The answer is: He ate it

Rev 10 vs 10

In Revelation 10:10, we see a striking moment where John takes the little book from the angel and eats it. Sounds a bit odd, right? But let’s unpack this symbolic action a bit more! Eating a scroll signifies internalizing the message—making it a part of who you are. This act connects John, and indeed the reader, to the idea of digesting divine revelation.

Interestingly, this notion of consuming words echoes throughout history. In Jewish tradition, God's commandments were often likened to "sweetness" when fulfilled and "bitterness" when faced with disobedience. This duality is reflected in John's experience; initially sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the stomach—a representation of joy followed by the stark reality of the prophetic messages and the suffering to come.

Biblical trivia highlight: Did you know that the scroll in this chapter could symbolize the uncompleted prophecy of God’s kingdom? John was tasked with proclaiming this profound truth, culminating the spiritual journey he embarked upon earlier in Revelation. This parallels older scriptures too! Remember Ezekiel, a fellow prophet, who also had to consume a scroll in Ezekiel 3:1-3? Both prophets faced the bittersweet nature of being a messenger, intertwining their physical actions with deep spiritual truths.

So, when John devours the little book, he doesn’t just munch on parchment; he's integrating a powerful and multifaceted message meant to resonate through generations, reminding us that truth can sometimes be a hard pill to swallow.