How many times have I asked my children the question, “Are you sick to your stomach?” Many times, while they were still home, they would come into the kitchen and say they did not feel good. There were two questions I usually ask before further investigation into the matter. The first was, are you sick to your stomach, and the second was do you have a headache. These were the two forms of sickness that were common in our home. I must admit the one I hate the most is being sick to my stomach. I would rather have almost anything rather than nausea or throwing up.
In Revelation chapter 10, we find John receiving words from an angel that made him sick to his stomach. In verse 8, he hears the voice of a mighty angel. The angel tells him to take the little book and eat it. He warns him that when he eats it, the taste will be as sweet as honey, but after consuming it, he will be sick to his stomach. It will become bitter in his belly.
John takes the book from the angel and does as he is told. When he symbolically placed it in his mouth, he realized that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was approaching the time to take control of the world. He knew that soon, he would enter eternity with Jesus forever. For a moment, he savors the sweetness. The mere thought of that for anyone would be sweet and jubilant. It is what we are all waiting and longing for. The sweetness of that moment brings joy and peace to our souls. The comfort and hope of eternity with Jesus in Heaven makes all the earthly trials seem like nothing compared to the unspeakable joy in Heaven. I am reminded of Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Unfortunately, John’s sweetness does not last long. As soon as he realizes Jesus is taking dominion over the world, the horrible thought of eternity for those who don’t know Jesus sours John’s stomach. At this time, there will be no more opportunities for those who are lost. The thought of so many dying and going to eternal tournment was sickening. John loved as Jesus told us to love. In Matthew 22:39 Jesus tells us to “love they neighbor as thyself.” John loved people so much that it robbed him of the joy of his own impending eternity.
Revelation 10:8-11 “And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”
How much do you love others? Does it bring tears to your eyes to think about people that Jesus died for spending eternity in Hell? It should! If it does not, get on your knees and ask God to give you a burden for those that are lost. Ask Him to give you the boldness to witness, to see them as John saw them falling into a pit of darkness, burning forever with no hope of escaping the torture. If you do not love people enough to be concerned for their souls, you do not love Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we love Jesus, we will desire what He desires. We will obey what He has commanded. We will be witnesses and be well aware that every person we meet is a soul that will spend eternity either in Heaven or Hell.
While studying and writing this devotional, I, too, felt sick and burdened over those I know who are lost. I pray that God will give me wisdom and words to start a conversation with those I come in contact with so that I may share what a wonderful Savior I have that they, too, can have. I pray I never lose the image of those who die without Him spending eternity in Hell. I cannot be concerned with what others may think about me or if they will receive what I say. I must be concerned for their soul and obeying Jesus. If they accept Him, they will thank me; if they do not, they will remember their opportunity in Hell one day. I must love them like Jesus loves them.
