The Little Scroll is a significant element found in the Book of Revelation, specifically in Revelation 10. This passage is part of the Apostle John's apocalyptic vision while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. The Little Scroll is introduced in a dramatic scene involving a mighty angel and serves as a symbolic representation of divine revelation and prophecy.

Biblical Account

In Revelation 10:1-2 , John describes the appearance of a mighty angel: "Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. He held in his hand a little scroll, which lay open." The angel's majestic appearance underscores the importance of the message contained within the scroll.

The Little Scroll is distinct from the larger scroll with seven seals mentioned earlier in Revelation (Revelation 5). Unlike the sealed scroll, the Little Scroll is open, indicating that its contents are ready to be revealed. The open nature of the scroll suggests that the message it contains is imminent and accessible.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The Little Scroll is often interpreted as a symbol of prophetic revelation. The act of the angel holding the scroll open signifies that God's message is being disclosed to humanity. The scroll's small size may indicate that the message is specific and targeted, possibly relating to a particular aspect of God's plan.

In Revelation 10:8-10 , John is instructed to take the scroll and eat it: "Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, 'Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.' So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, 'Take it and eat it. 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 is rich in symbolism. It echoes the experiences of Old Testament prophets like Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:1-3) and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:16), who also consumed God's words. The sweetness in John's mouth represents the joy and delight of receiving God's word, while the bitterness in his stomach signifies the difficult and often harsh realities of the prophetic message, which includes judgment and tribulation.

Theological Significance

The Little Scroll emphasizes the dual nature of prophecy: it is both a source of hope and a warning of impending judgment. The scroll's contents are not explicitly detailed in the text, leading to various interpretations among scholars and theologians. Some suggest it contains specific judgments or events that are to unfold during the end times, while others view it as a reaffirmation of the gospel message and the ultimate victory of Christ.

The imagery of the angel standing on both the sea and the land (Revelation 10:2) signifies the universal scope of the message, indicating that it pertains to all of creation. This reinforces the idea that the Little Scroll's message is of great importance and relevance to the entire world.

Conclusion

The Little Scroll in Revelation 10 serves as a powerful symbol of divine revelation and the prophetic message entrusted to John. Its open state, the act of consumption, and the resulting sweetness and bitterness highlight the complex nature of God's word, which brings both comfort and challenge to believers. The Little Scroll remains a profound element of apocalyptic literature, inviting reflection on the nature of prophecy and the unfolding of God's plan for humanity.