A little reminder of where we are in the saga of Revelation: in John's vision, he has seen that the seven seals on the scroll have been broken by the Lamb of God in heaven, to disclose God's future plan for the cosmos and particularly for the inhabited world. Then he sees and hears seven trumpets announcing God's plagues upon a rebellious world. Today's verses come between the sixth and seventh trumpet. The scene has moved from heaven to earth and John is invited to take part in two dramas: with the angel and the scroll, and the two witnesses.

John is commanded by the Lord Jesus (the voice from heaven in Revelation 1:12-19) to take the scroll of God's plan for the future, and announce it to the whole world. In the same way that Jesus told the apostles to go to all the world to make disciples and tell them to obey Him (Matthew 28:19-20), now He gives John the task of telling the church to complete the task despite terrible opposition (Revelation 11:7-10).

John discovered that God's Word tasted both sweet and sour. The sweetness is described in Psalm 119:103. It has an immediate attractiveness to the man and woman of God; the truth promises life-rejoicing love and energy as godly people grow confident in God's ability to keep His Word. Psalm 19:10 says that God's words are sweeter than honey from the comb. And yet, as they are digested there is a different taste. For God's Word says He will use whatever means He chooses to refine His people (Hebrews 12:4-13) and to display His awesome power to unbelievers. Some will perish in their sin: some may yet repent (Revelation 11:13). John's prophetic task, a baton passed on to the church through the generations, was to announce that Jesus is coming to complete His kingdom and to deal with those who despise Him.

Knowing God's Word is both a sweet privilege and a gut-wrenching responsibility. We rejoice that the Lord will do all that He has said and yet it fills us with gladness for the redeemed and sadness for the rebellious, as well as the pain of persecution. Jeremiah was weary of ridicule because he spoke the truth but when he stopped speaking, God's Word became a fire within his heart - so that he had to keep on saying what was true (Jeremiah 20:8-9). That was the experience of all the prophets, but God blessed them (Matthew 5:10-12). It was John's experience, taking him to his prison exile (Revelation 1:9), and it would get him into more trouble. It is the experience of many of our brothers and sisters today, and may well be yours tomorrow. Do not be fooled by popular preachers who tell you that the Christian life is undiluted honey. It was vinegar for Jesus; so do not be surprised when holding and sharing the truth is gut-wrenchingly sour for you too. We share His sufferings before we share His glory (Romans 8:17). So, do not give up; get on with discharging the gospel commission which God has given you.