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Expositors generally make this little book the emblem of the holy scriptures; and the command given by the angel to St. John to eat this book, imports the great duty of studying diligently the holy scriptures, inwardly digesting them, and making them our own by particular application. What we eat is turned into nourishment, and becomes one substance with ourselves; thus the mysteries of the gospel must be eaten by the interpreters of gospel-mysteries. It is not enough that we know divine things, but we must know them divinely; we must have a savoury knowledge of them, and an experimental acquaintance with them.
Observe, 2. The effect which the eating of this book had upon St. John, it was in his mouth sweet as honey, in his belly very bitter: that is, the knowledge he had of divine mysteries, was in itself very pleasant, but the knowledge of the persecutions and cruelties which the Christians were to suffer and undergo, was very bitter to his soul.
Learn hence, That though communication of light from God, and the revelation of the mind and will of God, be in itself very delightful to his ministers, yet in respect to the said messages contained in his word, it is very burdensome and bitter to them; however, it being the burden of the Lord, they must bear it, they must carry it.
Every good man, much more every gracious minister, has a very high estimation of the word of God, he esteems it as food, he esteems it as necessary food, he esteems it more than his necessary food; but when God sends us to denounce judgments upon sinners, our belly trembles, our lips quiver, anguish takes hold upon us; we desire not the woeful day, Lord, thou knowest.
Observe lastly, The assurance God gives St. John of farther revelations of his mind unto him, As thou hast prophesied, so thou must prophesy again before many people, and nations, and tongues, and kings: see here in St. John's person the true end and reason why God calls his ministers, and fits them with gifts, and why they furnish themselves the more serviceable in his work, that they may speak of his word before kings and not be ashamed.