The answer is: He ate it

Rev 10 vs 10

In Revelation 10:10, we find John devouring what is called the "little book." This moment is rich with symbolism, reflecting deep spiritual truths. Eating the book can be seen as an act of assimilation—John internalizes the message tied to the dollar. The book initially tastes sweet in his mouth, like honey, but then turns bitter in his stomach. This powerful imagery captures the dual nature of prophecy—promising hope and joy yet often also bringing profound sorrow and harsh realities.

A fun fact related to this passage is the tradition around where John is often believed to have written Revelation, typically thought to be on the island of Patmos. This rugged and isolated spot symbolized his separation from the churches he dearly loved. It’s like classic literary tropes where the seer often returns from isolation with a heightened perspective, clutching gripping truths embellished with sweet yet bitter realities.

Interestingly, this tale echoes throughout biblical history. The crucial connection to hunger for divine truth can also be seen in Jeremiah 15:16, where the prophet mentions delighting in God’s word like it’s food. Another phase is when Ezekiel consumes a scroll filled with words lamenting, mourning, and woe (Ezekiel 2:8-3:3), reinforcing that divine truths often ask for both joy and burden to bear. The craft of seer stories in the Bible showcases an engagement with uncomfortable knowledge that contributes to the larger narrative of faithful living.