Revelation 10 Footnotes

10:1-4 Chapters 10–11 provide a second interlude in the book, between the sixth and seventh trumpets. The “little scroll” (Gk biblaridion) may be either a second scroll or the same scroll, which appears small because the angel holding it is so big. Because the voices of the seven peals of thunder were sealed, God has not seen fit to reveal the contents, as he has in many cases (Dt 29:29).

10:8-11 John eating the little scroll recalls Ezekiel being commanded to do the same thing (Ezk 3:1-3). In John’s case, while the eating was sweet, the digesting was bitter (Rv 10:10). The implication here is that, while the word of God (i.e., John’s prophesying) is sweet, the calloused rejection of his hearers is bitter indeed. All ministry of the Word of God is similarly bittersweet.