John's commission to prophesy is a significant event recorded in the Book of Revelation, which is the final book of the New Testament. This commission is a pivotal moment in the apocalyptic vision given to the Apostle John, who is traditionally understood to be the author of Revelation. The event underscores the divine authority and responsibility bestowed upon John to convey God's messages to the churches and the world.

Biblical Context

The commission occurs in Revelation 10, a chapter that serves as an interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets. This section of Revelation is rich with symbolic imagery and divine encounters, emphasizing the gravity and urgency of the prophetic message.

The Mighty Angel and the Little Scroll

In Revelation 10:1-11, John describes a mighty angel descending from heaven, clothed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head. His face is like the sun, and his legs are like pillars of fire. The angel holds a little scroll, which is open in his hand. The angel's appearance and the open scroll signify the divine origin and authority of the message to be delivered.

John is instructed to take the scroll from the angel and eat it. Revelation 10:9-10 states, "So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. 'Take it and eat it,' he said. 'It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.' So I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter."

The act of eating the scroll symbolizes the internalization of God's message. The sweetness in John's mouth represents the joy and privilege of receiving divine revelation, while the bitterness in his stomach reflects the difficult and often harsh nature of the prophetic message he must deliver.

The Command to Prophesy

Following the consumption of the scroll, John receives a direct command to prophesy. Revelation 10:11 records, "And they told me, 'You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.'" This command highlights the scope and significance of John's prophetic mission. He is to speak not only to the churches but to a broader audience, encompassing diverse peoples and rulers.

Theological Significance

John's commission to prophesy underscores the role of prophecy in the Christian faith as a means of revealing God's will and purposes. It affirms the continuity of prophetic ministry from the Old Testament to the New Testament, with John standing in the tradition of the prophets who were called to deliver God's messages to His people.

The imagery of the little scroll and the command to prophesy also emphasize the dual nature of prophetic revelation—both sweet and bitter. This reflects the reality that God's messages often contain both promises of hope and warnings of judgment.

Implications for the Church

For the early Christian communities to whom Revelation was addressed, John's commission served as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of persecution and trials. The prophetic messages contained in Revelation were intended to encourage believers to remain steadfast, offering both comfort and exhortation.

In contemporary Christian thought, John's commission continues to inspire believers to engage with the prophetic aspects of Scripture, recognizing the ongoing relevance of God's messages for the church and the world. The call to prophesy serves as a reminder of the church's mission to proclaim the gospel and bear witness to the truth of God's Word in every generation.