As sweet as honey but bitter to the stomach

[veterinarian]

It is presses into my mind, and I must tell someone:

Rev 10:9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
Rev 10:10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.


The part about "as sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter."

I know that one of the commentaries that I have read interpreted this passage to refer to the fact that the news that John was receiving would be welcome (that is, the return of Christ) but that the thought of all the negative things that will happen to people will be bitter to him.

[Keith]

Yes Vet, the Lord's words are sweet like honey but there are bitter effects that follow. For reference, in Psalm 19 the word of the Lord is compared to the sweetness of honey...

[veterinarian]

Ah, what wonderful words to my ears:

Psa 19:1 <To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psa 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: [glow=red,2,300]sweeter also than honey [/glow]and the honeycomb.
Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Psa 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Psa 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

[Murph]

Vet, when I read that I think in terms of reading something and sitting back to digest it, or food for thought. That is what was happening to John. He was told to go get the little book and so he did. Imagine walking up to an angel and doing that? Taking a book…from an angel?

What John tasted was the will and mind of God in that “little Book” and it was sweet indeed. In the narrative of what John was experiencing at that point, the prayers of the believers were about to be answered and the coming of the Lord was at hand. All this was in the future. Like it is said, prophecy is history foretold. So too was all the bitterness that would come first in the form of the bowls and battles and horrible things before the breaking of the great and glorious day and the Coming of the Lord!

That is what that passage says to me.

[veterinarian]

It seems to say both what Keifer has pointed out and then what Duck has pointed out.

I have read Revelation for years, and loved it, except for the suffering of those who endure the judgements during the Tribulation. I do not what anyone to go through that suffering!