New Testament

Revelation 10:9

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In Revelation 10:9, John approaches an angel and requests a small scroll.

Author: John the apostle
Written: Around AD 95
Genre: Apocalyptic prophecy
Original Audience: The seven churches of Asia Minor

CBTClear Bible Translation

So I went to the angel and said to him, 'Give me the small scroll.' He said, 'Take it and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.'

KJVKing James Version

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.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In Revelation 10:9, John approaches an angel and requests a small scroll. The angel instructs him to eat it, indicating that while it will taste sweet in his mouth, it will turn bitter in his stomach. This imagery symbolizes the dual nature of God's message. The sweetness represents the joy and hope found in God's promises, while the bitterness signifies the challenges and hardships that often accompany the fulfillment of those promises. This passage highlights the complexity of receiving divine revelation; it can bring both comfort and discomfort. Believers are reminded that understanding God's word may lead to both joy and trials, reflecting the reality of faith in a fallen world. The act of eating the scroll also suggests internalizing God's message, making it a part of oneself, which is essential for spiritual growth and understanding.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Revelation 10:9 to your life

When faced with God's word, be prepared for both its sweetness and its challenges. Embrace the joy of His promises while acknowledging the difficulties that may arise. This balance can strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of God's purpose in your life.

Curated for this public verse page. Revelation Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Revelation 10:9 mean?

Revelation 10:9 describes John receiving a small scroll from an angel, which he is instructed to eat. The sweetness in his mouth symbolizes the joy of God's message, while the bitterness in his stomach represents the hardships that can come with it.

What is the significance of eating the scroll in Revelation 10:9?

Eating the scroll in Revelation 10:9 symbolizes internalizing God's message. It emphasizes that understanding and accepting divine revelation can bring both joy and challenges, reflecting the complexities of faith.

What does the sweetness and bitterness represent in Revelation 10:9?

In Revelation 10:9, the sweetness represents the joy and hope found in God's promises, while the bitterness signifies the difficulties and trials that often accompany those promises.

How can Revelation 10:9 apply to my life?

Revelation 10:9 encourages believers to embrace both the joy of God's promises and the challenges that may arise. This balance can help strengthen faith and deepen understanding of God's purpose.

Book Summary

The Book of Revelation

Revelation 1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gives Him to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent and signified by His angel to John, who bears record of the word of God. A blessing is pronounced upon those who read and hear the words of this prophecy and keep the things written therein, for the time is at hand. John writes to the seven churches in Asia, sending grace and peace from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, who washed us from our sins in His own blood. He declares Himself Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. John, in the isle of Patmos for the word of God, is in the Spirit on the Lord's day and hears behind him a great voice as a trumpet. Turning, he sees seven golden candlesticks and one like the Son of man among them, clothed to the foot, His head and hairs white as wool, His eyes as a flame of fire, His feet like fine brass, His voice as the sound of many waters, seven stars in His right hand, and a sharp twoedged sword going out of His mouth. John falls at His feet as dead, and the Lord lays His right hand upon him, saying, Fear not, I am the first and the last, He that liveth and was dead and is alive for evermore. He reveals that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches.

Revelation 2: Letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira The Lord dictates letters to four of the seven churches. To Ephesus He commends their labor and patience and their rejection of evil men, but charges that they have left their first love, calling them to repent and do the first works. To Smyrna, suffering tribulation and poverty yet rich, He warns of coming imprisonment and bids them be faithful unto death to receive a crown of life, promising the overcomer shall not be hurt by the second death. To Pergamos, dwelling where Satan's seat is, He commends their holding fast His name but rebukes those holding the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans, promising the overcomer hidden manna and a white stone with a new name. To Thyatira He commends their charity and works yet rebukes their suffering the woman Jezebel to teach and seduce His servants, declaring He will cast her into a bed of tribulation and that He searcheth the reins and hearts; the overcomer shall have power over the nations and the morning star. Revelation 3: Letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea The Lord continues to the remaining three churches. To Sardis He declares they have a name that they live but are dead, urging them to be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, yet noting a few who have not defiled their garments who shall walk with Him in white. To Philadelphia, who has kept His word and not denied His name, He sets before them an open door which no man can shut, promising to keep them from the hour of temptation that shall come upon all the world, and that the overcomer shall be a pillar in the temple of God. To Laodicea He rebukes their being lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, so that He will spue them out of His mouth; they think themselves rich and increased with goods, but are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, and He counsels them to buy of Him gold tried in the fire. He declares that He stands at the door and knocks, and if any man hear His voice and open the door, He will come in to him; the overcomer shall sit with Him in His throne.

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