Well, in Revelation 10 John is told to take a small scroll from an angel and eat it. He did and it tasted sweet as honey but was bitter in his stomach. This symbolizes the dual nature of God’s message: the initial joy of receiving divine revelation, followed by the sobering reality of impending judgment. John is then told to prophesy again, indicating the need to share this message with others despite its bitter aspects.
Studying, praying, and preparing to write this, my mind kept going back to 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of diligent study and accurate understanding of God’s word.
“Do your best”:
This emphasizes the need for effort and diligence in studying the Bible. It’s not a passive activity, but one that requires commitment and intentionality.
“present yourself to God as one approved”:
The ultimate goal is to be pleasing to God, not just to others.
“a worker who does not need to be ashamed”:
This highlights the importance of being knowledgeable and effective in sharing and applying the truth of Scripture. A worker who is ashamed may lack confidence in their understanding or ability to communicate the truth.
“who correctly handles the word of truth”:
Refers to understanding and interpreting the Bible accurately, avoiding misinterpretations or twisting of the scriptures. It’s about understanding God’s intended message and conveying it faithfully.
My grandma used to say, we always make time for what (or who) is most important. And we know that we get out of something as much as we put in. I know reading the bible is different for me than being in a good study–preferably inductive. I love researching word meanings and commentaries, but mostly seeking out the meaning of scripture on my own as much as possible using the tools I learned about a long time ago. But this requires time and effort.
Revelation 10:8-10 emphasizes the dual nature of God’s word – it is both a source of joy and a source of challenge. John’s experience reveals the importance of internalizing God’s message and sharing it with others, even when it is difficult. 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages believers to be devoted students of Scripture, putting in the effort to understand its meaning accurately and apply it correctly, so that they can confidently live out their faith and share the truth accurately with others.
Lord, help me/us to be passionate students of Scripture, so that we can confidently and correctly share it with others.
Deb Hill
EFCC Member