What does Revelation 10:10 mean?
In this verse we learn John took the little scroll from the angel and ate it. Just as the angel had said, the scroll tasted sweet but turned bitter in John's stomach. This description is meant to have a symbolic application to all believers, though that meaning is often missed or misunderstood. Believers are commissioned to proclaim God's Word—all of it—but we cannot proclaim what we do not know. We must partake of the Word and make it a part of our being. Further, we must not withhold any message from the Word because it might be bitter. Even if it offends our audience, we must speak the truth in love (Acts 20:27; Ephesians 4:15). In other words, we are obligated and privileged to share the whole Word with the whole world.The little scroll was sweet, likely because it contained a message of hope for Israel. God will vindicate righteous Jews, defeat their foes, and restore the kingdom to Israel. He will refine one third of the nation in the fire of the tribulation. These refined Jews will call on the Lord's name and be reconciled to him (Zechariah 13:9). But the little scroll also contained a bitter message: the destruction of the wicked will be bitter.