Revelation 10:9

9 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.”

A. John hesitates to take the book. He walks up to the mighty angel and asks for the book. The angel responds, “Take it, and eat it.”

B. It is clear that expects His commands to be obeyed - period. No changes. John wanted to change the command from “take” to “ask for” and it was not allowed.

C. The further instruction is that the book was to be eaten (chewed, swallowed and digested) before it can be of value. Many just read. While this is a good place to start, it is not the end of what we must do as we seek to understand and apply the Word of God to our lives.

D. In John’s mouth it would taste sweet, but in the stomach there would be bitterness. The symbolism is clear. Many hear the gospel, understand the message of salvation, forgiveness and redemption. They obey the gospel, are baptized, and begin living the Christian life. It is wonderful to know that they are forgiven. We are filled with joy and delight, knowing that they are saved.

E. Then, along comes some bitterness. Some calamity, hardship or persecution enters our life. Now the gospel has some “acid reflux,” a burning, and bitterness. When the gospel becomes bitterness, when living the Christian life becomes heartburn, many abandon the faith they once proclaimed and confessed.