Bittersweet. Sweet to the taste. Bitter to the sharer though.
John continues in the revelation of the Lord. At first, he’s told not to share a particular vision he’s been shown. Then later in the chapter he’s told to share from the little book he’s been given.
“I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. And they *said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”” Revelation 10:10-11
What does this mean? We are reading the revelation which was given to him. Do you think this was easy for John to share? As we have been reading it’s probably been hard for us at times. How much more for the person receiving the vision and told to communicate it. With sharing truth there is a sweet side but there’s also a bitter side.
We have loved ones we need to share with about the truth of the Gospel. Yes, it’s a wonderful truth filled with grace, but we’ve also learned there is judgment waiting for those who don’t choose to receive His grace. That can be bittersweet to us. Much like it was for John as well. That didn’t stop John though and it shouldn’t stop us. There’s a sweetness to the Gospel but in its purity, there is also bitterness. For many will hear the gospel but few will choose. Don’t stop sharing. Don’t stop praying. Don’t stop believing (in my Journey voice). It may be bittersweet, but we have the gift of Jesus to share and our testimony of God’s faithfulness.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.