SCRIPTURE: Revelation 10
OBSERVATION:
Remember, John is still ‘hovering’ in his spirit, observing these grand visions unfolding before him. In this vision he becomes a part of the action. This huge angel reveals mysterious new information (the message of the seven thunders) that will not be unveiled until the last days (we still do not know what it is). Until that time, John (who represents all believers still on earth before the final days) is told to ‘eat’ (take hold of, then share with others) the message of Jesus, as symbolized by the little scroll. We are reminded of two prophets, Jeremiah who spoke of eating up God’s word [Jeremiah 15:16] , and Ezekiel who was also told to eat the scroll of God’s message, and it was sweet to the taste [Ezekiel 3:1-3]. The reason God’s message turns sour in the stomach is because the people we speak to do not always accept it, and often results in rejection and persecution.
APPLICATION:
John represents us, we are represented by John. We need to devour God’s message about Jesus, make it a part of us, be nourished and grow by it. This is our job now, not trying to figure out the mysteries of the last days (these have been hidden for now).
This passage is a call for me to be a witness for the message of Jesus, to experience it personally and to share it publicly. The message itself is sweet, but the reception will often be sour. People do not want to be convicted. As St. Augustine said, “People love truth when it enlightens, they hate it when it reproves.” Yes, this message does reprove, like a doctor reproving a patient with heart disease for careless diet and exercise. We need to be reproved, because our behaviours are killing us!
We are NOT to judge or reject people, but to show them the better way by living it ourselves (am I?), and to tell them about the better way. How they respond is between them and the Lord, but we are responsible to eat and to share the message!
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to personally experience You and Your life-changing message, that I may show and share this impact with others, that they too may experience You and Your life-changing message.
When was the last time I devoured a book? Ezekiel did. John did. Ezekiel was told to speak to the people. The words of the prophet was certainly not sweet to the hearers. John needs to do the same and certainly His Word is not sweet to the hearers. God’s people hear the Good News and they deliver that Good News. The messenager of that news is not always appreciated, because of the words spoken.
I need to devour His Word so that it becomes my nutrition, my power, my strength each day. It is in Him that I have my being. He must be all of me – throughout. As I live out of His Word today, help me be a living testimony in all I do and say. Happiness is – living for Jesus. grant me the endurance to run the race well, Lord. Encourage me on my way this day, Lord, in all I do and say.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.