter at the same time? Sweet, because God's words are good, they are true, they promise that God wins in the end. Bitter, because some of what is coming is hard and sad, judgment on a world that has turned from God. Carrying God's message is not always comfortable. It can taste wonderful and hurt at the same time.

The Common Thread

The angel swears that God will finish his mystery, his hidden plan, just like he told the prophets. That plan has always pointed to one person: Jesus. He is the one who makes everything right in the end. This whole scene reminds us that God is not making things up as he goes. He has a plan, and he keeps his promises, even the ones that take a long time.

For You

Sometimes doing what God asks does not feel only good. Maybe you tell the truth and it costs you a friend for a while. Maybe you forgive someone and it still stings. That is a little like eating the book. Sweet because you obeyed God, bitter because it was hard. Ask God to help you carry his words, even the hard parts.

Talk About It

Why do you think God's words tasted sweet and bitter at the same time?

Has following God ever felt both good and hard for you?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank you that your promises are always true. Help us carry your words even when they are hard to swallow. Thank you that your plan always leads to Jesus. Amen.