The little book that John eats in Revelation 10:9 has been the source of much discussion and debate amongst Bible scholars. Revelation 10 describes a mighty angel coming down from heaven with a little scroll open in his hand. The angel tells John to take the scroll and eat it, saying it will be sweet as honey in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. After eating the scroll, John is commanded to prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.
There are several main interpretations of what this little scroll represents:
1. The scroll represents taking in and proclaiming God’s word
Many scholars believe the little scroll is a symbol for absorbing and internalizing God’s word in order to proclaim it. The sweet and bitter aspects reflect both the joy and struggle of digesting then declaring God’s message. Just as Ezekiel and Jeremiah literally ate scrolls as a sign of taking in God’s word (Ezekiel 2:8-3:3, Jeremiah 15:16), John’s ingestion of the scroll represents fully accepting the wisdom, promises and commands of Scripture in order to boldly preach divine truth.
Supporting verses:
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16)
“But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” (Ezekiel 2:8)
2. The scroll contains prophecies about end times events
Another common view is that the little scroll contains prophecies and visions concerning the end times that John must digest and share. The sweetness reflects the hope contained in these prophecies, while the bitterness points to the suffering that will precede Christ’s return. After eating the scroll, John does go on to describe end times events in Revelation 11-22. So the little scroll may contain details about the tribulation, the reign of the antichrist, Christ’s second coming and the culmination of God’s plans.
Supporting verses:
“And he said to me, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” (Revelation 10:11)
“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.” (Revelation 11:1-2)
3. The scroll represents the gospel going out to the nations
Some interpreters suggest the little scroll refers to the spreading of the gospel message throughout the world, which John would proclaim after ingesting it. The sweetness of the scroll points to the goodness of the gospel and the joy of its proclamation. The bitterness may refer to persecution believers will face or the suffering required to bring the good news to people of all nations and languages. This view highlights how the angel tells John he “must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings” after eating the scroll (Revelation 10:11).
Supporting verses:
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
4. The scroll represents God’s covenant with His people
Another perspective is that the little scroll represents God’s covenant promises towards His people. Just as God made covenants with Old Testament figures like Abraham, Moses and David, the scroll contains His commitment to fulfill His promises to His faithful ones. Eating the scroll indicates appropriating the blessings of God’s covenant personally. The sweetness reflects the joy of God’s promises, while the bitterness points to trials that precede the covenant’s ultimate fulfillment. This view relates the scroll to the sealing of the 144,000 in Revelation 7 and 14.
Supporting verses:
“I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.” (Genesis 17:7)
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah…” (Jeremiah 31:31)
“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” (Revelation 14:1)
5. The scroll contains judgments against the wicked
Some commentators suggest the little scroll contains proclamations of judgment against the wicked. John is called to internalize these messages of wrath then prophesy them to the unrepentant. The sweetness reflects God’s righteousness and justice being displayed, while the bitterness points to the severity of the judgments. This perspective relates the scroll to the seven bowls of wrath described in Revelation 16.
Supporting verses:
“Upon the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.” (Psalm 11:6)
“For the Lord will execute judgment by fire And by His sword on all flesh, And those slain by the Lord will be many.” (Isaiah 66:16)
“The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.” (Revelation 16:2)
6. The scroll symbolizes Christ Himself
Some interpreters suggest the scroll represents Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh. Christ is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and contains the essence of God’s covenant with His people. Eating the scroll indicates fully identifying with Christ and His sufferings. The sweetness reflects the blessings of salvation, while the bitterness points to trials faced by believers. This idea relates the scroll to passages like John 6 where Christ speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood.
Supporting verses:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:51)
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him…” (Colossians 2:6)
7. The scroll is God’s will for the final days of history
Another perspective is that the little scroll encapsulates God’s full purposes and directives for the final period of the world before Christ’s return. John eating the scroll indicates fully absorbing God’s plans for the end times in order to prophecy and minister in alignment with them. The contents of the scroll are comprehensive – encompassing prophecy, salvation, judgment and the consummation of God’s kingdom.
Supporting verses:
“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done…” (Isaiah 46:9-10)
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12)
“And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:9)
8. The scroll is a new commission for John
Some scholars suggest the little scroll represents a fresh commission and set of instructions for the prophet John. By eating the scroll, John demonstrates his willingness to fully obey God’s latest commands for ministry in the coming season. The contents of the scroll outline John’s prophetic assignments in the days ahead, which will include both the joy of revelation as well as the difficulty of opposition.
Supporting verses:
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6)
9. The scroll is a symbolic object with no specified meaning
Some interpreters caution against assuming the little scroll has a precise symbolism. They argue Revelation employs heavy symbolism without always intending for each image to directly represent something. In this view, the scroll is a dramatic prophetic object without a specified meaning. John’s ingestion of the scroll heightens the sensory imagery and emotional impact for the reader, without the scroll necessarily symbolizing something on its own.
Supporting verses:
“And the voice which I heard from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, was speaking with me. The voice said, “Come up here and I will show you what must happen after these things.” (Revelation 4:1)
“Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.” (Revelation 8:2)
“Then I saw in heaven another marvelous event of great significance. Seven angels were holding the seven last plagues, which would bring God’s wrath to completion.” (Revelation 15:1)
Conclusion
There are a variety of perspectives on the meaning of the little scroll that John eats in Revelation 10. The mysterious vision has generated many plausible interpretations over the centuries. While the specifics are debated, most views converge around the ideas of John internalizing then proclaiming God’s message – whether of salvation, judgment, prophecy or God’s complete purposes for the end times. As with many apocalyptic images in Scripture, we likely will not know the definitive meaning of the little scroll until Christ returns. In the meantime, prayerful study, discussion and reflection can help shed more light on this fascinating prophetic vision.