Sweet and Bitter

Between the sixth and seventh trumpets there is a pause, like the pause between the sixth and seventh seals. A mighty angel comes down from the sky, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow on his head, a face like the sun, and feet like pillars of fire. He holds a little open book. Standing on both sea and land shows that his message is for the whole world.

When he shouts, seven thunders sound. John starts to write, but a voice from heaven tells him to seal up what they said. Not everything is revealed to us. Then the angel raises his hand and swears by the one who created heaven, earth, and sea. There will be no more delay. When the seventh angel sounds, the mystery of God will be finished.

John is told to take the little book and eat it. It tastes sweet as honey, but makes his stomach bitter. God’s word is sweet because it is from God and full of hope. It can be bitter because it includes hard news and calls for courage to share. Then John is told, You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.