10:8-11 How are we to understand John eating the book here?
10:8-11 How are we to understand John eating the book here?
This is best understood in the light of Eze 2:8, 3:3 (cp Eze 2:8 - 3:3). This is the same teaching in effect as Rev 10:8-11. In their visions John and Ezekiel both ate the books. The books represent God's word.
They were sweet in John and Ezekiel's mouths, but bitter in their bellies, which symbolizes the mixture of blessings and curses in God's word. God's word is sweet to those who accept it, but it is also bitter in that it pronounces judgment on those who reject it (cp Psa 9:7-11; 119:103-105; Jer 15:16 with Eze 2:1-7; 3:4-7; Amos 5:10; Lk 19:41-44; Jn 12:48).
After he ate the book John was told that he must prophecy even further yet. He did this throughout the rest of Revelation.