by Ron
(Meridian, Idaho, USA)
The book could mean that it was a mission for John to perform. As he eats it, accepts his mission, it is sweet,the words are sweet to the ears of those who hearken to them, but as he performs his mission, speaks the words of this prophecy, it becomes bitter to him as people don't understand it or reject it outright. They will not repent of their wickedness, so it is upsetting to him, which is the bitterness in his belly.
Reply from Watchman Bob: Good insight. John's mission is to "write the words of this prophecy" to send to the seven congregations of Asia. And the little book which is sweet to the taste then turns sour in the belly represents the initial sweetness of the vengeance of the Lord on the wicked but the sourness of the terrible devastation of that vengeance.
Common English translations of Hebrew and Messianic terms used in this commentary:
Yehovah - the LORD or GOD
Yah - I Am (the short form of Yehovah)
Elohim - God
El - God (the short form of Elohim)
Adonai - my Lord or Master
Yeshua - Jesus
Followers of Yeshua -
Christians
Messiah - Christ
Assembly of Followers of
Yeshua - the Church
Antimessiah - Antichrist
BBM - Before the Birth of
the Messiah (rather than
BC or BCE)
ABM - After the Birth of the Messiah (rather than AD
or CE)
For a complete explanation of Hebrew terms used, go to Important Terms and Concepts.